Phillip McGilton knows a thing or two about driving. Over the years he has driven a Ford in the ARCA/REMAX Series of stock car racing and a Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (now the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series). In 2007 he came to Top Truck Challenge in his massive, fire-breathing '83 Chevy K10 pickup and threw down a great performance that earned him a Fourth Place finish, missing a tie for Third Place by only one point. He has also raced dirt bikes and go-carts, and competed in rodeos. In addition, he owns SIPerformance in Marion, Illinois.
McGilton could probably drive a luxurious Escalade or BMW every day, but he chooses to drive this way-cool spray-can-painted, trail-dented, classic '71 GMC Stepside pickup. He was hunting for a low-buck wheeling machine back in May of 2008 when he found this truck in a farmer's field. McGilton purchased the truck for $1,100 and promptly took it wheeling. It didn't take long before he bonded with the old rig, and this led to a bling-less buildup.
Today the GMC pulls double-duty as a trail machine and daily driver. McGilton says it does everything from the daily commute to his shop to hauling his kids to school. This is one phat matte rig that can do it all.
The outside of the rig sports a Harwood fiberglass hood. McGilton says the metal work on the GMC is courtesy of "mother nature." The no-nonsense matte finish paint is courtesy of a few cans of Wal-Mart spray paint. This approach to paint has benefits, like the ability to easily touch up scrapes and dents after a day of wheeling, which McGilton has obviously done. The custom front bumper is made from 6x2 square tubing. This bumper has a pair of shackle mounts and a winch mount that holds a Warn 9.5 winch. Out back there's a custom rear bumper made from 5x2 square tubing and it has a pair of shackle mounts and a 2-inch receiver. On each side of the rig is a custom rock slider made from 1.75-inch 0.120-wall tubing. The rig rolls on 39.5x15.0-17 Super Swamper TSL tires mounted on 9-inch-wide Mickey Thompson Classic Lock wheels.
A Custom Differentials-built Dana 60 resides in the front of the truck. It's been upgraded with Moser chromoly inner axleshafts; Moser chromoly 35-spline outers; a Detroit Locker; MileMarker hubs; a Dynatrac diff cover; and 5.13:1 gears. The steering system is a high-steer unit fabbed by the guys at SIPerformance using Blue Torch FabWorks high-steer arms, a custom tie rod and drag link with QA1 spherical rod ends, and an AGR Rock Ram kit. The front suspension features Superlift 6-inch-lift leaf springs and Bilstein 5150 Series piggyback-reservoir shocks.
Under the hood is a potent GM ZZ383 crate engine. It makes 425 hp at a low 5,400 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. It has 1.5:1 roller rockers; hydraulic roller lifters; Fast Burn aluminum heads; lightweight stainless steel valves and retainers; a 4340, nitrided, induction-hardened, forged crankshaft; heavy-duty forged powdered metal piston rods; an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake; a Holley Truck Avenger 770-cfm carburetor; Hooker ceramic-coated 1.75-inch-diameter headers; Flowmaster mufflers; a GM distributor; an MSD 6AL ignition; a Powermaster 140-amp alternator; a March Performance Pulleys serpentine pulley system; a K&N air filter; and an Optima YellowTop battery. The engine is cooled via a GM four-core radiator with a pair of 12-inch electric fans. Bolted to the engine is a TCI-built TH350 transmission, and it has a B&M shifter and cooler with fan.
 The custom SIPerformance-built...  The custom SIPerformance-built rollcage travels through the back of the GMC's cab and ties into the frame at the rear of the truck. This rollcage also integrates a spare-tire mount. McGilton removed the floor of the Stepside bed and installed a JAZ Products 20-gallon fuel cell. He says the aero-friendly tailgate was on the truck when he bought it. |  The interior is an eclectic...  The interior is an eclectic mix of old and new. The seats are stock, but they've been upgraded with Simpson belts (and some pretty snazzy seat covers). The full rollcage was fabbed by the team at SIPerformance and it's made from 1.75-inch-diameter 0.120-wall tubing. The steering wheel is from Grant and the gauges are a collection of Auto Meter Phantom units set in a custom cluster. Audio is courtesy of Panasonic/Sony/JL Audio components. |  Custom Differentials built...  Custom Differentials built the rear axle too, and it's a GM 14-bolt. It's built to handle whatever McGilton can dish out, with Moser chromoly axleshafts, 5.13:1 gears, a spool, Custom Differentials disc brakes, and a Dynatrac diff cover. The suspension is simple, yet functional and similar to the front. It's comprised of Superlift 6-inch-lift leaves and a pair of Bilstein 5150 Series piggyback shocks. A pair of custom SIPerformance-built traction bars ensures that the 39.5-inch Swampers stay planted under hard acceleration. |
Power is routed to the axles...
Power is routed to the axles via an Atlas two-speed 3.8:1 transfer case with 1410 yokes and a pair of beefy Drive Shaft Unlimited 'shafts.
Specifications
General
Owner/Hometown: Phillip McGilton/Marion, Illinois
Vehicle/Model: 1971 GMC Stepside
Estimated value: N/A
Engine
Type: ZZ383 V-8 GM crate engine
Aspiration: Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, Holley Truck Avenger 770-cfm carburetor, Hooker ceramic-coated headers, Flowmaster mufflers
Output, hp/torque @ rpm (estimated): 425 @ 5,400/460 lb-ft @ 4,500
Drivetrain
Transmission: TCI-built TH350, B&M cooler with fan, B&M shifter
Transfer Case: Atlas two-speed 3.8:1
Suspension
Front: Superlift 6-inch-lift leaves, Bilstein 5150 Series piggyback shocks
Rear: Superlift 6-inch-lift leaves, Bilstein 5150 Series piggyback shocks, custom traction bars
Axles/Differentials
Front: Dana 60, custom crossover steering, Blue Torch FabWorks high-steer arms, AGR Rock Ram/Detroit Locker
Rear: GM 14-bolt, Custom Differentials disc brakes/spool
Ring-and-pinion: 5.13:1
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17x9 Mickey Thompson Classic Lock
Tires: 39.5x15.0-17 Super Swamper TSL