TUBULAR
When the stock frame for his '72 Blazer succumbed to rust, Todd Steglich of central Texas decided to replace it with a tube frame. Out came the tube bender and the welder, and after using up a whopping 172 feet of 1 5/8-inch tubing, the new frame was finished. Then a built 427ci Chevy big-block V-8, a TH350 tranny and an NP205 T-case were put into place. For flex and lift, 6-inch Skyjacker springs were used. Attached to the springs up front is a Dana 60 axle with a limited-slip and 4.56 gears. In the rear a 14-bolt with a Detroit Locker and an identical gear ratio are used. Finally, a set of 40-inch Ground Hawgs are selected to claw through the Texas mud.
BUMMER, MAN
Clyde Smiley of Parma, Ohio turned his '84 Chevy Suburban into what you see here with the help of a Bummer body kit-and no, don't ask; those kits are no longer available. In addition to this most obvious change, the 350ci small-block V-8 was rebuilt and outfitted with a Crane cam, a Holley intake and Pacesetter headers. Right behind the engine is a 700-R4 trans that was also rebuilt. A 2-inch Skyjacker lift was installed to add just a little altitude. With everything else done, a set of 38x12.50 Super Swampers fit just fine.
UP NORTH
This big '95 Chevy 1/2-ton comes from Tony Jackson of Anchorage, Alaska. A live-axle conversion was used to gain lots of lift and flex. In place of the IFS was slung a Dana 44 front axle equipped with 5.13 gears and a limited-slip. Out back, there's a Corporate 14-bolt, also equipped with a set of 5.13 gears and a Detroit Locker. The live-axle conversion helped clear the way for a set of 44-inch Boggers. To help rotate the massive meats, the 5.7L V-8 was equipped with a K&N air filter system and a 3-inch exhaust. Finally, an AGR Rock Ram was utilized to make steering less of a chore.
BIG PANEL
Trevor Hardwick's rig started out life as a two-wheel-drive '57 Chevy panel truck. But Trevor wasn't satisfied with the truck's stock composition, so he acquired a frame from a '79 Suburban and shortened that 6 inches and built new body mounts to fit the '57s body, which he placed atop this much sturdier frame. Next, a Chevy big-block 454ci V-8 was nestled between the framerails to power the beast. Then a Superlift 12-inch suspension lift was put into place to push the swapped-in 1-ton axles even farther from the frame. Massive 44-inch Super Swampers turned by 4.88 gears were then screwed to the axles to finish off the beast.
BIG BLUE
Tommy Block of West Monroe, Louisiana built this big '80 Chevy Blazer. A 12-inch suspension lift along with a 3-inch body lift was used to make way for the 44-inch Swampers (front) and 44-inch Boggers (rear). A 350ci V-8 powers the rig and sends power to a TH350 trans. The axles were stuffed with 4.56 gears to help turn the big meats, and a Warn 12,000-pound winch rests up front to help pull it out of the Louisiana goo.