More than a SuburbanAt first glance, the SUV looks more like a Cadillac Escalade than a Chevy Suburban. Here's why: extensive modifications were made to the exterior. The front end of the Suburban was replaced with a one from a 2000 Cadillac Escalade. This process was no easy swap since the Suburban is 18 inches longer than an Escalade. Special brackets were fabricated and work on the fenders was needed in order to massage the new bumper into place. The rear taillights are from a 1993 Cadillac Deville. The third brake light also comes from a Cadillac, a 2001 STS. The running boards and the all the moldings on the side of the truck were molded to look like one big piece. To give the truck a unique look, all of the side moldings were made from scratch.
All the handles on the doors were shaved, and are opened using a remote control from a Viper ESP 800 (which also protects the vehicle). All the doors are opened using a six-inch actuator. The rear doors are suicide doors, like the hood. Special hinges and brackets were manufactured from scratch to have the doors open this way (backwards). Rick's even went as far as relocating the gas cap above the left side taillight. The pillar slides up and down to reveal the gas cap. The rear two doors are also opened and closed using a six-inch actuator.
Rolling down the street, massive chrome 20" Lowenhart GS-1's wrapped in Michelin 275/40-20's get the truck instant attention. Air ride Technologies provides the air bag suspension. Normally four bags would be used, but this truck has six bags to give the heavy SUV a more stable ride. With the air bag suspension, Dotson can easily dump (lower) the vehicle so everyone can see what's inside. (Better leave it down for a while, Earl, there's a lot to see.)
It took six months to complete the work on the Suburban. And Dotson is very proud to drive it around (as he should be). A lot of careful planning and labor has turned this into a serious hybrid showstopper. So that makes us wonder what Dotson enjoys more, leveling opponents on the football field or rolling around in his SUV slammed on dubs? But then, when you can do both you never really have to choose.