Going through Duke’s Customs (near Denver), the shop where Big John (as he likes to be known) is manager, is like going through some sort of Frankenstein-like automotive laboratory. Amidst a slew of collectibles like a ’48 Ford F-100 and a Deuzenberg, there are even more bizarre projects, like a twin-turbo Callaway Corvette about to meet the skin of a ’69 Stingray.
Across the warehouse from this hybrid is an all-electric ’66 Mustang with hemp seats. And, yes, it’s green and may be giving the Tesla a run for its money once it’s complete. After we shot his truck, John had to go meet someone to sell one of his other toys, an Aston Martin.
Duke’s garage, or warehouse as it should be called, is filled to the brim with automotive chicanery but what do you suppose this manager’s daily driver is? That’s right, an oil burner. But not just any oil burner. This ’06 GMC 2500HD is one of the few examples rolling around on massive 24-inch rims and definitely the only truck with these humongous hoops in the Denver greater city limits where John stays.
Originally from California, John came out to Denver a few years back to get away from “a spot of trouble,” which may or may not be why he doesn’t want his last name used. But who are we to pry, right? Let’s hear more about his rig. He traveled back and forth a lot before finally settling here around November 2007. It was then that he acquired the GMC. He immediately had it lifted, then the rest of the work was done at his shop in less than a month. And the rest as they say, is history.
The 6.6L motor is making decent...
The 6.6L motor is making decent enough power, so the only upgrade here is the ATS E-Power electronic tuner. Well, unless you include the 4-inch Spin Tech exhaust that repels the nasty gases that were originally brought in by the ATS intake.
’06 GMC 2500HD
CST lift, completely powdercoated
24-inch Novakane 8 BMF wheels
38x14x24 Kuhmo tires
Hand-polished skidplate
Hand-polished driveline
Hand-polished bag cups
Firestone Ride-Rite bags
AMP Research boards
Spin Tech exhaust
Leather and suede interior
Kenwood DNX7120 All-In-One navigation
10-inch headrest monitors
2 Rockford Fosgate subs
2 Rockford Fosgate amps
ATS E-Power electronic tuner
Backup camera for easy trailer loading
Airbag controls mounted in the bumper
 The first thing you notice...  The first thing you notice from the front is the hand-polished skidplate from CST, which happens to be the same company that supplied the 10-inch lift. If the doors were open you could peep in and see the AMP Research boards. But, they’re not, so check out the massive lift while you have the chance, which consists of Firestone Ride-Rite bags and polished Fox shocks. Don’t leave until you see the powder-coated leaf springs that match the other purple parts. |  Polished cups and a sinister...  Polished cups and a sinister diff cover make the rear end stand out. |  Many lifted trucks might forego...  Many lifted trucks might forego the interior on the basis that as high as the cabin is, it won’t be seen. But Big John’s cabin has leather and suede galore as well as a bumpin’ stereo system. The latter consists of two Rockford Fosgate subs and a pair of amps to match. For viewing pleasure, there’s a pair of 10-inch headrest monitors that the Kenwood DNX7120 All-In-One navigation can play through. In fact, at press time he had even more color-coded bits installed—a second too late, of course. |
 Little eye-catching details...  Little eye-catching details pop up all over this truck. |  If there’s one thing that...  If there’s one thing that makes this GMC stand out from the rest, it’s the size of these rims. The 24-inch Novakane 8 BMF rims are gangsta in black and about to attack, while the rubber bands that wrap them are 38x14x24 Kuhmos. If there’s an opinion in regard to low-profile tires on big rims, then now is the time for that to be voiced. |  This sub box with two 12-inch...  This sub box with two 12-inch Rockford Fosgates is powered by Audiobahn amps. |
 Skulls abound in this spooky...  Skulls abound in this spooky cabin. |  One thing you can’t see from...  One thing you can’t see from the rear is the airbag control—it’s mounted in the bumper! While you can’t see the hand-polished bag cups from the rear or from just about any other angle either, more noticeable is the drop-down towbar and the super shiny hand-polished driveline. |  You don’t see a custom Fast...  You don’t see a custom Fast Pass (toll road device) every day! |
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