It makes sense to enhance your detailing business with an impressive vehicle that is detailed to the extreme. Rick Cruz of Rick’s Detailing in Phoenix, set out to show his customers how well he detailed his ’91 Chevy Suburban, by doing more than simply washing and waxing it. An avid audiophile, Rick set his priorities on installing a custom audio/video system to the Sub. An Alpine in-dash receiver that includes a one-touch navigation screen was fitted into the factory dash with some modifications. A Rockford Fosgate Symmetry Pre-amp fits nicely into the handmade center console, as does the Rockford Fosgate equalizer. Both are nicely accented with a handmade aluminum trim ring that adds to the interior’s electronic accent.
Rockford Fosgate 6 ½-inch speakers are added to the doors and kick panels with fiberglass panels that were accented further with billet aluminum speaker grilles. More 6 ½-inch Fosgate speakers were also added to the rear doors, but the bass comes from six 10-inch Polk MM110 subwoofers that are sealed into the cargo bed. Although there’s no room for passengers in this Suburban, the speakers roam freely and are set in a fiberglass display. The speakers are set in an aluminum housing that allows them to be rotated for achieving the optimum sound balance. The entire cargo bed was essentially turned into a large speaker enclosure that literally rocks!
Look up and you’ll find yourself getting a glimpse of where the power for these speakers comes from. A total of five Lunar amplifiers are dangling from the custom headliner that houses a steel frame and allows the speakers to sit flush against the headliner, or be lowered for display. Similarly, the rear passengers are treated to the latest movies played on the dangling 6-inch Audiovox monitors that are connected to the Alpine DVD player. To further enhance Rick’s Suburban, remote door openers were installed and are operated by a Viper 800 alarm system and remote control. To aid in providing a constant stream of power, Optima batteries and Stinger hardware are used along with Fosgate capacitors located in the rear quarter-panels.
Rick knows that an awesome audio system in an ugly vehicle won’t win any favor with the customers or judges at shows. Thus, he also added lots of details to the Suburban’s suspension and appearance. The ride has to be low, so the factory suspension system was upgraded to include an Air Ride air-spring suspension system. The air springs are installed at all four corners of the truck and allow it to be lowered to the ground with a flick of the switch. Raising the Sub is simple with three tanks and pumps that keep them filled with plenty of air pressure. The rear of the frame also had to be C-notched to extend the body down low, and the Sub rides on a set of 20-inch-diameter Neeper wheels.
The body was treated to 2000 Escalade front sheetmetal and door panels. The door handles and remaining body trim were shaved for a cleaner appearance, while the rear taillights were swapped out for a set of Cadillac units. A custom roll pan also accentuates the rear, with its frenched license plate section and billet grille insert. It had to be lengthened 2 inches to match up to the Escalade door panels and flares.
Under the hood, the 5.7L V-8 has been beautified with polished aluminum pieces and a Whipple Supercharger. The interior color was completely changed by sanding off the texture on the vinyl and painting the dash and side panels white. A Colorado Custom billet steering wheel also enhances the dash, as does the wood trim. The seat covers are a custom stitched leather in which the tan and white colors of the truck are used as well, making the seating arrangements perfect for enjoying the Sub’s audio and video displays. If you want to get a look at Rick’s Suburban, you will have to visit one of the many truck shows across the country. If you want your Suburban to come out looking like his, you may have to wait a while.