Hundreds of Build Hours Results in Incredible Silverado Prerunner
California-based builder Kibbe took an artistically functional approach to building this rig, and it shows in the gorgeous details.
Modifying a truck into a prerunner is one of the current trends that we can truly get behind. We know that lifted trucks have been around for ages, but a pre-runner takes it much further with absurd fenders, crazy suspension travel, and high-speed shenanigans over just about any terrain. Baja racing brought to the masses.
KibbeTech, operated by Ryan Kibbe, has built an upgraded and updated 2003 Silverado, and we could stare at it for hours. Kibbe took an artistically functional approach to building this rig, and it shows in the gorgeous details.
Obviously, one of the biggest modifications is a visual one, and that stems from the upgraded front headlights and grill which are integrated into a fiberglass body. Proportions are pushed to the max with a width of over 90 inches out front, and nearly 100 inches wide out back due to the bed sides kicking outward.
Kibbe has made everything in-house, from the incredibly long 55-inch trailing arms for the rear suspension, to the boxed lower control arms for the front suspension.
Bodywork from the firewall forward tilts up like a clam-shell to reveal the engine, and the outrageous suspension set up. Suspension travel, according to Kibbe is incredible: “Right now we have 28 inches of travel in the rear, and 21 inches up front.” In other words, sufficient enough to allow the 39 inch tires to do their thing, and still not rub.
Custom made suspension arms and spindles are really the showcase of this prerunner. Kibbe has made everything in-house, from the incredibly long 55-inch trailing arms for the rear suspension, to the boxed lower control arms for the front suspension.
Obviously, safety is a concern as well and a dual main hoop design from front to back is built with strength, performance and practicality in mind. Kibbe points out, “it’s a 2 inch, 0.120 wall thickness 4130 chromoly cage. There’s other smaller tubes for brackets and seats, too but the main tubes are 2 inch.” Using two hoops on each flank of the car allows for a strong cage, but also access to the center seat in the second row.
Attention spans are short these days, so to see The Hoonigans dedicate a half-hour episode to just one truck really speaks for the custom and creative work done to it. But then again, you don’t often come across a truck this wild.
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