DREAM: REIMAGINED

Stephanie Martin cherished her childhood memories of riding around in her parents’ Suburban. The joy and nostalgia tied to those moments inspired her husband, Jack, to fulfill her dream of owning a similar vehicle. His goal was to create a custom truck that not only honored those memories but also provided a cool and unique ride for truck shows. Jack’s quest led him to a remarkable find on March 12, 2023: a pristine 1977 Chevy Suburban, coincidentally purchased exactly 46 years earlier on March 12, 1977.

This Suburban was a rare gem—a one-owner vehicle with original paint, interior, and trim, and only 80,000 miles on the odometer. The 1977 model was particularly special as it was the only year Chevy adorned the side trim with gold, making it a unique piece of automotive history. Jack’s mission was clear: retain the Suburban’s originality while enhancing its looks and reliability with modern updates.

Jack drove the Suburban into his garage and began the meticulous teardown. The plan was to lower the vehicle significantly—7 inches in the front and 8 inches in the rear—using tubular suspension components from Ride Tech and Bell Tech. To ensure sufficient suspension travel, a C-Notch was installed on the rear frame rails. Alongside the suspension overhaul, the factory brake system received a comprehensive update to improve stopping power.

To complement the gold trim, Jack ordered a set of Schott billet wheels—20 inches in the front and 22 inches in the rear—with gold centers. These wheels, paired with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (255/45/20 in the front and 325/40/22 in the rear), added flair and improved the Suburban’s stance.

The original 350ci motor was upgraded with a Holley Sniper EFI induction system, enhancing reliability and performance. To further improve the engine’s breathing, Ryan Albers at Albers Garage crafted a custom 2.5-inch stainless exhaust system, running from the stock manifold back.

For the audio system, the experts at Rick’s Truck Stop in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, installed a stereo system that maintained a clean, factory look. TPD HiFi custom kick panels housed Morel Virtus Nano Carbon 6.5-inch separates, providing crisp sound. In the rear, an old-school Igloo cooler cleverly concealed Morel 2-way 6.5-inch coaxial speakers and crossovers. To deliver powerful bass, a custom subwoofer box replaced the factory spare tire location, all powered by a JL Audio RD900/5 amp. A Mechman 170-amp alternator ensured the upgraded audio system had ample power.

For Stephanie, the revitalized Suburban—lovingly named “Foxxy Cleopatra” after the gold 70s vibe from the Austin Powers movie—became a treasured time capsule and a reliable vehicle for car shows. She expressed her heartfelt thanks to her husband, Jack, for his dedication in finding and building a true head-turner. Gratitude also extended to Rick and Nate Burkett at Rick’s Truck Stop and Ryan Albers at Albers Garage for their invaluable contributions.

Stephanie’s dream ride now stands as a testament to cherished memories, modern ingenuity, and the timeless appeal of a classic Suburban.