ONE SPECULATION as to why the major eastern Colorado cities of Denver, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs exist is because when the westward- ho settlers arrived in their Conestoga wagons and got their first glimpse of the imposing Rocky Mountains, they surely said, “Hey, these high plains look like a nice place to settle down,” or perhaps, “If you think we’re gonna drive these rickety things over those mountains, you’re crazy.” The Colorado portion of the Rockies boast 52 mountain peaks rising over 14,000 feet above sea level (and something like 250 miles of mountains from east to west), so some of that reasoning seems logical, if untrue. Truth is, Denver and those other so-called Front Range cities date back to gold and silver rush days and even prior as outposts for fur traders.
If those early settlers had just been outfitted properly, say, with capabilities like this modern-day Conestoga wagon owned by Jeremy Huskey, there may never have been a Mile-High City, and the west coast would be even more populated than it is.
Appropriately, Jeremy is the 4 Wheel Parts store manager in Denver and gets to see a lion’s share of awesome Colorado off-roaders. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his own personal vehicle must be special as well.
Jeremy started with a stock 1994 GMC K2500 Suburban as his platform and modified just about every component short of the truck’s interior. This SUV had to be special if it was going to take up daily residence in the 4 Wheel Parts parking lot.
First step in the transformation was transplanting the stock 454ci engine with a crate GM high-torque HT502. This engine was additionally outfitted with Edelbrock Pro-Flo EFI, JBA headers, three-inch exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers and a K&N intake. Joining these goodies are the usual new engine-bay bits — water pump, alternator, power steering pump, Hydro boost unit, master cylinder, A/C compressor, Optima battery, JBA plug wires and a Painless Performance wiring accessory fuse block.
Backing up the monster big-block is a rebuilt 4L80E automatic trans with a Flex-a-lite trans cooler, a rear slip YKE eliminator (HD SYE kit) in the factory NP241 transfer case and custom CV driveshafts front and rear. The most ambitious part of the build was the suspension. For the front, Jeremey chose to install an ORU straight axle conversion on parallel leaf springs with an ORU cross-over steering conversion. An ORU front torsion bar-style sway bar and a custom front track bar design help in the handling department. He also lifted a king-pin Dana 60 front axle from a ’91 Ford F350. The Suburban’s 10.5”, 14-bolt rear was retained and both axles have 4.56:1 ratios (the rear has a limited slip). Dual Fox Racing reservoir shocks were mounted at each front corner along with a pair on the rear axle. Fox Racing steering stabilizers were added to the front and Skyjacker stainless steel brake lines are found all around. The whole undercarriage sits on a Performance Accessories three-inch body lift with Skyjacker eight-inch (’73- 87 Chevy pickup) front springs and six-inch (’88-98 Chevy pickup) rear leaf springs. The rear springs are hung from relocated shackle hangers (three inches to the rear to accommodate the longer springs and afford a better ride).
Jeremy mounted IROK Super- Swamper radials (41”x14.5”x20”) on Diamo DI 17-series chrome wheels (20” x 10”) that, along with the jacked-up suspension give the Suburban an appropriate Rocky Mountain High attitude.
Before applying the new Navy blue paint job, Jeremy grafted a 2001 GMC Denali front clip (hood, fenders, bumper, grille, headlights and fog lights) to the front of the Suburban and fitted a Tahoe rear bumper and fender flares. He then shaved all the badges and side moldings for a smoother appearance. He also added PIAA upgraded headlight bulbs, APC taillights and a custom 16” drop hitch that rivals the best extension ladder.
The interior of the Suburban was left pretty much stock with the exception of a Kenwood KVD DVD deck, Alpine amp, 12” subwoofer and new speakers throughout. He also added AutoMeter gauges on an A-pillar mount and New Image white-face dash instruments.
Since Interstate 70 was completed across the Continental Divide, there hasn’t been much problem getting from Denver to the west coast and probably not much need for this kind of a modern-day Conestoga to ferry settlers out west. But, if he chose to cross the Rockies completely off-road, the going would certainly be a lot more efficient and surely more successful than those who originally followed Horace Greeley’s advice to, “Go west young man, go west.” As it is, Jeremy is content to draw on the wow-factor around town and tow his ski boat once in awhile.
