2002 Chevy Silverado SS

The best-selling vehicles in the U.S. today are pickups. Just look around as you mosey down the highways and byways and you will realize that trucks come in every shape and size and are often personalized by their owners and reflect their owner's personality.

It is still true in many regions of our country that you can drink a man's liquor, you can steal a man's girlfriend, but don't be messin' with his truck!

So we buy that perfect truck, whether it be used or new, and immediately start making it our personal calling card. This might entail brushed-steel toolboxes for that work truck or a new set of ground effects for that new sport truck.

Follow along as I detail how I created my own Silverado SS to serve as a combination rolling performance platform and work truck. I have recently retired from the airline industry where I had 32 years worth of experience, but it was successful since my number of landings equaled the number of takeoffs! Since I was also a Navy pilot, I have always believed in operating the best and most powerful equipment available. I installed the Magnuson Supercharger, Hotchkis front sway bar, Tokico shocks, Dynatech headers, and a Pace-Edwards Jackrabbit cover. The rear sway bar had to be integrated around the Flowmaster exhaust so we employed Gene Childress' talents at Muffler Masters since he had the welding tools and heavy-duty drill.

Stock gas mileage: 14 city/17 highwayPerformance gas mileage: 15 city/19.5 highway