TR A IL’S END

BY JERED KORFHAGE JERED.KORFHAGE@FOURWHEELER.COM PHOTOS: FOUR WHEELER ARCHIVES

Scott Strew’s Chev y was nine feet wide, ten feet tall, and built for unlimited fun

Think back in Four Wheeler history to Doctor Doolie, an ’81 Chevy turned project monster truck with a souped-up 454, six 47-inch backhoe tires, and a repertoire that included sled pulls and unforgettable wheelstands. Scott Strew’s ’86 Chevy K3500 had a similar powertrain and paintjob, and tires three inches shorter than those on Doctor Doolie, but it could do something the exhibition puller couldn’t—drive on the highway. Have a look back with us to front bumper and the paintjob was Standard Chevy White. Among Scott’s interior upgrades were a rockin’ sound system, a CB radio for comms, fire extinguishers, an inclinometer, and a cellular phone.

Scott’s Chevy was like a right now, tell us about it. Snap a few high-resolution pics, send them our way at editor@fourwheeler.com, and let us know some highlights of the build or your favorite memories. FW

the April 1990 issue of Four Wheeler and this colossal squarebody named Challenger.

Scott bought the pickup new in 1986 and had plans to give his truck only the best of the best in the suspension department and plenty of creature comforts inside without heavily modifying the powertrain. On the list of robust components left very much alone were the 454 big-block, TH400 automatic transmission, NP205 geardriven transfer case, and the prop shafts. Focusing his attention on the suspension, Scott started with 14-inch front springs and 6-inch shackles with custom perch mounts. Stock Chevy springs with 2-inch add-a-leafs raised the rear while a pair of Rancho RS5000 shocks per corner took care of damping. Three inches of body lift finalized the truck’s rise to its new height. Because of the impressive lift, Scott cut and turned the front Dana 60 to relieve the driveline angle.

Six Interco Ground Hawgs measuring 44x18.50R16.5 chomped at the dirt. Scott ran a pair of custom-built 16.5x12 wheels in the front and 16.5x10 wheels out back. Detroit Lockers in each diff and 4.88 gears helped get the traction to the ground. Four Rancho steering stabilizers as well as the steering box, linkage, and drag link from a 2-ton Chevy in the front helped aim the big truck while monster truck-style traction bars out back kept it tracking straight and true.

Accommodating the truck’s massive meats required a significant reworking of the fender flares and running boards. Clearance lights graced the top of the cab along with five high-output lights arranged in lightbar fashion. There was a 12,000-pound-capacity Warn MX12000 winch behind the tortoise—it rolled around with a well-appointed house on its back at all times. The camper shell was fit with custom upholstery, cabinets, a bed, and plenty of space to store barbeque equipment. Challenger measured in at nine feet wide by ten feet tall at its apex and carried a GVWR of 10,000 pounds. Scott’s truck weighed in at 8,476 pounds and he was always ready with a vehicle code book to defend his right to operate Challenger on the highway.

If there’s a lifted truck like this in your past or in the driveway

FOUR WHEELER (ISSN 0015-9123) November 2022; Vol. 59, No. 11. Copyright © 2022 by Motor Trend Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Published monthly by Motor Trend Group, LLC, 831 South Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA, and at additional mailing offices. Single copy price is $6.99. SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S. APO, FPO and U.S. Possessions $19.97 for 12 isssues. Canada orders add $12.00 per year and international orders add $24.00 per year (for surface mail postage). Payment in advance, U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to FOUR WHEELER, P.O. Box 37198, Boone, IA 50037.