For some folks, the idea of driving a hybrid just doesn’t sit right. Such is the case for Carson Braga, who prefers Chevrolet’s heavy duty trucks with a long list of custom touches, as is evident by his 2020 Chevy Silverado 4500HD.
Braga is a third-generation farmer from the Salinas Valley in California, and has a history building monstrous pickups. His first foray into the medium truck segment was in 2006 with a lime green Kodiak 4500, which was also heavily modified.
“I love modifying anything, stock sucks,” Braga tells GM Authority.
This time around, Braga still wanted something big, but he also wanted something reasonably “practical.” Last year, after spotting a deal on a Chevy Silverado 4500HD and reading on GM Authority about available custom boxes, Braga made the purchase.
Braga’s custom Chevy Silverado 4500HD took 15 month to complete, but now, it dominates the road with a litany of bespoke upgrades.
In addition to a custom bed, Braga’s Chevy Silverado 4500HD is equipped with a set of Road Armor bumpers front and back, while lighting duties are handled by Rigid Industries light bars and cubes, with the primary lights moved to the bumper to keep the truck within legal limits.
The build also incorporates modified Hummer H2 steps with AMP running boards to ease ingress and egress, while in the corners, we find 44-inch Super Swamper Boggers mounted on 1st Attack wheels measured at 20 inches by 11 inches. Final touches to the exterior include a Horn Blasters horn and 16-inch drop hitch from BulletProof Hitches.
Naturally, the suspension was upgraded as well, with Deaver Springs providing a custom set of leaf springs. There’s also a custom lower shock mount that nets an inch of lift, while a custom drag link provides the steering correction. The rear suspension was swapped with Ford F350 spring hangers from PMF Suspension, while King shocks provided a set of units customized for the truck. Braga also added airbag assist in the rear.
“The springs are soft, and will touch the fenders if I’m not careful,” Braga says. “The ride is not that bad, all things considered, but the Super Swamper tires do not help any.”
As for the greasy bits, this 2020 Chevy Silverado 4500HD runs the factory 6.6L V8 L5D turbodiesel Duramax, but with a new ECM tune courtesy of Duramax Tuner, providing extra poke without failing California’s notorious smog testing.
The interior includes a new Edge CTS3 gauge cluster, Katzkin seat covers, an OEM carpet kit, an LTZ upper dash, an Alpine/JL Audio stereo, and a camera system to monitor blind spots, which is activated by the turn signals.
What’ll Braga build next? We’re not sure, but we’re guessing it probably won’t be a hybrid.
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Comments
Light bars, horn, painted off road bumpers, tells you all you need to know about the actual use of this truck and its owner…
I assume he uses it to drive to work, or drives it around at work, if he really is a farmer.
I can’t imagine this has any actual purpose.
It’s purpose is to sit and look the part. It’s too expensive and took too much time to build to be used the way it looks like it should be used.
A giant waste of money. How’s that $3.50-4.50/gal gas tasting now, huh?
Doesn’t use gas
Diesel is just as expensive if not more so in California.
It has to be quite a bit more expensive before it isn’t a better deal though. At the same price as gas, you’d be better off with diesel.
Usually don’t buy for the gas mileage.
Trump bumper stickers not included…..
Someone with a size problem.
Just look at all these haters and jealous buffoons. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
I love the look of this build. What it is or isn’t used for is irrelevant and is completely the owner’s prerogative. As if everyone who buys a Silverado trail boss or a raptor actually does any serious off-roading. Most are pavement queens and you all know it. At least this truck can back up its looks with actual function.
“Actual function”: Taking up multiple parking spots at the mall ‘cuz the owner can’t keep it between the lines….
Even if it does take up two spots, your point is what, exactly? It’s a big rig that hauls and tows and its looks are fully backed up by functionality. Much like a tractor… but I don’t see you complaining about those.
When you were in high school, did a big boy truck take your parking spot and did its driver take your lunch money? Asking for a friend.
You know you have a big truck when your permanent steps are equipped with amp steps! Predictably haters are going to hate but I think it looks tough as nails! If it brings him joy then it already served the only purpose it needs!
All the negative Karans on here commenting. Too many jealous people on here! It is a badass show truck. Love the fact it actually has tires on the rims instead of those ugly rubber band tires.
Karans?
You’re right about the tires.
Exactly! Too many entitled cry babies on here.
Truckz… Your right on the money that’s a very disturbing comment Evan made… Then again Evan thinks Scotty Kilmer is a great mechanic 🤣 LMFAO! He probably hates this truck because he’s a GM hater and mean spirited person… Anyone who wishes death on someone else is a loser and should be banned from this webpage!
“Eat hybrids”. What does that even mean? Does it mean your going to just act like an A**hole in traffic?
I was wondering that too. It’s an odd statement, but you expect childish things when seeing vehicles like this.
Just a figure of speech title for a big truck article, clearly not meant to be taken seriously. The average truck owner is very down to earth but there’s always going to be that select few that gives everyone a bad name. “A**hole in traffic” equals anything that comes from the factory with tires and wheels!
Isn’t it ironic, that the most idiotic comments, come from the very ones calling everything, and everyone else idiotic.
Hopefully he hits someone.
Then this redneck can enjoy being sued into homelessness and ruin.
Hoping someone gets hit, someone sued, and then wishing them into homelessness ruin, um ok. And here I thought you guys were suggesting people with big trucks were the ones with issues. This kind of thinking is exactly what’s wrong with our society.
Candide… It’s 8ahybrid. It’s the vanity plate of the truck. Get a clue.
Beautiful truck all the people on here who hate it can’t afford it… Please get out of the left lane going under the speed limit in your Prius!
a good truck
What shop did the bed?
But in the winter he can drive through the snow to the Dunkin Donuts takeout window faster than anyone else !
He lives in central California, near the coast.
I never knew it was possible for a pickup truck to look like it owes back child support.
The owner a vanity plate that reads Tonka. It reminds me of a Tonka toy truck.
I drive an EV … and a Truck. This creation is a labor of love, time, money and effort. Heck yeah, it looks badass indeed. Enjoy it!
You see these kind of trucks all over. Not a big deal.
It’s a blaspheme against the pseudo prog green religion, of course the zealots will hate
Wow, haters hating, showing what’s ACTUALLY wrong with society.
I love this truck. Such a cool build good job. Anyone can buy a truck, but to build a custom truck like this is just way cool.
Wow, people are really stupid. How is this truck now non functional, it has better tires on it, and people are acting like it’s now a trailer queen. Sounds like a bunch of jealousy and hate!
I seen better designs, but its alright. lift is a bit unnecessary
Can I buy this truck for $700 please