"For motivation, we decided to go for the 'shock and awe' factor with a GMPP 572ci 620-horse crate motor-680 lb-ft of torque can be fun, right? To make sure the horse pressure got to the rear wheels, we used a GM 4L65 out of a Hummer, plus the overdrive bumped up the gas mileage to around 12 1/2 mpg with the A/C on and 14 1/2 with it off. Yes, the little mortuary truck has all the creature comforts: A/C, tilt, cruise, 600-watt stereo, XM satellite radio, and power windows; it's like a Lexus on steroids!
"Once Steve finished the chassis, we sent the cab to Bozo's Garage in Santa Rosa, where James 'Bozo' Cordova did the Lizard Skin insulation, modified the firewall and inner fenders, then shot the PPG gloss black paint under the hood and installed the new glass.
"Steve and I put the truck back together, and then Mike Spizia of Mastertech Automotive in Peoria, Arizona, and I brought it back to Phoenix so Mike could get the truck on the road by finishing the wiring, A/C, and installing the Zoops serpentine system and Walker Cobra radiator, followed by getting the truck to run for the first time. What a thrill! Now, with the hood closed, all the stuff you can't see looks like a $100K street rod, and what you do see looks like we drug it out of a barn, but that's the idea behind our Grunge Trucks and what's formed out of our two-man club, the Southwest Grunge Trucks!"
Dennis and Steve went on a 4,000-mile maiden voyage that took them from New Mexico to California to Nebraska to the Indy Goodguys show and back home. Dennis added that they met some great people along the way and had loads of fun-which is what it's all about. Anyone who met Dennis knows this, and we're sure his wife, Linda; daughters Tammy and Cary; Steve; and all his friends miss him, but are thankful to have known him.