This article originally appeared in the August 2020 issue.
Here’s a very bold-looking 2016 Z71 Duramax, the last year of the LML engine. Named Big Black and owned by Juan Villeda, its Z71 package makes it a more capable machine for off-roading, especially with features such as tow hooks, an underbody transfer case shield, and hill descend control. “Big Black has always been a truck I wanted since I graduated high school in 2016,” Juan says. “I figured if I’d work hard enough, I’d be able to afford one.” Now, here he is. The truck spends most of its time as a daily driver and work truck for Juan’s landscaping business, Teton Lawn Care, but it sees many walks of life. For example, during the warm weather season, he uses it as a weekend warrior to tow some motorized dirt toys, and he cleans it up for vehicle shows.
This truck sits on a Rough Country 2-inch leveling kit and 22-inch Havoc H109 Matte Black wheels with 33-inch Radar Renegade AT5 tires. It uses EFILive tuning from Diesel Mafia Performance. Juan added some OPT rock lights and wheel well lights for extra character. Additionally, the truck has been de-badged to help make it more personal to him and his lifestyle. It’s a modest build now, but he shows no signs of stopping it here. “Once the work season picks up I’ll be putting on some American Force rims and some Wehrli custom fab goodies under the hood,” he says. With an ultimate goal of making it put out 700 to 800 horsepower, his future build list includes a Borgworner S363SXE turbo with a Wehrli S400 single turbo kit, a built transmission from Adrenaline Performance, as well as a new wheel and tire setup (American Force KASH SS and Nitto NT420S).
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