Stormchaser - Project Storm Chase Truck Build

[StormChaser]

Huge shoutout to the following companies for helping sponsor!

- ARE (Truck caps and tonneau covers)

- Iron Cross Automotive

- Cognito Motorsports

Current Mods

- ARE Truck Cap, Z-Series with interior lighting (Page 5)

- N-Fab side steps (Page 5)

Edit: This picture right here sums up my worries.

The truck is a 2011 CCLB DRW, LML. My goal for this vehicle is to be able to withstand winds in the outer circulation of a tornado. This includes the ability to withstand a beating from smaller debris and up to softball sized hail, along with the ability to get into position, and escape quickly if needed.

As for Durability, I want the ability to withstand softball sized hail, and other small debris such as 2x4’s and smaller tree branches. I also want to increase the suspension and transmissions durability to the point where I can drive 30-45 mph down a pot hole filled dirt road. I’d also like to protect the body of the vehicle from damage like in the following video (Skip to 1:40 to see damage).

I’m also working on increasing the ability and quickness to get to the storms, and to escape if need be. Often times the only or best way to get to a storm will be a dirt or muddy road. Without a vehicle that can confidently pass these roads, this can be a potentially chase-busting disaster. I also need ground clearance for protection from larger potholes, driving/potentially getting blown into ditches, and traversing through higher standing water.

The installs I’m interested in this area are;

1. Pitman and Idler Arm

2. Tie Rod Upgrade

3. Traction Bar

4. Sway Bar

5. Custom Front and Rear Bumpers

6. Custom Front Skid Plate

7. Differential Cover

8. Full Body Rhino Liner

9. Roll Cage

10. 4-6" Suspension Lift

11. 35" AT Tires

12. Rear Leaf Spring Lift instead of Block

13. Suncoast Stage 3 Tranny Upgrade

14. 4.56 Gear Swap

15. Lexan Glass Framed in Steel Tubing

16. Bullet Proof front windshield

Secondly, I’ll need more horsepower and torque. This past year, three highly respected, well-known storm chasers were killed in a tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma. They were unable to escape the outer circulation of the tornado, and were eventually engulfed. Another storm chaser was 100 yards in front of him in a similar vehicle (Chevy Cobalt), and recalls the winds were so strong, that even with the pedal to the floor, but not being able to pass 40mph. Not only would extra power help with situations like this, but the vehicle will end up weighing 2000-3000 pounds more than stock.

Installs;

1 . Efi Live Tuner

2. Methanol Injection (For fuel economy as well)

3. Exhaust Kit

4. K&S Air Intake

5. Air Dog Fuel Filter

Along with all this, I’m looking for a few other accessories to make chasing easier. This is one of the main areas I’m looking for help with. I’ll be in my truck for 10+ hours a day while chasing for some days, for weeks on end, so the ride needs to be comfortable and easy.

So far, I’ve come up with;

3. 50” Rigid Light Bar

4. 4 Rigid Dually Spot Lights for the front bumper slots

5. ARE Z-Series Camper Shell

I’ll also have other gear, such as radios, antennae, laptop mounts, etc., to be installed inside of the vehicle, but I can wait until spring to look more into that. If you see something big that I’ve missed, have any questions, or simple suggestions, don’t be afraid to comment! All input is greatly appreciated!

Also, any reps from any of the companies I’ve listed, or companies selling the same quality parts, Let me know if you’re interested in sponsoring the vehicle! I’d be more than happy to work out some kind of deal. I'll be putting easily 25K+ Miles on the truck a year, chasing and using as a daily driver. I'll also be getting the loads of attention while storm chasing and even just driving locally, and putting the truck through hell while chasing storms/hurricanes/snow, so it's a great way for publicity along with showing the rigidity, or even just aesthetics of your product.

Thanks!

A few pictures of the truck for reference:

Updated Pictures:

Install 1:

Cap and Steps installed!

Literally looks like a tank now, it's absolutely massive. I can't imagine how big it will be with the lift and tires as well. Again, shout out to ARE Caps for helping sponsor!

[cobrajet84]

that's a big red truck!

[StormChaser]

Soo I can't figure out how to edit my first post.. A LOT has changed since I first started the thread and I'd like to update it. Any Help? LOl

[oldscsc]

Subscribed.

 

This looks like a killer build! Might see ya around my neck of the woods sometime.

 

I'm no help on the edit button location as I use the mobile version exclusively.

 

Don't be afraid to add another post as a reply. Whatever way you get the content on the forum works just fine.

[99silveradoz71]

You should be able to hit the edit button at the bottom and add your info or just add a new reply.

[StormChaser]

Welp.. I have no edit button - I had this problem on silveradosierra forums as well. Not sure why. But I hope you guys are ready for some updates!

 

First thing I did after adding the side steps and camper shell is get the entire body coated in Rhino Liner

 

After that, Cognito Motorsports was kind enough to partially sponsor us with a 4-6" lift kit. We installed the lift with 2.5" spacers and 35x12.5x17 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 Tires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These upper control arms are small..

 

 

 

 

 

Then I installed some simple tail light guards

 

 

 

 

 

Installed Mifi Hotspot signal booster

 

 

Ham Radio Antenna

 

 

CB Radio Antenna

 

 

[StormChaser]

Ham radio on the left, CB on the right, with a Kenwood Nav System, and RAM laptop mount

 

 

 

A few pictures from chasing out in Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Texas, and Colorado!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Literally in the middle of nowhere in the desert in New Mexico

 

 

 

After we got back, I gave her a full wash down and touched up on some paint. I also Plasti-dipped the tires! $20 for the same price as a $750 Powdercoat job.. Left the center cap chrome to go with the grille accents

 

 

 

Added our sponsors decals!

 

 

 

 

[StormChaser]

As for future modifications, the list is endless! However, I will be installing HD bumpers, LED lights and light bars, Cold air intake, traction bars, tie rod sleeves, and a roof rack for storing our Hail guards!

 

EFI live has provided us with their FlashScan Hardware!http://www.efilive.com/

Adrenaline Truck Performance supplied us with a custom Horsepower and Custom Economy tune! http://atptrucks.com/

Speed Demon Lights is supplying us with some awesome LED lights and light bars! http://www.speeddemonlights.com/

OC Rugged Laptops and Tablets is supplying us with a Panasonic 30 Touchscreen Laptop! http://www.ocruggedlaptops.com/

Iron Cross Automotive is supplying us with Heavy Duty Front and Rear Bumpers! http://www.ironcrossautomotive.com/

S&B Is supplying us with a Performance Cold Air Intake! http://www.sbfilters.com/

Longhorn Fab Shop is giving us 40% off their Traction bars and bolt-on tie rod sleeves! http://longhornfabshop.com/

 

By the end of February, we're planning on having everything on this list installed and functional. This will complete most of the "smaller" mods I want to make to the truck, aside from a fuel pump and winch.

 

Thank you again to all of these companies who are helping this project become a reality!

 

Here's a relaxing video of us chasing a hail storm in the desert in New Mexico

 

 

[blackout07]

Awesome!

[99silveradoz71]

Sweet. That thing is going wherever you want/need her to.

[02suburbanZ71]

Very nice

[StormChaser]

Sweet. That thing is going wherever you want/need her to.

 

I hope so! That's the biggest challenge for most storm chasers, unpaved roads and slick clay roads that are impassible to most. In the video I posted, we were the only ones on the storm, and one of the only few chasers who have the ability to chase off-road like that. If the storm had dropped a tornado, we would have been the only ones with footage of it, and with the desert foreground, and clear skies around the storm would have been absolutely beautiful footage.

[99silveradoz71]

Oh I bet. Just be careful out there. That work/hobby takes a special kind of person no doubt.

[Aaron1085]

How about any fuel tank upgrades...just thinking all scenarios.

[StormChaser]

How about any fuel tank upgrades...just thinking all scenarios.

 

I've emailed 5 or 6 companies about potentially sponsoring but none have gotten back to me yet. I was looking at the 96 gallon tank from Transfer Flow but I just cant afford one right now. That'll probably be one of the last big mods I make to the truck, hopefully next Fall or Winter. It would help out a lot in the snow and heavy winds with all the extra weight.