Creating a best of both worlds truck

Modes of transportation come in all shapes and sizes. One school of thought suggests that bigger is better. Another asks the question “How low can you go?” And still another looks for a happy middle between both.

Woodbridge resident A.J. Lall knew there was a truck out there with his name on it and would regularly envision the perfect palette for his creative customizations even as he helped his neighbor customize his own vehicle with rims, stereo system components and just about everything else.

But before Lall decided to take on one of the most impressive sport utility vehicles on the market, he grounded his interest in custom automobile tuning much closer to Earth as a lowrider enthusiast. After a while, however, the bumpy and awkward ride of a true custom lowrider seemed to hurt the head as much as it does the body in real life. Lall, who owned a Honda Accord at the time, decided it was time to trade up.

“I purchased my 2008 Chevy Avalanche because I was always into lowrider trucks but at the same time I wanted something with luxury as well, so I decided on the Avalanche,” Lall said.

While lowrider trucks and luxury SUVs seem like night and day, for Lall, the vehicle’s limitless customizations make the possibility of equipping the suspension with air bags a real option rather than a shot in the dark. And that’s precisely what Lall plans to do.

But until that time, there was more pressing work to accomplish, like how to get the sound system to perform at ear-splitting decibels. Lall got right down to business and began the hard task of prepping the SUV for the many car shows it would soon enter. The sound had to be big enough to complement the rather large vehicle, so Lall hooked up two 12-inch subwoofers powering two independent amplifiers to run the low-range bass but also to keep the highs and midrange sounds in nose-to-nose competition. Viewers in the back are treated to 11.2-inch TVs inserted into the headrests while the brains of the system is controlled by a Pioneer head unit.

But until that time, there was more pressing work to accomplish, like how to get the sound system to perform at ear-splitting decibels. Lall got right down to business and began the hard task of prepping the SUV for the many car shows it would soon enter. The sound had to be big enough to complement the rather large vehicle, so Lall hooked up two 12-inch subwoofers powering two independent amplifiers to run the low-range bass but also to keep the highs and midrange sounds in nose-to-nose competition. Viewers in the back are treated to 11.2-inch TVs inserted into the headrests while the brains of the system is controlled by a Pioneer head unit.

But no custom SUV is complete without wheels. The Bonetti 81 26-inch chrome monsters with custom color inserts match the exterior coat and help set off the ride as he caravans on the weekends with friends from the Virginia-based Exquisite Car and Truck Club to local shows around the area.

For an SUV that can survive on looks alone, there’s very little that Lall needs to get done to produce a top-notch ride. But as the weather gets warmer, the desire to show off one’s ride inevitably takes hold, and for Lall that can only mean one thing: more modifications.

What do you drive? A 2008 Chevy Avalanche

Why do you drive it? I drive this car because I like the power behind the wheel of a V-8 engine, and it had a nice big body and looks sporty and luxurious.

What makes your car so special? I have 26-inch rims with color inserts to match the color of the truck, I have two 12-inch subwoofers and three TVs.

What is your most memorable driving experience? My most memorable moment of driving my truck is being approached on the roads and asking what size my rims are or people just making nice comments about the vehicle.

What was the first car you owned? A 1992 Toyota Corolla

What music are you currently listening to in your car? I listen to a variety of music — R&B, hip-hop, and reggaeton

And your first ticket? What was it for? A car accident