» Engine: 6-liter V-8, 325 horsepower
» Wheels: 22-inch Dub Esinem Wheels with Toyo Proxy tires
» Paint: Chromalusion two-tone flame paint job
» Performance: Corsa Performance exhaust, K&N cold air intake package, 250-amp chrome alternator, JET mass airflow sensor, McGaughy lowering kit
» Exterior: Billet grille, custom valance, LED taillights, clear corner lamps, Halo headlights, Billet antenna with flames, Cadillac Escalade roof rack
» Interior: Custom embroidered floor mats, custom flamed dash cover, two 12-inch Kicker subwoofers, Sony amplifier
Roy Castro put his first truck on the road back in 1970. That panel truck was gifted by a brother who told him that if he could get it running, it was his. Unfortunately, the challenge lasted longer than the truck did. Now, 40 years later, Castro still keeps a truck. But with thousands of dollars of upgrades, it’s hard to worry about mundane issues like working brakes.
Castro’s entry into the world of rubber and steel followed his three brothers. The boys were all novice gearheads whose passion for cars cut right through the family. Castro said there were three mantras the boys lived by: Who could create the fastest vehicle, whose vehicle would look the best, and who could use the existing technology of the day in a creative way.
In April 2004, Castro set his sights on a GMC Yukon Denali and got right down to work. The first things to fall were the wheels and tires. The second step in accentuating his new tire and wheel package was the installation of a McGaughy lowering kit. The exhaust system was stripped in favor of a Corsa Performance exhaust for more potent and bass-tuned sounds.
Castro reached some level of satisfaction until he started seeing other Denalis boasting the same features with their respective factory color. He knew it was time to take his project vehicle to the next level. He decided to design a paint scheme that integrated Chromalusion, a paint that changes colors depending on the angle from which you view it. The intricate pattern includes a set of flames that start in metallic burgundy until eventually the color-changing paint takes over in flames of its own and proceeds down the side.
The windshield wiper cowl was replaced with a custom piece that was painted to match. Upping the profile even more required Castro to remove the plastic grille and replace it with a billet grille and valance. The headlights were changed for angel eye Halo headlights, clear corner lamps and light-emitting diode taillights.
A few smaller touches were included to capture the eye for those who planned on closer inspection. The three-dimensional plastic emblems were all scrapped, and instead their same designs were repainted in the original placements. Then, along with the paint job, the sport utility vehicle was clear-coated. Castro even had police strobe lights installed to make the car stand out when he takes his Denali to car shows.
Next, Castro took careful aim at the interior. For Castro, the interior represented a challenge in aesthetics. With such an expensive vehicle, gaudiness was not an option. But neither was paucity.
“Once you start on the inside, it is a very fine line between how much is enough and how much is too much,” Castro said.
A custom dash cover that came prepared with raised flames was painted to match the two-tone exterior. The console, the map light cover (between the visors), and all of the plastic trim surrounding the dash received the same paint treatment. Even the gauge faces were swapped out for aftermarket ones with white faces.
A custom dash cover that came prepared with raised flames was painted to match the two-tone exterior. The console, the map light cover (between the visors), and all of the plastic trim surrounding the dash received the same paint treatment. Even the gauge faces were swapped out for aftermarket ones with white faces.
The final push fell squarely on sound. Castro wanted some “serious bump.” A custom subwoofer box was created that filled the area behind the second row and was covered in factory carpet so that it matched the rest of the carpet in the Denali. The system boasts two 12-inch Kicker subwoofers.
Castro still isn’t satisfied, indicating that he wants to replace the factory DVD player with a much larger one and the head unit with one that has a larger screen and more audio functionality.
What do you drive? A 2004 GMC Yukon Denali.
Why do you drive it? It has all the creature comforts that I enjoy. It is a great highway cruiser, and it looks as good as it drives.
What is your most memorable driving experience? Driving down to Myrtle Beach to a car show and a group of other vehicles that were heading down to the car show were on the road at the same time, and it became somewhat of a rolling car show. People were honking and giving thumbs up as they passed, and some even had their cameras out.
What was the first vehicle you owned? It was a 1951 Chevy Panel Truck. My brother told me if I could get it running, I could have it. After hitting a couple of junkyards and working on it most of the night to replace the entire rear end, I got the truck on the road and was as proud as could be. Of course, this was short-lived because the first time I went to hit the brakes, the pedal went to the floor and stayed there. In my haste, I forgot to ensure that I had working brakes before I got on the road.
What music are you currently listening to in your vehicle? Black Eyed Peas, Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, and an assorted mix of jazz, R&B and some old-school rock ‘n’ roll.
And your first ticket? What was it for? I would be lying if I said anything other than a speeding ticket back in my days of youthful indiscretions.
