MIDNIGHT COALTRAIN: 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD

Words: Kristie Real

Photos: Brandon Burrell

The thing with builds is that they can change any minute. An idea might spark the builder, creating changes in the end, or a new vision will come to light, which can transform a build 360-degrees. This was true for Michael Simpson and his Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD that was originally lowered to go fast. That was until the opportunity to build a SEMA showcase presented itself.

Michael knew he needed something grand that would stand out from the rest at the SEMA Show because the request was to feature something big and impressive. The diehard GM fan was purchased all black and was a good platform to start with for what he had in mind. Dreamworks Motorsports helped the design come to life, which includes a candy tangerine suspension and accessories and the custom wrap. “I combined all my ideas to come up with the baddest designed wraps and schemes I’ve ever seen,” he admits.

For products, Michael went with companies that he knew had made quality aftermarket parts. What started out as a handful of partners, ended up being 30 companies wanting to contribute what would become Coaltrain. While the wrap is the real focal point of the truck, Michael admits that it’s the audio that gets the crows at shows due to its “insanely loud” capability.

As his first lifted truck build ever, the result was definitely a SEMA-worthy model. “People love the truck, especially kids,” he admits. “Some ask why I went with a lifted truck, but I’ve had no negative feedback on it. People are amazed at the quality and the fat that it was built in less than a month to be ready for the big show.”

Despite looking like a verified show queen, Michael still makes sure that his rig gets some driving love and takes it out often. “It was in [country singer] Brantley Gilbert’s music video just recently, too,” he gushes. Coming from the Lowrider scene, he understands the gratification that comes from eliciting adoring stares on the road. He also understands how intricate details really make a statement and borrowed that philosophy from his Lowriding days. Since Coaltrain’s debut at SEMA, it’s taken home a few Best of Show awards, was a Top 100 rig at Lonestar Throwdown and was Best of Show at last year’s NOPI Nationals in Myrtle Beach.

Gear:
@midnight_coaltrain
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Wheels / Tires
26×16 RBP Forged UZI wheels
40×16.50R26 Tri Ace mark Ma Dakar Rally M/T tires
True Spike Lugs

Performance
R1 rotors and pads
Custom tunes from Diesel Addictions (Leland, North Carolina)
Air Dog 165 lift pump
Airaid cold air intake
MBRP downpipe and 4” exhaust with custom MBRP hexagon tip
Yukon gears 488s
PPE front and rear differential covers, aluminum trans pan and oil pan
Amsoil products for all fluids
60-gallon Transfer Flow fuel tank

Suspension
13” Max Altitude RBP lift
4-link rear with FTS 2.0 reservoir coilovers and FTS 2.0 reservoir shocks
FTS upper control arms
PPE Stage 2 tie rod ends
Cognito steering pisk kit
All powder coated with Drylac Sparkle Bomber Orange Dormant

Exterior
Truck coated in Feynlab ceramic coating products
Flog front and rear bumpers with custom hooks
Custom 3M printed wrap designed and installed by Dreamworks Motorsports
RBP Stealth power running boards
Powder coated Gen-Y hitch with stabilizer kit, step and hook – all locked in place by Bolt Locks

Lighting
Anzo USA headlights and taillights
(20) RGB MW custom rock lights
(3) AVEK light bars behind front grille
(6) RBP pod lights in bumpers
(8) AnzoUSA 24” light bars under truck
RGB lights under dash and seats
RGB lights in custom sub enclosure
Southern Lighting LED wheel lights
Diode Dynamics RGB demon eyes in headlights
Switchback lights on tow mirrors

Accessories
(6) Hornblaster Shocker XL train horns
(2) Viair compressors with 5-gallon tank installed on Wicked Manufacturing spare tire delete bracket
Retrax bed cover
(2) Speedpole Flagpoles

Interior
Custom Roadwire leather interior with orange stitching
Custom suede headliner with leather diamond stitching to match seats and door panel inserts
All dash panels painted candy tangerine
US Speedo custom orange gauges

Audio
Alpine Restyle x110 with navigation
(2) 3XL-1210D Powerbass subs in a custom ported box designed to fit in the center of rear seat
(4) XMA-4250IR amps
XMA200 Mono amp
(2) Xpro 6.5” and 4 tweeters in rear doors
(4) 10”Powerbass XL marine pods on custom brackets designed by Dreamworks
(4) 6.5” Powerbass XL marine pods under rear of truck

Sources
Dreamworks Motorsports
@dreamworksmotorsports