Solid Red 1997 GMC Yukon

Jason Aschle is new to four-wheeling but not to 4x4s. He’s been driving this red ’97 Yukon for a while now. What started out as a commuter grew into a giant lifted street truck, but soon the aggravation of a lifted independent front suspension finally pushed him to do something drastic.

Out came the torch, and before long a pair of leaf springs and a high-pinion Dana 60 was living under the front of his truck.

The red GMC has to earn its keep as daily driver, kid hauler, and project truck, so it’s not going to become a bashed trail buggy anytime soon. But then again that’s why it’s so appealing.

We first crossed Jason when we noticed the flamed 4x4 running down the highway without the usual A-arms under the front end and realized this clean machine is an ideal vehicle for the dad on the go. It’s simple and tough, and both looks and sounds good. What more could you ask for?

Tech Specs
1997 GMC Yukon
Drivetrain
Engine: 5.7L V-8, Powerdyne supercharger, Crane roller rockers, MSD ignition, The Other Guys headers, K&N air filter
Transmission: 4L60 built by Davis Quality Transmissions
Transfer case: NVG243
Front Axle: ’91 Ford Dana 60, 4.56 gears
Rear Axle: Corp. 14-bolt, 4.56 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: (front) ’87 Blazer rear 52-inch springs with Fox Shox and FabWorx Off-Road solid-axle swap kit; (rear) stock 54-inch leaf springs with WFO Concepts Fox Shox and 6-inch shackle flip
Tires & Wheels: 305/70R16 Toyo Open Country mud-terrains on 16x10 Pro Comp Xtreme Alloy 1059 wheels
Steering: WFO Concepts crossover steering

Jason Aschle had previously run a 10-inch IFS lift and giant rubber, but it was always eating ball joints and steering components. Rather than endlessly rebuilding the front end, he opted for a FabWorx Off-Road solid-axle swap kit.
Jason Aschle had previously run a 10-inch IFS lift and giant rubber, but it was always eat
Out back a Corporate 14-bolt with 4.56 gears and limited slip matches the 1-ton strength level of the front 60. The custom exhaust sounds awesome, and the remote-reservoir Fox shocks control the flat flexible leaf springs in every corner. A shackle flip kit from WFO supplies the lift, while using supple stock springs.
Out back a Corporate 14-bolt with 4.56 gears and limited slip matches the 1-ton strength l
The stock NVG243 transfer case is scheduled to be replaced with an NVG-241 soon. The driveshafts by Roslan’s Performance feed a front high-pinion Dana 60 from a ’91 Ford. The transmission is a built 4L60.
The stock NVG243 transfer case is scheduled to be replaced with an NVG-241 soon. The drive

Not everyone has, wants, or needs an extreme trail machine. Most of us could get by with a truck like this Yukon. It seats plenty of people, has enough engine and drivetrain to go fast or tow a trailer or boat, and can still survive off-road. Some of you may love the look, others would opt for desert camo, a giant winch bumper, and a couple of road lights, but to each his own. Either way, you can’t deny that stepping down from the tall lift and up to solid axles was a step in the right direction.
Not everyone has, wants, or needs an extreme trail machine. Most of us could get by with a
We feel that if your truck has flames painted on it, it better have some engine to back it up. The supercharged small-block under the custom painted hood is plenty healthy and easily pushes the big four-door down the road or trail. Dual Optima batteries, MSD ignition, and The Other Guys headers round out the power package.
We feel that if your truck has flames painted on it, it better have some engine to back it
305/70 R16 Toyo Open Country mud tires measure just shy of 33 inches—not big by today’s standards but just right for a truck that has to fulfill many roles. The Pro Comp 1059 alloy rims have thick construction and a 2,200-pound load rating and are available in the more uncommon 16-inch sizes.
305/70 R16 Toyo Open Country mud tires measure just shy of 33 inches—not big by today’s st