Kerry Daigle’s New Standard: A Revamped 2007 Chevy Tahoe

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop

Very few people carry the reputation and name that Kerry Daigle has earned over the past couple of decades. Since he was 15 years old, Kerry has been involved in trucks in some way or another. In 2012 he finally put his name on the map with his ’07 Chevy Silverado named “Leaux.” His first few builds before that were admirable, but the Silverado set new standards for everyone and his truck graced what seems like every national truck magazine. From 2012 to 2021, Kerry’s Chevy was a staple in the industry and revered by everyone. 

Not many people can say their truck is “finished,” but Kerry had reached the peak of what he wanted done to his Chevy and finally decided to part ways with it for something new and fresh. As a self-proclaimed Chevy guy, Kerry had his eyes on this 2007 Chevy Tahoe owned by Matt Hofer that he had been working on. The truck was built so perfectly, it was the star at SEMA in Las Vegas in 2016. After Kerry sold his truck, he needed something different and preferred an SUV rather than a pickup so he contacted some friends to find out about Matt’s Tahoe.

“I definitely wanted something built by Jake McKiddie or NFamus,” Kerry tells Street Trucks. “Those are the standards by which trucks should be built.”

He found out that Matt still had the Tahoe, and it was sitting in a garage basically holding down the garage floor.

“It hadn’t been driven since the SEMA show,” Kerry says. “I feel it’s the best SUV on the planet, so I wanted it.”

The Tahoe had been severely neglected for about four years and was just sitting there, but based on Kerry’s knowledge and seeing pictures, he knew he had to have it. It took about six months of begging and groveling to get Matt to even entertain the thought of a sale.

“He had absolutely no interest in selling the Chevy,” Kerry says. “But I’m very convincing.”

It helps that Kerry had such a reputable name in the culture and being known for taking care of his vehicles. Matt finally broke down and allowed Kerry to buy it.

POLISHED GEM

Of course, with any custom truck just sitting, there’s going to be some proverbial rust. Just two simple things needed to be fixed: tires and the engine. Matt reluctantly replaced all four tires and did a complete tune-up, changing spark plugs and all new fluids to get the Tahoe road-ready. A new battery was added and the Chevy fired right up. It was ready for Kerry to pick up after the negotiated price was paid.

Kerry made the trip from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Midland, Texas, which is a 13-hour trip one way. After picking up the truck, he did the one thing that showed how passionate he is in the truck culture. Directly from the pickup spot of the Tahoe, he drove to Orange Beach, Alabama, for a truck show without ever going home.

“I think I only took two quick naps on the side of the road,” Kerry says. “I was too excited to show it off.”

Although the SUV was built sturdy, Kerry had to get in and fix a few things to get it dialed in. The rack-and-pinion had to be fixed, the airline all had to be re-plumbed, the gas tank had a leak and had to be repaired, a larger and more efficient alternator had to be installed, and a few other things had to be modified.

“As a SEMA build, we all know they are more trailer queens,” Kerry says. “But it won’t be on a trailer now that I own it.”

‘STREET WALKER’ REPLACED

In the truck culture, a lot is said about the building process versus buying a built truck. Although there is more respect in the process of building or having a truck built, the time it takes and the headache involved in shops and people misleading you on time and quality can get quite taxing on people. When you buy a truck that has already been built, you take it and go. You will eventually fine-tune it to make it your own, but Kerry had the advantage of buying a Tahoe that very few outside of SEMA 2016 were aware of.

“I feel like my last truck was like a street walker,” Kerry jokes. “It’s been everywhere and everyone has seen it.”

It was time for something new, and Kerry set a whole new standard for this Tahoe. Now, a new level of haters has emerged.

As a SEMA build, we all know they are more trailer queens. But it won’t be on a trailer now that I own it.   

Kerry wishes to thank his wife, Jennifer, for being understanding and kind enough to let him buy this and pursue his passion to this level. A huge thanks goes out to Josh Jagneaux and Daniel Lehon at Alpha Customs for helping get the Tahoe buttoned up. As one of the longest reigning members of Aftermath truck club, Kerry has to give a big thanks to his club brothers for always being there and their passion in the truck lifestyle. They always pushed quality over quantity, and it shows in each and every one of their trucks.

TRUCK SPECS

Owner 

Kerry Daigle

2007 Chevy Tahoe
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Aftermath

Chassis

Front Suspension:
RE8 Slam Specialties bags
One-off uniball suspension done by NFamus
QA1 adjustable shocks
Rear Suspension:
Airlift H3 with ride-height sensors
2-link done by NFamus
RE8 Slam Specialties bags
Two 3-gallon FLO air tanks mounted to the roof
Four 480 Viair compressors

Drivetrain

Engine:
6.2L from a Chevy Camaro
Custom exhaust with headers
16-inch and 14-inch Wilwood brakes
Transmission: LE 80
Rearend: Shortened, Moser axles

Body/Paint 

Three-quarter frame bodydrop
2014 Ford Magnetic Metallic done by Brian Vastine
Front bumper molded by Extensive
Door handles and tub work in back doors done by Extensive
Custom back bumper
Shaved door handles, tailgate, wipers, and all emblems
Smoked taillights

Interior  

Fire Engine Red Alea leather seats
Red hook and loop flooring
Perforated suede headliner
Budnick steering wheel
Custom center console with billet cup holders all done by Jake Moore (RIP)
Billet-cut Aftermath rear view mirror

Stereo

Alpine X009 9-inch monitor/head unit
Phoenix Gold 6 ½-inch components
Six Phoenix Gold 12-inch Elite subwoofers
Two Phoenix Gold amplifiers: Elite.4 and Elite.1
Two Redkin batteries

Wheels & Tires 

Wheels: 28×10 U.S. Mags Kompressor two-pieced forged
Tires: 295/25R28 Lexani