MAVERICK – Top Gun Tahoe Transformation

THIS 1996 Chevy Tahoe known as Maverick is no ordinary build. Owned by Mikey Garcia from Edinburg, Texas, this truck blends Pro Touring race style with the comfort and tech of modern rides. As a proud member of the Ground Zero truck club, Mikey spent two years crafting this beast into something that stands out from the crowd. His vision? To create a truck that balances raw performance with top-tier luxury, and—wow, did he deliver!

Starting with the exterior, this Tahoe received some serious attention. The bumpers were shaved and fit snug to the body for a clean, streamlined look, and a custom front grille and splitter were added to enhance the front end. Painted in Nardo Gray by Miguel Castro at Next Era Autoworks, the truck was treated to custom airbrushed graphics courtesy of Adrian Lazo from Buena Suerte Tattoo Shop. The wheelwells were tubbed to make room for the monster 24-inch Billet Specialties SLC Series Invader wheels wrapped in Vredestein 355/25/24 tires, giving the Tahoe a powerful stance.

Inside, it’s all about style and comfort. Julio’s Upholstery Shop crafted custom burgundy leather seats with hand-stitched patterns, inspired by the movie “Top Gun.”

Powering Maverick is a GM 6.2L LS3, boosted with a Texas Speed Stage 3 cam, a 2.9L Whipple supercharger, and Hooker headers. The exhaust roars through a MagnaFlow stainless steel system, while an Altronics ignition and fully rewired digital system keep everything running smoothly. The engine is backed by a GM 6L80 transmission built for 1,000hp, thanks to JR Performance in Pharr, Texas. The trans is paired with paddle shifters for that race-inspired feel, and a Be Cool trans cooler keeps things from getting too hot.

The truck’s rear axle is a GM 12-bolt with an Eaton Detroit locker and custom Moser axles, and Wilwood 6-piston, 16-inch brakes handle stopping duties. To keep it all grounded, Mikey had Heriberto Rodriguez from Eddie’s Chop Shop install a monster C-notch, a custom 4-link, adjustable Viking coilovers, and 3-inch drop spindles. The steering was upgraded with an Elevated Concepts rack-and-pinion system, making this Tahoe handle like a modern ride.

Inside, it’s all about style and comfort. Julio’s Upholstery Shop crafted custom burgundy leather seats with hand-stitched patterns, inspired by the movie “Top Gun.” Braum Racing Alpha X series seats provide support, while the iPad-controlled infotainment and digital gauges bring in the tech. The rollcage and custom woven carpet finish off the interior, while a high-powered sound system from Supreme Sounds pumps out the jams.

The Tahoe pushes near 800 horsepower with 15 pounds of boost and nearly 1,000 hp with nitrous. Adrian Tellez from Tellez Speed Shop dialed in the perfect tune, making sure every piece of this build runs like a champ. Mikey’s dedication, along with the help of some talented builders, turned his vision into reality.

Mikey’s dedication, along with the help of some talented builders, turned his vision into reality.

Special thanks go out to Mikey’s wife Andrea, his mother Rosalva, his Ground Zero buddies, and his late father Laurencio for the perseverance and commitment that made this build possible.

TRIUCK SPECS

 CHASSIS

• Front Suspension: 3-inch drop spindles, custom control arms, Viking adjustable coilovers
• Rear Suspension: Custom 4-link with adjustable Viking coilovers, monster C-notch
• Steering: Elevated Concepts rack-and-pinion steering system
• Brakes: Wilwood 16-inch, 6-piston front and rear brakes
• Frame Modifications: Custom tubbed wheelwells, custom crossmember, narrowed rear axle by Eddie’s Chop Shop

DRIVETRAIN

• Engine: GM 6.2L LS3 with Texas Speed Stage 3 cam, 2.9L Whipple supercharger, Hooker headers, MagnaFlow stainless exhaust
• Transmission: GM 6L80 with paddle shifters, Precision Industries torque converter, Be Cool trans cooler
• Rearend: GM 12-bolt with Eaton Detroit Locker, custom Moser axles

BODY & PAINT

• Paint: Nardo Gray by Miguel Castro, Next Era Autoworks
• Custom Graphics: Airbrushed by Adrian Lazo, Buena  Suerte Tattoo Shop
• Bumpers: Shaved and tightly fit rear bumper, smoothed front bumper with custom front splitter
• Grille: Custom front grille
• Exhaust: Custom side-exit exhaust

INTERIOR

• Seats: Custom burgundy leather Braum Racing Alpha X Series seats, hand-stitched by Julio’s Upholstery
• Interior Mods: Custom woven carpet, rollcage wrapped and stitched
• Tech: Auto Meter Envision digital gauges, iPad-controlled infotainment system, paddle shifters
• Steering Wheel: Billet Specialties Invader steering wheel
• Stereo: Supreme Sounds build with three 8-inch Sundown X Series subs, DS18 Pro Series mids, JL Audio digital signal processor

WHEELS & TIRES

• Wheels: 24×9 and 24×12 Billet Specialties SLC Series Invaders
• Tires: Vredestein 355/25/24

Photo Credit: Joe Acevedo