This Page is a dedicated "auto" biography of how a beat down 1990 Chevy Top Kick was brought back to life through an idea, dedication, and mostly desire to build a one of a kind pull vehicle for a very unique parade float.  She is a true beast, designed to take control and reign in an even bigger beast:  The Kraken!

This project is the result of the hard work and dedication of a large group of great people and talent.  We are extremely happy to have such an eye-grabbing and awesome tow vehicle!
 

MissionOur Mission was to combine Steampunk and Ratrod to build a one of a kind truck ole Mad Max himself would be proud of!

Awards:
Best Float Bradenton Parade 2012
Best Float Chasco Parade 2013
Best krewe Float Gasparila Parade 2015

Products:
1990 Chevy Top Kick with 366 Cubic Motor, 5 speed Automatic, Dana rear end, Cut and shorten frame 10ft. Custom exhaust,

Started in 2013
Built June of 2014

Features:
Custom Built Tombstone Rear bumper with reinforced hitch to allow extreme weight pulls. A custom Air horn built from several parts off of three different salvaged systems- piped through a 5 gallon air tank- custom painted like a WWII bomb- LED and Strobe lights throughout. Custom Wrap.

Visit the beast’s Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/Krakendragger/

History of the GMC C60 Topkick:
 C indicates 2 wheel drive, this is a full 2 ton truck.  TopKick was introduced in 1980 as a stronger version of GM's exisiting medium duty "C" series trucks. The "TopKick" name originates to military slang and tied in with GMC's heavey duty names of "General" and "Brigadier" (other big truck models of the time)

This bad boy sports a 366 V8 Gas Motor 6.0 L tied to a Allison 5 speed automatic. The GMC 366 engine produces 366 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 380 ft-lbs of torque at 4,300 rpm.

I chose this particular truck for the motor after much research- we need an automatic transmission to pull a float safely filled with people- I also wanted a simple gas motor that anyone could work on that was meant to pull a ton of weight! (well actually almost 20 tons).