Peanut butter and jelly, wheels and tires, Jordan and Pippen – all are examples of great partnerships. There's no disputing that each component can stand on its own, but when paired together, the end result is off the charts.

The folks at Sony USA know that they have some of the coolest mobile audio and electronics on the planet. But it's the company's partnership with Syndicate Automotive in San Diego, CA that results in some of the most creative demo vehicles we've ever seen. This particular 2003 Hummer H2 is one of the duo's most recent collaborations and showcases the talents of both sides perfectly.

Log on to Syndicate Automotive's website (www.syndicateauto.com) and you'll see that these guys mean business. The com- pany is one of the industry's most in-demand shops, especially around SEMA time when manufacturers need assistance in build- ing attention-grabbing show vehicles. On any given day, these guys can be found wrenching on over a dozen high-profile projects that demand an incredible amount of work. With an impressive star-studded resume, Sony USA targeted Syndicate front-man Cliff Leeper to orchestrate this Sony Hummer H2 build.

By nature, the H2 platform was made to turn heads, but Syndicate wanted to make sure that the Sony version would break necks. Plenty of work and creativity would be needed if they wanted to make Sony's fantasy a reality, but there were already a few ideas being kicked around the shop that would surely set this Hummer apart from its competition.

Armed with a monstrous engine, the Hummer is no slouch and its 316hp and 360lb/ft simply beg to haul gear. However, the Syndicate crew knows that ‘stock doesn't shock' and plans were put in motion to force-feed the 6.0L motor. A call was made to the experts at Vortech Engineering to get this truck blown. The kit comes complete with an intercooler, while Syndicate added a K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust to help the eight-cylinder motor breathe a little easier. Leeper estimates the Hummer's Vortech-aided power output is close to 450hp, making this specimen one of the most powerful H2s we've ever featured.

Though the Hummer packs a punch, the truck's exterior needed a major overhaul in order to become the show-stopper it was destined to become. Nothing alters a vehicle's appearance quite like a suspension tweak, especially when it comes in the form of a 14-inch lift kit from Bulletproof Suspension. Using a set of six Fox 2.0 shocks with external reservoirs, this H2 towers over the road like it was Yao Ming at a family reunion.

A set of 22- x 12- inch wheels from KMC wrapped in Nitto Mud Grappler tires help get this Hummer from Point A to B. Dubbed the ‘Rockstar Wheels,' these black five spoke rollers are mounted with 40 / 15.50 R22 rubber to maximize its skyscraper stance. To complete the facelift, Syndicate went wild on the body with a custom paintjob courtesy of Endura Paint. After shaving the H2's three rear windows, it was sprayed in an Army Green hue and began taking on the persona of a high-tech military vehicle ready to infiltrate enemy lines. To really push the Hummer over the edge, Syndicate Automotive engineered a one-off ‘exoskeleton' which acts as an exterior roll cage. Also outfitted with Syndicate's custom rock sliders, the Sony's new-look Hummer looks just as smooth cruising the Southern California streets as it would starring in the next Rambo flick.

Capitalizing on the H2's military persona, Leeper and the Syndicate crew decided to let the theme go wild inside the cabin. Using the sharp edges and shapes found in heavy artillery like tanks and stealth bombers, Leeper fabricated enclosures throughout the interior for the tons of product Sony sent their way. Two Sony XS-LD125P5 12-inch subwoofers nestled in separate enclosures behind the rear passengers are fed by a pair of Sony XM-SD1X amplifiers to reproduce the bottom end. To handle the mids and highs, four CM-5022X amplifiers power two sets of Sony XS-D170SI 6.5-inch components located in custom kick panels up front and in the rear doors.

Visuals were going to be a major part of the build and Syndicate went to town by installing six Sony XVM-H65 6.5-inch monitors up front – four of which surround the steering wheel. The factory gauge cluster was re-located and placed in front of the passenger; while a massive Sony LKLV-215G2 21-inch screen sits in the middle of the dash and in the rear trunk.

Power distribution is handled by Monster product, while a Stinger 1700 battery provides the extra juice needed to feed the entire setup. Seating is handled by four Kirkey bucket seats that are actually custom-mounted on a Syndicate roll cage. A set of Crow harnesses were also added to hold driver and passengers securely in place and away from harm.

The completed Hummer H2 recently showed at the Spring Break Nationals back in March and has been on a national tour to promote Sony. Word is that the vehicle has created such a buzz that both Syndicate and Sony have been fielding bids from private owners looking to park this unique vehicle in their personal driveways. Thanks go out to all those involved including Bulletproof Suspension, Endura Paint, Dynamat, Fox Racing, Hughes Performance, Hypertech, K&N, Kirkey Seats, KMC Wheel Company, Llumar, Mac Tools, Magnaflow, Monster Cable, Nitto Tire, Vortech, Wheel Pros, Predator Motorsports, Hypertech and Stinger. A special shout out to Sony USA and the crew at Syndicate Automotive that proved with this Hummer H2 that the efforts of two are better than one.

Article compliments of Performance Auto & Sound Magazine