CONTENTS

MAY 2017, VOLUME 12, NO.5

FEATURES ROAD KING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

A show-off Mega Cab with Hemi power and off-road swagger

AEV RAM TESTDRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
We found the inner off-road animal inside the AEV Ram
POOR BOYS DREAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Introducing Slamfests best 4x4
PROJECT MEGA LIMITLESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
A great white 14 Ram 3500 from the Great White North
SWEET TOOTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
A caramelly smooth treat from 8 Lug Customs
8-LUG TECH
CHIN UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Raising the front of a 14 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty with Epiqs 2-inch
leveling kit

FEAR OF HEIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 DENTAL WORK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Laid-out 00 Chevy tow pig gets the job done in style 16 Super Duty front-end swap on an early Excursion

ON THE COVER:
After some major suspension
upgrades, Werks Automotion
DEPARTMENTS
34
GARAGE...................................................................8
re-shot Travis Poiriers Hemi-
powered 08 Dodge Ram 2500
MAILBAG .............................................................. 12
Mega Cab. LUG NUTS............................................................. 14
PRODUCT PROFILE............................................. 18
BRAGGING RIGHTS ............................................. 81
4 8
LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM
 HOW FAR WILL YOU GO TO SUCCEED?
WELL SEE YOU THERE.
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 EDITORIAL TEN: THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, LLC
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Managing Editor Courtney McKinnon Chief Financial Ofcer Bill Sutman
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Entertainment
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Programming
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WWW.8-LUG.COM

EIGHT-LUG OR HD TRUCK?
oom in. Zoom out. Zoom in.
Zoom out. This picture, submitted
for show coverage, was taken
at an angle that obscured the
trucks identity: Was this speci-
men a 1500 -ton or a 2500 -ton? The
wheels lug nuts were shrouded within the
custom wheels, so that was no help. All the
badges were shaved, so that was no help,
either. The HD mirrors could be an addition
to a non-HD truck, so that, too,
wasnt conclusive. I couldnt see
the exhaust or rear axle from the
pictures angle. The aftermarket
headlights, paint, and hood only
complicated matters further.
Without a good walk around the
truck, it was tricky to know for
sure what I was looking at. If it
were a Ford, Id know for sure,
as Ford has kept the styling of its
Super Duty and F-150 distinct throughout the
years. Likewise, Toyota and Nissan dont have
an eight-lug HD truck, making the Tundra
and Titan easy to eliminate. Unfortunately,
the Nissan Titan XD is not an eight-lug truck.
But as for this particular specimen, its clas-
sication remained a mystery.
Indeed, there are certainly cases where
big, lifted -ton trucks are built in an eight-
lug style, fooling the masses and sometimes
towering over their heftier, 32-plus-lugged
brethren. This magazine has traditionally
been reserved for literal eight-lug HD trucks;
- and 1-ton 2500 and 3500 GM, Ram, and
Ford varieties of all generations generally
dominate this description. Most are powered
by Duramax, Cummins, and Power Stroke
diesel engines, but their gasoline counter-
parts count as well. (More on that topic to
come!) If youve followed this magazine for
any amount of time, you know the trucks
are typically built in a lifted, show-truck
style. To varying degrees, these trucks still
do truck-like things like towing, hauling, and
8 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
GARAGE
BY MONICA GONDERMAN PHOTO: JASON GONDERMAN
off-roading. The crazy part is that this type
of customizing of a literal eight-lug HD truck
has taken on a life of its own, so that we all
know what it means to apply the gurative
eight-lug style to vehicles that dont have
eight lugs.
You may or may not have checked it out
already, but this month were featuring a
Chevy 1500 eight-lug conversion truck. More
than just a half-tonner, six-lugger done eight-
Say hello to this unicorna rare Chevy Silverado 1500HD.
After spotting two very stock ones in the wild, my mind
almost couldnt believe I found this third mildly modded
1500HD while running errands in town. Although Ive only
begun to research this beauty of a truck, I dare you to find
three in two weeks like I did!
lug style, it actually is an eight-lug truck.
(Now, its not an HD, although there is that
oddball factory Chevy 1500HD that exists.
Ive seen three in two weeks! If you have one
of these, let us know!) So yes, weve gone a
little rogue this issue, and yes, we know its a
1500. Id argue many wouldnt know it was
a 1500 by looking at it, as the real giveaway
is us telling you its a 5.3L truck. Would you
have known without knowing its engine?
And what do you think? Thumbs-up or
thumbs-down for eight-lug conversions that
are customized in an eight-lug style?
Switching to the HD Truck portion of the
title, did you know the magazine used to be
8-Lug Diesel Truck? It was changed to HD to
(obviously) include gasoline HD trucks. Taking
advantage of our ability to run both diesel
and gas trucks, this month youll notice
three gas featurestwo Hemi trucks and a
Chevy big-block. Gasoline HD feature trucks
are denitely rarer than the oil-burning vari-
ants, which, at rst thought, seems plausible
because there are more diesel trucks than
gas trucks rollin the streets. And sure, the
diesel trucks are better equipped for heavier
hauling and towing in general, but I some-
how doubt many of you really need that
much truck. Both will get you from point A
to point B just ne. Lastly, based
on many of the spec sheets I get,
youre not doing extensive engine
work to your diesel trucks. Why did
you opt for a premium-trim diesel?
On the newer trucks, that engine/
tranny option could have funded
a bunch of other mods. Is diesel
simply a more common character-
istic of eight-lug-style builds? Does
diesel represent the enthusiast
market, while gas is more commonly associ-
ated with eet trucks? Likewise, who out
there opted for a gas truck, and why?
While we may conclude that a majority
of the trucks we feature are eight-lug HD
trucks, I think there is a time and place for
the occasional eight-lug conversion (like the
1500 in this issue), as well as the HD truck
thats offered with more than eight lugs
(think dualies). But, its safe to say that if
it isnt an eight-lug truck or an HD truck, it
probably doesnt belongeven if it has that
contagious eight-lug style.
Email me at:
mgonderman@enthusiastnetwork.com
ENGAGE WITH THE 8-LUG COMMUNITY:
www.8-Lug.com www.facebook.com/ Twitter@8LugMag
8LugMagazine
WWW.8-LUG.COM
Contact Us: editor@8-lug.com
MAILBAG
ONE-TIME USE
Im a new owner of a diesel pickup, but
Ive been around farm tractors and con-
struction equipment, so Im not afraid to
open the hood and do general maintenance.
I recently bought an 09 Ford Super Duty
with a 6.4L Power Stroke engine and ended
up replacing a couple of bad injectors. Since
that repair was made, fuel has been getting
into the oil. How do I gure out where the
fuel is coming from?
Halston Roach
Birmingham, Alabama
Fuel in the oil pan of a Ford 6.4L Power
Stroke engine typically comes from one of two
places: the high-pressure fuel pump or the
injectors. The easiest way to determine which
is the culprit is to do a simple test: Drain the
oil pan, leave the plug out, and then turn on
the ignition key without starting the engine.
If fuel runs out of the pan during key-on,
engine-off, the problem lies with a bad HPFP,
says Mat Johnson, a lead technician at Mobile
Diesel Service in Oakland, Oregon. If no fuel
shows up, theres a problem with either the
injectors or the aluminum lines that run from
the fuel rail to the injectors.
Reusing the aluminum injector-feed lines on 6.4L Ford
Power Stroke engines is a common cause of fuel leaking
into the crankcase. Savvy diesel technicians always use new
lines when injectors are replaced or removed.
12 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
B Y B R U C E W. S M I T H
Mat points out a common mistake rst-time
diesel owners make when replacing injectors
is reusing the injector-feed lines, which leads
to poor sealing and fuel leaking into the oil.
Those aluminum feed lines are one-time-
use parts, Mat says. If you take one off, a
new one has to be put back in its place and
torqued to specications. If you try to reuse
them, they usually dont seal correctly under
those high fuel-rail pressures.
QUIRKY
ALLISON
Ive got an 03 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
with a 6-inch lift, 35-inch tires, ATS Diesel
Performance Aurora 3000 turbocharger, and
a Pacic Performance Engineering programmer.
The truck is fast. But now the transmission
is acting really weird, and Im hoping its
not toast. It has started to shift erratically,
sometimes hanging, shifting really hard, or
shifting too early. I pulled the pan off and
the uid looks and smells like new. The l-
ters are new, and the screens are clean. The
weirdness doesnt happen all the time, and
there arent any diagnostic trouble codes.
Zach Taylor
via the Internet
Having good tools and a technician who
knows how to use them can save you a bun-
dle of money. We suspect the problem isnt
with your Allison ve-speed automatic, but
rather with the ignition switch on the steer-
ing column. Yes, this sounds odd, but one
of the mechanics a McDonnells Automatic
Transmission Specialists in Livingston,
Montana, says he sees this shifting issue fre-
quently on older Chevrolet and GMC trucks.
Our ATS contact says the transmission con-
trol module in the Allison unit is very sensitive
to any type of voltage uctuation. When the
contacts inside the ignition switch begin to
wear out, they can intermittently cut power
(drop voltage) to the TCM while the vehicle is
being driven down the road.
This power interruption can be for a frac-
tion of a second or last several seconds, and
it has no impact on the operation of the rest
of the truck, so the driver has no clue whats
happening. But that voltage drop/loss really
messes up the TCM.
Every time the voltage to the TCM drops,
even for a fraction of a second, the trans-
mission goes into a full reload process and
is relearning all the shift parameters. This
results in the transmission operating normally
for days or weeks. Then, all of a sudden, it
begins shifting strangely.
A data logger will identify any voltage uc-
tuations between the ignition switch and the
TCM.
DEAD TUNER
I have an 11 Ram 3500, and I was using
an off-brand tuner that malfunctioned and
killed the ECM. After doing some research,
I sadly discovered the tuner company isnt
around anymore. I thought the tuner was a
great deal at the time. Now I regret my deci-
sion. Replacing the ECM is putting a hurt on
my wallet, so this time around I need a sug-
gestion for a good tuner that will work well
on my big dualie.
Tony Gladstone
via email
There are basically three pitfalls of electronic
hot-rodding: 1) all hardware fails at some
point in time, 2) computer software is prone
to corruption, and 3) programmers come and
go. When it comes to custom tunes and tun-
ers, youll nd sweet-sounding deals if you
search in the right places. But, as you have
discovered, theres no guarantee the company
that sells those products will be around to
provide technical or product support years
later. If it isnt, then you have to reinvest and
start all over again when theres a problem
plus endure the added cost and consternation
of possibly replacing the ECM, as happened in
your case.
Our advice when it comes to buying tunes/
programmers is to stick with the big names
that have been around for years, such as Edge
Products, Bully Dog, SCT, and EFILive. These
companies have a long-standing reputation
for making quality products and providing
good technical support.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
AIM FOR THE BEST.
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RIWKHFKDOOHQJHV\RXDQG\RXUWUXFNIDFH%HUHDG\ZLWKDUDQJH
TOOLBOX AND
PD[LPL]LQJIXHOWDQNV\VWHPIURP7UDQVIHU)ORZ7DSHYHU\ODVW REFUELING TANK COMBOS
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 BY TORI TELLEM

LUG NUTS
NEW, INTERESTING, AND FUN THINGS ABOUT HD TRUCKS

FORD AND EXXONMOBIL MAKE

FILL-UPS EASIER (AND CLEANER)
Were all aware that gas stations
probably have the most disgusting
thing on earth: the pump. So one
might appreciate the collaboration
of Ford and ExxonMobil in making
available (through Fords SYNC 3
Applink system) the Speedpass+ app,
which allows you to touch fewer
gross things while at the pump,
like the buttons, while not having
to swipe a credit card. Its all auto-
paid through SYNC 3s touch screen
or voice commands. The app also
allows for a search to nd Exxon and
Mobil stations.

BRIDGESTONE JOINS
THE SUPERTRUCK II
PROJECT
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy kicked off the
SuperTruck program, a project that would develop and research
ways to improve heavy-truck freight efciency, particularly with
regard to cost, tech, and performance. Were already on version
SuperTruck II, and the Cummins-Peterbilt program has gained
another big name: Bridgestone. The tiremaker will get federal
fundingdollar for dollarto develop prototype tires for the
three axle spots. Says Bridgestone, At full implementation of the
technology over the Class 8 vehicle population, nearly 3 billion
gallons of diesel could potentially be saved per year, correspond-
ing to 30 million metric tons of annual CO2 emissions reduction.
14 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
REDESIGNED RAM HD
TRUCKS ON HOLD
Automotive News reported that sources claimed Ram wont
redesign its heavy-duty pickups for the 18 model as planned. It
is unknown why these actions on important products for FCAs
two most protable brands are taking place, noted the article in
Automotive News. FCA has refused to comment. The talk is that
Fiat Chrysler is trying to get rid of its net debt ($7 billion), and that
the CEO, Sergio Marchionne, wants to retire in 2018 with the com-
pany generating billions of dollars in free cash ow annually.
Holding off for a bit on a redesign will save some bucks.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
Cummins does not use defeat LUG NUGGETS
devices and is committed to meet- Cummins has brought back its Nominate
a Hero campaign for the third year, which
is about recognizing community heroes.
ing emissions standards. Cummins Cummins said anyone can be a hero,
from the guy who plows a neighbors
has a long history of working trans- driveway to the woman who mentors
neighborhood youth to the business
parently and collaboratively with owner who helps build houses for those
in need. It can even be a local reman

regulators to develop and meet or police ofcer who helps those in the
community each and every day. There

emissions requirements. will be one winner each month, who will

score $1,000. And lling out a nomination
Statement from Cummins that it doesnt supply the form puts you in the running for a
chance to win a Cummins home standby
engines to Fiat Chrysler that are being named in a violation generator. To nominate someone, visit:
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency powertohomes.com/nominate-a-hero.
GM said: For 2016, GM was the
U.S. retail industrys fastest-growing

THESE ARE
manufacturer.
Did Amazon get a patent for self-driving

CANADAS
car tech?
GM is now testing autonomous vehicles
on public roads in Michigan.
WORST The Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation has created videos to

TRAFFIC help Pennsylvanians deal with

roundabouts. The state has 32

BOTTLENECKS
You can thank the Canadian Automobile
roundabouts, but another 20 are
being built and probably 10 more
are coming soon. The how-to can be
Association for doing the study called Grinding to
found at penndot.gov or youtube.com/
a Halt, Evaluating Canadas Worst Bottlenecks. The
pennsylvaniadot.
worst of the worst? The section of Highway 401
Ford and UAW-Ford are making a
that goes across the northern part of Toronto. In fact, 5 of the top
$6-million investment in a $50-million
10 bottlenecks happen in Toronto. Another fact? Toronto and Montreal bottlenecks are
expansion of the Motown Museum in
the worst in North America. And winners for the slowest driving speeds in the country go
to sections of Vancouvers Granville Street and West Georgia Street. Detroit.
In less happy museum news, the Walter P.
Chrysler Museum has closed. Itll become
ofce space.

FORD F-SERIES The Chevy Silverado (and Colorado) will

likely be exported to China this year.

40 YEARS AS BEST-
SELLING TRUCK
Ford can call winningits been 40 consecutive years of the
F-series being the top-selling truck in the country. The Blue Oval
has sold more than 26 million F-Series trucks since January 1977.
Your ashback is to 1999, which is when the F-250 and F-350
Super Duty hit the market. To learn more about the lines history
and this massive milestone, head to 40yearstough.com.
16 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM
B Y B R E T T T. E V A N S

PRODUCT PARTS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

PROFILE

STAGE II SUPER PANNING

DUTY
Now that the 17 Ford Super Duty is hitting the market (and after-
market), suspension legend Pro Comp is getting in on the action. The
companys Stage I and Stage II lift kits (available in both 4- and 6-inch
applications) provide altitude to the big truck. The Stage II kit pictured
here features upgraded heavy-duty radius arms constructed from laser-
cut 316-inch steel with a black powdercoated nish. With suspension bits
this pretty, youll be glad your elevated truck shows them off a little.
Pro Comp
800-776-0767 procompusa.com
FOR GOLD
By replacing the stock 01-to-10 Chevrolet/GMC Duramax oil
pan, PPEs Heavy Duty Replacement Oil Pan improves heat
dissipation and performance thanks to its sturdy aluminum
construction, unshrouded oil pickup, and at-bottom design
that eases oil changes. A hardened steel magnetic drain
plug attracts metals, keeping oil cleaner and improving
performance and protection.
Pacic Performance Engineering
714-985-4825 ppediesel.com

TOP IT OFF
While most modern tonneaus do a decent
job keeping cargo safe and dry, some stand
out from the crowd. Setting the A.R.E. LSII
Series bedcover apart from some of
its competitors are sleek OEM-level
styling, color-matched berglass,
and gray upholstery on the under-
side of the cover. The tonneau is
reinforced for added strength,
and A.R.E. offers such optional
extras as LED lighting, a 12-volt
power strip, and even keyless lock-
ing and unlocking. The LSII Series is
now available for the 17 Super Duty.
A.R.E.
4are.com

18 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 PRODUCT PROFILE

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

AMP Research is upgrading its famous PowerStep retractable running board with
dual electric motors and an aggressive step platform for improved grip. Called the
PowerStep XTreme, it is designed for taxing environments and features a high-
texture powdercoated nish, die-cast aluminum construction, and OEM-quality
motors, wiring, and drive system. And all PowerStep systems (including XTreme)
can now be upgraded with a three-position switch that allows the user to oper-
ate the step in up-override, down-override, or automatic operating modes.
AMP Research
800-309-6823 amp-research.com

RUNNING WITH CORROSION

THE DEVIL
The DiabloSport Trinity and inTune i2 are
PREVENTION Prestones bread-
now available with tuning coverage and-butter offering
for the 16 Chevrolet Silverado HD is antifreeze/cool-
and GMC Sierra HD equipped with ant, and its now
the 6.0L V-8. With preset tunes been enhanced
that prioritize power, with the addi-
efciency, or a tion of Cor-Guard
mix of the two, technology. Cor-
DiabloSport Guard provides
customers can ve times more
also opt to corrosion protec-
keep power tion than competi-
output the tors, according to
same while Prestone, and it
adjusting shift prevents the dam-
parameters, idle aging effects of worn-out antifreeze. Prestone
rpm, and torque antifreeze/coolant with Cor-Guard is available in
management. concentrated form to rell the cooling system
DiabloSport offers after a ush or in a 50/50 prediluted formula
speedometer calibration when running oversize tires, and the tuners have performance that can be added to any cooling system or
monitoring so you can track your acceleration. existing coolant.
DiabloSport Prestone
866-404-6141 diablosport.com 888-269-0750 prestone.com

COME HELL
OR HIGH WATER
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) wants to help add clearance for huge tires to the Ram
2500/3500 without having to resort to a massive lift thatll ruin its ride and handling. The
companys Highmark fender are kit provides the space and coverage to run 41-inch tires
with only 3 inches of suspension lift. The Highmark is made by rotoforming, the same
process used to make sport kayaks, and AEV claims its the strongest fender are on the
market today, with OEM quality and durability. When paired with the companys DualSport
suspension system and 17-inch Katla wheels, Highmark fender ares look very cool.
American Expedition Vehicles
248-926-0256 aev-conversions.com
20 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM
AEV RAM
TESTDRIVE
BY STUART BOURDON PHOTOS: STUART BOURDON

WE FOUND
THE INNER
OFF-ROAD
ANIMAL
INSIDE THE
AEV RAM

I
f youre at all familiar with American Expedition Vehicles
(AEV), you already know what the company can do for
the Jeep Wrangler. Much more than simply a conversion
company, AEV engineers suspension systems, exterior
upgrades, interior accessories, and wheels for these popu-
lar vehicles. It also offers its complete Hemi Builder Kit for
those looking to perform a V-8 swap. Now the company
has waved its magic wand over the Ram 2500/3500 truck.
The suspension underneath the AEV Ram offers some interest-
ing mechanical details. Built exclusively for the 2500/3500 Ram
truck, AEVs suspension system features many of the engineering
basics that were incorporated into the companys well-respected
JK Wrangler suspension. The concept from its beginning on paper
was to make it a dual-sport systemto have excellent road man-
ners, as well as great off-road-terrain handling capability. To do
this, AEV worked hard to maintain the best possible suspension

24 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 The AEV Ram Power Wagon
stands tall with an AEV
3-inch lift suspension kit
and 37-inch BFGoodrich
Mud-Terrain T/A tires. The
suspension mods provided
improved ground clearance
and off-road capability,
without making the truck
so tall that entry and egress
became difficult.

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 25

and steering geometry. In addition, it partnered again, as it had
on its JK suspension system design, with Bilstein to create custom-
tuned 5100 Series shocks for the AEV Ram suspension.
It would have been easy to make a set of springs for the gas
truck and another for the diesel truck, which is what many after-
market suspension companies do to create a lift. So why did AEV
go a different route? Because there are dozens of different coil
springs for the Ram trucks, and each spring is specically designed
to match the model of truck, depending on trim level, engine
choice, cab style, bed length, wheelbase, GVWR, and a handful of
1 2
26 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
other specications. There was no need to reinvent the wheel, so
to speak. To design a taller spring to achieve the additional height
in an aftermarket suspension system would also mean altering the
on- and off-road ride quality and suspension geometry already
built into the Ram truck. Instead, AEV retained the factory springs
and created a system that delivered a 3-inch lift in front and a
2-inch lift in the rear, while keeping the OE geometry of both the
suspension and steering.
The lift was achieved by using specially designed cast-aluminum
lower spring spacers that allowed the suspension geometry to
3 1. The tow loops that are integrated into
the AEV Front Bumper System are
massive and allow for attachment of winch
hooks or D-rings. AEV told us they are line-
pull rated at 30,000 pounds and secured to
the framehorns.
2. A winch can be embedded in the
AEV Front Bumper System, which can
accept up to a 16,500-pound-capacity unit.
AEV offers Warn products, but some other
winches may fit in the bumper.
4 3. Underneath the tube bar on the AEV
Front Bumper System, we found a
20-inch LED lightbar, an available option
when you order the AEV Ram.
4. A roller fairlead was mounted to the
face of the AEV Front Bumper System.
This setup comes as a package with the
optional Warn winch.
The modular AEV Front Bumper System on
the Ram is of Herculean proportions and
strength. It can be orderead with a number
of accessories, including an LED lightbar,
winch, and foglights.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
AEV RAM TESTDRIVE
remain unaltered by keeping the coil properly clocked, as well as
correctly indexed horizontally in its factory position. The front coil
spacers are eccentric-shaped (they look sort of like a horses hoof)
to allow the front axle to be moved forward (1 inch on the gas
version with 37-inch tires and 1.6 inches on the diesel version with
40-inch tires) to center the tires in the wheelwell and correct the
radius-arm geometry for reduced impact response.
Steering geometry was corrected through the use of AEVs
custom-forged drag link, track bar, and raised track bar tower. This
not only improved steering and handling by reducing the body roll,
bumpsteer, and roll steer commonly associated with lift kits, but
it brought the roll center height of the front end to better than
factory. Out back, AEV custom bumpstop spacers, a rear track
bar relocation bracket, sway bar end links, and a new power hop
5 6
28 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
bracket (if applicable) get the rear suspension back into proper
shape.
If youre wondering how AEV t 37-inch tires on a Ram truck
with only 3 inches of lift underneath it, well, some very smart
fender trimming and a set of proprietary ares provide just enough
room for up travel without leaving a gaping hole when the truck is
at rest. The Ram we drove that day was decked out in a set of AEV
Salta HD wheels, inspired by those seen on international off-road
race rigs. You can also get the AEV Ram with the companys Katla
wheels. Both are A356/T6 cast aluminum with valve stem recesses.
The nose of the AEV Ram is well protected by its modular Front
Bumper System. Based on a 316-inch stamped-steel superstructure,
the bumper was outtted with a top tube that accommodates a
20-inch LED lightbar, heavy-duty tow loops that are anchored to
5. The drop bracket for the front link
arms lowers, allowing the front axle
to move forward. This helps with tire clear-
ance and suspension geometry. The bracket
allowed AEV to retain the factory link arms
on the Ram Power Wagon.
6. Each factory link arm gets a small
skidplate/deflector to keep rocks or
other obstacles the truck may be sliding
over from coming into contact with or
damaging the AEV bracket. You can also see
the aluminum driveshaft spacer between the
flanges of the front driveshafts CV joint that
compensates for the forward placement of
the front axle.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
 CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD EXECUTIVE ORDER #D-778

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4 ALUMINIZED TURBO BACK 4 ALUMINIZED TURBO BACK 5 ALUMINIZED TURBO BACK K4306S, K4308S, K5314S
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UPC BARCODES WILL NOW BE

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PARTS AND EXHAUST KITS

DIAMONDEYEPERFORMANCE.COM
800-635-9950
AEV RAM TESTDRIVE
the framehorns, and side wings that offer multiple light options.
The massive bulwark supports up to a 16,500-pound winch (AEV
offers Warn products).
One of the most obvious enhancements is the AEV Raised Air
Intake. Snaking from out of the passenger side of the front cowl,
the snorkel-like UV-stable cross-linked polyethylene structure
offers more than just deep-water fording capabilities. Its designed
to stay above the dust of the rig in front of the AEV Ram and away
from the heat of the engine to deliver the coolest and cleanest air
charge possible. To make it even better, our tester had the optional
High Efciency Dust Filtration System on top, making it look like a
giant mushroom of particle-trapping efciency.
So how did it drive? Lets start with the fact that the AEV rig we
tested was based on Rams recently reintroduced Power Wagon
platform. Right off the bat, it possessed off-road superpowers,
such as electronic locking front and rear differentials, making the
4.10-geared axles a force to be reckoned with, especially when
given a few more inches of ground clearance and shod with a tall
set of aggressive BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/As.
We accomplished climbing even the steepest inclines we could
7 7.
8 9
30 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
nd at Southern Californias Rowher Flat ORV area without trouble
or spinning the tires by locking it down into 4-Lo, with front and
rear lockers active and feeding the brawny 6.4L V-8 Hemi just
enough fuel to keep it chugging along but not enough to make
the tires do anything but bite into the landscape. Descent was
only slightly less fun (we prefer climbing), but low gearing and the
trucks hill descent control allowed us to simply point the truck
down the mountain and let it do all the work, while trying to stay
off the brakes unless absolutely necessary. On-road manners were,
well, truck-like. Lets face it, this is a -ton pickup, but its ride
quality was posh for a nearly 3-ton beast (most likely due to the
well-tuned coil-spring suspension system), and handling was on
par with or better than other pickups its size we have navigated
through suburbia.
All in all, we want more. One day was denitely not enough,
and before it was over, we were asking how to get our hands on
it for a full weeks testdrive. Youll know right after we do if that
happens. In the meantime, were satised knowing that AEV has
improved on the Ram Power Wagon, a vehicle that was already a
quite capable off-roader.
As much as we liked the AEV Ram, if
it were ours, we would probably add
a skidplate up front to protect the steering
box and the auto-disconnect system for the
front antisway bar.
8. AEV retained the factory coil springs
because each model of Ram truck,
depending on trim level, engine, cab style,
bed length, weight, payload, and any number
of other specifications, gets its own spe-
cifically tuned coils. AEV saw no reason to
reinvent the wheel. The lower spring spacer
that is part of the lift system is shaped to
allow for the forward shift of the front axle,
while maintaining the clocking and vertical
alignment of the coil.
9. AEV prefers its Raised Air Intake sys-
tem not be called a snorkel. It wants
you to understand that it not only delivers
deep-water fording capabilities but also
sources cooler and cleaner air by being
outside of the engine cowl and above the
dust created by the rig in front of it.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
REPLACEMENT
DOOR PARTS
Steel Door Shells
Door Glass
Window Channel Kits
Window Regulators
Weatherstripping
Hinges
Latches
Door Handles
& Locks
Window Handles &
Switches
Door Panels & Trim
Armrests
Vent Windows
& Seals

RIGHT PART.
RIGHT PRICE.
RIGHT NOW.

LMCTruck.com | (800) 562-8782 |

2017 Long Motor Corp.
 INTRODUCING
SLAMFESTS
BEST 4x4

I
f building a custom truck is fun,
displaying it at a truck show can add
a whole new dimension. As we all
know, personalizing your ride takes
time, effort, and no small amount of
cashbut those all-nighters quickly
fade away when you hear positive
comments from spectators admiring your
truck on display. It gets even better when
the judging committee singles you out for
an award. Thats exactly what happened
to Hunter Denny and his 08 Chevrolet
Silverado. From Halifax, North Carolina,
Hunter is a city mechanic specializing in
small engine repair. With that background,
it was only natural for him to begin creat-
ing a custom ride of his own. Since he grew
up around Chevrolets, when a stock-height
Silverado appeared at the local Chevrolet
dealership ve years ago, he knew it was
the perfect starting point for the lifted
truck of his dreams. Even though the initial
changes to the truck were minor, a friend
encouraged him to enter it in a local show.
Winning that rst trophy set the wheels in
motion, and Hunter smiles when he says, I
got hooked!
Great trucks often work best with a care-
fully chosen team that can turn dreams
into reality. Several people were involved
with this build, beginning with Hunters
young cousin, who looked at the truck
after all the chrome was powdercoated
black and aptly named it Big Black.
While the name stuck, the single shade

BY JOE GREEVES PHOTOS: JOE GREEVES

POOR BOYS
DREAM
34 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM
WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 35
POOR BOYS DREAM
wasnt quite enough. Fortunately, Hunter met Cory Saint Clair, a
well-known airbrush artist in California and the star of several
TV shows, who was visiting North Carolina with his custom bike.
Hunter was impressed with the scoots paintjob and, several
months later, Cory returned to accent the Silverado with bright
green House of Kolor realistic ames on the sides and a mural on
the tailgate. That color would later be repeated throughout the
truck as the upgrades began.
When the decision was made to lift the truck, Hunter contacted
the folks at Davis Off Road in Richmond, Virginia. They came up
with a high-altitude design that incorporates front and rear four-
links with a new straight axle front end. In fact, both axles were
swapped to Dana 60s, which run 5.13 gears and Mag-Hytec covers.
Fox 2.5 reservoir shocks stabilize all four corners while drilled and
slotted rotors bring the sky-high Bow Tie to a halt. To keep the big
rig on the straight and narrow, the original rack and pinion steer-
ing was replaced with a hydraulic assist and steering stabilizer. The
distinctive 24x16 Fuel Forged wheels were already a unique design
36 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
that Hunter personalized with green inserts to match the rest of
the truck. Toyo M/T rubber (40x15.5R24) guarantees a sticky con-
tact patch.
For an appropriately aggressive look, a set of bumpers from
Backwoods Bumpers was bolted on, complete with front and rear
Monster Hooks. Flood Light Luminaires from Cree reside in both
bumpers, along with Cree LED lights on the roof and in the grille,
completed with smaller units in the front bumper. For some fun
at nighttime shows, Rigid Industries neon comes into play when
the sun goes down, thanks to wheel lights outside and multiple
lighting touches inside. Hunter designed and fabricated his own
headlight units. Tying all the changes together, everything under
the truck was powdercoated a ame-matching shade of green,
right down to the driveshafts and coil springs on the shocks. Just
for fun, a set of Viair-powered HornBlasters train horns was added
to help clear morning trafc.
Moving inside, the interior was done by Hunters good friend,
Keno, in Halifax, North Carolina. Keno built the full-width sub box
WWW.8-LUG.COM
POOR BOYS DREAM
and covered the seats and door panels with a mix of lime green
and black leather. Ensuring the truck is the fun place to be dur-
ing a weekend road trip, the stereo begins with a two-channel
Sundown Audio 1,500 amp connected to a pair of Sundown Audio
15-inch subs located in the subwoofer enclosure behind the seats.
A Crossre 500 amp powers the Crossre speakers in the doors
and center console. Control for the system comes from the Pioneer
AVH-X2500BT 2-DIN Multimedia DVD receiver with a 6.1-inch
touchscreen. The combination transforms the truck into a concert
hall on wheels.
The nal phase was power: modifying the 5.3L V-8 with a mild
cam from RPM Motorsports, a K&N cold-air intake, and a Hypertech
computer that was tuned by Davis Off Road to bump up power
levels and ensure the speedometer matched the new wheel size.
Stock exhaust manifolds feed high-ow cats through a stainless
steel, straight pipe system ending in 5.5-inch chrome tips. The
four-speed overdrive transmission was reinforced to handle the
additional horsepower. Additional electrical power comes from
a high-output 200-amp alternator and pair of Optima batteries.
Cory followed up with custom-painted engine covers and the
mural under the hood that shows the trucks theme of Poor Boys
Dreamempty pockets but still smiling!
The nal pair of individuals involved with the build begins with
Hunters mom, affectionately nicknamed Momo, who was always
there to provide encouragement and support. Although she unfor-
tunately passed away in 2005, her memory lives on thanks to
Hunters arm tattoo and the license plate on the truck that includes
her name and the year she was born. With her passing, Hunters
grandfather, Terry Horton, stepped in, and the two became very
close, with the build becoming a wonderful bonding experience.
Both men regularly travel together to shows. We photographed
the completed truck at Floridas legendary Slamfest in Gainesville,
Florida, where the Chevrolet captured Best 4x4 against stiff com-
petition. We are certain Big Black is going to be a family fun ride
for many years to come.

38 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

Well supply the parts...
ATS Twin Fueler Kit
Fits Dodge and GM
Better fuel atomization
Increased throttle response
Faster Spool times
Supports larger injections
Wider RPM operating range
Supports racing & towing applications
Scorpion Turbo System
Fits 2011-14 Ford 6.7L
Perfect Drop-In Replacement system
Choice of Aurora 3000 or 4000 turbochargers
Lowered exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs)
Quicker spool times and increased horsepower
5 Year 500,000 Mile Warranty
Transmission Filter Fitting
Replaces cheap plastic fittings
Easily installed during a normal service
Increases reliability
Keeps filter securely in place
ATS Diesel Performance sells replacement parts designed to improve a diesel engines efficiency and reliability. Some states, specifically California,
have strict regulations applicable to parts that you may legally use on your diesel truck. Be sure to review applicable municipal, state, and federal
rules before you purchase and install an ATS product to make sure you are in compliance. ATS also designs and manufactures certain parts for off-
road and race use only. These parts are not intended for sale in any state, including California, where the items do not comply with local rules.
Aurora 4000/7500 Twin Turbo Kit
Available for Dodge (call for application)
Great low end response and torque
High powered top end performance
Lowered exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs)
Improved throttle response
Perfectly matched turbocharger balance
Boost pressure is adjustable down to 40PSI
Everything you need for a simple, fast installation
Available in a 3000/5000 Combination
5 Year 500,000 Mile Warranty
AURORA PLUS 4k, 5k, or 7k Turbo Kit
Available for Dodge and GM (call for application)
Great low end response and torque
High powered top end performance
Lowered exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs)
Improved throttle response
Perfectly matched turbocharger balance
Great for both towing and racing
This kit installs with all the factory emissions left in tact
5 Year 500,000 Mile Warranty
Copilot Transmission Controller
Fits Dodge, GM & Ford
Control shift characteristics
Control torque converter lock-up
Push button control
Better acceleration
18 mph minimum lockup speed
Automatically controls your exhaust brake
ATS Deep Pans
Available for Dodge, Ford and GM
One inch magnetic drain plug
Increased fluid capacity
Increase fluid life
Lowered fluid temperatures
Strengths your transmission case
 The ultimate in reliability, dependability and performance
Upgraded internal components
Increased line pressures
CNC laser cut steels
ATS formulated and bonded clutch material
Increased holding power over stock transmissions
For daily driving, competition or towing
Transmissions available for Dodge, Ford and GM

160% More combined clutch surface over stock

2 Times more friction surfaces
20% More piston surface area over stock
Balanced internal rotating components
Increased clamping force
Increased reliability
Patented square lug design
Converters available for Dodge, Ford and GM
WARRANTIED FOR
5 YEARS OR 500,000 MILES

Duramax Manifolds Features:

Optimized heat handling
Dodge Manifolds Feature: Up-pipes steel sleeved bellows section
Manifolds for GM and Dodge 26% Increase in exhaust flow
Increased reliability with no cracking or warping Lower drive pressure
Lowered exhaust gas temperatures Up-pipe kits available in left or right side,
Smoother, less restricted exhaust flow or full configuration

ATS T3 & T4 Shorty Pedestals: ATS 68 RFE Rebuild KIT

For Duramax
Easily upgrade your turbo
Keeps turbo in factory position
For T3 and T4 frames
Cast from high silica moly
Wont warp or crack
Precision machined
Everything you need to rebuild you 68 RFE
Pre-assembled drum or unassembled components
Proprietary, ATS designed accumulator plate
ATS Laser cut and bonded friction plates
ATS CoPilot for ultimate converter control

You supply the stories. 

"54%*&4&-$0.-6(

BY EDDIE MALONEY PHOTOS: EDDIE MALONEY & GLENN ELLIOTT

42 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 PROJECT
MEGA
LIMITLESS
A GREAT WHITE
14 RAM 3500
FROM THE GREAT
WHITE NORTH

I
ntroducing Blaine Hann, a 26-year-old Canadian
who loves anything trucks! Born and raised in
Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada, where much
of his family still calls home, he moved to Alberta
after graduating high school to start his career in
Fort McMurray as a heavy equipment operator in
the oil sands industry. Working with Suncor Energy
allows Blaine to operate the worlds biggest dump trucks
and graders alongside other equipment giantsperfect for
a truck guy, isnt it? A few hobbies of his, other than build-
ing trucks, of course, include the typical Canadian sports
like golng, hockey, and shredding up the mountainside in
the deep powder of British Columbia on a snowmobile.

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 43

PROJECT MEGA LIMITLESS
Blaine has always had a thing for big Ram trucks. The lifted tears were worth every moment. Although he loves everything
truck scene in North America has grown tremendously in the past about his Ram, he particularly likes the look of the Bodyguard
decade, slowly becoming one of the most popular genres at large bumpers and the ake design painted on the chassis and axles.
gatherings such as the SEMA Show. Following the scene closely It was a long build, but Blaine states he learned to have patience
and knowing he wanted to be part of it, Blaine set out to nd because he knew the result would be worth it. More than 120,000
a truck he could build in January 2014. He found his Ram 3500 people got to see Blaines truck in Las Vegas, and he is truly thank-
Mega Cab Limited sitting at Derrick Dodge in Edmonton, Alberta, ful for everyone who helped and encouraged him along the way.
Canada. Following several dozen builds across social media, he Blaines future goal? To create a new build every single year!
began to gather ideas from others in the big truck community.
Thats where he came across Cris Payne of the Truck Gurus. Cris
put Blaine in touch with all the right people and alas, Project
Limitless started to become a reality. After a very long two-year
build process, Blaines truck went from bone-stock to an 8-inch-
lifted head turner.
As the build progressed, Blaine began to attract more attention
from fans and potential sponsors. He slowly grew his social media
fan base into the thousands and turned heads everywhere he
went. As Blaines truck was in its nal stages of the build process,
he received yet more amazing newsnews any truck enthusiast
would want to hear. Thats right, Blaines Ram was heading to the
SEMA Show in Las Vegas. To anyone in the automotive industry,
having a featured vehicle at SEMA means you have reached the
pinnacle. Although he was super excited for SEMA, there was still
a mad rush to nish the truck. Blaine said all the blood, sweat, and

After a very long two-year build process, Blaines truck

went from bone-stock to an 8-inch-lifted head turner.

44 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 SpecSheet
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 14 Ram 3500 Limited
OWNER:Blaine Hann
HOMETOWN: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
ODOMETER:55,000 kilometers (34,175 miles)
ENGINE: 6.7L Cummins I-6
ENGINE MANAGEMENT: Bully Dog tuner
TRANSMISSION: Aisin AS69RC six-speed automatic
EXHAUST: 5-inch Flo-Pro
SUSPENSION: 8-inch McGaughys with Dirt Logic shocks, 3-inch body lift
BODY/EXTERIOR: Bodyguard A2L front and rear bumpers with four
Monster Hooks swivel hooks, Bushwacker fender ares, Cargo Glide
slides, UnderCover swing cases, UnderCover Elite LX tonneau cover,
HornBlasters nightmare kit, R1 Concepts brakes, custom-painted
frame and axles, Ram Air Hood by Fibertec Performance
LIGHTING: Speed Demon Lights (two 30-inch white lightbars, four
Black OPS cubes, and two Black OPS ush mounts), custom head-
lights from Retro Shop, C4 underglow lights
INTERIOR: Roadwire leather, ECD Customs Universal Wrap sheets,
sPOD dash switches, JL Audio subwoofers and ampliers
WHEELS: 22x14 RBP Glocks
TIRES:40x14.5R22 Interco SS-M16
SPECIAL THANKS: Cris Payne at Truck Gurus for making this dream
happen, Rolling Big Power (RBP) for putting the Ram in its 2016
SEMA Builder Showcase, Fabtech Motorsports, Roadwire Leather
Interiors, Speed Demon Lights, InniteRule Security Locks, Interco
Tires, Monster Hooks, HornBlasters, Scrubblade, McGaughys, JL
Audio, Bodyguard Bumpers, Retro Shop, sPOD, Power Collision
Center, ECD Customs, Bushwacker, R1 Concepts, Cargo Glide,
UnderCover Truck Lids, and C4 Off-Road Products.

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 45

 B Y B R U C E W. S M I T H P H O T O S : B R U C E W. S M I T H

CHIN UP
RAISING THE FRONT
OF A 2014 RAM
2500 HEAVY DUTY
WITH EPIQS 2-INCH
LEVELING KIT

W
hen Ram Truck started converting its Heavy Duty
pickups to a three-link tapered-coil front suspen-
sion with the 14 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty, the ride
and handling took a signicant step forward with-
out compromising load and towing capabilities.
However, some owners still dislike the trucks nose-low attitude.
An easy x for that is moving the front coils down 2 inches with a
leveling kit, which gives a more eye-pleasing symmetry to the tires
in the wheel arches. The downside is the stock shocks dont have
enough travel to compensate for the longer suspension travel under
full droop.

Epiq Suspensions premium version of

the Ram Heavy Duty 2-inch leveling kit
includes Fox 2.0 Performance Series IFP
truck shocks along with the Epiq USA-
made spacers.

48 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

The installation is very straightforward, takes about two hours, and
doesnt require any special handtools, which is cool if you are a back-
yard DIYer.
AN EPIQ FOX COMBO
Epiq Suspension takes that into consideration with its 14-to-current
Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty 2-inch leveling kit that incorporates
custom-tuned Fox 2.0 Performance Series IFP (internal oating
piston) shocks, which are ideal for any four-wheeler who is using his
or her big 4x4 Ram for towing, hauling, or off-pavement travel.
Epiq offers three Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty leveling kits: the
basic pair of TIG-welded, CNC-machined, triple-baked powdercoated
steel spacers for $99; the same spacers with Bilstein 5100 shocks,
which add $175; or the aforementioned Fox 2.0 Performance Series
IFP shocks, a $260 upgrade.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
The latter works best for those who run their truck on backroads
or off-pavement, because Foxs IFP monotube truck shocks, with
6061-T6 aluminum bodies and race-developed internals, are valved
specically for heavy-duty pickups in those driving conditions.
EASY INSTALL, NICER RIDE
Epiq Suspensions Casey Castle leveled up the front of a 14 Ram
2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 at Dunks Performance in Springeld, Oregon.
The installation is very straightforward, takes about two hours, and
doesnt require any special handtools, which is cool if you are a
backyard DIYer.
MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 49
 CHIN UP

A oor jack and jackstands are a must if doing this outside of a

shop, and its good to have the frontend realigned afterward just to 1. Castle removed the lower shock bolts, then disconnected the front sway bar from
the drop links using a 10mm wrench to hold the pin and a 21mm socket to spin
off the nut. The track bar doesnt need to be disconnected, but doing so will make the
make sure it stays within factory specs, as there will be a very minor upgrade easier if the install is being done without a hoist.
change to toe-in.
The difference in handling and ride after the Epiq/Fox upgrade is
quite apparent over stock: theres less shudder over sharp bumps,
2. Caution: Before lowering the axlehousing to remove the springs, disconnect the
brake line bracket on each side (at the base of the coils) so the hoses dont get
stretched or damaged.
rocks, ruts, potholes, and railroad crossings; the truck feels softer
and more controlled going through dips and over crests at speed; 3. Another item easy to miss before lowering the axlehousing is the differential
breather tube, which is attached to the upper rear of the driver-side coil tower
(arrow) with a spring-type clip.
and it feels way more controlled when towing a big trailer.
The other advantages of giving the Ram Heavy Dutys nose a minor
uplift is it improves the approach angle by about 8 degrees over stock, 4. After the brake line and breather hose are free, Castle used adjustable jack-
stands to slowly lower the axlehousing until the top of the front coil on each side
could be easily pulled out from the upper bracket.
while making way to run 35s, should those be your tire of choice. We
had the OEM LT275/70R18 Firestone Transforce HTs swapped out for
a set of LT295/60R20 Pro Comp A/T Sports, which added an extra 12
5. The Epiq spacer (same for both sides) was placed on top of the coils rubber isola-
tor and rotated so it aligned with the top bucket mount. The offset was toward
the rear of the truck. A little downforce on the axlehousing will be needed to slide the
spacer/coil spring back into position if the track bar is still attached.
inch of ground clearance and better off-road traction for this Ram.
If you want to level out the stance of your big Ram while improv-
ing its ride, both unloaded and loaded, Epiq Suspensions 2-inch
front leveling kit is an option worth considering. 3
1

4 5

50 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

Heavy Duty Transmission Pans and Differential Covers
Often Copied,
Never Duplicated

818.786.8325

Magnetic drain plugs

Magnetic dipstick

Cast Aluminum A356-T6

Tapped for temperature probe

25 to 50 Heat reduction

ARP O-rings on Most applications

Longer service intervals

Quicker, cleaner maintenance

Just Released F 6.7 L Diesel

www.mag-hytec.com
 CHIN UP

6 9

6. The factory Ram

hydraulic shock (left)
measured 2212 inches eye to
BEFORE/AFTER
eye. The Fox 2.0 shock mea-
sured 25 inches. Shock valv-
SPECS
ing and construction between Height at Wheelwell Arch
8 the two shocks is considerably different, with the Fox
IFP being a race version valved specifically for trucks.
Stock (f/r): 40.75 inches/43. 25 inches
After (f/r): 43.13 degrees/43.25 degrees

7. Upgrading to the Fox shocks was a straight bolt-

in process using the factory hardware. A neat
trick Castle used to make sliding in the slightly wider
Approach/Departure Angle
Stock (app/dep): 43 degrees/32 degrees
bottom mount of the Fox shocks easy was using a cres-
After (app/dep): 51 degrees/32.7 degrees
cent wrench to pry the thick factory shock brackets
open a fraction of an inch. Tires
Stock: Firestone Transforce HT
8. After the coils and shocks were back in place,
the axlehousing was raised until the sway bar
end links could be bolted back on. The entire job
Size: LT275/70R18 (33.2-inch diameter)
shouldnt take more than three hours for the first- After: Pro Comp A/T Sport
timer working in the drivewayand half that for Size: LT295/60R20 (33.9-inch diameter)
someone using a hoist.

9. Epiqs 2-inch leveling kit makes room to run

up to 35-inch tires. We upgraded to Pro Comp
LT295/60R20 A/T Sport tires on 20x9 Method The
Mesh wheels, a good combo for towing and off-
pavement use.
PRODUCT PROFILE:
Epiq Suspension/Dunks Performance
541-726-1006 dunksperformance.com

52 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

BY PHIL GORDON PHOTOS: PHIL GORDON

FEAR OF H
LAID-OUT 00 CHEVY TOW PIG
GETS THE JOB DONE IN STYLE

56 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

EIGHTS

T
here is a silver lining in every bad situationat least thats how Jason
Torchia of Acworth, Georgia, sees things. As the owner of a few custom
rides throughout the years, Jason always had a difcult time trailering his
trucks to shows. What should normally take 6 or 7 hours would end up
taking 12. At a popular show called ShowFest, Jason saw a custom low-
ered dualie and instantly needed one. The power of the larger truck was
a denite advantage, but the sleek style and shape appealed to him even
more. After a couple weeks of searching, Jason found a 00 Chevy dualie at an auction for
a price he couldnt turn down.
On Christmas night, just after buying the dualie, Jason was hit head on by an uninsured
motorist. At that point, he decided to rebuild itbut with custom air, of course. Jason
completely tore down the truck to the framerails, cutting off the mangled front clip and

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 57

FEAR OF HEIGHTS
purchasing a new one. He and his friend removed the bulky 454ci
V-8 engine and tranny and rebuilt them to bring the Chevy back to
running condition. A TPU heavy-duty billet torque converter was
added to make towing even easier. A Flowmaster 3-inch exhaust
was built by Exotic Exhaust & Fabrication in Hiram, Georgia.
When it came time to choose the suspension alteration, Jason
decided to go with a 3-inch stock oor body drop using a parallel
four-link and a Panhard bar to connect the driver-side framerail
to the passenger-side axle to keep the rear end in place. Once the
truck was body-dropped, the fuel cell had to be sectioned 3 inches
so it wouldnt sit lower than the frame. An Accuair e-Level Air
Management setup was installed, and an engine-driven compres-
sor provided air for the ination of the airbags. Jason added a cus-
tom roll pan from Grant Kustoms, a Cadillac Escalade front clip, and
a GMC Yukon front bumper to conclude the exterior mods.
58 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
In order to have sufcient sounds while towing his custom truck
behind the dualie, Jason added a Pioneer AVH-P6300BT ip-out
head unit that runs to a Pioneer 1,000-watt amplier. The amp
helps the speakers, and the pair of 10-inch Pioneer subwoofers
under the seat makes enough noise. When it came time to outt
the Chevy with the proper shoes, Jason acquired a rare set of
22.5-inch Accuride wheels milled down to 22 inches by Tennessee
Wheel & Tire. Under the center cap, they are stamped DOT ITALY,
which authenticates them.
Jason wishes to thank his AcrophobiA truck club Georgia chapter,
Alwair, Sonya for allowing him the time to make a show truck tow
pig, and all his friends who lent a hand through the whole process.
It started with some rough patches and ended with something he
can truly be proud of, while hopefully providing inspiration to oth-
ers who see his one-of-a-kind dualie.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
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 BY ANTHONY SOOS P H O T O S : J E F F D AV Y

This Excursion has already been fitted with a 6-inch lift from Fabtech, 20-inch wheels
from SOTA, and 37-inch Grabbers from General Tire, making this big grocery-getter
significantly bigger. Now, its ready to go through its exterior transformation and get the
11-to-16 Super Duty treatment, refreshing its look while still keeping the functionality for
which it was designed.

DENTAL WORK
2016 SUPER DUTY FRONT-END SWAP ON
AN EARLY EXCURSION

M
ost custom trucks have plans that are laid out from the SUV that shouldve been, had the model continued up until this
the beginning, following a very specic plan of day. As the head of a custom shop that does these kinds of
attack. A particular model gets picked out and a set projects on a daily basis, Davy wanted to cut and create all the adapter-
of parts is ordered, with paint and body being part type bracketry himself, but time got away from him. However, he
of the equation. Sometimes the inspiration for a was able to easily nd one that suited his purpose online.
custom build comes from an unlikely source. This 01 Excursion start- Since it was already going under the knife, Davy elected to
ed life as a boring, no-plans-for-custom family truckster that was upgrade the suspension with a 6-inch Fabtech lift. There are still
performing its exact duty when the unlikelyor unluckystruck. more plans after this point for more exterior upgrades, but that
Jeff Davy of Devious Customs was driving the Excursion down a will come later. Follow along as we spend another day at Devious
stretch of Southern California highway heading toward a family out- Customs while they take their project-in-progress 01 Ford Excursion
ing, when an unplanned meeting between him and a fellow motor- and swap in an 11-to-16 Super Duty grille, front fenders, and hood
ist put a huge dent in his plans for a day of fun with the wife and to give it that extra-custom look.
kiddos. The Excursion was put out of commission temporarily, and
This is what prompted
as luck would have it, Davy runs a very successful and very creative the all-around tear-
custom shop in Riverside, California. As he and the Devious crew down and transforma-
tion. An accident on the
were at work creating custom cars and trucks as they normally do, road had sidelined the
the idea struck him to make the daily driver into one that would Excursion with damage
to the front end, all but
turn heads. Why just return something to stock when you can trick smashing the grille,
it out with a new front-end swap? hood, and bumper.
Rather than purchase
The idea quickly took shape. He would take the solid lines and replacement panels
subtle toughness of this single-generation SUV and bring it up to and make this people
mover exactly the same
date with the addition of an 11-to-16 Ford Super Duty grille, fend- as before, Davy decided
ers, and hood. The daily driver and kid transporter with the strength to go all the way with it
and do a major front-
and underpinnings of an F-250 would be given a new look, becoming end update.

60 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 1 6

7 8
2

3 4 1. We started the teardown by unbolting the hood. The Devious

crew had that removed in no time, and the pile of panels that
would be scrapped had started. Take careful note where the hood
support strut-mounting points are located on the fenders. They
would be addressed in a later step.

2. To attempt a swap like this one, the entire front clip had to
be dismantled. With the hood removed, they started on the
fenders and removed the grille and bumper. With the 11-to-16
Super Duty components being swapped in, however, it was not as
simple as unbolting the old and installing the new.

3. Continuing with the teardown process, the factory running

boards were stripped off with the removal of the eight
mounting bolts on either side. Currently, there are no plans for
replacing the steps, but something cool could pop up in the future.

4. The swap would encompass the front third of the Excursion,

so the conversion went all the way back to the wiper cowl
and the hinges for the hood. The 11-to-16 edition uses a different
set of hinges, and those were ordered in advance of the transformation.
5
5. One of Devious top body men, Tim, can be seen here modifying the new hood
hinges to fit onto the factory inner structure. He had to reshape a bolthole on the
mounting bracket of the hinges to make them fit and had to do so on both hinges. The
cuts for a swap like this have to be precise to make the hood sit correctly and have the
gaps look factory. So measure twice, cut once.

6. After all the shaving had taken place, the hood hinges were installed. Its impera-
tive the hood is set correctly, as it is the main area from which the fenders and
grille would have their gaps measured. No pressure here!

7. On a swap of this nature, a multitude of areas need to be chopped and shaved to

make the new parts fit. To get the new fender to fit, Tim had to cut the upper fac-
tory fender-mounting tab on both the driver and passenger side with an air cutoff wheel.

8. A section of the inner structure had to be shaved off, this time on the core sup-
port, to make fitment of the new fenders possible. This area of the inner structure
would push the new fender out too far and prevent the fender from aligning around the
headlights and sitting properly next to the hood.

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 61

 DENTAL WORK

9 10 9. Here is the aftermath of the cut on the inner structure. About 8 inches of the
inner structure had to be removed on both the driver and passenger side. The
11-to-16 fenders would now be able to fit over the structure and align with the
headlight correctly.

10. Before the various bracketry could be fit to the core support that gives
mounting points for the new hood adjustment bumpers, we drilled nutserts
in on the driver and passenger side. Nutserts are super handy and easily install just
like a rivet to provide our brackets a place to solidly bolt in.

11. With our nutserts firmly in place, we went ahead and installed the brackets
that would hold our new grille in place.

12. The hood latch is one of the only front-end parts that will be reused. It bolts
right back into where it was removed, and luckily for this build, it was one
of the few components Ford did not redesign.
11
13. The headlights for the 11-to-16 Super Duty are of a different size and
shape than our 01 Excursion, which required us to cut out a larger pocket
for the new lights.

14. The new fenders required us to cut off the old upper mounting tab. Here, the
Devious crew is drilling new holes for nutserts to be used to mount the upper
bracket of the fenders. The door had to be opened and a sheet of cardboard was used to
protect the paint.

15. The lower fender-mounting bracket was now in the wrong spot for the new
fender and had to be removed. Here, Tim is screwing some self-tapping
screws to mount the fender bracket, which will, in turn, receive a nutsert to mount
the new fender.

16. The fender is now set onto the newly created bracket that will lock it into
place. The gap, seen here, is from the open drivers door. The lower fender
mount will then be tightened and the gaps adjusted before the fender gets locked
down for good.

12 14

13
15 16

62 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 DENTAL WORK

17 17. The driver-side fender was mounted up but still loose to allow it to be
adjusted for proper gap width. Although the project is far from done, see-
ing it mocked up like this gave a sense of how itll look when complete. The various
brackets are in place to hold the grille and the hood adjustment bumpers.

18. With both fenders now installed, the Devious crew turned their attention
to the hood and found a new wrinkle. The hood strut mounts had to be
relocated, which caused a fair amount of head scratching. They eventually welded
the mounts to the new bracket running along the inner structure.

19. This install may look like a series of haphazard cuts and best guesses, but
these modifications are measured and absolutely necessary to properly fit
the new pieces against the old body. Here, we shaved the top half of the framehorns
to make the fitment of the new grille possible. The geometry changed so much, these
cuts had to be made.

20. The modified frame horns will now be able to accept the 11-to-16 grille
support bracket purchased for this build. But in order to fit the support
bracket to our 01 Excursion, the reciprocating saw came out to make the changes.

21. After measuring the bracket against its new mounting points, the initial cut
was made. When the bracket was fit over the top of the framehorns and
tucked under the core support, we discovered another cut had to be made. So goes it
18 in the custom world! The headlights were placed in their new pockets but not installed
in order to gap everything.

22. These brackets are designed to tie the headlights, core support, and grille
support bracket together and provide a mounting point for the headlights.
We drilled more holes and installed more nutserts to mate the three areas and
provide stability.

23. Even though we mocked up the headlights position, once the brackets
from the previous step were installed, we found the lights stuck out a little
too far. So, we had to go back to the cutoff and make a few more adjustments to the
headlight bucket.

24. With the headlights mounted and the hood and fenders properly gapped, it
was time to mount the grille. It slid over the new brackets like the two were
made from the factory that way.

19 20 22 23

21
24

64 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 DENTAL WORK

25 25. As they did before with the hood and fenders, the Devious installers
had to adjust the grille a bit to get it to sit right. It was then aligned
to sit properly with the newly installed sheetmetal. All the previous steps led
up to this. Its really easy to get out of alignment at any of the previous cuts
or drill points. Absolute precision is vital through the whole process.

26. We were that much closer to a finished product, and all that was
left was this big, beefy bumper from Tough Country. We were going
to fit it, but it was left in its raw state to be coated at a later stage in the
build process.

27. The bumper itself came with these equally stout mounting brack-
ets, which were then bolted to the recently altered framehorns. The
grille support bracket can just barely be seen above the brackets. The old
tried-and-true method of inserting a carefully measured gap tool (this time,
some wood pieces wrapped in tape) holds the measurement without having
to keep busting out the ruler.

28. Our behemoth Tough Country bumper was hoisted up into place
using a floor jack and was mounted up by the Devious crew.
The grille was still left loose and taped down to be held in place until the
bumper could be fit properly and the final adjustments between
the two made.

26 29. The headlights, bumper, and door handles were

removed, so our nearly-there 01 Excursion could
be wrapped. The transformation was entering the final stages.
The lift was complete, it got a new set of wheels and tires, and
we have just installed the 11-to-16 grille, hood, and fenders.
Once the exterior is addressed, this build will be ready to rock
the roads of SoCal like never before.

PRODUCT PROFILE:

Devious Customs
951-359-9666 deviouscustoms.com

Tough Country
877-44-TOUGH toughcountry.com

27 29

28

66 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 STILL IN DANGER
RIGHT TO RACE IS
YOUR

THE THREAT ISNT OVER YET.

Support the RPM Act and protect racings future.
www.SEMA.org/RPMAct
 G
TION
AUTOMO

N
S
: WERK

I
PHOTOS

K
S
TT T. E V A N
BY BRE

ROAD
A SHOW-OFF MEGA
CAB WITH HEMI
POWER AND OFF-
ROAD SWAGGER

T
ravis Poirier
bought his 08
Dodge Ram
2500 Mega
Cab in 2011
and used it as
a daily driver
for a year before deciding to
turn it into an off-road billy
goat for the whole family.
But an excursion through
the tight, conned spaces
of Vermonts backcountry
caused $5,000 worth of
damageduring a charity
off-road event, no less! After
that, Travis altered his goal,
transforming the truck into
an engineering masterpiece,
award-winning show truck,
and daily-driven family hauler.
Robby Bryant was my
inspiration to build a truck like
this, Travis says. I saw his
Head Hunter SEMA build on
N-Fabs website, and thats
when I started looking at
what he was designing and
building.
But he wasnt going to
straight-up copy another
guys hard work. Travis took
the things he loved about
the show truck scene, added
his own off-road and custom
expertise, and applied them
to his Ram, carefully selecting
parts and accessories to offer
the world something new.
Case in point is his Dodge
2500s four-link rear suspen-
sion. Up until this past year,
pretty much every four-link
design used the leaf-spring
perch and unequal-length bars,
which make the truck look

68 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 69
ROAD KING
really weird, Travis says. But I used two equal-length traction bars
to create a true four-link design with a track bar.
The system, which was custom-fabricated by Top Gun Customz,
gives the truck a much nicer ride on the road, because the bars
are longer. Travis wont cop to anything illegal, but hes extremely
condent in saying his truck would feel very stable at more than
100 mph, the speed his import-tuner buddies like to travel. Not
that hes ever tried it. No, sir.
The unique four-link rear suspension is paired with a front long-
arm kit that provides 14 inches of lift (also by Top Gun Customz).
F-O-A 2.5-inch coilover shocks all around keep the Ram riding
70 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
smooth and stable, no matter the terrain, and a Top Gun Customz
dual steering stabilizer and F-O-A emulsion shocks cure the death
wobble that plagues big, lifted Dodges.
The suspension is paired with a powerful 5.7L Hemi drivetrain,
which remains mostly stock (for now). An S&B cold-air intake,
American Racing Headers, and Magnaow exhaust keep the Ram
2500 breathing easy for extra power. Adding even more oomph
to the setup are a DiabloSport Trinity programmer and Snow
Performance MPG-MAX water-methanol injection system. Mag-
Hytec differential covers and an Odyssey battery provide added
performance and protection, and an SSBC Tri-Power three-piston
WWW.8-LUG.COM
 Everybody went diesel, and I like to keep
it gas. Im planning to add a supercharger
to keep the Hemi hot. Travis Poirier

front brake kit arrests the mighty powertrain when its time to
slow down.
Travis has a few tricks up his sleeve for the upcoming seasons
show circuit. A stouter ATS Diesel transmission is on the docket,
but curiously, he wont be swapping in an oil-burning engine. Im
trying to be different, he says. Everybody went diesel, and I like
to keep it gas. Im planning to add a supercharger to keep the
Hemi hot. Travis would also like to add some body modications,
and hes hoping to update the wheels to keep the look fresh.
As any married truck enthusiast can attest, the other half can
make or break a vehicle build. Luckily, Travis wife Kristin is all in
WWW.8-LUG.COM
for the long road trips to truck shows and the sometimes-complex
alterations the Ram endures. My wife gets into it, Travis says.
She even likes to see little things on the truck change here and
there, just to keep it new and fresh. Wherever Travis goes with
the Mega Cab, its a sure bet Kristin and their two kids, Lynkin and
Madilyn, are riding along.
If he had to do it again, Travis says he wouldnt change a thing.
Everythings happened according to plan, more or less. However,
he does caution other owners to plan for lots of extra time to allow
for parts that dont quite t or packages that get delayed. And
Travis advises anyone with a sponsorship to keep his or her word.
MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 71
ROAD KING
My trucks sponsored, and the companies give me great deals to
go out to shows and send them photos, he says. But some people
will just take those sweetheart deals from companies and never be
heard from again, according to Travis, and that makes it difcult
for others like him to build their dream trucks.
Still, with a long list of suppliers and a band of friends and family
giving him support, Travis isnt slowing down with his 08 Mega
Cab. Expect to see this pickup on the road (with wife and kids in
tow) for years to come, and if you happen to see him at a truck
show near you, give him our regards.
72 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
SpecSheet
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 08 Dodge Ram 2500
OWNER: Travis Poirier
HOMETOWN: Fairfax, Vermont
ODOMETER: 121,000 miles (and counting)
ENGINE: 5.7L Hemi V-8
INDUCTION: S&B Filters cold-air intake, Snow Performance MPG-
MAX water-methanol injection
EXHAUST: American Racing headers, Magnaow exhaust, Stage 8
locking header bolts
ENGINE MANAGEMENT: DiabloSport Trinity programmer, Odyssey
battery
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 400 hp/450 lb-ft (est.)
TRANSMISSION: Chrysler 545RFE
BRAKES: SSBC Tri-Power front brake upgrade kit, SSBC slotted front
and rear brake rotors
FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION: Top Gun Customz long-arm 14-inch lift
kit, F-O-A 2.5-inch coilover shocks, Top Gun Customz dual steering
stabilizer with F-O-A 2.5-inch emulsion shocks, Top Gun Customz
adjustable track bar (front); Top Gun Customz traction bars with
custom four-link suspension, F-O-A 2.5-inch coilover shocks
INTERIOR: Katzkin orange and black leather seats, custom hydro-
graphic interior parts
EXTERIOR/BODY: Bushwacker fender ares, N-Fab N-Durastep side
steps, N-Fab custom grille, HornBlasters custom Shocker six-horn
setup with 12-gallon tank and Viair compressors, BedRug, Mag-
Hytec differential covers, Fusion front and rear bumpers, KC HiLiTES
8-inch HID off-road lights, KC HiLiTES reverse lamps
WHEELS: 20x12 Anthem Off-Road A711 Defender with custom nish
TIRES: 41.5x13.50R20LT Pitbull Rocker XOR
SPECIAL THANKS: To my wife Kristin Poirier, for being so sup-
portive during this build. Big thanks to all my sponsors, especially
Jack Gibbons, owner of Top Gun
Customz, for helping me make
this build what it is today.
WWW.8-LUG.COM
888.967.6653 bulletproofdiesel.com
 gazine?
big fan of the ma
er Julio Paez is a
Can you tell build

74 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM

 The eye-catching shade on the truck began as a Porsche
color, custom mixed with pearl for a one-of-a-kind hue.
Everything underneath was powdercoated to match.

BY JOE GREEVES PHOTOS: JOE GREEVES

SWEET TOOTH
T
A CARAMELLY
his 13 Ford F-250, painted an eye-catching Caramel Bronze, has been a
project for 8 Lug Customs in West Park, Florida, for the last two years.
Owner Julio Paez has been creating cool, custom rides for the last two
SMOOTH TREAT decades, switching from Mustangs to lifted trucks about the time his favor-
ite magazine hit the newsstands. Obviously, he loves reading 8-Lug, since
FROM 8 LUG it became the inspiration for the name of his business! Assisted by his shop
manager Jorge Martinez and fabricator Adalberto Cabeza, Julio begins every

CUSTOMS build with a plan. Often, he says, it can happen anywhere, even the shower! Im thinking
about it all the time. Once the idea takes shape, he sets out to create the plan in metal.

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 75

SWEET TOOTH

Dirt Logic reservoir shocks stabilize each

wheel. Virtually everything on the truck was
powdercoated to match.

The camper shell on the back is a recent addition, since the truck is regularly used for
family excursions. Both luggage and the family bulldog enjoy the security of the covered bed.

LED lights showcase the powdercoated additions that include new Ford axles, Mag-Hytec covers, One Up Offroad traction bars, and that huge 6-inch tip on the polished exhaust.

Once you build a complete

custom, you cant go back.
Either you do it better or
you dont do it at all.
The caramel truck followed a similar format as an elaborate white
truck Julio had completed earlier. Once you build a complete cus-
tom, you cant go back. Either you do it better or you dont do it at
all, he tells us with a smile. In fact, he prides himself on the fact The new crate 6.7L Power Stroke benefits from a K&N filter in the factory airbox, SCT Tuner
for a little additional horsepower, and a polished stainless steel exhaust.
that each of his creations has been an improvement over the last.
Sourcing vehicles at auctions, Julio looks for trucks with minimal with a One Up Offroad 10-inch lift package, which includes the com-
cab and chassis damage. Everything else is easily replaceable. This panys front four-link and rear traction bars, along with Fabtech Dirt
F-250 Super Duty followed what has become his standard proce- Logic reservoir coilovers on all four corners. Keeping the truck on
dure, which includes completely disassembling the truck and send- the straight and narrow is a Dirt Logic dual shock steering stabilizer,
ing the chassis out for powdercoating. Once it returned, all-new augmented with a third Fox shock to ensure the lifted truck carves
Ford axles with 3.73 gears and Mag-Hytec covers were held in place corners like a sports car, even though its eye level with a school bus.
76 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017 WWW.8-LUG.COM
ALL THINGS
TRUCK
BOOKMARK TODAY

TRUCKTREND.COM
SWEET TOOTH
Every element of the suspension was powdercoated to match the
chassis, and then the rails became a roller via a set of 24-inch Fuel
Forged wheels mounted on 40x15.50R24 Nitto Trail Grapplers. Proud
of its creativity, the team installed LED lights underneath to highlight
the new chassis upgrades. To bring the same color scheme to the
new 6.7L Power Stroke crate engine, the powerplant was painted to
match and installed in the chassis. Augmented with a K&N air lter
and polished stainless steel exhaust, the engine uses an SCT tuner
to bump up the available horsepower. The free-owing, polished
exhaust system is nished with a cavernous 6-inch tip, large enough
for small forest animals to call home!
Once the cab, bed, and front end were married to the chassis, a
complete factory Ford Platinum interior was installed. The original
instrument cluster and trim were retained, now painted to match
the exterior. Road trip entertainment begins with the factory head
unit, augmented with JL Audio amps under the rear seat, speakers
with separated component sets in the doors, a row of 6.5-inch JL
Audio component sets on the oor in front of the rear seat, and a
pair of 12-inch subs behind the rear seat. It sounds amazing! The
The original head unit sends extra power to a pair of JL Audio amps under the rear seat. It
controls JL Audio component sets in the door, a row of 6.5-inch versions in front of the rear
seat, and a pair of 12-inch subs behind the rear seat.
The original interior was
replaced with an all-new
Ford Platinum package.
Gauges and trim were
painted to match the
exterior.
78 8 LUG HD TRUCK MAY 2017
elegant interior allows adults to relax in decompressed comfort and
would make a cross-country rally feel like a run to the corner store.
Body mods on the lifted truck began with a camper shell on the
back, added to accommodate luggage and Julios bulldog when the
family travels out of town. The Recon LED lightbar and square lights
in the bumper turn night into day, while AMP Research retractable
steps ease entry to and exit from the lifted ride. Joe Zamora, of
Zamora Paint and Body in Hollywood, Florida, sprayed the custom-
mixed shade of Caramel Bronze. The end result is a positive triumph
of simplistic style, uncluttered with the usual geegaws mistakenly
labeled as quality. Cell phone cameras come out quickly whenever
Julio is on the road. Does he drive it? During the magazine shoot, we
saw photos that show Julio uses this truck to the fullest, with the
pristine custom covered in thick mud from top to bottom!
What are the plans for the future? Julio has a 17 Super Duty
arriving and knows that within a week, it will be in pieces. He
already has a complete set of 26-inch wheels waiting in the shop.
Everything I get, I take apart and make better! he says with a
smile. You cant beat that approach!
Ensuring the truck tracks straight and true,
the Dirt Logic dual shock steering stabi-
lizer is augmented with a third Fox shock,
the right approach when dealing with this
much lift.
The One Up Offroad four-link up front
teams with Fuel Forged 24-inch wheels and
40x15.50R24 Nitto Trail Grappler tires.
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BY MONICA GONDERMAN

BRAGGING
RIGHTS Want to see your ride featured in Bragging Rights? Please send a high-
resolution photo and complete list of specs to editor@8-lug.com.

TAKING FLIGHT
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 10 Ford F-350
OWNER: Christian Ritter
HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ENGINE: 6.4L Power Stroke V-8
TRANSMISSION: 5R110 ve-speed automatic
ODOMETER: 107,000 miles
FUEL ECONOMY: 12 mpg
MODIFICATIONS: 6-inch BDS lift, Flight Fabrications four-link front
suspension, Flight Fabrications traction bars, 37-inch Nitto Terra
Grappler tires, 22x14 Specialty Forged SF008 wheels, plainANsimple
custom lights, Roadwire custom white leather interior with purple stitch-
ing, Cervinis cowl hood, MBRP dual exhaust, full Kicker sound system
OWNER SAYS: Special thanks go to Limitless Autoworks, plainANsimple, Specialty Forged, Flight Fabrications, and Depaul Brothers Truck Equipment.
For future plans, follow my Instagram @christianritt2.

CANT BEAT THE FEELING DO-ALL CHEVY

YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 05 Dodge Ram 2500
OWNER: Mike Lonie
HOMETOWN: Bedford, New Hampshire
ENGINE: 5.9L Cummins I-6
TRANSMISSION: 48RE ve-speed automatic built by Northeast
Performance Diesel
ODOMETER: 121,355 miles
FUEL ECONOMY: Smiles per gallon
MODIFICATIONS: D&J Precision Machinebuilt 5.9L, all-billet 48RE with
a manual valvebody, Fleece coolant bypass,Exergy 250-percent-over
injectors, Exergy 12mm CP3, Exergy Sportsman CP3 pump, PPE dual
CP3 kit, FASS 260-gph lift pump, stainless diesel manifold, Harts Diesel
2.5 turbo, Turbosmart blow-off valve, Banks Monster intercooler, HP
tunes by Innovative Diesel
OWNER SAYS: There is no better feeling than owning a 1,000-plus-
horsepower truck that can compete both on the pull track and dragstrip
but also be driven down the road to go get groceries. Building a com-
petitive diesel pickup truck isnt just a trend or a fadits a lifestyle. The
long nights turning wrenches in the driveway are all worth it in those
few seconds of adrenaline I get when Im hooked to a sled or launching
out of the hole on the track. Its not about winning or losing, its about
overcoming the adversity of defeat and carnage and never giving up.
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 06 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
OWNER: Zach Gadwaw
HOMETOWN: Harker Heights, Texas
ENGINE: 6.6L Duramax LBZ V-8
TRANSMISSION: SunCoast Stage 5 Allison ve-speed automatic with
Fleececonverter lock-up kit
ODOMETER: 85,000 miles
FUEL ECONOMY: 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway
MODIFICATIONS: Complete engine build by Top Frog Diesel, including ARP
head studs and engine hardware; Stage 2 4094 Garrett turbo; AFE intake;
MBRP downpipe and exhaust with RBP tip; Mishimoto radiator, intercooler,
and piping; aftermarket injectors; PPE race plug; ported fuel rail ttings;
15-percent-over CP3 fuel pump; AirDog II 165-gph fuel system; modied
Fabtech lift kit; Longhorn Fab Shop traction bars; McNeil baja fenders; Amp
Research retractable power steps; 37-inch Interco M-16 tires; Fleece All
Lights On Module with CCFL halos; EFILive tuning by Longhorn Fab Shop
OWNER SAYS: This truck can do it all: daily commute, haul a load, tow a
fth-wheel trailer, go mudding, and rockcrawl. The truck also does well
in sled pull competitions and is raced yearly in multiple NHRDA series
races across the country, occasionally wowing crowds in burnout com-
petitions. It has been a long journey since I bought it, and it is denitely
a fun ride and sight to be seen.

WWW.8-LUG.COM MAY 2017 8 LUG HD TRUCK 81

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