From large industry events to a backyard show and shine, everyone remembers their first truck show. Devin Walsh remembers his: the Texas Heat Wave in Austin, Texas. A friend asked to include Devin’s 2006 Ford F250 6.0L Power Stroke in his booth at the show and Devin was honored.

He loved connecting with new people while at the show, learning about their diesel builds while answering questions about his own and truly embracing the camaraderie that comes with immersing yourself in the diesel industry. Texas Heat Wave would be just the first of many shows for Devin.

An Open Door

Devin’s uncle worked at a Ford dealership, which helped plant the seed that would eventually get Devin hooked on diesel pickups. In the summer of 2017 he started the search for a diesel of his own. He was looking for something a little newer, but had his eyes on a 2005 Chevy 2500 with a 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel engine or a 1999 7.3L F250 Power Stroke.

Devin glanced at a dealership about 10 minutes from his house while driving by one day and saw a white 2006 Ford F250 6.0L Power Stroke, without a price tag, waiting for an owner. He pulled into the lot and took it for a test drive, agreeing to buy it that very day.

“We did a test drive around the highway and I absolutely loved the truck,” Devin said. “I asked him for the price and he actually gave me the price I wanted so I made a deal with him, signed the papers and got the truck.”

It was more than just the tan leather seats that drew Devin to his truck; it was the way he was able to find it, which according to him included some divine intervention.

“When I got this truck I knew the man above opened the door to give me the opportunity to test drive it, sign the papers and be able to own it,” Devin explained. “Most of the time I work and I save up my money because whenever the opportunity comes to do something to my truck, I just have to be patient. I don’t want to rush things because the opportunity won’t be there if I rush it. I just have to be patient for when the time comes. It just takes time.”

The Build

Devin owned a single-cab 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 in high school. It was two-wheel drive and had a gas motor that didn’t quite match the power or feel of a diesel engine. Not even close.

“When I was in high school I would talk to my guys about getting a nice, clean-looking diesel truck,” Devin said, “building it how I wanted to and then taking it to the shows.”

Once Devin owned his Ford F250, he had the chance to finally build it up the way he wanted to, and what he wanted was unique. This is why he installed back bumpers off a 6.7L 2011-2014 F250 and threw on 2011-2016 Super Duty mirrors.

“A lot of people do not have this body style of truck. A lot of people have the newer F250s or the 2011-2016 F250s; you hardly see between ‘99-‘07 F250 body styles. The only thing that’s different is the front end. I’ve only talked to four people who have my truck, but different years. I’m not aware of anyone who has this style of a truck that I have.”

On top of the body, Devin wrapped his black grille, but it would get too hot and peel, so he eventually just painted it, along with color-matching by Custom Color on the LED lights in the headlights, front and rear bumpers, mirrors and a custom emblem on the grille. Thirty rock lights (16 on the frame, three on each fender wheel and two on the grille) light things up, along with a 20-inch Rough Country light bar on the bumper. It also has a 4.5-inch Rough Country lift kit with 20×14 American Force wheels on 36×15.50R20 Mickey Thompson tires.

On the interior, 12-inch Rockford Fosgate subs with a 2400-watt amp by Boss Audio Systems takes care of the music while a 430-piece Starlight Headliner kit completes the look.

To help with performance, Devin installed ARP head studs, an S&B Cold Air intake, a SCT livewire TS Tuner, a Sinister Diesel coolant filter kit, Rudy’s Diesel Performance intercooler pipes and a 4-inch turbo back exhaust by MRBP.

As any enthusiast can tell you, a truck is never finished, and Devin plans to put in an 8-inch 4-link Rough Country lift kit, train horns, color-matched taillights, AMP steps and a 2011-2014 Super Duty tailgate. He also has plans for a 6.4L Power Stroke starter, stage one turbo and fuel injectors, a 7.3L Power Stroke fan clutch and custom tunes.

More Than A Hobby

Devin’s Ford sees use as a weekend truck and as something to show off at truck shows. His favorite hobby is getting to meet new people who have the same interests as him, and these truck shows are a great way to do that. Devin has been to quite a few shows right in his home state of Texas with his truck already.

“When people come up to me and say I’ve got a clean truck, I say, ‘You know, I really appreciate it; it means a lot,’” Devin said. He’s happy to give his opinion on other people’s trucks, but knows it’s just his opinion and not necessarily what they should do. “I just want to have a good name so when people see me down the road they can say, ‘Oh, I remember him; he’s a cool guy.’”

Devin works at Advanced Auto Parts as a driver and hangs out with other truck owners in his free time, meaning he’s always in the truck world no matter what he’s doing. He was just four when he took a liking to 18-wheelers, proving his love for trucks came early and that this is more than just a hobby for him.