Diesel Tech logo
F350 Soup Build: Getting a Much-Needed Lift
If This Ram Could Talk: Seized Drug Runner Finds a New Life
A Head Turner: Checkout This Body-Swapped C/10 Cummins
June 2021
Diesel Tech logo
white truck
F350 Soup Build: Getting a Much-Needed Lift
If This Ram Could Talk: Seized Drug Runner Finds a New Life
A Head Turner: Checkout This Body-Swapped C/10 Cummins
June 2021
Volume 16 | Number 4
June 2021
Contents
DT INSTALL

Adding A BDS Lift Kit On Our F350
black truck driving through the mud
Chevy Emblem
Features
24 IF THIS RAM COULD TALK
But Some Tales Are Better Left To The Imagination
32 BLACK BEAUTY
Seth Johnson’s Body-Swapped C/10 Cummins
Departments
12 TALK’N TORQUE
Just One Good Excuse
14 SHOP TALK
Products, News, Updates & More
40 POWER OF PINK
Ryan Copsey: The Adrenaline Chaser
46 DT ROUNDUP
9 Tires To Get You Where You Need To Go
51 ADVERTISER INDEX
Page Number Listings
52 TRUCKS NEXT DOOR
Real Builds On A Budget
White Truck
On the Cover
Our F350 Soup Build project truck received a much-need lift when we installed the BDS Suspension Coilover 4-Link 4-inch lift kit on our Power Stroke.
Diesel Tech logo
EDITORIAL
PUBLISHER
Ryan Harris
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Brady L. Kay
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Seth Harper
STAFF WRITERS
Steve Janes, Colin Peterson, Chris Tobin
Clyde Turner, Roy Sparks
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
OFFICE MANAGER
Samantha Stroud
MARKETING
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Cameron Bischoff
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Janet Chase
PRODUCTION
Jim Donovan
LAYOUT AND DESIGN ARTIST
Lavon Horne
ADMINISTRATIVE
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Shantelle Stewart
CIRCULATION
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Chuck Harris
IT
IT DIRECTOR
Chuck Harris
ACCOUNTING
CONTROLLER
Clayton Ward
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Jason Harris
MEMBER OF SEMA
Diesel Tech Magazine is published by Harris Publishing, Inc.
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Founded by Darryl W. Harris
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Copyright © 2021, Harris Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited.
Portrait photo of Brady L. Kay leaning against a truck
Talk’n Torque
By Brady L. Kay
blk@DIESELTECHmag.com

Just One Good Excuse

A GMC truck pulling a green trailer of sorts and billowing large amounts of black smoke in front of a crowd
Our local movie theater has been closed because of the pandemic for quite some time. Not that I was ever really into the whole silver screen experience anyway. I’ve never been compelled to be the first one in my circles to see a new release; rather, I’m the type who has no problem waiting until I can just stream it online from my couch. Besides, I still enjoy watching classic movies such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which I actually just watched last weekend.

I’ve always loved this movie and I don’t think it’s possible to watch it without fantasizing a little about taking an unplanned day off from work every once in a while. However, it seems like ever since the pandemic hit, “calling in sick” or taking unexpected time off has fallen out of fashion in the workforce. It’s actually reached the point where employees are coming to work, even when they shouldn’t. Yes, it’s true. Even when we have a legitimate reason to miss work, we’re still finding a way to do our jobs.

Shop Talk logo
Amp’d 2.0
Amp'd 2.0 Throttle Booster kit
Flashcal + Amp’d kits just got better with the inclusion of the all-new Amp’d 2.0 Throttle Booster. This dynamic duo has been a top-seller for Superchips for years and for good reason. The Flashcal + Amp’d 2.0 Throttle Booster offers users all the truck feature control they need after a lift and tire install, with the enhanced driving experience from an improved pedal feel.

This excellent package can overcome issues related to more rolling resistance and a speedometer that won’t read accurately anymore. Flashcal + Amp’d 2.0 kits bring back the excitement to driving that newly lifted rig without having to install a “tune.”
(www.superchips.com)

Diesel Tech Install logo
F350 Soup Instagram
BY COLIN PETERSON
Diesel Tech Install logo
BY COLIN PETERSON
F350 Soup Instagram
The F350 Soup Build
BDS lift kit install on our F350
Diesel Tech Install logo
BY COLIN PETERSON
The F350 Soup Build
BDS lift kit install on our F350
F350 Soup Instagram
F350 Soup Build in garage
And here we are, on to a big lift kit upgrade on our F350 Soup Build as our latest project truck rolls on. We figured it was time to kick our off-road adventures up a notch, so we added the BDS Suspension Coilover 4-Link 4-inch lift kit on our Power Stroke. This kit brings tried-and-true stability, strength and caster control over factory radius arm setups.

The 4-link brackets are built from 1/4-inch steel, they key off the factory frame bracket and transmission cross member for extra strength, and they utilize heavy-wall 2-inch control arms to correctly position the front axle. The included FOX coilovers also work perfectly for the heavy weight of the 6.7L Power Stroke, and FOX 2.0 IFP performance gas shocks further enhance dampening for a smooth ride on any terrain. With this kit, we’ll be ready for anything. For the installation we returned to our friends at PowerTech Diesel in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where technician Jordan Johnson did the install.

BY Steve Janes
If This Truck Could Talk... But some tales are better left to the imagination
black Ram 3500 on dirt road in forrest
black Ram 3500 in water in forrest
Although everyone loves to have a clean vehicle, Michaels finds that dirt is just part of having a truck. He says his truck typically stays dirty and as soon as he does get around to cleaning it up, it usually ends up in the dirt again.

Christopher Michaels knows how to tell a good story. He understands the need to engage his audience while building the scene. He picks his words wisely, adding color and detail as he builds suspense and tension. Being a professional artist from Atlanta, Ga., he has a unique ability to bring inanimate objects to life. He can cleverly paint a picture with words, yet knows when to leave something unsaid to allow the imagination to fill in the blanks.

Michaels is also a diesel truck owner who has a passion for specialty builds. He’s not afraid of tearing into an engine or making major modifications to his truck. Yet he’s willing to preserve one story while creating another. Here’s just a small part of his story.

Text and photos by Chris Tobin
Black Beauty
Seth Johnson’s body-swapped
C/10 Cummins
Underneath the Front of a truck
Underneath the Back of a truck
Truck C/10 Emblem
Text and photos by Chris Tobin
Black Beauty
Seth Johnson’s body-swapped
C/10 Cummins
Underneath the Front of a truck
Underneath the Front of a truck
Underneath the Back of a truck
Truck C/10 Emblem
Seth Johnson combined his wrecked 1999 Dodge 2500 with a Chevrolet C/10 he found in a field to create this awesome Cummins-powered classic Chevy. (top) Looking under the chrome C/10 bumper you will find Dodge suspension complete with the Dana 60 front axle linked to the chassis with coil-springs and link arms on the back side. (above middle) Johnson installed an AirDog 4G 200 pump and filter system to feed the P-pump with plenty of clean #2 from the bed-mounted fuel cell.

No doubt you have heard the expression, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” but in many cases it is much easier said than done. This was the case for Seth Johnson, a 26-year-old Indiana state highway worker from Brazil, Ind., when he wrecked his beloved 1999 Dodge RAM 2500 not long after graduating from high school. The truck was a total loss and written off by the insurance company, leaving him with no ride. Rather than wallowing in his loss, he purchased the remains of the truck back from the insurance company and went to work salvaging the chassis and drivetrain.

Seth Johnson combined his wrecked 1999 Dodge 2500 with a Chevrolet C/10 he found in a field to create this awesome Cummins-powered classic Chevy. (above middle top) Looking under the chrome C/10 bumper you will find Dodge suspension complete with the Dana 60 front axle linked to the chassis with coil-springs and link arms on the back side. (above middle bottom) Johnson installed an AirDog 4G 200 pump and filter system to feed the P-pump with plenty of clean #2 from the bed-mounted fuel cell.

No doubt you have heard the expression, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” but in many cases it is much easier said than done. This was the case for Seth Johnson, a 26-year-old Indiana state highway worker from Brazil, Ind., when he wrecked his beloved 1999 Dodge RAM 2500 not long after graduating from high school. The truck was a total loss and written off by the insurance company, leaving him with no ride. Rather than wallowing in his loss, he purchased the remains of the truck back from the insurance company and went to work salvaging the chassis and drivetrain.

The Power of Pink logo
The Adrenaline Chaser: F350 is up to the challenge title
By Seth Harper

Ryan Copsey wasn’t paying attention when her name was announced through a booming microphone at Truck Mania at Maryland International Raceway. Why should she have been paying attention? It’s not like she thought her 2015, 6.7 F350 with a paint job still drying had any chance at a trophy. She was just happy to have it in good enough shape to be there. Besides the paint job that kept her up late the night before, her diesel had only new traction bars and an intercooler piping kit to show off.

Once again, Ryan’s name came booming through the speakers and she realized the improbable had happened. Beaming, she walked to the stage and picked up her trophy while her biggest competitor looked on with disdain. She had won third place in the four-wheel drive modified pickup category.

“That really made my day and that really started to push me even farther because at the time, it was completely stock, basically, but had pretty paint,” Ryan said.

By Seth Harper
DIESEL TECH’S
By Seth Harper
Tire Roundup
9 Tires to get you where you need to go
Any stock tire will get you where you need to go, but not every tire will maximize the performance of your diesel pickup. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to selecting the right tire: safety, traction, durability and even looks. Here are some options to think about when making your next tire purchase.
Atturo AZ850 tire
Atturo AZ850
The Atturo AZ850 has been a popular option among SUV and truck owners looking for an ultra-high-performance tire that looks good and performs exceptionally well. However, for far too long diesel truck owners have lacked options for a performance tire that carries the proper load rating that heavier trucks demand. The all-new LT305/50R20 from Atturo fills that gap and brings the outstanding features and benefits of the AZ850 to the diesel truck market. Engineered to take advantage of the increased power and weight of these trucks, the AZ850 asymmetric tread design features different inside and outside contours to achieve optimum balance across the tread face. This evenly distributes the pressure of the contact surface to enhance comfort and handling. Looking to be one of the first of your friends with an LT-Rated Ultra High-Performance Tire? Look no further than the LT305/50R20 Atturo AZ850.

(855-632-8031 // www.atturo.com)

Atturo AZ850 tire
ADVERTISERINDEX
View Advertisers
Advertiser
PG. #
  • AMSOIL Inc.25

www.amsoil.com

  • Automotive Racing Products10

www.arp-bolts.com

  • Banks Power Engineering29

www.bankspower.com

  • BDS Suspension/Truckmaster Distributing13, 56

www.bds-suspension.com

  • Bullet Proof Diesel9

www.bulletproofdiesel.com

  • DMax Store4

www.dmaxstore.com

  • InjectorsDirect.com17

www.InjectorsDirect.com

  • Kryptonite Products49

www.kryptoniteproducts.com

  • KT Performance18

www.ktperformance.net

  • MG Industries, Inc.51

www.mean-green.com

  • Pacific Performance Engineering54

www.ppediesel.com

  • Power Service Products43

www.powerservice.com

  • PowerTech Diesel, LLC.50

www.powerlabsdiesel.com

  • ProSource Diesel51, 11

www.prosourcediesel.com

  • Schaeffer Manufacturing Co.45

www.schaefferoil.com

  • Strictly Diesel37

www.strictlydiesel.com

  • Summit Racing Equipment6

www.summitracing.com

  • Transfer Flow Inc.19

www.transferflow.com

  • Xtreme Diesel Performance2

www.xtremediesel.com

Trucks Next Door
Real Trucks On A Budget

SEND YOUR PICS & INFO TO: trucks@dieseltechmag.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: This is becoming our favorite section. Real trucks, purpose-built on a paycheck budget. If you’d like to submit your truck for our Truck Next Door section, send your name, hometown and state and a description of your truck, along with a high-resolution photo, to trucks@dieseltechmag.com. Remember, if your truck is published, you get a free one-year subscription to Diesel Tech.
Nathan Owen
Dexter, Michigan
2003 Ford Excursion
2003 Ford Excursion front end close-up

Nathan Owen has a lot of pride in his 2003 6.0L Power Stroke Ford Excursion. He’s put a lot of work and upgrades into it, such as a 58v Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM), Blue Spring update kit and 4-inch MBRP exhaust, and those improvements help him use it as a workhorse, carrying carpentry tools and lumber around for his job on top of it being his daily driver.

“Looks amazing and drives like a dream,” Nathan says of his truck.

Nathan’s upgrades include a TSD tune, Dieselsite water pump with coolant and oil bypass. He’s also put in a 200amp alternator, aFe stage 2 momentum air filter, stage 1 PowerMax turbo and alpha dog aluminum hot and cold charge pipes. To add some flair, Nathan added 12 rock lights and a 1-inch leveling kit.

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