Diesel Tech logo
Black Betty typography
Next Adventure Awaits typography
A Comeback Story typography
May 2021
Volume 16 | Number 3
May 2021
Contents
ONE UNIQUE DUALLY

The Evolution Of Fusion’s Black Betty
air bag system
'59 Power Wagon
Features
28 DT INSTALL
Air Bag System On Our 6.7L
32 NEXT ADVENTURE
The Go-Anywhere ‘59 Power Wagon
Departments
12 TALK’N TORQUE
The Stories Behind Our Project Names
14 SHOP TALK
Products, News, Updates & More
38 POWER OF PINK
Kendall Reed: A Comeback Story
48 DT ROUNDUP
Spring Cleaning Products
44 DT TESTED
New 90-Tooth Ratcheting Wrenches
46 DT TESTED
Alloy Rebound Wheels
53 ADVERTISER INDEX
Page Number Listings
Black Betty diesel truck
On the Cover
Before Black Betty evolved into a dually, Johnny Ramirez did an impressive number of upgrades to the Fusion Bumper project truck, including adding his Project X bumpers to it.
Diesel Tech logo
EDITORIAL
PUBLISHER
Ryan Harris
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Brady L. Kay
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Seth Harper
STAFF WRITERS
Steve Janes, Colin Peterson,
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.
Subscribe: $19.95 per year for 10 issues at www.harrispublishing.com/diesel-tech
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.
Publisher not responsible for content of materials submitted or advertising claims.

Advertising and editorial offices:
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Phone: 208-542-2293 Fax: 208-522-5241

Address changes:
Diesel Tech 520 Park Ave.,
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
800-638-0135

ALSO PUBLISHERS OF:
SnoWest – SledHeads – Houseboat –
Pontoon & Deck Boat – Dirt Toys

Harris Publishing, Inc.
Founded by Darryl W. Harris
Jason Harris—President
Chuck Harris—Vice President
Ryan Harris—Vice President
Steve Janes—Vice President
Greg Larsen—Vice President
Clayton Ward—Treasurer
Janet Chase—Secretary

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
The Stories Behind Our Project Names
Looking back now, Big Blue was probably the most generic name I could have come up with but at the time I thought it was the perfect fit for my navy blue 7.3L Power Stroke build. Since then I’ve come across some very inspiring and creative names for truck builds that either perfectly sum up the entire project in a couple of words, or the name is so out there that it just makes you want to know more.

Best example of this might just be our Road Treasure build years ago. Dave Friedli never hesitates to investigate those items on the side of the highway that have fallen off another vehicle. Over the years he’s found coolers, motorcycle helmets, tools, ladders, CD cases and just about everything else you could imagine. He even once found a Bible that he was able to return to the owner, so it’s not always about keeping what he finds. Although he has several hobbies, one of them without a doubt is scouting for what he refers to as “road treasure.”

Shop Talk logo
Extra Set Of Eyes
GoPro camera mount kit materials
If you’re looking for mounts that make devices easy to access anywhere you go, you’re going to love RAM Mounts.

Made with durable composite or aluminum, GoPro Camera Mount Kits keep your camera steady and extend camera life by absorbing vibration. Suction one onto your windshield when you take your truck off-road. The kit comes with double-socket arms and mounting options that include flat surface; flex adhesive; suction cup and twist-lock suction cup; strap clamp and roll bar; or the long double-socket arm with ball base.

Looking for something specific or unique? RAM Mount’s Build-A-Mount system lets you build custom device mounts for almost any situation.
(www.summitracing.com)

BY BRADY L. KAY
One Unique Dually: The Evolution of Fusion's Black Betty typography
Rear of Truck
Truck with an Open Hood
Under the Hood of a truck
It’s an early morning in Payette, Idaho, a hard-working community approximately 60 miles from Boise, and the sun is just starting to peek out for the first time. The rest of the world is beginning to wake up, but the sounds of an active manufacturing plant have been ramping up for hours. This small population town is the headquarters for Fusion Bumpers, a custom bumper manufacturer for nearly 15 years where owner Johnny Ramirez and his talented workforce design and execute some of the industry’s best truck bumpers.

On this day we have stopped in for a visit, hoping to gain some insight into the secrets behind their success as well as get a closer look at Fusion’s Project X bumpers, a new price competitive option from the manufacturer.

In 2006, Fusion Bumpers pioneered the “low-profile” bumper with superior fitment and style. In 2010, they introduced the use of LED lights and LED light bars in their bumpers, which is now also is included in its new Project X Bumpers.

Diesel Tech Install logo
F350 Soup Instagram
BY COLIN PETERSON
Diesel Tech Install logo
BY COLIN PETERSON
F350 Soup Instagram
The F350 Soup Build
Air bag system install on our 6.7L Power Stroke
Diesel Tech Install logo
BY COLIN PETERSON
The F350 Soup Build
Air bag system install on our 6.7L Power Stroke
F350 Soup Instagram
Car getting worked on
Our big ride just got built up even bigger! That’s right: the suspension on our F350 Soup build just got even cooler and more sophisticated with the installation of new Air Lift LoadLifter 7500XL air bags with a WirelessAir 7400EZ controller. At Diesel Tech we plan on hauling some really heavy trailers, so we teamed up with PowerTech Diesel to get those heavy-duty air bags set up. The 7500XL air bags are Air Lift’s strongest air bags, offering up to 7,500 pounds of load-leveling capacity to level massive loads like they’re nothing. The large double-bellows springs provide greater leveling strength at lower pressures, and they’re easy to control with the WirelessAir controller. The installation of the entire system was completed by PowerTech technician Jordan Johnson.
BY SETH HARPER
The go-anywhere '59 power wagon
It’s not too often you see an old Dodge Power Wagon driving around in 2021. It’s unique; and that’s what Mike Presher loves about his 1959 Power Wagon. The three-quarter ton truck turns heads everywhere the owner takes it, and so far that’s been a lot of places.

“My buddy rode with me the other day. He said, ‘Man, you’re like a rock star in this thing, huh?’” Mike recalled. “Everybody waves at you. You fill up with fuel and they want to talk about the truck. Lots of positive reactions.”

While it’s not quite a daily driver, it’s pretty dang close. Mike works as a dirt contractor in Tatum, N.M., and will often take the Power Wagon with him out onto dirt roads to perform estimates on jobs in oil fields or elsewhere. It’s reliable enough that Mike mentioned he would take it on a road trip all the way up to Oregon if he needed to. A tall order for a 62-year-old truck, though not surprising for a build once used as fire trucks, a job that relies on reliability.

The Power of Pink logo
Kendall Reed: A Comeback Story: “Who doesn’t love trucks?”
By Seth Harper

July 8, 2019. The day started like any other for Kendall Reed. She drove to work at 5:45 like she did most mornings, except this particular day it was raining. As Kendall picked up speed around a curve that merged onto the highway, her back wheels kicked out as if she had hit black ice. At the speed she was going, it’s easy to overcorrect, and that’s exactly what happened. The truck spun and Kendall found herself going 60 mph while facing backward on a freeway. She hit a curb and braced herself for the inevitable roll.

Kendall (Instagram: @kendiesel_227), 25, lives in Washington and loves being outdoors. As a little girl she was constantly camping, fishing, hunting and rock climbing with her family. When she was just four, Kendall hopped on a dirt bike for the first time and was off to the races. She’s used to wiping out on her dirt bike which prepared her for what she thought was going to happen: she was going to get knocked out. But it didn’t happen. In fact, Kendall walked away with only minor injuries, though she still goes to the chiropractor for a neck issue.

Diesel Tech Tested Number 46 typography
By Brady L. Kay
Tools chart
Gearwrench
New 90-Tooth Ratcheting Wrenches
You don’t need to be a professional mechanic to appreciate quality tools; at least that’s how I was able to justify investing in the latest from GEARWRENCH. It’s a name I trust when working on my own truck and with large hands like mine I’ll take any advantage I can get when trying to squeeze into those hard-to-reach places.

The 90-tooth platform with 66 new ratcheting wrenches are available in the two most popular styles – combination and flex-head combination – but for the record it’s not just about the number of teeth. The new GEARWRENCH ratcheting wrenches create a 4-degree swing arc to work in tighter spaces and the longer and thicker beams improve leverage and increase your comfort.

Diesel Tech Tested Number 47 typography
By Clyde Turner
Products chart
Icon Vehicle Dynamics
Alloy Rebound Wheels
A new lift kit on our F350 Soup Project truck allowed us to bring in some stellar new wheels for the rig. While black wheels may look really cool, in a way it’s kind of becoming cliché to have those on a white truck. We ended up breaking away from tradition and went with the titanium ICON Rebound wheels, and their color fits very well with our Ford build. More importantly, however, these wheels sport a bold new look and add some incredible strength and handling. We chose the wheels to improve the form and function of our one-ton truck, as they feature sharp lines, a concave spoke design, and “ICON- optimized” dimensions.
DIESEL TECH’S
BY Seth Harper
Spring Cleaning
A look into automotive cleaning products
Spring cleaning doesn’t just apply to your work desk and your shop. That poor diesel of yours sitting in the garage could use some assistance this time of year too. The paint may have lost its shine, those leather seats still have the stain from that Mountain Dew mishap, or maybe dried mud still coats the exterior, documenting your last adventure. Whatever it may be, it’s time to show off the hard work you’ve put into your truck and that means it’s cleaning season.
SPX3000 XTREAM foam cannon
Cleaning On Wheels
The SPX3000 XTREAM carries a detergent foam cannon that shoots up to 15 feet through a 34-inch spray wand with all the bells and whistles to help you get a proper cleaning. Wheels provide easy transportation around your diesel as you get the dirt and grimes off your wheels and exterior. Along with four different removable spray tips for a variety of cleaning options, you’ll receive a utility bristle brush and a wheel and rim brush to get in the hard-to-reach spots. With this product, you won’t have to stress over a dirty truck bed ever again.

(866-766-9563 // www.sunjoextream.com)

BISSELL AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum
No Cord, No Stress
The BISSELL AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum is designed to quickly pick up unexpected messes. It’s cordless, so it can clean almost anywhere, like in your truck, home or office; plus with its sleek design, it blends into practically any home. You can customize your clean by using the included 2-in-1 Crevice Tool & Dusting Brush, which conveniently stores right on the vacuum’s storage stand, so you always know where it is.

(800-237-7691 // www.bissell.com)

ADVERTISERINDEX
View Advertisers
Advertiser
PG. #
  • AMSOil Inc.51

www.amsoil.com

  • Automotive Racing Products10

www.arp-bolts.com

  • BDS Suspension9

www.bds-suspension.com

  • Bullet Proof Diesel31

www.bulletproofdiesel.com

  • Fusion Bumpers25

www.fusionbumpers.com

  • InjectorsDirect.com47

www.InjectorsDirect.com

  • Kryptonite Products19

www.kryptonite.com

  • KT Performance11

www.ktperformance.net

  • MG Industries, Inc.53

www.mean-green.com

  • Pacific Performance Engineering54, 55

www.ppediesel.com

  • PowerTech Diesel, LLC.52

www.powerlabsdiesel.com

  • ProSource Diesel18, 43

www.prosourcediesel.com

  • Schaeffer Manufacturing Co.17

www.schaefferoil.com

  • Strictly Diesel35

www.strictlydiesel.com

  • Summit Racing Equipment6, 7

www.summitracing.com

  • Transfer Flow Inc.45

www.transferflow.com

  • Ultimate Call Out Challenge20, 21

www.ultimatecalloutchallenge.com

  • Xtreme Diesel Performance2, 3

www.xtremediesel.com

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Thanks for reading our May 2021 issue!