Swimming in a Sea of Sameness typography
Diesel Tech logo
SEMA is Back! Recapping the Vegas Show typography
Our Fab 5: Show Stopper Awards from SEMA typography
Ice Sculpture: One Very Frosty Diesel Excursion typography
Winter 2023
Swimming in a Sea of Sameness typography
Diesel Tech logo
lifted silver truck
SEMA is Back! Recapping the Vegas Show typography
Our Fab 5: Show Stopper Awards from SEMA typography
Ice Sculpture: One Very Frosty Diesel Excursion typography
Winter 2023
Volume 17 | Number 11
Winter 2023
Contents
SEMA IS BACK?

Recapping The Vegas Show
underneath view through the grass of a truck with it's doors open
lifted white truck with a black American flag design on the side
Features
26 ICE SCULPTURE
The Professional Skiers Frosty SEMA Excursion
32 LA MAMALONA
A Truck For Team Zoe
Departments
12 TALK’N TORQUE
Swimming In A Sea Of Sameness
14 SHOP TALK
Products, News, Updates & More
36 POWER OF PINK
Tonya’s Pinky Power
40 DT tested
LED Dual-Power Flashlight
41 DT tested
Hot Shot’s Winter Defense
42 DT ROUNDUP
SEMA Show Stopper Awards
45 ADVERTISER INDEX
Page Number Listings
lifted silver truck
On the Cover
This is just one of the 54 trucks at SEMA this year that had a bumper on it from Fusion Bumpers. This brand was well represented at the largest aftermarket show in the country.

Photo by Brady L. Kay

Diesel Tech logo
EDITORIAL
PUBLISHER
Ryan Harris
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Brady L. Kay
STAFF WRITERS
Roy Sparks, Ryan Beaty
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING / SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
OFFICE MANAGER
Brooklyn Stewart
MARKETING
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Stephanie Woods
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: $12.00 per year for 10 digital 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.

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Phone: 208-542-2293 Fax: 208-522-5241

Address changes:
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800-638-0135

ALSO PUBLISHERS OF:
SnoWest
Pontoon & Deck Boat

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

Copyright © 2022, 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
Swimming In A Sea Of Sameness
Swimming In A Sea Of Sameness

On any other day, at any other location, you could take any one of the amazing trucks that were on display at the most recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas and it would stand out in a positive way and get the praise and recognition it deserves. Seriously, any truck, any other show. However, if a truck is at SEMA it means it’s probably over-the-top in one way or another and despite the owner being eager to show it off or get that “atta-boy” he may be craving, the reality is his truck may be ignored or completely overlooked, which may seem a little hard to believe.

Having a truck build at SEMA is the pinnacle for a lot of owners so if it’s at this massive aftermarket show you wouldn’t think they’d have a lot to complain about. The problem, however, is it takes a lot to stand out when you’re surrounded by other high-end dream builds. A lot of these amazing trucks get lost in what is referred to as the sea of sameness.

Shop Talk logo

Stay Tuned

Bullet Proof Diesel’s new ScanGaugeIII
Bullet Proof Diesel’s new ScanGaugeIII can help monitor your vehicle’s most vital systems and provide real-time information. Features include built-in digital gauges, five sets of trip data, and an easy-to-use Scan Tool that reads and clears trouble codes. And it’s all in an ultra-compact design that installs in minutes. Having a scan tool to read transmission temperature can be a big help when you’re towing with your truck. In addition, you can monitor manifold air temp, instant and average fuel economy, exhaust back pressure, and injection control pressure. This ScanGaugeIII digital data monitor connects in just minutes, is simple to use, easy to read, and will tell you everything you need to know about your truck’s performance. (www.bulletproofdiesel.com)
red lifted truck with a quad on the back
By Brady L. Kay
SEMA is Back title
man standing with his camera
RECAPPING THE ANNUAL AFTERMARKET SHOW
After taking a COVID break and offering a virtual show in 2020, the largest automotive show returned in 2021 but it still felt off with travel restrictions in place for a lot of people. Fast forward to SEMA 2022 and for the first time in three years it felt like the show was back to normal and as big as ever.

I feel a little guilty that I don’t have that same excitement for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) annual show as I did the first time I got to go. Don’t get me wrong: I still look forward to it like a 6-year-old counts down to Christmas, but you can tell the first-timers at the show. They’re the ones who strip down to their Hanes and roll around on the convention center floor and have a giddy laugh. Oh yeah, their Frisbee eyes give them away.

Ice Sculpture title
The
professional
skiers frosty
SEMA
Excursion
Ice Sculpture title
The professional skiers frosty SEMA Excursion
By RYAN BEATY
Chris Ward grew up as a blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid in Kauai, Hawaii, where he became a great surfer and competed all over. In Hawaii there is a big fascination for Volkswagens and Toyotas that are usually lifted, so Chris believes that’s where he got his taste for customizing vehicles.

In high school he moved away from the destination beaches of Hawaii and traded them for the great snow-capped slopes of Colorado where he learned to ski. A year later he joined the US Ski Team and became a freestyle skier.

“I almost made it to the Olympics but instead I turned pro, specializing in moguls, aerials and super pipe,” said Chris.

lifted white truck with grill that says "La Mamalona"
"La Mamalona" title image
A truck for Team Zoe
By Ryan Beaty
Freddie Figueroa has always been interested in trucks, which interest he inherited from his dad who was always fixing his own trucks back in the 80s. Freddie was brought up on how to work on them and get them to look fresh.

“My dad owned a construction company for over 20 years until he passed away. After that I really had to step it up and do me,” Freddie says.

The hobby of fixing trucks that was passed down to him from his father is something he still loves to this day. And though he certainly knows how to fix them up, he really loves adding his own unique touches to them.

“I love the truck scene! It makes me feel that I’m doing something good for the kids because I see their happy expressions when they see my truck,” explained Freddie. “Even in adults, I like seeing their reactions when they see my truck. It brings me joy and gives me more motivation to keep on going with my builds.”

Power of Pink Badge
side of a pink truck

By Ryan Beaty

Pinky Power Title
Tonya’s never-satisfied diesel
truck under hood
truck suspension

Down in the little pocket of Geneva, Fla., outside of Orlando, Tonya Ogle lives the good life with her husband and two kiddos. She’s been a vet tech for 19 years, but in her free time she enjoys things such as camping, fishing, mudding, and just about any fun and dirty outdoor activity with her kids. She doesn’t deny her obsession with true crime and real life murder shows, and she’s not afraid to admit her fascination with learning about historical abandoned homes and artifacts.

But make no mistake—though she enjoys the humble quiet life, she also loves bright brilliance. Her family has a tradition of putting up over 25,000 Christmas lights every year.

Diesel Tech Tested
By Roy Sparks
Infinity X1
LED DUAL-POWER FLASHLIGHT
TOOLS95
  • PORTABILITY20/20
  • FUNCTION48/50
  • DURABILITY10/10
  • DESIGN9/10
  • PRICE8/10
infinity x1 battery
I’ve always kept a flashlight in my truck and despite having a light on my cell phone, that hasn’t changed.

When I need a light I want a true flashlight and don’t want to rely on my phone, but I admit there have been times when disposable batteries have failed me. They don’t seem to last nearly long enough and I rarely have spare batteries in my glove box to bail me out.

This is where Infinity X1 makes a lot of sense. Its new dual-power option flashlight series can run off a rechargeable battery core with a built-in USB-A cable to easily recharge, or a AA battery core option which allows for backup power. Either way I’m covered.

TOOLS95
  • PORTABILITY20/20
  • FUNCTION48/50
  • DURABILITY10/10
  • DESIGN9/10
  • PRICE8/10
Diesel-55
By Brady L. Kay
hot shot’s secret
edt+ Winter Defense Diesel Fuel Additive
PRODUCTS94
  • APPLICATION20/20
  • FUNCTION47/50
  • LONG-TERM9/10
  • DESIGN9/10
  • PRICE9/10
pouring a bottle of orange winter defense into a car
Those who complain about the cold winter months just haven’t found the right hobby just yet. January used to be especially hard for me until I discovered snowmobiling and now I look forward to the snow. Of course, being prepared is half the battle and when it comes to keeping your engine happy this time of year, a diesel fuel additive is a must.

This winter I’ve been running a seven-in-one everyday diesel fuel additive in my truck that was designed for use during cold weather to prevent gelling and hard starts. Hot Shot’s Secret EDT+ Winter Defense provides all the benefits of its popular EDT fuel additive (including improved power, performance, and MPG), but also prevents gelling and icing when temperatures start to drop. Plus it has industry-leading lubricity protection with the addition of LX4 Lubricity Extreme.

PRODUCTS94
  • APPLICATION20/20
  • FUNCTION47/50
  • LONG-TERM9/10
  • DESIGN9/10
  • PRICE9/10
THE BEST OF THE BEST AT SEMA
DT Staff
DT Staff
OUR 2022 SHOW STOPPER AWARDS
Our annual Show Stopper Awards continue to grow in popularity as we seek products at the SEMA Show that best fit our targeted audience and stop us in our tracks. Over the years we’ve learned to appreciate the ingenuity and creativity that went into the development of some amazing aftermarket products, and to be honest, it’s getting harder to keep our award down to just five recipients. For our roundup this month we’re going to highlight the five products at SEMA that we felt were worthy of our Show Stopper award. In no particular order, here are the best of the best from SEMA this year.
Pacific Performance Engineering (PPE) intercooler kit (red color) for the GM 3.0L LM2 duramax engine
PPE
Debuting a product that has been in production for more than two years, Pacific Performance Engineering (PPE) came to SEMA with their brand-new intercooler kit for the GM 3.0L LM2 Duramax engine. The engineers also designed a whole new carrier bracket to hold it that was so well done you’d think it was stock just by looking at it.

The larger intercooler, 2.4 times larger than stock to be exact, helps create a cooler and denser air charge to your engine. The kit comes complete with the intercooler, carrier bracket, hardware, silicone hoses, couplers and clamps, as well as an aluminum turbo attachment, which is basically everything you’ll need to do the complete install yourself in your garage. (www.ppepower.com)

Pacific Performance Engineering (PPE) intercooler kits (red & blue color) for the GM 3.0L LM2 duramax engine
Diesel Tech Magazine 2022 Show Stopper Award sits on top of a Pacific Performance Engineering (PPE) intercooler kit (gray color) for the GM 3.0L LM2 duramax engine
ADVERTISERINDEX
View Advertisers
Advertiser
PG. #
  • Automotive Racing Products4

www.arp-bolts.com

  • Bullet Proof Diesel2

www.bulletproofdiesel.com

  • Injectors Direct6

www.injectorsdirect.com

  • KC Turbos5

www.kcturbos.net

  • KT Performance30

www.ktperformance.net

  • Pacific Performance Engineering46

www.ppediesel.com

  • Power Service Products13

www.powerservice.com

  • PowerTech Diesel LLC39

www.powertechdiesel.com

  • Schaeffer Manufacturing Co.7

www.schaefferoil.com

  • Strictly Diesel25

www.strictlydiesel.com

  • Transfer Flow Inc10

www.transferflow.com

Diesel Tech logo
Thanks for reading our Winter 2023 issue!