Daily Driver
Dear Diesel World,

Just picked up your new magazine today and enjoyed it a lot. My way of changing perceptions can be seen at www.bigdogtrux.com. This is my daily driver and the video was done when it only made 356 hp on the dyno. Since then it has seen several other upgrades that push it to over 600 hp, as well as excessive audio, DVD, navigation, and all kinds of other electrical goodies. Before the latest rounds of mods, which included a larger turbo, it ran14.2 in the 1/4 mile (@3400 feet of elevation at 99 mph.) The goal for this summer is to run in the 12-second range on 34-inch tires in daily driving trim.

I realize that Calgary, Alberta, Canada is a long way away from you guys, but approximately 60 percent of the vehicles on the road here are trucks and SUVs, and probably 50 percent of those are diesel trucks - in other words, your target audience is up here. The owner of the shop that sponsors my truck also has a wild ride (also a Dodge). Would love to hear from you guys and show you how we do thing north of the border (eh)!

Good luck in your new venture, Marc Sicotte.
Via e-mail

Yes sir, Marc, we kinda had a feeling there would be a Canadian audience for Diesel World. We're not sure how we can be in your neck of the woods as much as we'd like, but we do plan on being nearby this summer, as we will attend the NADP race/dyno weekend Aug. 5-6 in Edmonton. We'll be looking for a few good trucks to shoot, and we will cover the event as well. Not sure if you're within easy driving range of Edmonton, but if so, maybe we'll see you there. You can get info on the event at www.nadp.ca

Catching the Mod Bug
Dear Editor,

I just got done reading Vol. 1 Num. 1 of your guys' new Diesel World Magazine, and I think your mag kicks some butt. I own a '99 Ford F-350 with a diesel and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It may still all be stock with exception of the Hypertech I have in it, but I am looking forward to changing a lot of things out. Just like the air system that you had in the Ford Power Stroke upgrade article now that I see how easy it is to change. I will tell all my friends about this mag and will be a faithful reader. Keep up the great work.

Danny
Colorado

Where Is Diesel World?
Dear Editor,

Jim Allen showed me a copy of Diesel World, an exciting new magazine. My truck is on your cover and I cannot find Diesel World in my town. I could use up to 10 copies to give to family and to show to friends. My truck is the 6X6 Duramax. I look forward to reading your magazine in the future; I hope it is a success for you.
Thank you,

Bruce Bishop
Ohio

Glad you like it Bruce! Copies are on the way. To find out where we are on sale, read on.

Dear Editor,

Hi, I'm interested in finding a copy of Diesel World. My zip code is 97008 in Beaverton Ore., what would be the closest place that would carry Diesel World?

Thanks,
Mark
Via e-mail

Mark, you can find Diesel World at 7-Eleven, Albertsons, Acme, Jewel, Osco, Bashas Markets, Barnes & Noble, Borders bookstores, CVS stores, Dominicks, Food Lion, Fry's, Giant Eagle markets, Harris Teeter stores, He Butt stores, Kroger markets, Marsh Supermarkets, Meijer stores, Miniyard Food stores, Long's Drugs, Piggly Wiggly, Quick Mart Stores, Quik Trip stores, Ralph's Grocery, Safeway, Savon Drugs, Save Mart stores, Schnucks, Smiths Food & Drugs, Stater Brothers, Supervalu Retain, Circle K, Walgreens Drug, WalMart Canada, WalMart USA, Wegman's food market and other fine stores.

Ford Oval Blues
Hello John,

I'm glad to see your magazine on the rack and more people promoting DIESELS! I agree the future looks great.

I've had Kubota diesel tractors since the 1970s, an '80s Rabbit diesel, '90s Dodge Cummins diesel, Ford 2000 7.3-liter and now the WORST, a 2004 Ford 6.0-liter Power Stroke in a Super Duty F-350.

No one should be upgrading these engines until the 6.0L works as offered. There have been 77 TSBs and thousands of consumer complaints on these engines.

I've had my turbo hose expand, causing a clamp failure and exhaust leaks, rear cam seal sensor failure causing oil leaks, O-ring failure on glow plugs causing oil leaks, EGR oil cooler gasket failure causing oil leaks, air intake gasket failure causing loss of power, water separator housing failure causing fuel leaks, EBP sensor failure, cracked exhaust manifold, and the EGR Valve failure which caused the truck to shut down and be towed, plus had three recalls done. These all occurred between 34-49K miles.

Ford does advertise the Super Duty 6.0L as, "V8 engine designed to meet customer expectations of high horsepower and torque with exceptional fuel economy and low NVH. It must do this while meeting the tough emissions standards set by the EPA and CARB."

 In my opinion Ford needs to get better customer support for the 6.0L diesels owners.

Thank you,
Gus Mueller
Sloansville, New York

We talked to a Ford rep we know off the record, so we can confirm Ford is aware they have some work to do when it comes to making the 6-liter as popular with enthusiasts as the 7.3. Just coincidentally, in this issue you'll see the first installment of our project F-350. It's equipped with-you guessed it-a 6-liter diesel. At this point, we have just 7100 miles on the truck, which has been lightly modified for use as a tow vehicle. For what it's worth-and we know it's early-we're still not experiencing anything unusual. Be sure to check out our News section too so you can read about Ford offering loyalty incentives to owners of the '03 and '04 Super Duty trucks with the 6.0-liter Power Stroke.

Trash To Treasure
Dear Editor,

Hi there - or from Texas, howdy! Just picked up your new magazine, Diesel World. Everything (almost) looks great. Good start. I'll be the first to request a subscription. The (almost) above refers to a couple of the captions and the photos not quite corresponding. Anyway, I really like the magazine, hope it goes to subscription soon, send me an e-mail before that happens, I'll buy! By the way, my collection includes:

.2005 GMC 2500 2WD Ext Cab/Long bed, Duramax & Allison Trans., FS2500 Bypass Filter, Ultra Filter Element, K&N Air Filter.
.1992 Holiday Rambler, 36' MH, Cummins Insd 6 & Allison Trans. GoldenRod Fuel & Water Separator Filters.
.1982 Chevy Heavy Half Pickup, 6.2 Detroit Diesel Extra Fuel Filter for Each Tank
.199? Ford 3910 Tractor, Diesel
Now, you're probably wondering why the concern on filters, well... (anal-retentive?) No! I also make Biodiesel, or as I call it, Bayou-Diesel (Gulf Coast Biodiesel), a small startup company I've been building for the last three months. It's doing fair - making fuel for just my own use right now. But plan to get Agri-Diesel permits as my supply of oil increases and becomes more secure.

It's not fully a business yet, but just the start of one. Kind of a one-man show right now, but something with great potential. I know I can't answer enough questions when I pick up oil at functions like fish frys (lent) and church dinners.

Every rancher and/or farmer around here is very interested in seeing me get it going and start selling. Finding suppliers has been a small hassle; got most the independent restaurants now and I'm getting about 75-100 gallons a month. Some restaurants have contracts in place, but have said they would try to get out of them to go with me. (I'm local, their contract company is not)
Funny (to me) that businesses don't really pay attention to what happens to the used oil, I guess because to them its waste. One supplier didn't even know the recycling company was charging him $35 each time they pumped out his tank. I pick up weekly and try to convince them to pump or pour it back into the original containers because no pump out equals no mess left. I even offered the guy above to pressure wash the old tank area when he got rid of their holding tank. He was amazed!

Thanks for your magazine,

Edward B. Campbell
Via e-mail

Ed, thanks for your letter. We hear there are hundreds of startup businesses like yours around the country. We'll be passing along information on the subject as it comes in.

How do I Subscribe?
Dear Editor,

I just read the Spring issue of Diesel World. I would like a subscription, but when I called subscription services they said it was only available at newsstands. Why is that? Is there a way I could be notified when the new issue is available so I can look for it? The place I bought this issue only had one left and I found it by accident.

Thank you,
Jim Swinnerton

Jim, thanks for finding us. We had no idea the magazine would be so much in demand right from the very first issue. And to everyone else out there who found our first issue on the newsstands, we have good news and we have bad news.

The good news is that you will be able to order subscriptions.

The bad news is ...not until next year.

Meanwhile, we hope you'll continue to find us at any of the stores listed above. We'll be on sale with Issue #3 around 9/26/06. Bookstores might be your best bet-if you don't see Diesel World, ask for it.

More Bio Please
Hey Guys,

Just bought the issue down in Kauai. I am chairman of the largest biodiesel producer on the West Coast. I drive a Beetle TDi with a lot of performance mods. All my friends are into the VW, Mercedes, Jeep type vehicles. Your article on biodiesel, while thorough, was cursory at best. Do you plan to expand outside trucks and to focus on biodiesel more?

Martin Tobias
Chairman & CEO Imperium Renewables
206-618-1192



We remain fascinated with the biodiesel revolution, the new technologies, and what goes in various regions. We'd be happy to hear from readers or other entrepreneurs who have ideas about what Diesel World can/should do to help build awareness of bio fuel options.

When do we get to see your TDi?