Up next Flashback to Diesels of New York: The Rise of a Truck Enthusiast Empire Published on July 31, 2024 Author Adam Blattenberg Tags Cummins, Diesel, diesel performance, diesel power, Dodge, envy motorsports, industrial injection, king shocks, mercenary off road, Ram, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 Unleashing Power: The Ultimate Multi-Purpose Ram 2500 These days, many over-the-top trucks are either made to drag race, kill dynos, sled pull, work, show, or play in the dirt. It’s somewhat rare to find a truck build that does multiple things extremely well. Some diesel performance enthusiasts would even call that “un-pure,” but we disagree. Kellan Meadows knew exactly what he wanted his truck to do: be extremely capable on any off-road trail, (especially the dunes) be a great daily driver, and do this all with an over-the-top amount of power while still being able to drag a decent-sized trailer. Kellan chose this Ram because he felt it would fit the bill perfectly. Eventually at least–4×4 Rams come with a stout, solid axle up front that’s already four-linked, so with simple customization, they can handle the trails and sand dunes that Kellan wanted to hit on a regular basis. The time-tested Cummins powerplant has a healthy aftermarket backing and has proven to be very reliable with over 1000hp at the rear wheels (making it a great tow rig and daily driver). When describing the truck Kellan says, “The reason for the build was to have a Swiss Army Knife of a vehicle. It can do everything really well, not just OK. I can tow anything, take the family to the desert or the track, beat it up and still drive it home.” “I can tow anything, take the family to the desert or the track, beat it up and still drive it home”Subscribe Our Weekly Newsletter The Ram rolls through the dunes and the 1320 on a set of 17 x 9.5-inch Raceline Liberator wheels that have been custom powdercoated to match the truck. Tires are 38-inch tall Falken Wildpeak’s with their ultra sticky race compound rubber formula. Carli Suspension built a prototype 3-inch lift using its 3.5-inch radius arms. All shocks and bumpstops are from King Shock Technologies. Suspension Since Kellan works for King Shock Technologies, a heavy-duty shock company famous for their off-road shocks, taking care of the suspension was an easier endeavor than it would be for most. Carli Suspension stepped in and took care of everything except the shocks with a prototype kit designed just for Kellan’s needs. Up front is an Unchained 3.5 Radius Arm System that utilizes King 3.5-inch by 12-inch stroke smooth bodies with finned reservoirs designed to shed the extreme heat that is created when dampening the heavy axle’s movement over the rough stuff. A set of 2.0-inch King bumpstops were chosen to smoothly bring the suspension to a stop at the top of its travel. A Carli Suspension Low Mount Steering Stabilizer mount kit paired with a set of King 2.0-inch by 10-inch IFP shocks helps keep the wheels steering smoothly in the right direction. Out back, Carli stepped up again with a custom leaf pack, and of course, a set of King shocks were utilized in the form of two 3.0-inch by 13-inch of travel, four tube bypasses with finned piggyback reservoirs (to help keep the fluid inside nice and cool). Out back sits another bumper from Mercenary Off Road. It was custom built to house a set of backup and clearance lights on the outer corners. Cummins Power The go-fast department was trusted to the crew at Industrial Injection. While Kellan currently has a 6.4L Cummins race motor being built, the engine in the truck at the moment has a stock bottom end. But other than that, not too many stock parts left. Industrial Injection installed a set of ARP 625 Head Studs to keep cylinder pressure where it belongs. Hamilton valve springs and pushrods were chosen to keep the valves from floating under the extra boost. Fueling needs were taken care of via Industrial’s Dual CP3 kit loaded with two 85% over pumps. The dual CP3s get their supply of #2 from dual FASS 150GPH lift pumps sucking from a sump kit in the stock tank. All this fuel is then fed to six of Industrial Injection’s 275hp injectors. With all that fuel, Kellan needed a set of compounds that would allow for quick spool and near smokeless (aka efficient) power. Playing around in the dirt means you’re on and off the power often. Industrial installed their compound kit with a set of Garrett turbos, an atmospheric with an 88mm compressor wheel over a 66mm high-pressure turbo. Boost control is handled by a single Turbosmart Big Bubba blow-off valve. Further intake mods include an S&B Billet Intake Horn and S&B air filter. All this fuel and air, along with tuning from Starlight Diesel, netted Kellan’s Ram 1,148 rear wheel horsepower. Under the hood lies a 5.9L Cummins Common Rail built by Industrial Injection. “Randy’s built the trans with a manual valve body as well as manual torque converter lockup and overdrive activation” Transmission and Driveline Getting all that power to the ground, and well, the sand too, is taken care of by a heavily built 48RE tranny from Randy’s Transmission, built to handle sled pulling and drag racing. The truck originally came with a 68RFE transmission, but Kellan swapped it out because the 68 just couldn’t handle the power. Amazingly, Kellan went through more than five extensively modified 48RE transmissions before going with one from Randy’s. Randy’s built the trans with a manual valve body as well as manual torque converter lockup and overdrive activation. This means that Kellan is in 100% control of the 48RE at all times. An Industrial Injection Compound Turbo kit with an 88mm Garrett turbo over a 66mm Garrett helps the Cummins spin the rollers to the tune of 1,148 rear wheel horsepower. Spent gasses exit quickly through this custom built fender stack. Supplying the Cummins with plenty of fresh and clean diesel is done via twin FASS 150gph units mounted under the bed. Rigid LED lights cover the truck and provide more than enough light to tackle any terrain at night. Normal bumpers just wouldn’t cut it for Kellan’s truck. So a set of high clearance and extremely clean looking, while equally stout, bumpers from Mercenary Off Road were fitted to the truck. From the trans back is a custom 5-inch, blue anodized driveshaft with more blue anodizing on the 1550 u-joints. The rear axle was also treated to an Eaton Detroit Locker while the front received an Eaton ECTED electronic locker. Both axles have matching 4:10 gearing. Interior Kellan’s interior is simple and set up for high-comfort desert cruising. A set of Sparco reclining racing seats keep the passengers safely restrained while a five-person intercom from PCI Race Radios lets them converse easily no matter the noise level. In the back between the two Spearco race seats sits a 12V DC powered refrigerator as well. Inside the truck are four Spearco Chrono Race Seats as well as a PCI intercom for all five passengers (he’s got a custom baby seat in the works for his daughter as well). Between the two rear seats is a 12V DC powered refrigerator from Pro Eagle Off Road. Future Plans For most of us, our trucks will never really be completely done. Kellan’s wild Ram is no different. He’s got a massive list or modifications planned: there’s a new exterior wrap in the works, new fiberglass fenders will be going on later this year; a more race-ready four link front suspension setup with coilover shocks is being designed, and a roll cage also goes in before the end of the year. However, we’re sure there’s much more. With all the modifications and the new 6.4L race motor going under the hood, Kellan’s Ram will be a truly amazing ride, and we can’t wait to see what it morphs into in the years to come. DW Kellan’s driver’s seat is kept simple and useful as well. The steering wheel was replaced with a removable one from Sparco. Gauges are from Autometer and Turbosmart respectively. Here you can also see the custom mounted shifter for the 48RE trans built by Randy’s Transmission. [divider]SPECIFICATIONS[/divider] 2007 Ram 2500 4×4 Engine: Built by Industrial Injection Stock Bottom End Hamilton Valve Springs and Push Rods ARP 625 Head Studs Fleece Coolant Bypass Kit Dual FASS 150gph Lift Pumps Dual CP# Kit with Two Industrial Injection 85% Over CP3’s Industrial Injection 275 HP Injectors Industrial Injection Compound Turbo Kit 88mm Garrett Atmospheric Turbo 66mm Garrett High Pressure Turbo Turbosmart Bigg Bubba Blow Off Valve S&B Billet Intake Horn S&B Air Filter Transmission: 48RE Built by Randy’s Transmission Manual Valve Body Manual Torque Converter Lockup Manual Overdrive Activation Axles and Driveline: 5-inch Inland Empire Aluminum Driveshaft Rear and Front Eaton Lockers Front and Rear 4.10 Gears Suspension: Carli Prototyle 3-inch, Unchained Radius Arm System King 3.5 x 12-inch Shocks with Finned Reservoirs Up Front King 2.0 x 2.0 Bump Stops Up Front Carli Suspension Low Mount Steering Stabilizer Mount Kit King 2.0 x 10 IFP Steering Stabilizers King 3.0 x 13-inch 4 Tube Bypass Shocks with Finned Reservoirs Out Back Carli Heavy Duty Ball Joints Custom Carli Built Sway Bar Interior: Sparco Chrono Seats-Power Adjustable (4) Pro Eagle Refrigerator Autometer and Turbosmart Gauges Art Carr Shifter PCI 5 Person Intercom System Exterior: Mercenary Off Road Bumpers Front and Rear Fiberwerx Fiberglass Fenders Front and Rear Smittybuilt 12K Winch Rigid LED Lights Throughout Total 5 Shares Share 0 Tweet 0 Pin it 5 Share 0
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