2010 Ram 6.7L Cummins Prerunner Build

“A Ram Prerunner With Style And Function.” Juan Jose Perez (Jose to his friends) was in the market for a truck, but what he was looking for couldn’t just be picked up at the local dealer’s lot. You see, Jose lives in Jalisco, Mexico. There aren’t a lot of custom HD trucks in town, but Jose wanted a truck that would be able to WORK as a truck in his construction company, but still look badass to drive on a Sunday cruise.

From Jalisco to Chula Vista: The Build Plan

Jose didn’t have a lot of options locally so he turned to the Internet, scouring websites, checking out the galleries of shops, taking notes about cool trucks he found online; the badder, the better.

Soon a list started forming: big lift, aftermarket bumper, cool wheels, aggressive tires, LED light bars and more. During the search one shop kept grabbing his attention.

ATF Motorsports in Chula Vista, California, wasn’t too far over the border and the trucks that were coming out of Sergio Jimenez’s shop were making it into the SEMA show and onto custom truck magazine covers.

A visit to the 2,500-square-foot facility sealed the deal. Jose and Sergio hit it off and the build plan was completed in no time at all. A 2010 Ram was bought in the U.S. and the build was on its way.

10-Inch Custom Lift & Long-Travel Suspension

Everything hinged on the custom 10-inch lift kit that ATF built in-house. The brackets and traction bars were handmade by Sergio and then sent out for powder coating.

After the lift was perfected, a set of King remote-reservoir coilover shocks, which was sponsored via Down South Motorsports, was bolted in place up front with a second set of remote-reservoir units going on the back.

With all that room available in the wheel wells after the lift, Jose filled them with 20-inch Incubus Alloys wheels wrapped with 38-inch Fuel Mud Gripper M/T tires.

A set of match-painted Bushwacker fender flares helps keep the rolling stock covered. The finishing touch on the outside of truck was a roof mounted LED light bar that complements the American Built Truck Equipment bumper fitted with another NFab LED light bar.

6.7L Cummins Breathing Upgrades

Since more power is a must when adding larger-than-stock tires, the 6.7L Cummins was treated to a breathing treatment via an aFe intake working in conjunction with an Edge CTS touchscreen programmer.

The exhaust remains stock to keep the truck legal in California. On the inside, the truck remains relatively stock since it’s both a work and play machine.

In the end, Jose got exactly what he wanted to handle the off-road rigors south of the border. Besides using the truck for work, Jose also tows his Class 6 race truck and his desert toys anywhere he wants in style and comfort, knowing that the truck has the toughness to get there and back without any issues. DW

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 10-inch lift legal in California?

California allows suspension lifts up to 5 inches on HD trucks, but this build maintains a stock exhaust system and proper fender coverage via Bushwacker flares to meet noise and safety regulations. Always check local ordinances before modifying your truck.

How much does it cost to build a Ram 2500 prerunner?

A custom long-travel suspension like this ATF Motorsports 10-inch lift typically starts at $15,000-$25,000 including fabrication, shocks, and installation. Wheels, tires, lighting, and engine tuning add another $8,000-$12,000 to the total build cost.

Can you daily drive a truck with 38-inch tires?

Yes, with proper gearing and engine tuning. This 6.7L Cummins uses an Edge CTS programmer to recalibrate for the 38-inch Fuel tires, maintaining proper power delivery and transmission shift points for daily driving and towing.