Finding the perfect rolling home for an off-road, overland and adventure sports enthusiast who wants to travel the globe is no small task, especially when on the budget of a full time freelance photographer/journalist. My search started with a two-year stint living full time in a used high mileage 4×4 Ford E350 EB 7.3L Power Stroke van, but eventually ended up here, with this Ram.
“I want to be different. I want something that nobody else has,” Enrique Gonzales tells us of his tastes. Different he is. To match his charming personality and passion for diesel performance is his masterpiece build, the 6.6L D-max Colorado. Enrique wanted a shop truck to represent what The Diesel Shop was all about. The answer: a diesel-powered mid-size truck that could be daily driven, but could also be raced or showed—a triple threat. Most importantly, it is like nothing else anybody has.
If you’ve ever looked at a full-size diesel truck flying down a dragstrip and thought “I wonder what that engine would do in something lighter,” you would not be alone. Several years ago, Brad Makinen got tired of racing against lighter, newer rides and decided to build one for himself. Brad started his new build with a 1941 Willys Pro Mod body, and a 2001 6.0-second certified chassis, and a 1400 HP Duramax.
The Ford King: Rudy Diesel’s Incredible 2,000-HP Drag Truck
If you’re a Ford fan, there’s no doubt that you know the name Rudy’s Diesel. Rudy has been pounding the ground building the same badass 6.4L Ford for over a decade, developing a truck that just becomes more powerful and faster as time goes on. Is there a badder 4×4 Ford on the planet? We don’t think so.
Sleeper Status: The Modest-Appearing 11-Second 7.3L
At first glance, the average person would have no clue the level of rowdiness that’s concealed in Tony Salokas’ ’01 F-350. With the factory 16-inch Alcoa’s, ’05 front clip, and King Ranch badging, it would be easy to assume cosmetic changes are the extent of its upgrades. But, it’s one of the nastiest HEUI-fired 7.3L Power Strokes you’ll find. Need proof? How about a 7,300-pound Super Duty that runs mid 11’s on fuel.
In an age where ’03-’07 Ram 2500 and 3500s can go for well over $20,000, we love seeing someone get a deal on one. And while there is really nothing over the top about Jake’s parts combination, it’s proof that you can have a mildly built common-rail Dodge on a blue-collar, working man’s budget. Used as a daily commuter, Jake tells us he sees 19-mpg on a regular basis—not half bad for a 650 to 700-hp truck.
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