Tabla de contenidos para July 2025 en Diesel World

Lots of folks build rat rods as an exercise in creativity. Completed projects are generally a collection of found parts that are assembled in a way that showcases the builder’s imagination. The end result is a one-of-a-kind showpiece where comfort and function are rarely the primary concern. Instead, fascination is the goal. The wrecker you see in these photos has a familiar patina appearance and sports occasional areas of rust so, on the surface, you might decide that this is just simply another rat rod showpiece with a collection of unusual accessories tacked on. In fact, nothing could be further from the case. Etian Montalvo from Cutler Bay, Florida has been an active auto mechanic for the last two decades. In fact, he got started early, cleaning parts in a…

When it comes to diesel performance, few names carry as much weight as Gale Banks. With a career spanning over six decades, Banks has not only shaped the diesel aftermarket but has also revolutionized how we think about turbocharging, tuning, and efficiency. Whether it’s breaking land speed records, engineering military-grade powertrains, or pioneering modern diesel tuning, Banks has done it all—and he’s still pushing the envelope today. FROM HOT RODS TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE DIESEL Gale Banks got his start in the late 1950s. He worked out of his garage modifying engines to squeeze out every ounce of power possible. His passion for speed and innovation led him to experiment with turbocharging at a time when most people hadn’t even heard of it. By the 1970s, Banks was making a name for…

The United States Navy championed a small fleet of three diesel-electric attack submarines spanning from 1956 all the way until 1990 when the USS Blueback, the last diesel sub, was decommissioned. Dubbed the Barbel Class, USS Blueback, USS Bonefish, and USS Barbel were the Navy’s first commissioned teardrop-shaped submarines and were of a double-hull construction that featured 1.5-inch thick HY80 steel. Their shape allowed for very low drag and could essentially maximize the speed potential of the diesel-electric setup. Strapping three Fairbanks-Morse 38D8-1/8 diesel motors together (around 3,150 hp total) with two General Motors electric motors (around 4,800 hp total) allowed the Barbel Class subs to average a surface speed of 15 knots, and could average 18 knots when submerged. Their high efficiency allowed them to have monumental ranges: 19,000…

In the world of high-performance cars, diesel power has never been the go-to choice—at least, not for road-going supercars. Sure, diesel engines have long been prized for their efficiency, torque, and longevity, but when it comes to high-revving, adrenaline-pumping exotic cars, gasoline has always been king. That all changed in 2008 when Audi unveiled one of the most radical concepts in automotive history: the Audi R8 V12 TDI. With a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 boasting 500 horsepower and a staggering 738 lb-ft of torque, the diesel-powered R8 was designed to bring the torque-rich, fuel-efficient power of Audi’s Le Mans-winning race cars to the street. But despite its record-breaking performance, advanced technology, and bold vision, the R8 V12 TDI never saw production. So what happened? And was the world truly ready for…

01 FTI PERFORMANCE CUMMINS DIESEL BA SERIES TORQUE CONVERTER Dodge Cummins diesel performance torque converters by FTI Performance for pickups offer unbeatable performance and reliability. This unit will fit 47RH, 47RE, and 48RE transmissions. FTI PERFORMANCE WWW.FTIPERFORMANCE.COM 02 THOROUGHBRED DIESEL HEAVY-DUTY HEAD STUD KIT FOR 2001-2016 DURAMAX The Thoroughbred Diesel head stud kit is a must-have in any high-performance 2001-2016 GM 6.6L Duramax. To overcome head gasket failures that can occur in diesel engines in these high performance applications, Thoroughbred Diesel has introduced heavy-duty head studs for the popular GM LB7, LLY, LBZ, LMM, LML Duramax power plants. These studs are rated at 220,000 psi tensile strength, and provide the clamping force required to keep cylinder heads from lifting due to higher combustion pressures. THOROUGHBRED DIESEL WWW.THOROUGHBREDDIESEL.COM 03 MCGAUGHYS UPPER CONTROL ARMS FOR…

We all want our vehicles to be as unique as possible. That’s the name of the game—to stand out from the crowd, right? Of course, there are trends within the scene that dictate the direction of the masses, but there are always factions of builders who move against the grain. These individuals don’t necessarily do it solely to buck the system, it’s more of a basic instinct. If you’re familiar with the automotive creativity of Joshua Joyce of Village Customs, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. You won’t find any flashy paint jobs or blingy accessories on any builds that leave his shop. Instead, Joshua has a proclivity for old patina-clad, military-issued vehicles that sit low and rumble loudly. Think show-quality apocalyptic rat rod war machines—that’s basically his…

If you are reading this article, I’m pretty sure you have been around someone with train horns on their truck. Whether it’s a friend you know who likes to scare people with them or some random truck you passed that scared the crap out of you with their horns. Not only are loud train horns fun to play with but they also add a side of safety to your truck that doesn’t come from the factory. If someone pulls out in front of you or comes into your lane, the sheer volume from a set of train horns gets their attention way faster than the factory horn does. When we knew we wanted to add a set of train horns to this 2017 Ford F250, we reached out to our…

It’s or anyone who loves lifted trucks, there’s just something about seeing a Silverado sitting tall on a fresh set of wheels and tires. Whether you’re out on the trail or just turning heads in town, the right setup can completely transform how your truck looks and performs. That’s exactly why we decided to give our 2017 Chevy Silverado 4WD a proper upgrade. We bolted on a Belltech 7-9-inch lift kit and wrapped a set of Cali Off-Road ‘Auburn’ wheels in Kenda ‘Klever R/T’ tires to turn this truck into something that stands out on and off the pavement. The suspension is the backbone of any lifted truck, and Belltech knows how to build a kit that works. Its 7-9-inch lift kit delivers serious height without sacrificing handling or ride…

Lone Star Throwdown (LST) 2025, held from February 21 to 23 at the Lone Star Expo Center and Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe, Texas, once again set the tone for the custom truck scene as the first major event of the year. Known as the unofficial kickoff to show season, LST drew enthusiasts from across the country, showcasing everything from classic pickups to modern, heavily-modified builds. However, this year’s event came with a twist—rain and cold temperatures played a major role throughout the weekend. Overcast skies and intermittent showers made for a muddy showground, while unseasonably chilly temperatures had attendees bundled up in hoodies and jackets. But despite the less-than-ideal weather, the spirit of the event remained strong. True truck enthusiasts didn’t let a little rain dampen their excitement. Many…

With new diesel pickups pushing well past the $100,000 mark, the idea of building a competitive, performance-oriented truck for just one-tenth of that price sounds downright impossible. But that’s exactly what The Poor Diesel Challenge set out to prove at the 2024 Ultimate Callout Challenge in Brownsburg, Indiana. The rules? Working with a $10,000 total budget—truck, parts, and labor included. The goal? To see who could build the best budget diesel and put it to the test in a series of grueling challenges that would make even your mother slightly concerned. MEET THE COMPETITORS The brainchild of Robert Rowley (TheBuiltCmax Creations), the Poor Diesel Challenge brought together three die-hard diesel guys—each an expert in their platform. • Robert Rowley – 8 years of Duramax experience • Ron “MF” Maple –…

Desert Power Wagons, located in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, proudly presents our latest bespoke masterpiece — a breathtaking 5.9L 24-valve High-Output Cummins ® Turbo Diesel-powered 4-door 1952 Dodge Power Wagon. As any vintage Power Wagon owner knows, while they are very cool to look at, they are horrible to drive. They are unbearably slow, too noisy, have an uncomfortable seating position, vague maneuvering, and the list goes on. In 2017, the Desert Power Wagons team set out to change that distinction. While retaining the awesome beauty of the classic Power Wagon lines, we decided to make these trucks modern, comfortable, daily drivers. Updated Dodge Power Wagons from Desert Power Wagons offer exceptional acceleration, upgraded suspension systems, precise power steering, modern power brakes, efficient heating and air conditioning, heated power seats,…

When you hear the name “Ultimate Auto,” you already know that whatever is in the works is going to be truly spectacular. But when you hear the name Ultimate Auto paired with Tim Dunaway (Dunaway Garage | DG) it stops you in your tracks. This duo is sure to turn out some groundbreaking next-level builds, so when they partnered up for building the ultimate lifted truck for SEMA, they had everyone tuned in to see exactly what they had in store for all of us. Ultimate Auto is no stranger to high-end custom builds and custom rides, and they have been turning them out on the East Coast for decades. Tim Dunaway is also no stranger to high-end builds as his creations have adorned more covers than we can count.…