This article originally appeared in the May 2020 issue.
This truck is only rear-wheel-drive, but the 2006 2500 Bighorn Edition with the common rail 5.9L Cummins has quite a bit to it. While some mods tend to be less capable with 2WD than 4WD, 2WD lifted trucks are actually more of a trend than one may think, and this is a big performance monster. Justin does, however, plan to do a 4WD conversion with it in the future. This truck is his daily driver. “As a one-owner truck, it has over 215,000 miles on it now, but I maintain it meticulously,” says Justin.
While it is a modest build, mods are not something this truck skimps on at all, especially on the engine side. With an RPI cold air intake (and Pusher intake manifold), Exergy 30 percent injectors, and Firepunk tuning, this Cummins sports some serious performance, but can also adapt well to different modes where appropriate. A Firepunk Towmaster performance transmission is built to carry all the massive power and torque. With this setup, you can see that Justin is a diesel owner who enjoys modest yet rich upgrades to increase efficiency and towing capability. On the undercarriage, the truck uses a 6.5-inch CST lift kit, 17-inch Method NV wheels, and 35-inch Cooper tires.
Looking ahead, Justin plans to add more engine mods, including a Fleece in-tank lift pump, a Fleece Cheetah turbo, and an Exergy 10mm CP3 pump. Adding to his suspension and proposed 4WD swap, he also plans to use Carli Suspension full leaf packs and a solid front axle coil over setup. While keeping it reserved, he’s all about trying to get the most out of his truck that he can. “Whether you have a Cummins, Power Stroke, or Duramax, maintenance is key to getting more life out of your truck,” he says.
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