Dear DT,
I'm from Mitchell, S.D., but I'm currently in Afghanistan with the 200th Eng Co. out of Pierre, S.D., and I have a 1996 F-250 Power Stroke. It's not in the best shape right now, but I use it to haul hay and my wife and I use it for horse shows.
While in Afghanistan I have ordered quite a few products for my truck and there are a few more goodies that I plan to add after my wife gets her new horse trailer. There are six guys in my room here in Afghanistan and four of the six of us read your magazine. Every time someone gets a package in the mail and it has a copy of Diesel Tech we're like kids in a candy store. You have a 
great magazine and I've been reading it since I was in Iraq in 2007-2008. My step-dad would send me all of his magazines after he was done with them and that's when I got hooked.
I have always been around diesels but never able to purchase one until last March of this year. So now I'm trying to learn as I go and do the work on it myself. Thanks for a great magazine; the issue with the red `96 Power Stroke [June 2011] really inspired me. It's a very clean looking truck and someday I'd like mine to be as nice.
Spc Brandon Mehlbrech
Afghanistan
Thank you for your letter and most of all a big thank you to you and the soldiers you serve with. We couldn't do anything as fun as creating a diesel magazine if it weren't for those of you who serve our country. We'll keep those issues coming.
Dear DT,
I have just recently started reading your great magazine. In the Mile Marker build, you mention that you went with that specific model truck because of the LBZ engine. The reason I am asking is you also mention an LLY build that you had done earlier. What issues was that build covered in, and how can I get my hands on the articles? I'm looking at buying a truck, and the year model has the LLY engine in it. I was curious to see what you did, and the results of the build.
Christopher Spencer
Via Email
We actually had two LLY projects recently. The first was the most in-depth:
February 2008-PPE Tuner, MBRP dual exhaust, gauges.
April 2008-DDP 50hp injector nozzles, PPE Tuner, Turbonetics Spearco Intercooler, Titan fuel tank.
June 2008-AirDog lift pump, AEM intake, Firestone tires.
August 2008-Garrett 4094 turbo, Sun Coast Stage IV transmission with 1058 TC, Industrial Injection modified CP3 and dual feed fuel line, PPE Fuel Rail Race Valve, more PPE tuner tests, DDP downpipe.
February 2009-TrailMaster 4-inch lift, Fluidampr.
The second build:
August 2009-Silverline Exhaust, Mamba wheels.
December 2009-AirDog II lift pump, EGR bypass mod, ATS Aurora 5000 turbo, Snow Performance Stage 2 water/methanol, EFI Live tuning, Firestone airbag system, Viper remote start, Iron Bull bumpers.
Call 800-638-0135 for information on purchasing back issues.
Dear DT,
I was reading in the letters to the editor section in the August issue about the guy who has had a lot of problems with his 2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty. I own a 2008 F-350 with the 6.4 Power Stroke diesel motor that was built in February 2007 and I have not had any of the problems you are talking about. I have had all the recalls done on the truck, it runs fine and I get 17 to 20 mpg. I bought the truck new in March 2007 and I love it.
Chad Rhea
Fillmore, Utah
We're happy to hear you're driving a trouble-free Job 1 `08 6.4L. I know of a few others that have had smooth sailing with them. Are you still running the stock exhaust with DPF system in place? And getting 17-20 mpg out of it?
We just replaced another EGR sensor on the downpipe on ours last week. Like I've said many times before, maybe our truck was just built on a Friday afternoon.