Year In Review: The Top 10 Articles From 2019

The year is almost over and as we look back at the Top 10 articles we think back to all the vehicles we shot, parts we installed, and locations we visited in 2019. From high-horsepower trucks to new records, we saw it all in 2019, but these 10 articles stood out from the rest.

10. Street Legal Cocaine: Montana Cherry’s 1,600-Horsepower 04 Ram

Racing. It’s stimulating, it’s recreational, and it’s common to experience an intense feeling of happiness. For an all-white street raced 2004 Dodge Ram from Florida named “Cocaine”, I can see the similarities of the two. Gulf Breeze, Florida local, Montana Cherry, has put his truck through absolute hell over the years and has done so in exciting fashion.

Cherry has been involved in the diesel industry since 2007-2008. “I picked up a Diesel Power Magazine at Wal-Mart way back in the day and I have been hooked ever since,” he said. Around this time, as Cherry was a junior in high school, Cherry purchased his first diesel, a 2002 Ford F-250 with the 7.3-liter Power Stroke engine. I’m betting nowadays he wouldn’t have made that choice given his now biased opinion.

9. The Future Of Light Duty Trucks: 2020 GMC Sierra 3.0-Liter Duramax

Guys, simply put, these trucks are wicked. Thankfully, the guys and gals over at GMC flew us out to an absolutely beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming area where we got to test, work, photograph, and ask about the all-new Sierra’s. Now, the small truck diesel power phenomena are still going and GMC, in my opinion, has killed it. This new truck has virtually everything you can think of.

If you’re here, you’re wanting to know about this 3.0-liter Duramax engine and the new 10-speed Allison transmission. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty facts. With this lethal combination between the two, expect a driving experience like no other in a small truck. Coming in at a whopping 277 horsepower, this little 3.0-liter is a hoss with 460 lb-ft of torque.

8. Dirty Hooker Diesel: The Explosion Heard Around The World

Just a few weeks ago, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the 2019 Edition of the Ultimate Callout Challenge was finished up. It was, like usual, an epic event. When it comes to the Ultimate Callout Challenge, you can guarantee that all of the competitors are going to throw everything they have at these trucks and whatever happens, happens.

If you have any sort of social media, chances are, you know about the scary occurrence on the dyno day with the Tony Burkhard-owned, Dirty Hooker Diesel truck. We had to get all of the details of this situation, so we went straight to the source. Mark Broviak, dyno pilot of “Last Minute Hooker” and tuner of Danville Performance.

7. Modernized Mega Cab: Skyler Jones Drives What Once Was A Dream

As you already know, everyone that is somewhat involved or heavily involved in this industry has earned their influence somewhere. Some from parents, some from future friends, some from the internet, and some by a word of mouth purchase. For this Wellington, Colorado native, Skyler Jones, it was actually a mixture of all of those. At one time, he only dreamt of a truck like this, but by placing himself around the right people, his dream is now a reality.

Like a lot of other growing enthusiasts, Jones got his start from his father. “I’ve been into diesel trucks for many years, beginning when I was growing up,” said Jones. “My father’s 6.0-liter Power Stroke truck we had at the property was my highlight, driving it at an early age.”

Fast forward to high school, and there was a definite change of pace. While other kids looked forward to basketball, football, soccer or video games after school, Jones and his friends made it a point to have a wrench in hand as much as possible.

6. Ultimate Callout Challenge 2019: The Epic Finale From Indianapolis

As we’re rolling into Lucas Oil Raceway on Sunday, there was a lot to think about. Between a qualifier making horsepower numbers as high as the competitors, an engine explosion heard around the country, mother nature doing her best to keep us from finishing the wildest weekend in diesel performance, and the points as tight as ever, what could the final day of action bring?

For starters, The Weather Channel, believe it or not, nailed the forecast. It was the most beautiful day thus far with a slight breeze and a warm, cloudless 70-degrees. With that in mind, we were ready to finish this day off with a few trucks and one heavy sled. The weather leading up to this day did everything but help the pulling surface, but, the show must go on.

5. Ryan Milliken Takes Back The Diesel-Powered Door Car ET Record

Ryan Milliken of Mary Esther, Florida, owner of Hardway Performance, has been piloting his Cummins-powered Chevrolet Nova for a few years now with the intentions of competing with the toughest gas-powered cars in the country. For some time, Milliken held the record for the fastest diesel-powered door car until Larson Miller, driver of the Save The Racks Firepunk Diesel S-10 stole in late 2018 down at Emerald Coast Dragway.

This weekend at South Georgia Motorsports Park, the biggest radial tire car event in the country, Lights Out 10, is going on and Milliken brought his Nova looking to top the field in his class, X275. With a personal best of 4.55-seconds, not only was Milliken trying to make the field once again like last year, he was shooting for a personal best as well.

4. An Old Dog With New Tricks: Greg Alberalla’s Done Up First Gen Ram

For the majority of us, trucks are just trucks. Some modify them more than others and some simply leave them alone. For Greg Alberalla, trucks are his life. If you’re here and you’ve heard of YouTube, chances are, you’ve heard of Greg or seen him on his YouTube channel. This year at the 2019 Rudy’s Fall Truck Jam event in North Carolina, we got to catch up with Alberalla and see one of his most popular projects, The First Gen.

Although Alberalla has many different projects going on at this time, the first-gen is what made the trip to Piedmont Dragway for a day of racing. While this 1993 Dodge D250 is just an old truck, if you’re familiar with anything of his, it’s beyond its original form. In fact, this D250 is much more powerful than Dodge ever intended it to be.

3. 2019 RAM 2500/3500 First Drive | Prices| Review | First Impressions

As editor of Diesel Army, I was invited to take part in an exclusive testing session of the new 2019 2500 and 3500 RAM Heavy Duty trucks. After their big reveal in Detroit only a few short months ago, we were obviously crazed about getting the details on the new truck, especially the new high-output 6.7-liter Cummins engine. The iconic turbo-diesel engine is now even more powerful, durable, and capable than ever. With 400 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, we couldn’t wait to get that seat of the pants feel.

RAM provided virtually every configuration of heavy-duty RAM available for the attending editors to sample. From the short-wheelbase dually trucks, mega cabs, and even Power Wagon gas trucks, they had it all available for our inspection.  But before we climbed behind the wheel, we stopped in the showroom to eyeball some of the indoor models set up, which included the first-ever diesel-powered Ram truck from 1989.

2. Chevrolet Announces Inline-Six Duramax Release In 2020

Just a few short weeks ago, Chevrolet announced the all-new, advanced 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine for the 2020 Silverados. Although they were supposed to launch this year, it was pushed. But, it’s confirmed. These light trucks have been getting more and more attention and now, they definitely have our attention. The 3.0-liter is an inline-six configuration and it adds another tough option when you’re headed to the dealer for a new rig.

Accommodated with the V8 configuration, Chevrolet engineers have started with a clean slate and have developed this new engine that redefines efficiency with a new architecture of the inline-six. If you’re looking for a new Silverado, you still have your other choices of powerplants, but the 3.0-liter comes at a competitive price.

1. The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe Will Have A 277 HP Duramax Option!

These full-size SUVs are the talk of the town after the announcement from General Motors. After an extensive redesign for 2021, both the Suburban and the shorter Tahoe are covered in new options including a huge interior, independent rear suspension, and a new engine option over the popular 5.3-Liter and 6.2-Liter gasoline options. That’s right, the inline-six 3.0-liter Duramax has a home in the SUV’s, too!

As the Chevrolet and GMC pickup truck line evolves, the Suburban and Tahoe have typically followed suit. With the latest Silverado and Sierra released, say hello to the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe. Both of these SUVs will come with the option of nine different shades of color at their launch and you may notice they look physically bigger. That’s because they are.

2019 was one for the record books, and with 2020 right around the corner, we look forward to what will be the diesel trends and top articles. What type of content would you like to see in 2020? Send us an email or leave us a comment with what you would like to see on Diesel Army!

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About the author

Steven Olsewski

Steven Olsewski grew up with a true passion for anything with a motor. He loves his wife and kids, and during the year can be found enjoying quality time together. They are a huge part of his life and their passion for God.
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