Rick Murphy, YouTube creator and seasoned recovery specialist, didn’t start with a clean slate for this compound turbo Ram 5500 build. Instead, he picked up a well-used four-wheel-drive Ram wrecker from a Texas towing outfit, showing more than 270,000 miles on the clock. The goal was simple: secure a budget-friendly platform and put it to work.
That plan quickly evolved. Persistent transfer case failures forced Rick to rethink the drivetrain, and what began as a fix turned into a full-scale transformation. The end result is “Hellboy,” a purpose-built off-road recovery rig that is in a class of its own.
A Cummins Diesel Built To Perform
At the heart of Hellboy is a 6.7-liter Cummins. The engine features a compound turbo system from Diesel Power Source, supported by a 12mm stroker pump and 180-horsepower injectors. A water-cooled intercooler and nitrous injection system push performance even further. Output is estimated at roughly 700 horsepower without nitrous and torque figures exceeding 2,000 pound-feet.
Fuel delivery is handled by a custom 50-gallon tank mounted mid-chassis between the frame rails, ensuring extended range.
Power is routed through an Allison 1000 automatic transmission built by ATS Diesel Performance, delivering durability under extreme load. To solve the truck’s earlier weak link, Rick installed an AxleTech T-600 two-speed transfer case sourced through Western Canadian Rockwell. Featuring 6110-series yokes, air shifting, and a pressurized oiling system, the setup is engineered for sustained abuse.
AxleTech 4000s, Rear Steering
The factory axles were replaced with Boyce Equipment-supplied AxleTech 4000 planetary steering axles. These units incorporate gear-reduction hubs, pneumatic lockers, and braking systems designed for heavy-duty applications. With a 1.92:1 differential ratio and 6.86:1 final drive ratio, they deliver the gearing needed for serious recovery work.
Steering is handled by PSC Motorsports hydraulic cylinders paired with heavy-duty linkage constructed from 2-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall tubing and 1-inch rod ends.
Rear steering is one of the truck’s many functional upgrades. It allows this long-wheelbase crew cab to maneuver in tight environments, from narrow mountain roads to everyday parking situations, bringing surprising agility to a massive platform.
Four-Link Suspension, 58-Inch Tires
Underneath, there’s a custom four-link suspension system. The lower links are built from 2.5-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall chromoly tubing. The upper links are made from 2-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall tubing. Each link is equipped with 1.250-inch rod ends for strength and articulation.
Up front, Big Shocks 3.0 coilovers provide 16 inches of travel, complemented by hydraulic bump stops and limit straps. The rear suspension uses triple-bellows air bags sourced from a Hendrickson semitrailer system, along with 16-inch-travel shocks, bump stops, and limit straps from Big Shocks.
The truck rides on custom two-piece wheels with internal beadlocks, wrapped in massive 21/58-24LT Mickey Thompson Baja Pro tires. These tires deliver flotation and traction across sand, snow, and mud. All things Rick may encounter when recovering a vehicle.
Beefed Chassis And Modified Body
Rick reinforced the Ram 5500 chassis extensively, boxing sections that were originally open and adding 3/8-inch face plating for increased rigidity. Custom crossmembers and a subframe constructed from 2-inch-diameter DOM tubing further strengthen the platform.
The body has been equally reworked. Six inches were removed from the lower cab and doors to improve clearance. Rock sliders built from 2×6-inch, 0.250-inch-wall tubing tie into a full exoskeleton structure. Up front, a custom Murphys Diesel fender setup and grille delete give the truck its aggressive, functional appearance.
Five, Count ‘Em Five Winches
Recovery capability is central to Hellboy’s mission. The truck utilizes a modified Miller Industries Century 612 boom rated at 24,000 pounds. It’s outfitted with Yankum Ropes rigging and a total of five Warrior winches. An 18,000-pound electric winch sits up front, while four hydraulic units handle boom and side-pull duties, all mounted to a custom headache rack for accessibility and strength.
Is Hellboy Too Big And Heavy For The Trail?
Despite skepticism about its size and weight, Hellboy has proven its capability in demanding conditions. Rick notes that one of its most challenging recoveries involved an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer lodged in a ditch against a rock wall. The success of that recovery highlights the truck’s real-world effectiveness.
He maintains there are no compromises in the build. The combination of Cummins diesel power, heavy-duty drivetrain components, and purpose-built suspension has resulted in a machine that performs beyond expectations.
Rick says, “All my haters said it was too heavy for the sand, snow, and mud, too wide for the trails and Dutch Bros drive-throughs, too big for hill climbs, and most of all, that Ram is the worst truck on the market. So I figured it would make the perfect platform for the world’s largest off-road wrecker. P.S. It dominates all those obstacles.”
Photos: Ken Brubaker
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