SEMA always pulls unicorn builds out of the woodwork, but this one stops diesel guys and truck aficionados in their tracks. Front and center in the Power Service Diesel Additives booth at the annual 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, sits Pepe LeCrew, a Cummins-powered (Fummins) 1974 Ford F-250 Crew Cab truck with more attitude than Ford engineers ever dreamed of in the early ‘70s.
First and even before the Fummins aspect, the nerd flex: this isn’t a common F26 crew. It’s the ultra-rare F28. That’s Ford’s internal coding for the real heavy-duty camper-special crew chassis. Very few were built, and even fewer are left. And, practically speaking, none get pulled completely apart, straightened, body-worked, engine-swapped, and then rebuilt at this level.
The paint and body, handled by Trail Tailor Customs (Jason Reeves and Pete Limon), nail the vintage vibe without going resto-mod cheesy. The black/cream two-tone separated by a thin red accent stripe looks factory-era correct (and obviously better than Ford ever sprayed it). From chrome to cab lights, we love how this truck presents itself.
With the hood open, though, all subtlety goes right out the window. Between the framerails rests a 12-valve 5.9-liter Cummins diesel fed by a 600-horse P7100 injection pump. It’s bored .020 over, has ARP head studs, and runs Gator rocker pedestals. Fuel and air have been tweaked via 150-horse injectors and a 68mm turbo that pushes air through a custom aluminum intercooler and a Banks Twin Ram intake manifold. Other goodies include a Keating Machine billet timing cover, CVF Racing serpentine setup, custom aluminum intercooler/radiator, and much, much more. Full Metal Off-Road (Trace Wong) did not come to SEMA to be quiet.
Backing the inline-six is a 47RE transmission with a Velair triple-disk converter and billet timing cover (because 12-valves with fuel are torque bullies, and they will eat a sloppy converter alive).
Underneath, the 1974 Ford F-250 Fummins sports a custom four-link suspension, a hydroboost brake system (Battle Born Brakes), and modern 2011 Super Duty axles—Dana 60 (front) and Sterling 10.5 (rear) with a TrueTrac locker and 4.10s. The stance is perfect: Detroit Steel 20s wearing old-school Ford hubcaps, nearly tricking your brain into thinking you’re still in 1974 (until you notice the turbo the size of a salad bowl).
Inside, Fat Fender Garage stitched plaid insert seats and factory-correct vibe door cards. However, the air conditioning (Vintage Air) and audio setups (Unlimited Concepts) make modern stuff look like child’s play. It’s old truck soul without old truck suffering—and for that, we thank shops like Full Metal Off-Road.
Diesel is not dead, and cool diesel builds continue to draw large crowds. Pepe LeCrew stands as our favorite Fummins in recent history. With the perfect blend of nostalgia, good looks, and modern tech, it’s an absolute work of art.
You might also like
Do You Know Where America's Diesel Trucks Are Assembled?
If you’re curious where your heavy-duty diesel truck was assembled (built), the answer takes you on a little road trip across North America.
