What started as a $1,000 junkyard find has evolved into a twin-turbocharged, Cummins-powered 1979 Ford F-250 that’s anything but ordinary. Owner Koy VanHorn of Shelburn, Indiana, has spent years turning what used to be a rusty old truck into the Competition Orange and Raven Black rig you see today. The transformation involved parts from 13 different trucks along with a serious dose of custom fabrication. The result is a one-of-a-kind Ford that combines old-school styling with solid diesel muscle.
From Junkyard Junk To Cummins Power
Koy purchased the F-250 from a junkyard when he was just 14 years old. The truck was in rough shape, with extensive rust and a tired 400 cubic-inch Ford V8. He managed to get the engine running, but connecting rod problems and a failing transmission made it clear that the original drivetrain wasn’t worth saving.
Now 27, Koy has spent almost half his life with the truck. Over the years, he has sourced parts from salvage yards, friends, and other truck owners. The most recent phase of the project, which included a complete nut-and-bolt restoration, took approximately two and a half years.
We met Koy at the 4-Wheel Jamboree Fall Nationals and he told us that his decision to go diesel was sparked by a visit to a Scheid Diesel event. After seeing what modified diesels could do, he was hooked. Ultimately, a Cummins powerplant became his engine of choice.
12-Valve Cummins With Compound Turbos
The Cummins currently residing between the Ford’s framerails is actually Koy’s second diesel engine. The first, a 1998 12-valve, suffered a melted piston. Undeterred, he assembled another engine using components from two 12-valve Cummins powerplants, along with an extensive collection of new performance parts.
The stock-bore engine features Wiseco pistons, Wagler Competition Products Street Fighter connecting rods, a factory crankshaft, and coated bearings. ARP fasteners help hold everything together. Scheid Diesel machined the factory cylinder head, including decking and fire-ringing it, and installed titanium valves and 60-pound valvesprings.
Fuel delivery is handled by Scheid Lightning injectors and an injection pump modified by JP Diesel Service. The pump features a 5,000-rpm governor spring kit and full-cut delivery valves. A FASS fuel system supplies diesel from a 38-gallon LMC Truck fuel tank fitted with a BD Diesel sump.
Another attention-getter is the compound turbocharger arrangement. Koy runs a BorgWarner S363 over S480 setup. Other engine modifications include a TG Machining intake horn, Keating Machine timing and tappet covers, and a custom 4-inch-diameter exhaust. An aluminum radiator with dual electric fans handles cooling duties.
Not surprisingly, Koy says the twin turbos are his favorite part of the truck.
Built To Handle The Diesel’s Muscle
Backing the Cummins is a Dodge 47RE automatic transmission equipped with a full manual valvebody, billet internal components, and a 1,000-horsepower-capable upgrade kit from Power Driven Diesel. Koy sourced the transmission from a friend who was converting his truck to a manual gearbox. A Dodge NP241DHD transfer case came with the transmission.
Power hits the ground through a kingpin Dana 60 front axle from a 1979 Ford and a Dana 80 rear axle salvaged from a 2001 Dodge Ram 3500. Both axles have 3.54:1 gearing. The front axle retains factory-style steering components and uses Warn locking hubs.
Salvage Yard Suspension And Custom Fabrication
The Ford rides on a 6-inch Skyjacker front suspension lift that Koy sourced from a salvage yard. Out back, he adapted leaf springs from a 2004 Ford F-450, fabricating mounting pads that provide approximately 3 inches of additional height. Rancho shocks are fitted at all four corners.
To help control axle movement, Koy fabricated front and rear traction bars using 2.5-inch-diameter, 0.180-inch wall tubing.
The truck rolls on 16-inch-wide Plan B billet wheels wrapped in 35×15.50R22 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires.
Competition Orange, Raven Black, And Salvage Yard Finds
The Ford’s eye-catching exterior paint is a basecoat/clearcoat paint applied by a friend. Up front, there’s a Warn winch bumper sourced from another buddy. Interestingly, the rear bumper came from Koy’s grandmother’s 1996 Ford F-150.
Inside, the truck continues the blend of repurposed parts and custom touches. The front seat was rescued from a truck sitting in the woods and subsequently reupholstered. There’s also a matching rear seat, Auto Meter Ford Racing gauges, and a B&M transmission shifter mounted on a bracket Koy fabricated. Even the cab-mounted spotlight has a history, having arrived with a replacement cab he purchased.
Thirteen Trucks, One Wild Ford
Thirteen donor trucks, countless hours of fabrication and assembly, and a compound-turbo 12-valve Cummins later, Koy’s 1979 Ford F-250 is proof that a humble $1,000 purchase can become something savage.
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