During our trip to the Wagler Competition Products Gas Vs Diesel race, we were on the lookout for a truck that stood out. Being involved with the industry, we knew Austin Myers was going to be attending and we would get to see his truck after following it for years.
Myers drives this 6.7-liter Cummins-powered 2007.5 Dodge Ram, but this wasn’t his first diesel-powered experience. “I started becoming interested in diesel trucks when I was 15 years old,” said Myers. “I spent my teenage years watching my dad and a couple of our neighbors down the road buy diesel trucks and modify them as a fun hobby. I knew when I earned my license that I wanted to have a diesel to modify just like they did.”
Myers got his start with a few different configurations which included a 1990 first generation Ram, and two 1996 second generation Rams. “Before 2012, when I purchased the truck I have now, I owned multiple different trucks,” said Myers. “I purchased this truck locally at a salvage yard wrecked. After getting the truck lined out and repaired, it was a learning curve for me going from mechanical trucks to the newer common rail trucks.” After Myers began to learn and modify the new truck, the growing passion continued to grow from there.
As Myers built up this truck, his relationship with shops began to build which turned into something he wasn’t expecting, a job. “I currently work at Wagler Competition Products and I’ve worked there for the past three years as the sales representative,” said Myers. “It was awesome experience going from a customer that purchased parts from a company and building a relationship with them to becoming an employee.”
“With my passion for diesel performance at an all-time high, it’s great to work for a place that is your hobby,” said Myers. “I’m always hearing about the latest diesel trends and modifications.” As most people know, the Wagler crew is partial to the Duramax equipped trucks. Unfortunately for Myers, he is considered the Cummins guy. “I take a little heat for being the Cummins guy, but I really enjoy working for Jeremy and the entire Wagler crew,” said Myers.
Myers routed the exhaust to exit out of this hood to offer a unique, and loud, look.
Silver’s Setup
With the larger 6.7-liter displacement engine, Myers has the ability to run a larger turbocharger than you would typically on a 5.9-liter. The truck utilizes a Forced Inductions S476/87/1.0 turbocharger that hangs on a Stainless Diesel T4 exhaust manifold with a Turbo Smart blow off valve. Helping with the heat and accelerate the spool up time, Myers uses a PTP turbo blanket.
All the additional boost is running through an On3 Performance intercooler and forced into the engine through a Pusher Intake's intake horn.
After selling and seeing the performance from S & S Diesel Motorsports injectors, Myers decided to use their 65-percent over fuel injectors that are fed by a pair of ATS Diesel dual CP3 injection pumps. Keeping those fuelers fed is credited to a FASS 220 lift pump that forces fuel through a Beans Diesel fuel sump at the bottom of the fuel tank.
With the additional boost pressures from the larger turbo, it’s inevitable that the cylinder head will need reinforcements to stay planted. Knowing this, Myers had Wagler Competition O-rings installed in the cylinder head and replaced the factory head bolts with a set of ARP 625 New-Age head studs. With the extra clamping force, he can now make more boost pressure with the piece of mind that the head gasket will live.
Inside the cylinder head, the factory parts were replaced with Trend Performance billet bridges trunnions, ARP rocker studs, and Hamilton Cams 103 pound valve springs and HD pushrods. Unfortunately, you can’t see those pretty parts, but they are covered up by an even nicer Maryland Performance Diesel billet valve cover.
To match the wheels, he used black shaded parts or had parts painted to make everything click. Myers also represents his work across his back glass to let enquiring minds where to buy top of the line parts.
Keeping all of the tuning tables in order, Myers relies on EFILive with Fleece Performance/OZ Tuner tuning Myers truck also utilizes a Fleece Performance fuel filter delete block, shock tower deletes, and their coolant bypass.
As we’re listing off all of the heavy modifications to the truck, you’re probably wondering what type of transmission is backing this beast. Well, at one time, Myers rowed gears in a G56 manual trans until plans changed. Backing this monster is a Firepunk Diesel Comp 2 48RE automatic transmission with a Diesel Performance Converters triple disc torque converter. Mounted in the center of the cab is a B&M Pro Stealth ratchet shifter controlling the full manual valve body.
It’s not too uncommon to see this truck out on the drag strip even with pretty aggressive off-road tires.
Knowing he’s beginning to make some serious power, Myers relies on his Edge Products CTS2 monitor and ISSPRO gauges to keep an eye on all the temperatures in the engine and transmission. The gauges include boost pressure, pyrometer, transmission temperature, and fuel pressure gauges.
All of this power is comfortably riding on a set of Cooper Discovery STT’s that measure out to 33×12.5R20 tires wrapping four 20×12 Moto Metal wheels. Keeping the tires from rubbing, Myers installed a two-inch leveling kit and Bilstein 5100 shock absorbers. With the tire size and power level, Myers prevents axle wrap with a set of traction bars mounted underneath his Ram.
This completely custom ratchet housing and the mount was built in-house at Wagler Competition Products.
The Future Of Silver
Although he’s very happy with the power plant that is homed in the bay now, Myers has some future plans that will up the ante a big in the horsepower and torque departments. “I’m working on getting another engine together and I hope to have it finished up by the end of this summer,” said Myers. “The engine will contain a Wagler Competition Products products cylinder head and billet Wagler connecting rods.”
This 6.7-liter based engine will house a 5.9-liter crankshaft resulting in a displacement of 6.4-liters. The 6.4 will be powered with larger 200-percent over fuel injectors instead of the current 65-percent ones. “This set up should be able to support 1,000-1,100 horsepower safely,” Myers said. “I just want a fun street truck to play around with and occasionally race here at our track.”
The black and silver combination reflects a very aggressive look on Myers daily.
A very proud Myers is always willing to display his truck wherever he can. After doing almost all of the work to the truck himself and putting a scary, but unknown, amount of hours into the truck, he’s up to show it off anytime he can. “It’s far from perfect, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Myers. “I have learned a lot and had a lot of fun working on the truck. It’s helped me make new friendships and strengthen others.”
Myers stressed that a job like this can’t be done without a good support system. “Summer Shaw, my girlfriend, deserves credit for putting up with this mad obsession over the past six years,” said Myers. “All of those long nights in the garage keeping me company, I couldn’t have done it without her.”
Even though Myers doesn’t have the new engine in yet, he still likes to get it out make some runs here and there.
It was a pleasure meeting Austin and finally getting to see his work of art. We are excited to see what the future holds for him and the truck and look forward to seeing it out at shows in the near future. What are your thoughts on this build? Let us know in the comments below!
