A Monster Third-Gen Dodge Ram 2500

Our obsession with high-horsepower trucks continues into another year, another issue, and another sick set (at least we’re consistent, right?) with this white third-gen Dodge Ram 2500 from Henderson, Nevada. Owned by Justin Massaro, this 1500 hp 6.7L is an absolute monster while remaining extremely clean and tastefully done. At first glance, you think it’s just your regular everyday street truck, and then your eyes catch the hood dump for the turbo, the traction bars, and the rearend. It’s at that point you realize this thing may be a little rowdy.

Popping the hood reveals quite the engine bay! Built by Frank Davis at FrankBUILT Performance in Las Vegas, the black and blue “Bean Machine” hosts a compound 76 mm/106 mm VSR turbo setup that reliably makes 1,500 hp/2,000 lb-ft of torque on fuel alone, with 2,000+ hp on tap thanks to nitrous. To ensure the Bean Machine stays together, they threw on Wagler Street Performance connecting rods, 14 mm mains, a Hamilton 188/220 camshaft, an FBP ported head, Manton billet valve bridges, valve springs, retainers, and pushrods just to name a few.

During our shoot right behind the Las Vegas Strip after SEMA, we found the motor was just so easy to shoot. There are a handful of custom brackets and clever relocations where Justin went the extra step to powder and perfect. Here at Diesel World, we can never overstate how nice and motivating it is to see immaculate engine bays. The transmission got its overhaul by FrankBUILT as well; a FBP 48RE with a Randy’s quad disc converter, billet internals, GPZ clutches, TCS billet direct drum, and a Muldoon’s FMVB (full manual valve body) make sure nothing explodes and the power is put down without slips or problems.

Now, this isn’t Justin’s first rodeo, as he first got into trucks with 12Vs  and eventually found himself becoming addicted to high power trucks with big turbos. And surprisingly enough, this same truck used to be lifted before it got lowered with Coil Spring Specialties components, Bilstein 5100 shocks in front , and Viking Racing shocks at  the rear. In its current state, the truck is sitting on 22×12 American Force CKH48 wheels wrapped in Nitto 555 R2 tires. .

Because of the various iterations the truck has seen, there were a few hiccups during the build process for the big turbo setup, namely backorders for swapping scores of parts, cracking a block, and going through three different transmissions—all things that none of us expect but end up dealing with sometimes. Every once in a while the process goes smoothly, but 99% of the time it doesn’t. Justin said they solved those problems with more money and a trustworthy mechanic. So often we hear horror stories from good folks who get taken advantage of or run through the ringer due to questionable business practices. As a community, we cannot appreciate people like FrankBUILT enough. Builders like him are what keep this scene running—literally. And Frank did a number on this one. This truck absolutely screams.

The interior has been swapped to fourth-gen Laramie seats, and there is an extra Auto Meter gauge for necessary info, but our favorite piece of the interior has to be the shifter plate that allows the shifter to be one with the center console. As utilitarian as these shifters are, they’re an eyesore. Typically, you see a metal pole sticking straight up out of the floor of the cab, and the shifter rests on top—function over form, for sure. With this setup, however, you can retain your center console and your cup holders while still being able to bang gears like the Cleetus McFarland you are deep down.

“A full manual valve body allows the driver to select the gear, no matter what type of transmission it is installed in.”

Justin plans on doing a few small cosmetic updates here and there in the near future, but right now he is simply enjoying the truck. Catch this Dodge at a handful of events on the West Coast this year!

 

2008 Dodge Ram 2500

Owner: Justin Massaro Henderson, NV

Engine:

• 2008 I6 6.7L Cummins
• Wagler Street Fighter connecting rods
• Factory pistons and rings
• 14mm mains
• Hamilton Cams 188/220 camshaft
• FBP ported head
• Manton billet valve bridges
• Manton valve springs
• Manton retainers
• Manton pushrods
• Hamilton tappets
• Billet freeze plugs
• King Speed Intake Manifold
• DDP 200% Exergy 14mm CP3
• Mishimoto intercooler
• FASS 290 GPH

Transmission:

• FBP 48RE
• Randy’s quad disc converter 2400-2600 high stall
• Billet internals
• Muldoon’s FMVB
• GPZ clutches
• TCS billet direct drum
• TCS Super Servo
• Sonax 35-spline input, 29-spline output
• B&M shifter
• Mishimoto transmission cooler
• 1410 U-joint
• Custom single-piece driveshaft