Robert Evans has been around Cummins-powered vehicles for most of his adult life. He's owned two 5.9L Dodge Ram pickups and operated a third Cummins-powered vehicle for his employer--the United States Army. Though Robert's Cummins-powered company vehicle had slightly less horsepower than the truck pictured here, it's still a good bit meaner. You see, Sergeant Robert Evans' other diesel-powered ride was an M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and part of the Alpha Company 115th Infantry Battalion. Robert served two tours of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On May 31st, 2007 Sergeant Robert Evans was performing a routine security patrol in Iraq when his Bradley fighting vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion went off above and behind his head just as he reached up to radio his commanding officer. Robert's right arm was struck by shrapnel just below the wrist, causing massive damage to his right hand. The explosion came from two rounds of artillery that had been rigged to a remote detonation device (most likely a cell phone or garage door opener). Immediately following the incident, Robert underwent surgery to clean out the wound in a hospital in Baghdad. He was then transported to a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where he underwent three more surgeries in four days. The amputation of Robert's right hand was completed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Robert spent about six months in the District of Columbia recovering from surgery and going through rehabilitation. The rehabilitation process was rigorous, and because Robert was previously right-handed, he had to learn to write and perform other everyday functions with his left hand.
Common-Rail Rehabilitation
Robert purchased his first Cummins-powered Dodge in January 2006 before serving his country for a second tour in Iraq. His first truck was equipped with a six-speed manual, but after losing his right hand, shifting became quite difficult. So Robert traded in the six-speed truck for an '04 Dodge Ram with a four-speed automatic. As an amputee, Robert realized his life would be much different, and many of the recreational activities he used to enjoy would be very challenging. Robert decided that diesel performance would become his motorsport of choice.
While home on leave from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Robert took possession of his new truck and immediately drove it from Reno, Nevada, to Industrial Injection in Salt Lake City, Utah, for some modifications. Brady Williams at Industrial put together an injection and turbo package consisting of dual CP3 injection pumps, Dragon Flow injectors, and a set of Towing Twin turbochargers.
To electronically control the fueling, Mike Doss at Dr. Performance put together a custom tune specifically for Robert's setup. While the truck was at Industrial, the transmission was replaced with a built HTS automatic that features a Sun Coast torque converter, and billet input, intermediate, and output shafts. After completing his rehabilitation in Washington, D.C., Robert picked up the Dodge from Industrial Injection and took it for a testdrive.
 This 6-inch Superlift suspension...  This 6-inch Superlift suspension lift was originally installed on Robert's six-speed Dodge. While Robert was still in the hospital in Washington, D.C., the staff at D&D Tire donated their time to swap the lift from the old truck to the new one. |  For everyday driving, Robert...  For everyday driving, Robert runs 37-inch Pro Comp tires, but when competing, he switches them with a set of 33-inch Nitto Terra Grapplers. With the inner fender removed, it gives spectators a great view of the polished Industrial Injection Race Twin turbochargers. |  Joe Nyrehn from Elko Muffler...  Joe Nyrehn from Elko Muffler built the single 5-inch stack exhaust system complete with a 5-inch Pro Flow muffler. |