Pickup trucks are one of the most versatile vehicles you can own. They can be anything from a work truck with specialized utility beds, to limousines, monster trucks, drag vehicles, or even daily commuter. Well, you get the point. We at Diesel Power have the privilege of seeing some of the most diverse and radical trucks out there.
Richard Haltom, the owner of this black 2004 F-250, is usually talking about other people's trucks and what's going on in the diesel industry, rather than his own masterpiece. He doesn't really mention his ride unless you ask him.
Richard's rig is one of the few show trucks that can trace its' roots all the way back to the job site. When Haltom first purchased the truck, he was going from job site to job site with a full crew of people. Over the next couple years, Richard added little things like a radio, and wheels and tires, but it wasn't until he got his company truck that he began turning it into a work of art.
Over the course of several years, Richard has continuously been upgrading his truck, and even though this truck is already pretty tricked out, we're sure the next time we see him there will be things that have changed. Even as we write this, there is talk of upgrading the interior and adding even more power under the hood.
One of the first things we noticed about his truck is its stance. Today, you don't see a whole lot of lowered Super Duty's. Richard, having had a lot of experience in the past with lowering projects, didn't like the stock height and wanted to change it. As any good fabricator does in a time of need (and because there were no kits available at the time) he started taking measurements and came up with a custom 3-inch front drop. Then he removed one leaf spring in the rear to help level everything out. The truck still rides soft, thanks to the KYB Monomax shocks.
The longer we stared at the truck, we began to notice even more subtle details. The front end has been updated with a Harley-Davidson grille, 2005 model head lights and front bumper, which was painted by DC Customs. The Reflexxion steel cowl induction hood plays nicely off the 3D Carbon vents on the front fenders. Richard also installed N-Fab Harley Bars along the bottom of the door, and color matching Excursion door handles. The bed is covered by a SnugTop hard cover, and in the rear of the, Haltom shaved the tailgate handle and emblems, and added a Sir Michaels roll pan. Then he added Recon smoked LED tail lights.
One of the most noticeable details is the big blue oval badge with a Cummins logo on the front, which only further spikes bystander-interest in the truck. Under the hood, a 5.9L common-rail sits, thanks to a set of DeStroked motor mounts. And, with the custom overflow tank and dual battery setup built by Hellmann Performance, there is plenty of room under the hood as well. Hellmann also built the custom valve cover, oil cap, and radiator cover.
 After four years of hard work,...  After four years of hard work, Richard has created a Cummins-powered Super Duty that's a rolling work of art. |  The common-rail's power output...  The common-rail's power output is estimated at 750 hp and 1,500 lb-ft courtesy of a Hellmann Performance intercooler, ARP head studs, MaxSpool II cam, Dynomite Diesel 90hp injectors, and an MP8/Smarty programming combo. Also notice the dual battery setup and custom degas bottle, which makes for a clean look with plenty of room for the twins. |  The Panther Juice 8 (22x9.5)...  The Panther Juice 8 (22x9.5) wheels wrapped in 305/40 R22 Kumho Ecstas fit nicely under the wheelwells. But Richard didn't just build a good looking truck, he paid attention to the safety of the truck as well. The CHP slotted brake rotors help slow down all 7,600 pounds of this beast. |