[00:12] >> It does. >> What problems do you have? Horsepower and torque. >> Yep.
[00:29] in this thing. >> It's nice for an old truck. You don't >> No, don't hear any rattles at all. You forget this is not an old truck. Right. forget this is not an old truck. Right. It's a brand new truck.
[00:46] Well, nothing fell off. >> [laughter] It really pulls. It really pulls.
[01:00] >> Welcome to another episode of Jay Leno's Garage. The car we're featuring today, Garage. The car we're featuring today, 1991 Dodge W250. This is an alternative fuel vehicle. That alternative fuel is diesel. No electricity, no hybrid, and
[01:14] I'd eat wheat grass and kale chips in this thing. This is a a man's truck. We can still say that nowadays, right? It's a man's truck. Women can drive it, too, but it's basically a man's truck. Yeah. Uh it was built for a buddy of mine. Uh
[01:27] well, let's bring Tim. Tim Stevens. Tim, come in. You've seen his YouTube show on kinds of great builds. Good to see you. Thanks. >> Now, this was built for our friend uh Joker, who was here with the Royal
[01:39] Bobcat Pontiac GTO and W250. >> the red one, yep. >> Yeah, yeah. So, this is this is his kind of truck. Wooden ships, iron men, those gone. That's what this thing is. You drive this out in LA, and people will be
[01:51] falling down. Yeah, it's just hilarious. Now, it looks stock, which is the idea, very stock. >> And this left the factory with with a diesel engine. It still have a diesel, but it was 5.9 L?
[02:05] motor. >> Legendary motor. It left the factory with 160 horsepower and 400 lbs of torque, which back in that day was >> Yes. >> And what is it now?
[02:19] >> And what is it now? >> Right now it's 660 horsepower and 1,562 >> So, that would be shattering neighboring planets as well, not just the earth.
[02:31] >> 1560. >> I don't even know how you measure that. >> A dyno, yes. So, we had to strap it down to a dyno and >> Yeah, you know, it's it's a lot of fun to see, you know, they the Ford just
[02:43] stopped the F-150 Lightning. And that was an excellent truck, unless you were >> It really would. But, if you lived in that around LA I and I drove one for a while. I thought it was a fantastic vehicle. I mean, certainly more
[02:56] >> Right. >> being six bucks a gallon just about in >> Yeah. >> And the difference here is the You know, I've driven new trucks and they are great, but the experience and
[03:09] living in the moment of driving something like this, you just can't beat >> Well, you know, truck people are so conservative. You know, when Ford did the electric Lightning, they had the manly door handles and then, you know,
[03:22] push buttons and it wasn't all touch screens. They wanted to keep it as truck screens. They wanted to keep it as truck as possible with using electricity. But, this is the real thing and, you know, there was a time, I think it is in the
[03:34] there was a time, I think it is in the mid-80s when there was a 5% tax on any vehicle over 30 over $30,000, considered a luxury tax. But, it wasn't on trucks. So, the manufacturers thought, "Why don't we take that 5% instead of giving
[03:48] luxury truck, so people will buy us you >> Yeah. >> or I get a lot more truck for the same Blackwood, you had all these trucks that suddenly had electric windows and
[04:01] automatic transmission. >> radio, ooh, a radio, excuse [laughter] >> Air conditioning, yeah. >> Yeah, but this harkens back to days when this was a work vehicle. You bought this for one purpose, not to take the kids to
[04:14] soccer practice, not to do any of those things, just to do your work whether it was construction or hunting or plumbing or whatever it might be. So, yeah, it it you've done with it keeping it looking totally stock. What What are the brakes?
[04:28] >> So, that's you know, we have a lot of power and a lot of torque and it can do truck like that, especially with a trailer that's loaded. So, I upgraded the front brakes from a an 11-in rotor to a 13-in rotor and a dual piston
[04:43] caliper. And then factory these had drums in the rear and I actually actually brought a newer axle in that has factory 11-in rotors in the in the they carbon fiber? >> They're steel, steel rotors, yeah.
[04:55] >> Now, are they aftermarket or are they like from a Corvette or something in >> They're OEM from a newer Dodge, from like a 2013 Dodge. >> Exactly. >> Oh, very nice. Okay, cool. And of course
[05:07] you've lifted it quite a bit. >> It's lifted a few inches. The goal was to have it be reliable, powerful, and comfortable. So, I redid the front suspension. It's a coil over three-link setup, rides much better. I lengthened
[05:20] the rear springs so they ride softer and >> And you have to step into it. No that. we'll see >> thing that comes down, the floorboard >> Yeah. >> This is truck a man steps up into.
[05:35] That's right. It's just got a great feel to it, a great vintage look, but it's It's really nice, very nicely done. And what is the transmission? >> So, the transmission is a G56 six-speed,
[05:47] which is a Mercedes transmission that they put in all the newer Dodges. >> New Yep. >> Yeah, new venture. Cuz I have that Merlin at 27 meter Merlin aircraft. We
[06:00] in that. Because every other transmission is breaking under the 1760 >> Yeah. Thank you for not doing the automatic. I thought, oh, maybe you'll make a concession. No, no, this is no the no weak grass, none of that in this
[06:14] truck. It's not as fast as the automatic, but every gear hits nice and >> Yeah, yeah, that's right. You You get to experience each gear. >> And it's got a transfer case for four-wheel drive, and I put twin sticks
[06:27] on it, so you can be in two low or two high or four low or four high, whatever you want. And it's got an exhaust brake for towing, airbags that you can control >> Can you raise it and lower it from in the vehicle? Or is it
[06:40] >> Oh, I see. >> So we can Oh, we do have to have the key >> Okay. >> But
[06:54] >> Then it comes up. >> There we go. >> And where does it ride nicer on the freeway? High, low, or middle? >> No, I if I'm not hauling anything, I keep them pretty much empty. So it's
[07:06] just the springs. >> But I mean, is it you're just driving? >> Just driving, it's this height. >> So that's what? >> Yeah. The airbags really they'll change
[07:20] for when you have a load, so you're absorbing the load a little bit bit better. >> Yeah, I can't wait to drive this thing. >> Eight-foot bed. Yeah, full sheet of plywood is what they say.
[07:33] >> Now, was Dodge like Ford 150 was smaller, 250 was bigger, 350? >> Okay, so So The is at the middle range or the top of the >> That's the middle range. So, they did have a 350. Yeah.
[07:46] >> And the And the wheels are stock? >> No. No, the wheels are slot mags uh from US mags and uh really wanted the look of the slot mag cuz Joker that uh you know, where I worked on this for, he's got that GTO that has slot mags. So, he
[08:01] wanted that look and I didn't want to use steel slot mags and I think this really accomplished the look we wanted. >> Does he use this to tow the GTO to meets >> That is the goal. Yeah. Tow an enclosed gooseneck trailer with the GTO in it to
[08:14] >> And how many gallon gas tank on this? >> Yeah. >> So, that's probably a 500 mile range, >> It's very close to 500. I haven't got enough mileage on it to know the fuel
[08:28] mileage, but I'm estimating it somewhere between 17 and 20. >> No. We don't ask those questions. Yeah. >> questions. >> Uh you know, I love a chrome bumper on a truck. You know, it's just it's classic
[08:40] >> Exactly. Yep. Dodge's were We struggle in the Dodge community compared to square bodies and Fords. We don't have great aftermarket options. So, >> I really worked with the guys that are trying to help this community out. Like
[08:53] the grill, they're notorious for cracking. The aftermarket's horrible, but we have a a guy who found the original mold and worked with Mopar to remold the original grill and he reinforced where it normally cracks,
[09:06] which is right here between the D and the G. And uh it's beautiful. >> Let's open the hood. >> Okay.
[09:18] what I wanted it to be, very clean and simple. >> Oh, you got the Banks. >> Banks Banks twin ram intake. >> He's a good guy. >> He's been doing it for a long time and
[09:33] boy, he knows his diesels. Just amazing. Turbocharger. >> Two, yep. >> Okay. >> Then I upgraded the brakes and steering to hydro boost. So again, like people
[09:45] love these trucks for the power, but I'm more concerned about safety, stopping, and steering. And so this this rides and drives very well. one and then the other kicks in, or are they both running the both?
[09:58] other one. >> Oh, I see. Okay. Okay. So that gets rid >> It does get rid of lag. It it improves the range of RPM that you have usable boost in, which is boost is fueling and power. So yeah.
[10:14] or no? >> Stock radiator, upgraded inner cooler. >> Uh-huh. I I partnered with a couple friends in Texas who actually built the motor and they it's a fairly stock bottom end, but they put a cam in it and
[10:28] but the other thing I wanted to accomplish was a clean burning, you know, I don't I don't like to drive these trucks and be >> Right, right. You're not rolling coal. >> Right. And so even with the numbers
[10:42] clean. >> Yeah, that's right. It's a beautiful >> Stock That's not a stock brake booster. I'm not sure what that booster's off of, but it's a factory Dodge booster, yeah.
[10:55] >> So you kept all Dodge where you could. >> Yeah. For example, to keep the engine cool with these high horsepower and torque numbers, we used a newer inner cooler from a newer truck. But the newer trucks have really tall inner coolers,
[11:07] so I had a buddy actually cut it down and make it shorter, but it's nice and really well. >> And we run Optima batteries. These are great. I've got I've got I've had one my Duesenberg, been in there since 2010.
[11:22] >> Yeah. Yeah, the real trick to these kind of batteries is get a really good battery charger. You know, you go to a Target or something and you buy a Chinese battery charger and they will usually wind up boiling the battery. You
[11:35] >> Right. >> Uh oh, yeah, very nice. Very nice film. >> Okay. >> Clutch hydraulics. You can see yeah, the the factory towers for the coil or the These are not factory. That didn't come
[11:50] >> nice. >> But again, wanted to keep it looking pretty stock if I could. >> And just power steering is down below this thing, don't you? >> Yeah, luckily I'm tall, but I still use
[12:04] a step ladder, yeah. >> And you know, it's just done exactly. It's not too much. It's not It's a show truck without being a show truck. >> You know, I I like that. I like the sort of underplayed just When you do quality
[12:17] know, because it There's something about the stance and the way everything fits here. And all your shunt lines are way all here. You don't have big gaps. the bottom. So, you think, "Oh, is that a show truck?" But no, it's basically a
[12:32] properly. >> that yeah, it's so well done. piece of work. Very nice. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Close this one is a job.
[12:47] Well, let's see. Anything else we missed >> Um I'm trying to think. >> Let's see. Gas door right here. at that. >> Yeah, it's been locked up since they're
[13:01] >> Oh, is that what it is? >> Yep. spin? >> Yeah, let's do it. >> Yeah, let's do it. >> it.
[13:16] >> Kind of a step up. >> Yeah, kind of a step up. transmission. >> Yeah.
[13:31] Am I clearing that area? >> Yeah, you're good.
[14:10] >> Okay. Well, we'll have to get by with that for a minute. >> Yeah. And these old trucks, you couldn't tune they have the electronics to hook it up, so
[14:30] >> I like the manual transmission. >> Yeah, you can you can feel everything. to tow that gooseneck trailer all over the country with a GTO in it, and the
[14:42] the country with a GTO in it, and the manual transmission was the way to go. >> And now I'm in third. >> Now you're in third, yep.
[14:58] >> Yeah, it's nice. The goal with the interior was keep it very original. Like just dashes did the dash. >> Yeah, just dashes, and boy, they they can match any American dashboard. It's fantastic.
[15:11] >> they they reinforce stuff. It just it's >> I mean, you know, you go to junkyards one crack in it. You go there and they make you you it's brand new. And it's >> Yep. >> We kept the bench seat, but had some
[15:26] lumbar support added and reupholstered and keep it classic. But, it does have digital gauges. It's got a vintage air HVAC system. >> Now, is this satellite speedometer? >> No, it's actually mechanical. They have
[15:40] >> What have we got here? Fuel pressure? What is that? trailer brake controller. It's actually a tuner from Power Driven Diesel. So, it modulates how much air goes to the AFC on the injection pump.
[15:53] >> So, this switch that we're in a tow tune right now, which is 430 horsepower, 1,200 ft lbs of torque. Flip that switch and we're at 660 with almost 1,600 ft >> This is trailer brake controller, so and then your screen's right there.
[16:20] >> Yeah. >> that's nice. >> Yep. >> I used to love those old Dodge Power '50s.
[16:34] >> Oh, yeah. And they're Lots of people are redoing those now with Cummins in them and there's crew cabs. >> was like 40 mph or something. It wasn't I think it might have still been flatheads.
[16:46] >> Yeah, I think you're right. Yep. Yeah, the Holden Bros Diesel, they built the motor. They're two brothers out in Texas. Just kind of homegrown guys, but >> Yeah. >> Sit up nice and high, see everything.
[16:59] >> Tell me about the suspension. >> So, you can feel it right, you know, they call them a covered wagon. Just really rough cuz the leaf spring >> it bad. >> Yeah, I'm the same way. I don't mind it.
[17:13] But, this rides quite nice for an old truck with that three-link front suspension and then the rear springs they're still leaf springs but I used 10-in longer springs so they obviously have better
[17:27] spring rating and and absorb the shock better. actually load it up we can we can keep actually load it up we can we can keep the truck sitting up with the airbags.
[17:45] >> Brakes nice, very nicely. Yeah. >> I'm just fishing for compliments. >> No, no it's very good. It feels like it's a billet truck. It feels like it's a one piece.
[18:11] mid 6000s. >> Oh, it is? It is that heavy. showroom floor I think they're rated to tow like 11,000 lb but that. >> What does that engine weigh about 400
[18:26] >> These weigh quite a bit more than that, probably 800. >> It's all cast iron, isn't >> Yep, exactly. Cast block. >> But you could do a road test a road trip in this thing. It's very comfortable.
[18:40] That I have a truck just like this and this is my favorite road trip vehicle. >> Yeah. And like I said, it's the experience. And like I said, it's the experience. It's it just has a fun feel to it.
[18:55] >> So I love it, you know, people think California traffic as soon as you get off those stupid main roads you don't see another car. I mean look at this. point. >> Yeah, that's true.
[19:07] >> You're in LA. Look, do you see anything? No.
[19:44] >> Yeah. >> Except you blow tires. You don't blow >> It's nice for an old truck. You don't hear any rattles, right? >> hear any rattles at all. You forget this is not an old truck.
[19:57] >> Right. >> It's a brand new truck. >> Yeah, pretty Yeah, it really is. >> I mean, it handles really nicely. Power steering is just perfect.
[20:12] >> Let me know if you want full power. >> Let's try full power. >> Okay, okay, here we go. It might be a little more smokey, obviously, but Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[20:29] >> Oh, she's a little >> But it's noticeable, the difference.
[20:44] It really pulls. Oh, it really pulls. >> Oh, man. >> What are you We're on two-wheel drive got >> it's too high, so we could go to two
[20:57] low, or technically we have 12 gears, right? We have 12 gears, yeah. We shift to high, and What's nice though is when you hook two trailer in reverse, it's nice to put it in two low.
[21:10] >> It just makes backing a trailer so much easier. could do? >> Oh, I think it probably do a lot more,
[21:24] >> to be lighter, it's got more horsepower, it's got more torque, I mean That that's the goal. It doesn't have air conditioned seats. >> No, but you pretty have air conditioning, that's it.
[21:39] Now, was Joker driving this as the regular standard truck and then you >> Exactly, yeah. And it was in really, really good condition when he was driving it. But he had he had an accident, Tesla
[21:54] stopped in front of him and he rear-ended it, and so >> Yeah, this is the first time and uh
[22:09] >> I mean, if I came to you with one of these trucks in reasonably good shape, condition? >> Um well into the six figures. >> 150 probably. >> Yeah.
[22:23] >> And now I'm very particular about my time cuz I want to be with my kids and stuff, so I'd probably charge more. >> But I imagine most guys would want to do >> Yeah. >> Paint and body work, it's a truck, so
[22:36] you don't really care. I mean, this one is, you know, it's it's going to be a And that's my goal with the ones I'm building here in the next little bit is I found trucks that are rust-free, great original paint. We just
[22:50] the exhaust brake yet. >> All right. >> Right here. >> Pull it up. >> Just for the yeah. But if you're going down a grade
[23:05] it keeps the brakes nice and cool. >> Yeah, you get used to this real fast. >> Yeah. And there's just no lag in the turbos. And there's just no lag in the turbos. They hit right away.
[23:41] >> Well, nothing fell off. >> [laughter]
[24:05] problems. I mean, it just Yeah. What problems you have? Horsepower and >> Yep. I love torque. I'm much more of a torque >> That's what I you know, that's why I always say horsepower sells cars, torque
[24:18] >> I wasn't alive during the muscle car era, but weren't muscle cars all about torque? >> Yeah, pretty much. They didn't stop or go around corners, but you know, I got a '66 Hemi Coronet with
[24:30] the 426, first year. Solid lifters, no power brake, no power were and when I got it, I keep my foot in it, off and then it would immediately shift the car.
[24:44] here? So, I call up a Hemi guy, you know, I go, you know, I got this thing, it's not shifting. He goes, "What are you shifting at?" It sounds high, but I got to admit I'm not looking at the tach cuz
[24:57] I'm going pretty fast. He goes, "Just keep your foot in it. Don't don't shift your foot in it. So, I keep my foot in it. And I look at the tach, I see 7,200 And then it hits second gear and it
[25:10] locks up. I said, "Oh my god, this I mean, it's really modern car fast, but it's just I mean, you're on the brakes with both feet. You're just pushing as hard as you can to stop those
[25:24] >> drums. Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> And the power steering, oh my god. Trying to parallel park it with that that big hemi lump hanging over the Oh, yeah, but it's but it's a lot of fun.
[25:37] That was the issue with these these older diesel trucks with stopping them. >> Yeah. >> Just very under underwhelming with brakes. >> You didn't stop as much as
[25:50] progress, that's a good way to put it. Hopefully the cars in front of >> Hey, if you'd like to see more of Tim's work, it's Decent Garage, right on >> Yep, Decent Garage on YouTube. >> you've been doing the show?
[26:04] >> Oh, great, great. How often do you put up new video? >> Oh, that's great. >> So, yeah. And I build a lot trucks. This finished, but >> Any hot rod stuff or just trucks?
[26:18] >> Mainly just trucks. Um I tell people I'm illiterate when it comes to gasoline engines, so mainly diesels, but putting them in older trucks. But I do want to learn gasoline engines.
[26:32] for you. >> And I'm self-taught. I just learned all >> Well, you're a smart guy. I know you got a PhD, right? a PhD, right? >> Got a PhD, yeah.
[26:47] >> Yeah, yeah. And that's what thrills parents. They you're a doctor. Yeah, I'm going to build trucks now. >> Yep.
[27:01] appreciate it. If you want to see more of Tim's work, go to Decent Garage. It's on YouTube, easy enough to find. And thanks for bringing something different but we don't do that many trucks and it's I always like this big coming
[27:14] time. >> see you guys next week. Keep on >> see you guys next week. Keep on trucking.