Twin Diesel Builds: From a 700-HP Rat Rod to Ram's New Power Wagon
A father-son rat rod packs a built 12-valve Cummins, while Ram finally offers a Cummins in the 2500 Power Wagon.
700-HP 12-Valve Cummins Powers 1939 Chevy Rat Rod
Tony Salokas and his father, Anthony, built a 1939 Chevy rat rod around a rebuilt 12-valve Cummins that produces 700 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The engine, sourced from a Facebook Marketplace find in Connecticut, was rebuilt by Miller's Machine Shop in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. It uses a Forced Inductions S472 turbocharger, a Steed Speed intake manifold, 5x.016 injectors from Haley Speed Innovations, a Farrell Diesel Service 160-horsepower injection pump, and an Industrial Injection 188/220 camshaft. The truck has been driven more than 15,000 miles since completion.
Ford Super Duty Running Gear Handles the Torque
To manage the rat rod's four-digit torque, Salokas installed a Ford Super Duty 4R100 automatic transmission built to Stage 4 specifications by Sam Wyse. A Ford NP273 transfer case sends power to axles from a 2006 Ford Super Duty: a Dana 60 front and a 10.25-inch rear with an Eaton Detroit Truetrac, both with 3.73 gears. The truck also uses a Super Duty steering box, sway bar, and track bar, with custom DOM control arms built by Phil Buonforte and Fox 2.5 coilovers up front.
1949 Ford F6 Frame and Handbuilt Details
The rat rod rides on a heavily modified 1949 Ford F6 frame with Z- and C-notch mods, three-link front and four-link rear suspension, and QA1 coilovers in the rear. The body combines a 1939 Chevy cab with a shortened 1940 bed. Handcrafted touches include a rototiller depth handle used as a cup holder, road-sign floor coverings, and removable brass knuckles on the parking brake handle. The wood bed floor was crafted by John Kessler.
2027 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Finally Gets a Cummins
Ram has opened orders for the 2027 Ram 2500 Power Wagon with the 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output I6 turbo diesel, a combination buyers have requested for years. The engine produces 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Pricing starts at $89,560 including destination, with deliveries beginning in the third quarter of 2026. This is the first time the Power Wagon has been offered with a diesel since the model's reintroduction.
Power Wagon Keeps Off-Road Hardware, Boosts Towing to 19,630 Pounds
The diesel Power Wagon retains the signature off-road equipment: electronic locking front and rear differentials, disconnecting front sway bar, Bilstein monotube shocks, Mopar rock rails, and skid plates for the DEF tank, fuel tank, and transfer case. It rides on solid axles (9.25-inch front, 11.5-inch rear) and 34-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. Towing capacity jumps to 19,630 pounds, with a 2,930-pound payload rating. Fifth-wheel and gooseneck prep is also available.
Cummins Power Wagon Trim Details
The Cummins Power Wagon comes standard with a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, trailer brake controller, and safety features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Level 1 Equipment Group adds Bristol leather, memory seats, and a 9-speaker Alpine stereo; Level 2 upgrades to Natura Plus leather, a 14.5-inch screen, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon system. Towing Technology Packages add 360-degree cameras and trailer reverse steering control.
