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A lot of diesel owners don’t realize just how much their turbo does until something goes wrong — and by then, it’s usually loud, smoky, and expensive. Whether you use your truck for towing, farm work, hauling equipment, or just everyday driving, your turbo is the heart of your power. And just like anything that works hard, it needs the right care to stay healthy.The good news is that making your turbo last a long time isn’t complicated. With a little maintenance, the right fluids, and a few smart habits, your turbo can run strong for hundreds of thousands of miles.Before we get into the details, if your truck has been feeling down on power, smoking, or acting sluggish, don’t guess — reach out.Contact Plowboy Diesel for a diagnosis or turbo recommendation:https://www.plowboydiesel.com/pages/contact-usWhether you’re in Illinois or anywhere across the U.S., we’re here to help keep your diesel running strong. 1....

If you drive a diesel truck used for towing, farming, heavy hauling, or even off-road adventures, suspension plays a huge role in ride quality, safety, and performance. Two of the most popular shock manufacturers in the diesel world are Bilstein and Fox Shocks. They both offer excellent performance, but they excel in different areas. This guide breaks down their strengths so you can choose what fits your build best.Thinking about upgrading your suspension?Contact Plowboy Diesel for recommendations:https://www.plowboydiesel.com/pages/contact-us What Makes Suspension Upgrades Important Factory shocks are built for general everyday driving. Once you tow heavy loads, haul equipment, or drive on rough terrain, stock suspension quickly shows its limits:- Sagging under load- Poor handling or sway- Harsh ride on rough roads or gravel- Reduced safety when towing- Faster wear on tires and suspension componentsUpgrading with high‑quality shocks improves ride comfort, safety, and long-term durability. 1. Bilstein — The Everyday Heavy‑Duty Workhorse...

When you rely on your diesel truck for towing, farming, work, or daily driving, a healthy fuel system is one of the most important factors in keeping it dependable. Unfortunately, many factory lift pumps struggle to keep up with modern fuel demands—especially on tuned or heavily worked trucks. That’s why one of the most valuable upgrades you can make is a lift pump upgrade.If you think your truck may already be showing signs of fuel system strain, don’t wait.Shop FASS & AirDog Fuel Systems:https://www.plowboydiesel.com/collections/fuel-systemsContact Plowboy Diesel for Recommendations:https://www.plowboydiesel.com/pages/contact-us 1. Hard Starts or Long Crank Times One of the earliest signs you need a lift pump upgrade is when your truck develops hard starts or takes a long time to crank. When a lift pump weakens, it cannot supply consistent fuel pressure, and the injection pump must work harder than it should.Common causes include:- Weakening factory lift pump- Air entering the...

Built Not Bought, Fixed Not Forgotten At Plowboy Diesel, wrenching on diesel trucks isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. Whether it’s a custom twin-turbo build for the show floor or tracking down a hard-to-find issue on a daily driver, our shop is where old-school work ethic meets next-level performance. We’ve seen it all. From trucks that limp into the shop coughing black smoke to ground-up builds that require every nut, bolt, and weld to be custom-fabbed. What ties every project together is the same goal: reliability, performance, and pride. The Daily Grind Not every truck that rolls into our shop is headed to SEMA—and that’s just fine by us. Some are bone-stock workhorses that need a new turbo, head gasket, or a full injection system overhaul. Others are weekend warriors with power goals and blown transmissions. We’ve rebuilt 12-valve Cummins motors from the crank up. We’ve tuned Duramax...

The original idea came from a late night in the shop as we were working on a 1993 Dodge First Gen. The hood was popped open and Jody jokingly said “I bet you could fit two of those engines under there” because they have so much extra space under the hood. We grabbed a tape measure and come to find out, there isn’t enough room. Knowing that our 1962 Dodge grain truck also had plenty of room under the hood, we went out to measure it and there was plenty of space. It was almost like when Dodge designed the Sweptline, they purposely left enough room for us to put two 12 valves under the hood. While building the truck, everything went pretty smooth. It is in no way shape or form road worthy, but it sure is fun. Coming from a small town of 300, when we got invited...