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It doesn’t take long to spot the trucks that were built with one clear objective – go fast and do it the right way. Aaron West’s first-gen Dodge is one of those builds. What started as a simple search for a rust-free cab evolved into a carefully thought-out chassis swap paired with a proven, hard-running 5.9L Cummins combination that has already flirted with four-digit horsepower.
West’s introduction to diesel performance goes back more than two decades. “When I was a kid, maybe 12 or 13 years old, my dad’s buddy was big into diesels at the time,” West says. “It was probably like 2001 era, so his truck was a big deal. We used to go to Scheids back in the day when the event was still in Terre Haute. That’s where it started, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
That early exposure led to multiple diesel trucks over the years, including several second-gen Dodges. Eventually, West found himself with a first-gen five-speed truck that had seen better days. The cab was rough, the body was rusted and the project needed direction. Rather than patch together what was there, West decided to start fresh.
The turning point came when he located a clean 1990 two-wheel-drive gas truck cab in central Illinois. With just 60,000 miles on it and having spent time parked in a field, it was the perfect foundation.
“Originally, this whole thing started with me just looking for a cab,” West explains. “I already had some 12-valve parts stockpiled. I found this cab for a good deal and went from there.”
Once the cab was secured, the scope of the project expanded quickly. West knew he wanted the truck to be safe at speed, and that meant moving beyond the limitations of a stock first-gen chassis. Typical upgrades like coil springs and disc brake conversions were considered, but with a skilled fabricator friend in his corner, the decision was made to go all-in with a chassis swap.
The donor frame was shortened approximately 22.5”, with material removed from the middle of the frame to preserve key mounting points. Crossmembers were largely retained, shortened where necessary, and the transmission crossmember area required only minimal changes. Custom body mounts were fabricated throughout, and aside from selective body clearancing, the cab dropped into place with surprising ease. A driveshaft adjustment completed the major mechanical work, resulting in a package that is significantly safer and more stable than a factory first-gen layout.
With the chassis sorted, the focus turned to the heart of the build – the 5.9L Cummins engine under the hood.
Rather than starting from scratch, West sourced a complete engine from another competitor. The engine was originally built by a dirt drag racer out of Richland Center, WI. “He had a complete dirt drag setup,” West says. “I was price shopping building one myself and it turned out to be a pretty good deal. I pulled it, changed a couple things, mainly the turbo, and kept everything else the same.”
Internally, the engine remains largely as it was originally assembled, and for good reason. The bottom end is built around Callies shot-peened connecting rods, retaining factory pistons. The top end has been upgraded appropriately for high-horsepower use, with the expected supporting modifications – valve springs, pushrods and durability-focused machine work – to survive sustained boost and rpm.
Fuel delivery is handled by a straightforward but effective setup. The engine runs 300% over S&S Diesel Motorsport injectors fed by a 12mm CP3 pump. An AirDog system supports the supply side, ensuring consistent fuel delivery under load. It’s a combination that prioritizes reliability while still offering plenty of headroom for power.
On the air side, West made a significant change after acquiring the engine. The current setup uses a Forced Inductions 476/98 T6 turbocharger. By any measure, it’s a large single, chosen with top-end power in mind. “It’s a little on the big side,” he admits. “I’m actually contemplating switching it out right now, but it’s been fun.”
Exact boost numbers haven’t been the focus yet, as the truck is still in its early shakedown phase. West put the truck on the dyno once last season, primarily to verify systems and get a baseline. Even with limited tuning time, the results were impressive. The 5.9L put down just over 980 horsepower, with fuel delivery becoming the limiting factor. With additional tuning and refinement, the combination clearly has more left in it.
Beyond the obvious mechanical work, much of what makes this truck stand out is hidden from view. West invested significant time in cleaning up the wiring and electrical systems. A full wire tuck eliminates clutter in the engine bay, while a custom key-on wiring panel under the dash centralizes control. The ECM has also been relocated under the dash, further contributing to the truck’s clean presentation.
“That’s the stuff I get asked about a lot,” West says. “Most of the work is stuff you can’t see, but that’s where the time really goes.”
As it sits today, the truck is still on factory-style suspension, which West admits is not ideal for the power level. Suspension upgrades, race seats and additional safety equipment are next on the list. The plan is to ease into competition with some ET racing before stepping into a 7.70 index class.
For West, the project reflects years of diesel enthusiasm combined with a practical approach to performance. Proven components, smart fabrication choices and a willingness to do the work correctly have resulted in a first-gen Dodge that is far more than just another swapped truck in the pits.
With more seat time, tuning and chassis refinement ahead, Aaron West’s 5.9L Cummins-powered Dodge is clearly just getting started – and it’s already knocking on the door of four-digit horsepower with plenty of room to grow.