A week with Jeff Garmon’s personal truck

[mcdaniel1]

It all started on “shop day” at Jeff’s a couple of weeks ago. We started talking transmissions and such. To make a long story short, while Jeff installed a Garmon built Suncoast transmission in my 12 valve, I had the pleasure of driving his personal truck for a few days. That is one fine pickup. Quick as all-get-out. Very fun to drive. It is one of those trucks that would get a fella in some serious trouble if he didn’t watch it.



I have to say a big thank you to Jeff for the professional job he did on my transmission and for unbelievably loaning me his truck for transportation while he worked on mine.



I have about 150 miles on my new transmission, so far so good. It has really changed the whole personality of the truck.



Now for a little of that Garmon tuning... ... OOOOOOOEEEEEEEEE

 

[DavidTD]

Don't really know how I found this NOW... :-laf



But you are a better man than I. If I kept that truck for a week, I'd be in jail. Just too much fun to drive.

 

[mcdaniel1]

It was a lot of fun. It scared me several times. The first day I had it, it rained. Wet streets... . I had to pull over.



I have a couple of highschool age boys and their friends are still asking me about that truck. A legend was born that week.



Kind of makes a fella want to find a reason to have Jeff do some more work so he can borrow the truck again.



It was a treat. Thanks again Jeff.

 

[RacinDuallie]

Sounds like Jeff had that planned all along:-laf :-laf - yeah like taking candy from a baby- that'll happen right?

 

[Graphic man]

Thats great marketing !!!! :-laf

 

[Buddy's Ram]

David; Have you dynoed Jeff's truck? Just curious as to what mods/ power level make a really slick daily driver.

 

[mcdaniel1]

His truck has a sticker on the side of it that says... .



500+ HP Dyno Certified

 

[DavidTD]

David; Have you dynoed Jeff's truck? Just curious as to what mods/ power level make a really slick daily driver.

I have dyno'd it many times. Problem is, this truck is constantly changing set-ups because he uses it to test out street truck stuff. I think when McDaniel had it the truck was in the 450 range.



But, smiles are not generated by HP alone. What makes one really fun as a daily driver is response. I believe when he loaned it out, it had a HX35-14 turbo, a set of Jeff's injectors, and a set of 4k springs and Jeff's AFC mods.



The most it has every dyno'd was about 550 with a turbo he was testing.



The truck has just under 300k on it, and Jeff did pull the head a short while ago to o-ring it. Other than that it is just a worn out old motor/truck. :-laf

 

[Morse]

David, what kind of 60ft times have you been getting out of that truck? The tires look to be around a 28x12. 50, though I'm just guessing? I've got to get slicks for my truck, and tomorrow we get 25% off through MT. . Just wondering what size works on 2wd trucks...

 

[DavidTD]

David, what kind of 60ft times have you been getting out of that truck? The tires look to be around a 28x12. 50, though I'm just guessing? I've got to get slicks for my truck, and tomorrow we get 25% off through MT. . Just wondering what size works on 2wd trucks...

Which truck, his daily driver or the Pro Street Truck.

 

[Morse]

His street truck. .

 

[mcdaniel1]

David:

You hit the nail on the head. If that truck was "only" at 450 when I had it... well that is impressive. It has to be the most reponsive diesel pickup I have ever driven.



Since that day I have had Jeff do a little of his magic on my truck. I told him tune it like his white truck. Now mine is basically the same except for injectors.



My truck probably gives up 1500 pounds (at least) to his so that would explain the lower response off the line that mine has. His is a reg-cab two wheel drive with steet tires. Lowered with at least 5 foot ladder bars... about as light as one gets without cutting. Mine is a QC 4x4 complete with tool box (heavy) running 35 inch tires. It runs good and there are definetly more smiles per mile. One of these days I will catch up with you and dyno. Would love to see for sure what Jeff has done to me.



One day I will build a street only toy like that truck. A light truck sure does make a "puny" 450 horses seem like a whole lot more.



That is one fun ride... .

 

[DavidTD]

Morse, I think Jeff was running 1. 9's on the high 12. I honestly don't remember what tires were on it but they were cheaters I know.



McDaniel - He said it was at 452 when you had it. You are correct, weight kills the fun/factor per dollar quickly. My 2500 4x4 QC needs 550hp to get 12. 80's with a 1. 8 sixty foot on 33's. While they are similar on the track, his white truck puts a much bigger grin on my face on the street.