Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
TDRComm
Staff Member
The winning January photo for this year’s TDR calendar was submitted by TDR member Michael Fagone. We recently spoke with Michael about the photo and about his truck. We think you’ll enjoy his answers!
TURBO DIESEL REGISTER: Where was the photograph taken?
MICHAEL FAGONE: It was in Wrightwood, California, in the Angeles National Forest. A surprise snowstorm came up and I wanted to test out my new wheels (17” from a Gen 3 Ram) and tires in the snow. At the point of taking the photo, there was about a foot of new snow on the ground. When I was done having fun, getting out was fine for me but there were countless cars stranded along the side of the exit roads. I was happy that the truck handled the road conditions amazingly well, and realized I should keep tow straps on hand at all times in the future so I can help people in this situation.
TDR: Tell us about your truck.
MF: Late 2001 Dodge 2500 4X4 Quad-cab Short-bed, AT, Sport Package
Stock suspension
Original paint
Currently has 191,000 miles on the odometer;
14 ½ MPG Average (I keep detailed records and calculations).
The truck was originally ordered and built for a Dodge custo mer in New Mexico but spent almost all of its first 16 years in Arizona. It was not used much during that period so between that and the Arizona climate, the truck was in near-mint condition. After that the truck was bought by its second owner in Minnesota. He maintained it meticulously, kept it in the near-mint condition, and upgraded many items. Ultimately, physical limitations made it so he could no longer get into the truck so he put it up for sale online. I had been looking for one for a while and this was THE one. I flew to Minnesota and the seller insisted on picking me up from the airport, and he and his wife even offered me dinner, and the next day sent me off with a huge box of spare parts!
Modifications and/or upgrades of note?
Completed upgrades before I owned the truck:
Ziebart Undercoating (done when new)
Fass Lift pump
Industrial Injection VP44
Vented Rotors
Gen 4 Steering
Steering Brace
Upgrades I have added:
Red Head Steering Box
Borgeson Steering Shaft
Bilstein Shocks, 4600 Series
Mag-HyTec Double Deep Transmission Pan
New Fuel Lines
+40 HP Injectors
Edge Monitor
New 17” 3rd Gen Wheels and Tires
Used for business or pleasure or both?
Mainly the truck is used for pleasure but at times I do put my business signs (I’m a Mortgage Broker in CA and AZ) on it when I’m driving around town. Since my phone number is on the signs, I’ve gotten more calls from people wanting to buy the truck than responding to the actual business signage! (Interviewer’s note, I told Michael he needs one of the Geno’s decals that states in no uncertain terms: “NO. My truck is not for sale”).
TDR: Have you ever entered the TDR calendar contest before?
MF: This is the first time I’ve entered the contest. I bought the truck two years ago, and joined the TDR at the same time. This is my first Cummins; I’ve always wanted one and plan to keep this one, well, forever.
TDR: Do you have a name for your truck?
MF: I call her “Betty White”. Besides that the truck is white and I bought it from Minnesota, I can imagine this is a truck the character Rose Nylund from The Golden Girls could have been driving back in the days she lived in St. Olaf, Minnesota.
TDR: Other information you’d like to add?
MF: Having Geno’s Garage and the Turbo Diesel Register as major technical resources has allowed me to do much of the maintenance and upgrades myself. The parts offered by Geno’s and the online tech information, instructions and videos have helped make owning and maintaining this truck incredibly gratifying. Working on my truck definitely helped keep me sane during the lockdowns!
Congratulations Michael and thank you for being a part of the Turbo Diesel Register Community!
TURBO DIESEL REGISTER: Where was the photograph taken?
MICHAEL FAGONE: It was in Wrightwood, California, in the Angeles National Forest. A surprise snowstorm came up and I wanted to test out my new wheels (17” from a Gen 3 Ram) and tires in the snow. At the point of taking the photo, there was about a foot of new snow on the ground. When I was done having fun, getting out was fine for me but there were countless cars stranded along the side of the exit roads. I was happy that the truck handled the road conditions amazingly well, and realized I should keep tow straps on hand at all times in the future so I can help people in this situation.
TDR: Tell us about your truck.
MF: Late 2001 Dodge 2500 4X4 Quad-cab Short-bed, AT, Sport Package
Stock suspension
Original paint
Currently has 191,000 miles on the odometer;
14 ½ MPG Average (I keep detailed records and calculations).
The truck was originally ordered and built for a Dodge custo mer in New Mexico but spent almost all of its first 16 years in Arizona. It was not used much during that period so between that and the Arizona climate, the truck was in near-mint condition. After that the truck was bought by its second owner in Minnesota. He maintained it meticulously, kept it in the near-mint condition, and upgraded many items. Ultimately, physical limitations made it so he could no longer get into the truck so he put it up for sale online. I had been looking for one for a while and this was THE one. I flew to Minnesota and the seller insisted on picking me up from the airport, and he and his wife even offered me dinner, and the next day sent me off with a huge box of spare parts!
Modifications and/or upgrades of note?
Completed upgrades before I owned the truck:
Ziebart Undercoating (done when new)
Fass Lift pump
Industrial Injection VP44
Vented Rotors
Gen 4 Steering
Steering Brace
Upgrades I have added:
Red Head Steering Box
Borgeson Steering Shaft
Bilstein Shocks, 4600 Series
Mag-HyTec Double Deep Transmission Pan
New Fuel Lines
+40 HP Injectors
Edge Monitor
New 17” 3rd Gen Wheels and Tires
Used for business or pleasure or both?
Mainly the truck is used for pleasure but at times I do put my business signs (I’m a Mortgage Broker in CA and AZ) on it when I’m driving around town. Since my phone number is on the signs, I’ve gotten more calls from people wanting to buy the truck than responding to the actual business signage! (Interviewer’s note, I told Michael he needs one of the Geno’s decals that states in no uncertain terms: “NO. My truck is not for sale”).
TDR: Have you ever entered the TDR calendar contest before?
MF: This is the first time I’ve entered the contest. I bought the truck two years ago, and joined the TDR at the same time. This is my first Cummins; I’ve always wanted one and plan to keep this one, well, forever.
TDR: Do you have a name for your truck?
MF: I call her “Betty White”. Besides that the truck is white and I bought it from Minnesota, I can imagine this is a truck the character Rose Nylund from The Golden Girls could have been driving back in the days she lived in St. Olaf, Minnesota.
TDR: Other information you’d like to add?
MF: Having Geno’s Garage and the Turbo Diesel Register as major technical resources has allowed me to do much of the maintenance and upgrades myself. The parts offered by Geno’s and the online tech information, instructions and videos have helped make owning and maintaining this truck incredibly gratifying. Working on my truck definitely helped keep me sane during the lockdowns!
Congratulations Michael and thank you for being a part of the Turbo Diesel Register Community!
