Peyton Smith

I was lucky enough to be in the diesel game since before I had my license, mostly because gas rigs can cause a fire banging around in the fields. I grew up and still live on a ranch outside of Ritzville, Washington, and where I plan to stay for a very long time.

It all started with my ’85 Bronco. It showed me that the aftermarket can make any rig do anything. That got my foot in the door to not be scared to work on my own things. The old saying “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” went right out of the window. I fell in love with working on machinery (so I thought) and had an amazing teacher. I loved making things better than they were stock from the factory.

Next up, I enlisted in the Navy, and it was uneventful and didn’t get to do much with working on my rigs. While enlisted I did buy a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 and that’s how I really got into the aftermarket scene. I didn’t get to do too much until I was home, but once I did, it was injectors, tune, lift pump, and transmission. Naturally I worked as a diesel technician, but my heart wasn’t in it. I love making things better than they were coming off the factory floor. I still have that 2nd Gen but it’s getting a body swap now.

Now I drive a 2004 F350 6.0, and I love it. It does not have a lot done to it now with exception to a KC Stage One Budget Builder Turbo, tune, and interior work. Studs, injectors, and exhaust are in the pipeline very soon. The end goal is a 500 horsepower tow rig.