In situations demanding heavy towing, one might assume a new heavy-duty pickup truck would suffice. Take the 2023 Ford Super Duty, equipped with a 6.7-liter turbodiesel generating 1,200 lb-ft of torque and capable of towing up to 40,000 pounds.
Yet, for diesel enthusiasts, this might not meet the mark for “real” work, leading some to bypass emissions regulations, giving rise to a burgeoning black market despite the EPA’s crackdown on illegal diesel modifications.
A recent investigation by the media delved into the illicit world of diesel pickup truck alterations, uncovering a complex landscape.
To eliminate exhaust gas recirculation systems or diesel particulate filters, individuals have resorted to ordering kits from abroad, with Canada serving as a key supplier of EGR block-off plates and straight pipes into the U.S.
Acquiring engine tunes, however, presents a more straightforward yet riskier scenario. Kory Willis, owner of tuning company PPEI, revealed that individuals often download random files, hoping for favorable outcomes:
“Extensive tune file libraries are available online, some boasting over 10,000 tunes. However, many are duplicates with different labels. Shops purchase these libraries for $5,000, recouping costs by installing them for $1,000 each on customers’ trucks. Unfortunately, many of these trucks eventually return to PPEI for repairs.”
Further complicating matters, these files circulate in a realm where anyone can sell them as their own. In diesel truck Facebook groups, users employ code words like “weight loss” or “diet plans” to discuss deletes, seek recommendations for modifications, and receive replies urging them to “DM me.”
Such exchanges often involve teenagers selling cheap delete tunes acquired elsewhere, risking truck performance for a perceived gain.
While using dubious code bought from inexperienced sellers may seem imprudent, for many, the allure outweighs the risks.
After all, who would want to drive a legally restricted truck capable of towing only 40,000 pounds, devoid of excessive pollution? Such constraints could be deemed unbearable by enthusiasts seeking optimal performance.
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