Chuck has Brian jump into...
Chuck has Brian jump into the truck to show him the new gauge set, as well as the new Edge Products fuel controller.
A Colorado native born and raised in the Denver area, Brian Douglass reported to boot camp just days after graduating from Ralston Valley High School in 2003. Trained as a dog handler, Brian’s first deployment was to Iraq in 2005, and he was currently serving his second deployment in Afghanistan as we began this article.
After a new turbo and many...
After a new turbo and many other go-fast parts, Sgt. Brian Douglass' '98 1/2 Dodge can easily smoke the tires.
Brian has been overseas in combat zones nonstop for years working as a dog handler, and Chuck Howell, who manages Truck Transmission and Turbo in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, was discussing this fact with Brian’s stepfather, John Hines, while in the gym one day. John mentioned to Chuck that he would like to do something to thank his Marine stepson for his service by upgrading his ’98½ 24-valve Dodge truck. Chuck decided to create an Overhaulin’-type project using donations from local Colorado businesses to fund a surprise build on Brian’s truck, which would be waiting for him upon his return to the United States. Brian’s stepfather tricked him into thinking his truck was being taken to the shop for routine repairs.
Chuck contacted the below-listed companies and began collecting parts and donations to make the build happen. As the money and parts came together, Chuck’s team at Truck Transmission and Turbo upgraded the Dodge and prepared it for Brian’s return. In the end, even some non-Colorado-based companies participated.
Once the upgrades were done and Brian arrived home from duty, he was brought to Truck Transmission and Turbo to discuss what had been “repaired” on the truck and what other maintenance items were needed. As Brian was brought outside, a crowd (around 70!) of supporters was waiting to surprise him and the finished truck was revealed. Brian was sent home to enjoy his new ride for a short time before his next tour of duty.
Brian, standing with the guys...
Brian, standing with the guys from Truck Transmission and Turbo who put the truck together.
Chuck says it was “one of those life-changing deals.” His customers donated money to the project and a whole lot of people got to feel good about helping out. We salute our soldiers, and we salute those who support them.
Q&A for Sgt. Brian Douglass:
8-LUG: How did your decision come about to join the military?
Brian: I wanted to serve my country and do my part in the war. I figured joining the Marines was the best way to do that.
8-LUG: After joining the military, what was the course of events that brought you to what you are doing today?
Brian: It is a very long story. Basically, I fell into a spot doing what I’ve wanted to do from day one in the Marines: handling working dogs on a deployment with the kind of guys I work with now.
8-LUG: What has been the most challenging part of your job in the military so far?
Brian: Time away from family. I am traveling nonstop it seems.
8-LUG: What has been the most rewarding part of your military career so far?
Brian: Doing my job in the places I want to go, with the people I get to work with.
8-LUG: What do you use your truck for and how have things changed with the new upgrades?
Brian: I use my truck as my daily driver. I bought it to have a vehicle that had plenty of power and reliability that I could drive for a long time. The upgrades obviously help with all of those categories—the power being my favorite. My dad always said, “Too much power is just about right.”
8-LUG: What was the course of events on your end the day of the truck reveal and how did things unfold?
Brian: My dad said he’d dropped my truck off to get a leaking rear axle seal fixed. He dropped me off at Truck Transmission and Turbo in Wheat Ridge to pick it up. The guy who runs the place, Chuck Howell, said he’d heard I wanted to do a few upgrades. He pulled out an ATS catalog and began circling things he recommended. After that, he took me out to see the truck, and on the way out he basically told me that everything he’d circled in the catalog was put on my truck already and that it had all been donated by local companies. I was floored. Chuck climbed in the truck and smoked the tires. I was like “Holy sh*t! My truck can do a burnout!”
Project Blog: http://www.homeofprojectbrian.blogspot.com
Brian’s Dodge 2500 showed...
Brian’s Dodge 2500 showed up to Truck Transmission and Turbo with a stock engine compartment.
Brian’s Dodge 2500 showed...
Brian’s Dodge 2500 showed up to Truck Transmission and Turbo with a stock engine compartment.
Parts arrive from ATS Diesel...
Parts arrive from ATS Diesel for the Truck Transmission and Turbo crew to install.
Jeremy Stones at Truck Transmission...
Jeremy Stones at Truck Transmission and Turbo unbolts and removes the factory turbo system on the Dodge.
Jeremy Stones at Truck Transmission...
Jeremy Stones at Truck Transmission and Turbo unbolts and removes the factory turbo system on the Dodge.
Chuck opens the new Pro Comp...
Chuck opens the new Pro Comp Xtreme rims and readies them to have tires mounted at Discount Tire.
Chuck opens the new Pro Comp...
Chuck opens the new Pro Comp Xtreme rims and readies them to have tires mounted at Discount Tire.
Jeremy replaces the factory...
Jeremy replaces the factory intake manifold with the ArcFlow intake and bolts it into place.
Shane Thomas (aka JR) removes...
Shane Thomas (aka JR) removes the valve cover so it can be ceramic-coated and hand-painted by Jeremy’s sister-in-law Breanna Pennington.
Brian’s family (including...
Brian’s family (including fiancé Katherine “KC” Moulder) shows their support and greets him as he is brought out to see his truck.
Chuck points out to Brian...
Chuck points out to Brian what was upgraded and changed on the truck during its stay at the shop.
Group shot of the military...
Group shot of the military vets (excluding Nancy Armbruster—sponsor/contributor) who showed up to thank him.
The finished truck is hidden...
The finished truck is hidden on the side of the Truck Transmission and Turbo building as Chuck prepares his acting skills for Brian’s arrival. The engine compartment looks quite a bit different. Externally, the truck is now sitting on the new wheels, and a freshly painted hood is mounted thanks to L&H Auto Body.