dodge ram

Andrew Lowe obviously has a passion for transforming stock vehicles into beautiful pieces of work capable of performing beyond common standards. In fact, Lowe’s passion is even more specific as he specializes in Dodge and BMW vehicles. According to the Houston, Texas native, he tries to build a custom truck every few years.
Lowe recently rolled into Las Vegas, Nevada, eager to show his most recent endeavor at SEMA 2012. With countless hours of planning and manpower behind him, it was due time to display his 2012 Ram 2500.

“This was my second trip to SEMA as a builder, and third overall,” he recalled. “Each build takes about a year. As soon as SEMA is over, I take a few weeks off, then get to planning on my next truck. It takes dedication of great sponsors, like K&N, to build a truck like this in the timespan.”
Starting out with a 6.7 Cummins High-Output under the hood, Lowe opted to make a few modifications with intentions of acquiring optimal performance. He installed an Edge Juice Computer Controlled module to ensure perfect timing and accurate injector firing. In turn, the benefits would be three fold – “maximum performance, improved drivability, and better fuel economy.”
Aware that the best filtering system on the market was an essential element of keeping his engine contaminant free, Andrew Lowe automatically turned to K&N products. Referring to their capabilities, he said, “The first time I used K&N was in 2003, on a custom intake we built for my air-bagged 2003 Ram 1500 Hemi. K&N offers great benefits, from their lifetime warranty to the intake kits. If they don’t make an intake kit for the application, then their custom cones will always work with some fabrication skills. Easy to clean and reliable; what more do you want in an air filter.”

Proper air flow is essential from the time it enters the engine until it leaves the tailpipe. That in mind, Lowe installed a revised turbo and went with a Magnaflow custom twin-tip exhaust. Focusing on improving the integrity of the engines’ internal components, he went with ARP studs.
With work under the hood behind him, it was time to focus on other mechanical modifications that would improve the 4X4s durability, looks, and overall performance. Putting a Stage 4, eight-inch left under the rig, he then addressed the braking system, opting to install slotted rotors.

Aware that practically any build can be improved with making modifications “where the rubber meets the road”, the builder chose 24X12, three-piece RBP Revolver wheels. His next decision was as important as it was obvious – he had to choose the proper tires. Lowe opted to wrap 38X13.5X24 Nitto Tires around the wheels. The combination provided a showy appearance that could withstand the rigors handed out by a four-wheel-drive.
When the mechanical modifications were done, he consolidated his thoughts in a direction that would lead to what he anticipated would be one of the most eye-catching 4X4s at SEMA 2012. Lowe went to Extreme Customs, in Houston, Texas, where they applied a custom paint job with Du Pont custom colors.

With the scent of completion in the air, the Builder focused on the truck’s interior. Eager to provide onlookers with the total package, he chose Laramie Longhorn factory leather enhanced with color matched pieces and additional trim wrapped in matching leather, and the results were exactly what he had hoped for.

When asked if he found more pleasure in the build of his Gothic, Western Style Ram 2500, or most enjoyed driving the finished product, Lowe explained, “Both are equally fun; hearing the engine fire for the first time after working on it, or driving it away from the lights. They’re both great feelings!”.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.