Finished Product
If you’ve ever been to SEMA, you know what a huge show it is, covering about every segment of the automotive industry and featuring hundreds of specialty builds. Trying to stand out here is like a clown trying to stand out at a clown convention … everyone’s got that rubber nose on and is screaming for attention.
But Brutus did stand out in a very quiet way. The quality of workmanship blended with an almost natural look for a unique work truck gave it that special something that caused the show attendees to take a little extra time admiring its presentation.
“It looked good, and it got good attention,” Willsey explained. “And as far as drivability and power goes, the way it's set up is perfect. The gearing, the tires, the turbo, injectors—it's all matched together. That thing is super drivable even though it being so flipping big. It is 100 percent drivable and usable.”
Willsey said his wife drove the truck the other day and really enjoyed it … although she was a little concerned about running over other vehicles since it’s just such a monster on the road.
Future of Brutus
With every SEMA build, there is a promotional aspect of it that makes it worth the effort. Brutus will be no different.
“We already have people asking about it (to purchase). But we usually try to keep them (SEMA builds) for a while and use them at shows and just to show them off,” he explained. “We'll keep it around to show and sell parts with … until somebody offers me too much money for it. Then it'll go away.”
Although the last week of the build was fairly intense, for Willsey it was predictable.
“This definitely was not the easiest (SEMA build) we've done,” he said. “But then, it wasn’t the hardest either.”
And just like all other SEMA trucks, after it serves its purpose it will be sold and Willsey will move on to the next build.
“I don't get too attached to them,” he said. “It's just a truck to me. It is what it is. We just did something different. It's cool, and it definitely served its purpose.”
As for SEMA … well there’s still plenty of time until November 2019 … or is there.
BRUTIS build sheet
Suspension: McGaughys 12-inch lift on King 2.5 Coil-Overs; Atlas Suspension 8-inch full spring in rear, custom Firestone Long Travel Airbag setup with semi auto level altuator and Snake River Steel custom brackets for bags.
Tires: Fury Off-Road Tires 42x15.50 Country Hunters.
Wheels: Hostile Wheels 24x14 sprocket with a -76 offset.
Bumper: Fusion Bumpers Base Bumper with the re-designed center section built for a 5500 Ram.
Fuel System: Dynomite Diesel Products Injectors and fuel rail; Fass Fuel Systems 165 Signature Series Pump.
Forced air: Wehrli Custom Fab 2nd Gen Swap with an SXE 64mm and Steed Speed manifold. ARP head studs.
Intercooler/manifold: Banks Power Monster Ram 4-inch intake manifold, pipes and intercooler.
Exhaust: Aero 50/50 XL Muffler.
Transmission: Aisin Trans with a full build by Randy’s Transmissions.
Electronics: Edge Products Insight Monitor; Whistler Group Radar; Banks Power 1.8 iDash monitor/gauge., Switch Pros, Firewire Off-Road.
Grille: Royalty Core with custom ram skull.
Paint and powder: Velocity Auto Body and Tag Coatings.
Flatbed: Bradford Built Beds steel work-bed, Stretch My Truck long bed frame extension.
Other: Dodge Factory 5500 Flares, AMP Research Steps, HornBlaster Train Horns (Katrina Kit), 55 gallon Titon Tanks, ATS Disc Cover in the Rear, Jackson Express Polishing, Amsoil fluid throughout.