Custom Auto
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Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, a diesel enthusiast might not expect Custom Auto to be one of the premier diesel garages in the nation, especially with their preference to work with Duramax engines and not Power Stroke or Cummins; however, Custom Auto consistently builds and produces some of the most impressive diesels in the U.S. Founders of the Northwest Dyno Circuit, Custom Auto is known for its powerful truck builds—the shop dyno truck is pushing and will soon break 2000hp, and for the fast and loose manner in which they tackle their work.
At first glance the shop looks a bit disheveled, but after working with James Brendle—the owner, Brandon Pierce, Ryan Hillman, Danny Baird and Taylor Brendle, it becomes quickly apparent that they not only know what they are doing, but moreover there is a pattern and system to the chaos that simply evades most people not accustomed to seeing artists in their studio. The crew at Custom Auto carries a sense of manifest destiny that is apparent in all that they do.
“We don’t do repairs,” says James, who is the owner and founder of Custom Auto. “I am not interested in repairs and maintenance; once you start that it’s all you ever do. I want to build.”
‘I want to build,’ said so succinctly and matter-of-fact while quickly moving around the disembodied engine, hanging above the garage floor mounted on an engine stand. It would be easy to overlook James’ comment as simply a diesel mechanic enthusiast as his skilled hands fly over the engine, but knowing the incredible trucks that Custom Auto has built in the past, including working with Dmitri Millard’s and his dyno truck, when James says that he wants to build he means build.