Trucks! TV adds 108HP to a 2000 RAM 5.9L

“Back in the day,” as they say, Spike TV was a thing. Spike TV was touted as “the first network for men,” and on that network were some pretty entertaining automotive shows. One of which was Trucks!, and a Banks Power Pack for a then brand new 2000 Ram was featured. Hosts Stacey David and Mel Fair went through the installation of all the upgrades in the complete kit. As a sign of the times, Mel said “As you can see the stock numbers on our 24-valve Cummins are more than respectable for a stock pickup at about 180 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque,” showing the stark difference between then and now where a new diesel truck power output is around 500-ish horsepower and 1,000 lb. ft. of torque.

Something to take notice of is the debut of the Banks “inlet tube”, which became first the High-Ram and then the Monster-Ram intake elbow that we know today. The part was a prototype used for R&D, and since the casting was delayed, a steel tubular version was used for the show. Interestingly, some Banks haters and competitors called the piece a waste of money, said that it did nothing. But isn’t it amazing though, that other than the compressor wheel for the older 7.3L Power Stroke, the Banks “inlet tube” is the most copied product in the diesel aftermarket today, and is a must-have modification for the Cummins engine? No matter how many times it’s been copied, Banks is the one who innovated it—and the one that continues to shape the aftermarket.