Adding 200+ HP to a 5,000 LB Truck | Whipple Supercharged 1979 F250

Howie Kendrick's 1979 F250 crew cab was one of our first Revival Series builds when we launched the program—90 days from patina'd classic to modern daily driver. Now he's back for a Whipple 3L supercharger upgrade because at over 5,000 pounds with 37-inch tires, this heavy crew cab needed more power for highway cruising and passing. Watch the install and test drive with the retired MLB World Series winner.

Howie bought this truck, known as Pepper, from Roman at Keeping It Classic and immediately signed up for our Revival Series when he heard we were launching the chassis program. The concept of Revival is simple: new FFG chassis, modern drivetrain, upgraded interior, keep what makes the truck special, and get it back to the customer in 90 days without getting caught up in endless customizations. His Gen 3 Coyote 5.0 ran great after the Revival build, but the truck's weight and big tires meant it was searching for gears on the freeway and struggling on hills. He called Jason and said he wanted to add a supercharger—and we planned for this from day one.
That's one of the key parts of our Revival Series approach. When Howie originally did the build, we knew a supercharger was coming eventually. So we installed the 3-inch stainless exhaust, upgraded cooling system, and spec'd the Illuminator Coyote motor to handle boost. When he was ready to add the Whipple 3L, we didn't have to redo any of that work—just bolt on the supercharger, tune it, and go. That's planning ahead.

We also added an Icon steering stabilizer on this visit to dial in the steering feel with those 37s. The RPM billet steering and brand new gearbox already handled well, but the stabilizer takes it to another level, especially for someone like Howie who's used to driving sports cars and wants that tight, responsive feel.

One thing that always gets comments—Howie intentionally kept the patina exterior as part of his Revival build. This isn't a truck he babies or worries about scratching. He throws stuff in the bed, takes his kids to school in it, and uses it like a truck should be used. That's the Revival Series philosophy—build something you're proud of but not afraid to drive every day. We did the King Ranch-inspired tan interior with custom stitching, upgraded the chassis, dialed in the drivetrain, but left the character of the original truck intact. Clean, straightforward, done right.

The Whipple 3L is the perfect size for a street truck like this. Dustin Whipple himself told Jason to stick with the 3L over the 3.8 for daily drivers—it's got plenty of power without being overkill. We added the overflow tank, upgraded cooling with electric fans, installed a 5-inch tapered air intake for maximum airflow, and tuned everything to work together. The result is instant torque, no more gear hunting, and plenty of power for passing—exactly what Howie needed.

Howie's been a great customer through multiple builds and it's awesome watching him enjoy these trucks with his family. His kids already want old trucks too—that's what this hobby should be about. If you're thinking about a Revival Series build or adding upgrades to a truck you already drive, reach out. We'll plan it right the first time so future upgrades are easy.

PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Whipple 3L Supercharger System
Icon Steering Stabilizer
RPM Billet Steering & Drag Link
FFG Custom 4x4 Chassis (Revival Series)
Gen 3 Coyote 5.0 (Illuminator spec)
3" Stainless Steel Exhaust
Electric Cooling Fans
5" Tapered Cold Air Intake
Check out more Revival Series builds and shop our chassis systems and custom parts at fatfender.com. Follow @fatfendergarage on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and daily shop updates.

BUILD SPECS:
1979 Ford F250 Crew Cab "Pepper" (Revival Series)
Gen 3 Coyote 5.0 + Whipple 3L Supercharger
FFG Custom 4x4 Chassis
Curry 9" Front & Rear Axles (35-spline chromoly)
12" King Off-Road Coilovers
RPM Billet Steering & Drag Link
Icon Steering Stabilizer
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
37" Tires on KMC Beadlock Wheels
King Ranch-Inspired Tan Interior
Dakota Digital Gauges
Retro Sound Stereo with Focal Speakers/Subwoofers
Patina Exterior (Original)
Vintage Bug Deflector
3" Stainless Exhaust System
30-Gallon Fuel Tank

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