Appearing in the Nitto Tire SEMA Show booth, the 1972 K50 Crew Cab dubbed “The Duke” garnered a lot of attention. Built by RTech Fabrications, it’s no surprise this late-model Chevy Pickup was such an eye-catcher.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this truck the ultimate towing vehicle.
Starting with a rock-solid engine, a 12-valve 5.9L Cummins powers this Chevy exterior. The Cummins offers plenty of low-end torque and rock-solid mechanical reliability. It mates up to a NB4500 5-speed transmission and bullet-proof NP205 transfer case.
Under the hood, things are kept clean with custom fabricated aluminum features, that have been powder coated so things remain looking pristine. The intercooler has been relocated, for fit, to the right-side fender well—an electric fan draws fresh air from the cowl instead of the front grill.
Specializing in ’67-’72 Chevy Crew Cabs, RTech Fabrications knows how to make them look just right. The ultimate tow vehicle needs plenty of space, so a crew cab is a must. The Duke matches a standard crew cab with a modified C50 front end. Front and back bumpers are original RTech creations. On this truck, every last detail has been seen to—down to the Chevrolet front grille lettering, custom made to accentuate the bowtie branding.
On the inside, creature comfort and style isn’t forgotten. Late-model Chevy pickup design is maintained by carrying over the classic “Saddle Highlander” plaid utilizing a R-Tech Double Din Dash with original gauges, while modern conveniences have been added throughout—from the touchscreen audio system to the plush seating sourced from a 2010 GMC Sierra.
The 8” truck bed is stock, with a few surprises. The bed has been modified with bolted in flares to match the appearance of the front fenders. Adding to the truck’s towing capabilities is dump bed modification, ensuring the load within can be emptied without heavy-lifting.
Helping to give grip to all this truck’s power are 40” Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires paired up with 20-inch KMC XD829 HOSS 2 wheels for full off-road capabilities. Selecting the right tires for the job are crucial to a car's safety, comfort and performance. The Nitto Grappler line of light truck tires are available in popular 16 to 24-inch rim diameters and with larger overall diameter sizes for lifted trucks and SUVs.
Discover the Grappler with the right mix of capabilities that you're looking for at NittoTire.com or find a tire dealer in your area.
