Cummins-Swapped 1973 Chevy Crew Cab Built To Survive

This rugged, EMP-resistant diesel pickup is ready for anything.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Kanan Gubins has built a 1973 Chevrolet Crew Cab 4x4 pickup with a Cummins turbodiesel engine and a focus on mechanical simplicity, durability, and EMP resilience. The truck features a range of off-road upgrades, including a lifted suspension, large all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty front and rear winches, making it capable of long-range overland travel and real utility work.

Why it matters

In an age of increasingly complex and electronics-dependent vehicles, Gubins' build showcases the continued appeal and practicality of mechanically simple, EMP-resistant vehicles that can operate reliably even in the event of a widespread power outage or electromagnetic pulse event.

The details

Gubins' truck, dubbed the 'Stigarado - EMP Edition,' features a 12-valve Cummins turbodiesel engine sourced from a 1993 Dodge truck, paired with a Getrag 360 five-speed manual transmission and a divorced NP205 two-speed transfer case. The suspension has been upgraded with 6-inch lift Rough Country front leaf springs and 4-inch lift blocks in the rear, along with Rough Country air bags and V2 monotube shocks. The truck rides on 37x13.50R20 Interco Manchester InterForce M/T tires mounted on 10-inch-wide Black Rhino Alpha wheels. Braking is handled by 2001-2010 GM 2500HD-application disc brakes, and the steering has been upgraded with a WFO Concepts crossover kit.

  • Kanan Gubins bought the truck in an unspecified year.
  • The truck was on display at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The players

Kanan Gubins

The owner and builder of the 1973 Chevrolet Crew Cab 4x4 pickup.

Rob Bonney Fabrication

The company that provided the crossmember and engine mounts for the Cummins engine swap.

Ratman Performance

The company that supplied the VE injection pump for the Cummins engine.

Trackspec Motorsports

The company that provided the hood louvers to help with engine bay cooling.

Black Widow Exhaust

The manufacturer of the Big D muffler used in the custom 4-inch exhaust system.

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What they’re saying

“This 1973 Chevrolet Crew Cab Utility Long Bed was built with a clear mission: to create a rugged, EMP-resistant, mechanically simple diesel workhorse capable of long-range overland travel, real utility, and show-level presence.”

— Kanan Gubins

The takeaway

Gubins' build demonstrates the continued appeal and practicality of mechanically simple, EMP-resistant vehicles that can operate reliably even in the event of a widespread power outage or electromagnetic pulse event, making them well-suited for emergency preparedness, off-grid adventures, and daily use.