10-4 Magazine April 2024

actually didn’t think anything would come of it, since it didn’t run when he bought it. In short order, though, Nick got his CDL in December 2020, started his business,Wey&Co., obtained his own authority, and went through the truck. The interior was completely gutted, and with help from Ken Cox out of Fairfield, ID, a Cummins Big Cam III was installed under the hood. An effort was made to find a company to lease on with, but the opportunities kept falling through. His friend Tanner gave Nick the push and encouragement that he didn’t need to do that, he could do this deal for himself. Nick and that 359 ran their first load together on February 9, 2021. The aforementioned truck was Nick’s first truck, and the same truck you see pictured here today. It has a build year of 1985, but it is titled as a 1986 Peterbilt 359 with the previously mentioned 400 Big Cam III, 15-speed transmission, and 3.70 rears. Our mutual friend Jimmy Johnston (March 2020 feature) helped Nick stretch the frame to its pictured 255-inch wheelbase. There are details on this truck that make it unique, and upgrades were made, but he keeps it true to how it looked back in the day. Nick installed a 2018 low air leaf suspension, high mount suspension hangers, and rock guards were added on the headlights. This 359 was kept as a single stack rig with just one breather. 10-4 Magazine / April 2024 23 When I was speaking with Nick, I asked him what his thoughts were on the purchase of a new or used truck, and what benefits he saw in buying an older model (besides the cool factor). He said he always sees a vision with a truck, and suggested buying used – or rather buying outright – because that will work in your favor. Given you have the experience and knowledge to do the maintenance and repairs yourself, there will be times when freight is slow, and it is much less of a burden in those times when you don’t have a truck payment. That same legitimate and real fear Nick had as a kid, still holds true today, wondering if in five years he’ll still be able to drive his old truck. He’s realized all is not lost with the passion for driving the older trucks. Last year, just prior to the ATHS National Convention in Reno, NV, eleven cool old trucks were seen stuffed into Nick’s yard. He explained that he had to take a step back, grateful to experience this, because it had always been what he wanted – to be around like-minded people his age that still appreciate the older trucks. Jimmy had sent me photos of this gathering, and the amazing trucks. It would’ve been a sight to see, for sure, and I wish I would’ve had the time to photograph these trucks as they rolled out to Reno together.