10-4 Magazine December 2022

pistons and bearings, 20% over injectors, and increased the advanced timing from a stock18degrees to22.4degrees. Running this truck continued until an accident in July 2021 when he was side swiped while hauling hay on triples through Idaho. This began a frame-up restoration, which was completed in a short amount of time, to the truck you see here today. The cab was repaired using a spare cab that Dylan had by his grandpa’s shop in California. He took the truck to his Uncle Bo’s shop in California and a friend of Dylan’s came out to help paint it. Dylan was taught by this same friend how to paint, which allowed them to work together and complete the paint process in 10 days (August 1-10). Dylan repainted the frame again since the truck was getting painted, laid out the lines for the stripe, and painted the purple on the cab and sleeper, while his friend painted the dark charcoal gray, and then the truck was clear-coated and wet sanded. Dylan had a pinstriper come out to execute the idea of laying down old school flake in the company name. Light blue and gray were pinstriped to separate it all out, then the entire truck was clear-coated again so nothing would fade off with the elements. Dylan has always been a fan of purple, starting with one of his dad’s cabovers, which is the same shade as what Dylan has on his truck. As previously mentioned, the truck is a 1994 Freightliner FLA that pushes a little over 500 horsepower to the ground from a CAT 3406B engine, 15-speed over transmission, 3.42 rear gears, and a 240-inch wheelbase. The truck sports 6-inch stacks with Peterbilt long-drop elbows, a box made by Close Fabrication out of Parowan, UT that houses the stacks, batteries, tools and cleaning supplies, and a custom air-ride front suspension (Dylan builds these kits). It was also fitted with Trux headlights, Maxxima blinkers on each side, and 11 cab lights, all of which are glass, along with Hogebuilt half fenders, and a visor made by LeRoy McRoberts of I-29 Customs out of Sergeant Bluffs, IA. The leaf spring suspension was replaced with a 2012 Airliner suspension, and then the interior was done over the summer by Classic Upholstery in Visalia, CA. With the background and knowledge of a diesel mechanic, these skills have been an invaluable benefit to Dylan, since he is not only a truck driver but a 10-4 Magazine / December 2022 11 truck owner, as well. Dylan doesn’t have shop labor bills because he can repair anything on the truck himself. At all times he carries all the necessary tools he might need in the truck, along with extra parts including a spare turbo, water pump, belt, power steering pump, alternator, and 12 sets of injectors (two sets of 1-6). He is set up so he can fix it all on the side of the road! Dylan said, “You have to know how to help yourself to save money.” The most influential people in Dylan’s life that he looks up to within the trucking industry are definitely his father and grandfathers. His dad (Boyd) is not only his number one supporter, but also someone Dylan has always looked up to. Boyd’s father Gene taught Dylan to weld when he was eight years old, along with other useful things in life. His mom’s dad Cliff not only taught Dylan about trucking, but also inspired him to keep striving to be the best he could be. The truck is called “Purple Rain” and although most would think it was taken in reference to the song by Prince, it was not. Dylan’s grandpa Cliff used to listen to classic country music including “Purple Rain” by Dwight Yoakam. After Before Rebuild