10-4 Magazine December 2024

30 10-4 Magazine / December 2024 plumbing was replaced. Dan Moser did all the plumbing work. Originally, the Pete was built with a 6+4 transmission at the factory, but it had been replaced with a 10-speed Eaton Fuller. Andy decided to replace the 10-speed with an 18-speed transmission that he purchased from Badger Peterbilt in Wisconsin. To finish off the drive train, a new balanced driveshaft was added to the drive line. During its lifetime, the old Pete was finished with different colors of paint, and when Andy purchased the ‘72, it was painted yellow. Prior to that, it was painted blue with black stripes. Prior to changing the exterior color, he had several cab and sleeper panels replaced that were supplied by Courtland Truck Works out of California. With this work completed, he had the truck and frame painted in its current color – Legendary Flame Red Pearl with Black Cherry accent stripes. The cab, framework, and painting were skillfully done by Ken Johnson at Total Appearance (TA) out of Pewaukee, WI. The ‘72 Pete also came from the factory with a 36” sleeper. The second owner replaced the original sleeper with a 60” unit (two 30” sleepers joined together), and that was what was on the truck when Andy bought it. He made the decision to replace the 60” sleeper with a 42” Double Eagle sleeper that he acquired from a guy on the east coast. Ken Johnson rebuilt and painted the sleeper, as well. Exterior upgrades to the ‘72 include watermelon lights from Grand General, a stainless visor from Wilkins Oklahoma Truck Supply, polished stainless-steel half fenders from Hogebilt, a rear light bar from Iowa Customs, breathers from Courtland Truck Works with Vortex caps, a 20” Valley Chrome front bumper, Dynaflex exhaust, a 379 Pete grille with vertical bars, windshield wipers (and motor) from Rockwood, and Alcoa rims wrapped in Khumo 24.5 low profile tires. Interior upgrades included having Total Appearance rebuild the original dash, adding a false fire wall, relocating the steering column, adding new classic instrument gauges, installing a custom Pioneer stereo system and speakers, and installing new Knoedler double padded seats covered by Inside Rides. Andy had a very successful truck show season competing at truck shows throughout the summer and fall of 2024. His success was reflected in the number of awards that he earned in competition, which included 10-4 Magazine’s “Best of the Best Pick” at the Amcan Truck Fest, 3rd place in the Limited Mileage Bobtail class at MATS, and a bunch of awards at the Top Gun Largecar Shootout in Rantoul, IL, including Best of Show Limited Mileage Bobtail, 1st place Interior Limited Mileage Bobtail, 2nd place Lights Limited Mileage Bobtail, and the Dickerson Custom Trucks “Best of Show Paint” award. And, finally, he earned a 1st in Class at the very final Waupun Truck-n-Show, which was a huge event. This is a very impressive list of wins considering that 2024 was the first year Andy showed his extended hood 1972 Peterbilt 359. What are Andy’s plans for his classic 359 Pete? During the spring, summer, and fall, he plans to work this truck, because he truly enjoys driving it. He said that driving this old Peterbilt reminds him of the trucks that he drove early on in his trucking career. Of course, he plans to park and store it away from the long and often brutal Wisconsin winters. While tucked away this winter, Andy has plans to make a few more upgrades to this already incredible truck. I have an affinity for Peterbilt trucks from the 1970s, so trucks like this, along with music from that decade, take me back to a special time in my life. I would argue that Andy Pagel’s 1972 “little window” Peterbilt 359 is one of the finest ones out there, and a true Wisconsin classic. n