10-4 Magazine June 2024

12 10-4 Magazine / June 2024 our “10-4 Magazine’s Best of the Best Pick” trophy, which also comes with a feature story in an upcoming edition. Unfor tunately, darkness and bad weather caused the photo shoot to be delayed, plus Travis really wanted to wait until the trailer was completed, so we decided to wait. Planning to shoot the entire combination at MATS 2024, where it was scheduled to finally make its debut – two years after the company had celebrated its 45th anniversary – we quickly decided to upgrade this “feature” to a cover story after seeing the truck and trailer in person. Sometimes, things happen for a reason, and in the end, whether we understand it or not while things are happening, what is supposed to happen, usually does. Such is the case here! Now that we have outlined the long trilogy it took to get the combination – and this feature – done, let’s dive into the many amazing details this stellar truck and trailer ended up with. Star ting out with a new 2019 Peterbilt 389 glider with a 36-inch flat top sleeper, the truck was completely torn down and then rebuilt back up again. The truck’s exterior features a few special items that Travis likes to point out right up front. With Peterbilt having three iconic conventional models over the years – the 359, 379, and 389 – Travis wanted each model (and each generation in his family that drove those models) to have some representation on this build. With that said, the truck is a 389, so that represents Travis and his generation, the dual square headlights and brackets were taken from one of Jim’s 379 trucks, and the air cleaners were taken from one of Larry’s 359s. Wanting the truck to have a clean hot rod look but still be practical and usable, many of the modifications are subtle. Replacing the grill surround with a stainless 379 version from 12 Ga. Customs, they also removed all the Peterbilt emblems and welded up the holes, installed a 12 Ga. visor and 20-inch front bumper, added seven painted bullet cab lights, and many custom panels, including drop panels under the cab and sleeper, an “I-Panel” between the tanks, and a rear tailpiece. Again, going for that “clean” look, they grinded all the welds off the ends of the fuel and air tanks and countersunk all the frame bolts for a smooth finish. If you look closely, there are very few visible bolts on the entire exterior of this truck. Some other cool exterior features on this Peterbilt include custom billet “Big Hole” wheels made by JTX Forged, a deleted peep window on the passenger door, and polished stainless mirror brackets, smooth box covers, and billet step plates from 12 Ga. Customs. Other items include a seven-inch Dynaflex exhaust, a stainless strip that runs along the bottom edge of the frame, a painted deck plate, and a hidden air bag system