4 State Unveils Rewards Program

The gang at 4 State Trucks is rolling out a new customer rewards program – The Mafia Chrome Card –  that will offer discounts on chrome, accessories and truck parts and other perks.

CSM gear is available upon signing up for the program, and a 12-month membership is $99. Chrome card members will receive discounts on all regularly priced items and same-day shipping on any orders placed before noon. The card offers priority scheduling for installation work, and cardholders will receive discounts of 40 percent for all regularly price CSM logo items and apparel.

Cardholders will receive email updates about new products and current projects and are eligible for premium VIP parking at the Guilty by Association Truck Show and Customer Expo held in Joplin, Mo., each October.

To get more information about the card, call 4 State Trucks at (888) 875-7787.

Utah trucker’s Limited Mileage bobtail takes Best of Show among very stiff competition while Californian’s hay-hauler takes away working combo’s top honor

by Bruce W. Smith

It was all “Boots & Barbed Wire” under the Las Vegas Convention Center roof as Custom Rigs Pride and Polish truck beauty show wrapped up this morning with the 11 a.m. awards presentation during the Great West Truck Show.

Boots Chivington’s immaculately-prepped and detailed 2002 KW W900L, Boots & Barbed Wire, garnered the highest honor being awarded the Limited Mileage Best of Show.

The Vernal, Utah, owner-operator said the black-and-orange tractor was originally “going to be my retirement truck” during an interview when he rolled in earlier in the week.

“But one little custom change lead to another,” he continued. “Before long you have a bazillion dollars in it and now all I do with it is go to local truck shows while my real truck hauls oil drilling equipment.” He brought it to Vegas to compete on the highest level.

“Seven points is all that separated the first five trucks in Limited Mileage, explained Neal Holsomback, Pride & Polish show manager, “and only one point [out of 100] separated each of the top three.

Michael Most's "Legends & Heroes"

Among the other big winners, Michael Most, Phoenix, AZ, took Best of Show Working Bobtail with his “Legends & Heroes” 1998 Freightliner Classic.

John Silva/Silva Hay, Chowchilla, California, took Best of Show Working Combo with his immaculate 2000 Peterbilt running a matching ‘90 Utility double flatbed.

Below are the rest of the Pride & Polish truck beauty show winners [Left click on images to view larger.]:

PRIDE & POLISH TRUCK BEAUTY CONTEST

GREAT WEST TRUCK SHOW – LAS VEGAS, NV

June 17-19, 2010

Sponsored by: Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions; Freightliner Daimler Trucks North America; Custom Rigs Magazine; 75 Chrome Shop; Chrome Shop Mafia; Howes Lubricator Products; Lincoln Chrome; PPG Industries; Sprint; Truckin’ For Kids; US Lube; WTI Fenders

WINNERS LIST

Working Bobtail  – First Show

1^st Place – #313 – Theresa DeSantis, Apache Jct., AZ – 1985 Red Peterbilt 359 – “Old #7”

2^nd Place – #311 – Carson Stevens/Glade Stevens, Holden, UT – 2006 Black Peterbilt 379

3^rd Place – #318 – Kent Swapp, Gilbert, AZ – 1957 Black Kenworth W-923

First Show winner Theresa DeSantis

Working Bobtail – 2005 & Newer

1^st Place – #317 –Bill & Marie Sandvik, Valley Centre, CA -  2005 Brown & Red Peterbilt 379

2^nd Place – #309 – Bruce & Sandra Malmgren, Aurora, UT – 2006 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379

3^rd Place  Tie – #316 – Dan Richardson/Swift Transportation , Memphis, TN – 2010 Burgundy Kenworth T2000

3^rd Place Tie – #314 – Mike Miller, Jerome, ID – 2006 Copper & Silver Peterbilt 379

Working Bobtail – 2004 & Older

1^st Place – #308 – Michael Most, Phoenix, AZ – 1998 Yellow Freightliner  Classic– “Legends and Heroes”

2^nd Place – #307 – Bob & Shelley Brinker, Grayling, MI – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic XL – “Legend of Black Pearl”

3^rd Place – #310 – Wes Malmgren/Malmgren Transport, Aurora, UT – 2004 Green & Black Peterbilt 379

Working Combo – Company Truck

1^st Place – #134 – Michael Salcido/Arrowhead Water, Riverside, CA – 2007 Red Freightliner Columbia/1991 Brenner Tanker

2^nd Place  – #131 – Phillip Clayton/Danny Ray, Scottsboro, AL – 2005 Red Peterbilt 379/2000 Great Dane Reefer – “Nitro Express”

3^rd Place – #126 – Tony Lewis/Golden State Foods, Las Vegas, NV – 2010 White International/2010 Utility – “I Am Loving It”

Working Combo  2005 & Newer

1^st Place – #135 – Cliff King/Castle Rock Transportation, Brechin, Ontario, Canada – 2007 Brown Peterbilt 386/2006 Wabash Dry Van

2^nd Place – #132 – Stephen Ashburn, Sanger, CA – 2005 Blue Flamed Peterbilt 379/2006 Boydstun Car Carrier

3^rd Place – #133 – Juan Henriquez/Yamko Truck Lines, Long Beach, CA – 2010 Black Cherry Peterbilt 388/2002 Container

Working Combo – 2004 & Older

1^st Place – #123 – John Silva/Silva Hay, Chowchilla, CA – 2000 Red Peterbilt 379/1990 Utility Double Flatbed

2^nd Place – #127 – Tyler Picknell, Winchester, OR – 1996 Dark Green Peterbilt 379/2008 Wilson Step Deck

3^rd Place – #124 – Carlos Andelou//Lil Ray’s Transport, Salinas, CA – 1988 Purple/Lavender Peterbilt 379/2003 Fontaine Flatbed

Interior – Cab Only

1^st Place – #310 – Wes Malmgren/Malmgren Transport, Aurora, UT – 2004 Green & Black Peterbilt 379

2^nd Place Tie – #134 – Michael Salcido/Arrowhead Water, Riverside, CA – 2007 Red Freightliner Columbia/1991 Brenner Tanker

2^nd Place Tie – #127 – Tyler Picknell, Winchester, OR – 1996 Dark Green Peterbilt 379/2008 Wilson Step Deck

3^rd Place – #306 – Armando Burguan/Yamko Truck Lines, 2009 Black Cherry Peterbilt 389

Interior – OEM Sleeper

1^st Place – #308 – Michael Most, Phoenix, AZ – 1998 Yellow Freightliner  Classic– “Legends and Heroes”

2^nd Place – #307 – Bob & Shelley Brinker, Grayling, MI – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic XL – “Legend of Black Pearl”

3^rd Place – #309 – Bruce & Sandra Malmgren, Aurora, UT – 2006 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379

Interior – Aftermarket Sleeper

1^st Place – #135 – Cliff King/Castle Rock Transportation, Brechin, Ontario, Canada – 2007 Brown Peterbilt 386/2006 Wabash Dry Van

Engine

1^st Place – #123 – John Silva/Silva Hay, Chowchilla, CA – 2000 Red Peterbilt 379/1990 Utility Double Flatbed

2^nd Place – #308 – Michael Most, Phoenix, AZ – 1998 Yellow Freightliner  Classic– “Legends and Heroes”

3^rd Place – #307 – Bob & Shelley Brinker, Grayling, MI – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic XL – “Legend of Black Pearl”

Custom Paint – Bobtail

1^st Place – #310 – Wes Malmgren/Malmgren Transport, Aurora, UT – 2004 Green & Black Peterbilt 379

2^nd Place Tie– #307 – Bob & Shelley Brinker, Grayling, MI – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic XL – “Legend of Black Pearl”

2^nd Place Tie– #308 – Michael Most, Phoenix, AZ – 1998 Yellow Freightliner  Classic– “Legends and Heroes”

3^rd Place –#309 – Bruce & Sandra Malmgren, Aurora, UT – 2006 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379

Custom Paint – Combo

1^st Place –#124 – Carlos Andelou//Lil Ray’s Transport, Salinas, CA – 1988 Purple/Lavender Peterbilt 379/2003 Fontaine Flatbed

2^nd Place – #134 – Michael Salcido/Arrowhead Water, Riverside, CA – 2007 Red Freightliner Columbia/1991 Brenner Tanker

3^rd Place – #127 – Tyler Picknell, Winchester, OR – 1996 Dark Green Peterbilt 379/2008 Wilson Step Deck

Limited Mileage – Best Interior

#504 – Jeff Botelho/Performance Diesel, Inc., Los Banos, CA – 2002 Black Flamed Peterbilt 379 Limousine – “Perfect Circle”

Limited Mileage – Best Engine

#515 – Isaac Aguilar/Sandvik Trucking, Valley Centre, CA – 1992 Burgundy Peterbilt 379

Limited Mileage – Best Paint

#514 – Boots Chivington, Vernal, UT – 2000 Black Kenworth W900L – “Boots & Barbed Wire”

BEST OF SHOW – LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL

#514 – Boots Chivington, Vernal, UT – 2000 Black Kenworth W900L – “Boots & Barbed Wire”

• 2^nd Place – #515 – Isaac Aguilar/Sandvik Trucking, Valley Centre, CA – 1992 Burgundy Peterbilt 379
• 3^rd Place – #504 – Jeff Botelho/Performance Diesel, Inc., Los Banos, CA – 2002 Black Flamed Peterbilt 379 Limousine – “Perfect Circle”

BEST OF SHOW – WORKING BOBTAIL

#308 – Michael Most, Phoenix, AZ – 1998 Yellow Freightliner Classic– “Legends and Heroes”

BEST OF SHOW – WORKING COMBO

#123 – John Silva/Silva Hay, Chowchilla, CA – 2000 Red Peterbilt 379/1990 Utility Double Flatbed

Guilty By Association

ChromeShopMafia Announces…

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION TRUCK SHOW

October 1-2 2010!

Get ready!  Make plans now to attend the 2nd annual Guilty By Association Official Event. It’s a cross between a truck show, customer expo, and an open house.

If you plan to only attend one truck show this year, make it this one!

There will be representatives here from the top brands and leading manufacturers in the industry to answer questions you might have about their products.  They’ll be here specifically to help you out and show you what’s new in trucking accessories and aftermarket products!

Lots of sales and promotions are planned including a huge sidewalk sale with blowouts and low, low prices on lots of merchandise.  You’re invited to take a tour of the shop and the store while you’re here…catch up on what’s happening with the gang and mingle with the crew at 4 State Trucks, home of the Chrome Shop Mafia!

If you like Burgers & BBQ, be ready for some great food right here on site plus lots of fun for the entire family. Nightly concerts will include The Brent Baker Band and the Matt Coleman “Live” show! Check out our website www.Chromeshopmafia.com for lodging and additional event information.

Drivers, if you want to participate in the Truck Show, we ask that you pre-register your truck by calling 417.624.2900, ext. 11 prior to the event!  This is a low-stress show, not a cleaning contest. Just come out and wash, shammy, show off your truck, and enjoy a great couple of days with us.

We look forward to seeing all of you in Joplin, MO, October 1^st and 2^nd 2010 at Four State Trucks, the official home of the Chrome Shop Mafia, for the Guilty By Association Truck Show & Customer Expo!

Stay tuned for more event information coming your way this summer!

Contact Information:

4 State Trucks

417.624.2900, ext. 11

www.chromeshopmafia.com

KWITCHERBITCHIN’

By Ashley Vice

(Lead photo by Paul Hartley)

Complaints come over the CB about high fuel prices, low pay and long hours. Texas owner-operator Drennon Durham’s response is lacquered across the rear window of his 2007 Peterbilt. One word say’s it all: Kwitcherbitchin.

Drennon Durham, owner of Kwitcherbitchin.

“Easy Money” is the 23-year-old entrepreneur’s CB handle, given to him by a fellow trucker in recognition of Durham’s success at such a young age. “I consider myself pretty young for a guy with a fleet,” he says. Kwitcherbitchin was Durham’s special project in his eight-truck fleet, launched when he was just 20 years old.

Fully customized by the Chrome Shop Mafia of 4State Trucks in Joplin, Mo., the Pete 379 extended hood flattop looks more decorative than durable, but Durham and the Mafia recognized and delivered on the need for a balance between showmanship and serious business.

The 550-hp Caterpillar and 18-speed Eaton Fuller transmission enable Durham to haul drilling rigs, pipe and equipment with little difficulty other than keeping Kwitcherbitchin’s candy-apple-red finish safe from damage. “I scratched it the other day, and I liked to have cried,” Durham says.

According to Joe Overfelt, Mafia body shop manager, Kwitcherbitchin was customized to fit its owner’s personality with a blend of “flash, style and attitude.”

Durham made a few changes to the truck before taking it to the Mafia, but the makeover was a collaboration, as are many of the Mafia’s custom projects: Durham’s ideas and CSM’s artistry, under the direction of Mafia boss Bryan Martin.

“Bryan and I sat down and made a list of things I wanted done to it,” Durham says, “and $40,000 later, here we are.”

That list was extensive, including a shiny stainless frame cover caressed with a custom airline box. The headlights, single squares mounted in the truck’s 22-in. American Eagle front bumper, are among the most talked-about features.

“Most of the time truckers want to know where the headlights are, because they’re easy to miss going freeway speed,” Durham says.

Kwitcherbitchin is outfitted with WTI rear fenders and a set of outlaw-styled front fenders to make it look just a little lower to the ground.

“You know lower is better,” Overfelt says. They also “dropped” the look of the cab and sleeper with a set of custom cab/cowl and sleeper panels. The job didn’t end there.

“We gave it attitude with a huge audio/video setup so Drennon can draw a crowd at the local truck stops with his old classic country boy tunes,” Overfelt says. The setup combines four 10-in. subwoofers and two 1,000-watt amps with a Panasonic head unit. The truck has a 20-in. flat screen with a DVD player and an Xbox 360. Durham says he’s considering adding satellite.

“The boys here at CSM love building trucks, but it makes it that much sweeter when the trucks we build fit the owners to a T,” Overfelt says.

Only a year since the truck was customized, Durham already is thinking about taking it back in for a few updates. “I would like to stretch it to 379 inches, so the wheelbase and the model would be the same,” he says.

At press time, Durham planned to show off Kwitcherbitchin at the 2008 Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Championship at the Mid-America Trucking Show. After that, it’s back to work. Durham recently sold his fleet, seeing the opportunity to pay off debts and make a good deal of money in a short time. He plans to continue working for the company he sold to.

“All the big guys around here are buying out the little guys to avoid competition,” Durham says. “It’s just easier to work for someone else and let them deal with the headaches, like taxes.”

He kept one truck: Kwitcherbitchin. “A guy offered $155,000 for it, but I have almost $200,000 in it and wouldn’t sell it anyway,” he says.

Selling his fleet, he says, gives him the opportunity to go to shows – and keep customizing. “Why not?” he asks. “I like to change things up and be different.” Durham says neither he nor his truck is what people imagine when they think of the trucking industry — and that’s the way he likes it. — CR

Shedding a little more creative light on those custom steering wheel options

By Bruce W. Smith & James Jaillet

Few items on a custom rig makes as much of a statement to the owner about their truck than the steering wheel. It’s what the owner hold’s on to day in and day out and casts an eye toward innumerable times during a driving stint. It’s also the one singular item that catches the attention of all those who peek inside the cab—even if for an instant.

What makes the choice of wheel so important is it serves multiple functions –especially in conjunction with working rigs.

This custom billet wheel goes perfect with this rig's brushed aluminum dash.

First it has to be comfortable to the touch. Nothing is more annoying than to have a steering wheel that feels awkward when you’ve got to keep your hands on it hours on end.

Then it has to make a statement, whether it’s subtle, in-your face, or somewhere in between. And lastly the steering wheel of any custom big rig has to be a compliment to the interior.

Finding exactly the right one for your truck probably isn’t going to be that easy. After all, there’s a wide selection of “traditional” styles from which to choose and the offerings are getting even wider as you’ll soon see. So to find the perfect custom steering wheel may require quite a lot of shopping.

The easiest way to go “custom” is to paint the wheel of you like to match or compliment your rig’s interior.

Wood and chrome are always a nice mix to carry the nostalgia look.

“ ‘Painted to match’ steering wheels is very popular right now,” says Bryan “Bossman” Martin of 4 State Trucks’ Chrome Shop Mafia fame.

“ What we do is take a wood steering wheel, sand it, prep it for paint, paint it with automotive-grade paint and clear coat it. This way a driver can keep his dashboard, door trim, floorboard and steering wheel all the same color, which really gives the interior a smooth ‘hot rod’ look.”

Another growing trend is to have metal steering wheels powder-coated or “chromed” in a variety of colors. A new chroming process a company in southern California offers allows you to “color” the wheel (and just about any other interior trim part) to suit a variety of color tastes and looks.

“We spent two years on research and development taking the best from modern chrome plating applications,” says Scott Oliver, one of the owners of Wheel Creations Plus Inc., in Fresno.

“This process utilizes a pure chrome that is a higher standard than can be used in traditional plating. We also utilize titanium and nickel for strength and adhesion, finished with a German basecoat and topped with clear developed for the space program and used by Mercedes-Benz.”

The result, according to Oliver, is show-quality, long-lasting plating with a deep clear coat to give the parts a color tint to match or compliment the vehicle.

Oliver says, “Our plating process is ideal for plating mirror brackets, air cans, air-intake tubes, radiator surrounds, headlight housings and other ‘common’ accessories found on big rigs.”

REALLY CUSTOM WHEELS

Such a process opens the door wide for doing some really cool custom touches with steering wheels. For example, you might find a billet-style wheel from the likes of Colorado Customs, True Customs, Details, or Billet Specialties and have it chromed with the new process to the color or look you really want.

Taking that a step further, have your own steering wheel designed and built to make your cab really special. Several of the custom steering wheel manufacturers offer such services.

The newest custom trend is designing your own wheel like this one from True Customs.

“Our specialty is building one-off steering wheels,” says Mike Miller, owner of M & M Machine, LLC, which is also the home of True Custom Steering Wheels located in Carriere, MS.

The company is very well-known among the classic and custom car crowd and has recently expanded to offer their creative talents to the custom rig audience.

“All our customer has to do is send is their design, even if it’s scratched out on a napkin, and we can build the steering wheel,” says Miller. All the customer has to do is supply us with the proper steering wheel adapter and the bolt pattern. We’ll do the rest.”

That brings up another important point about steering wheel upgrades as pointed out by Martin during a recent visit to their custom shop in Joplin.

“Steering wheels for big rigs are definitely not a ‘one style fits all’! Nearly every truck make and model takes a different wheel,” explains the Bossman.

“A wheel off of a tilt-column generally won’t fit a standard column; a wheel for a 1985 Peterbilt won’t fit a 2005 Pete; a steering wheel for a Columbia Freightliner won’t fit a Freightliner Classic, and so on and so on,” he says. “What that means for us as chrome shops is we have to keep about 100-150 steering wheels in stock to accommodate owners of all types of trucks.”

For the custom rig owner setting out to use a wheel of his own choice this means getting the right adapter.  There are at least two good sources: Grant Products and Details. Both offer adapters and installation kits to fit the batter part of rigs being customized today.

A quality steering wheel puller is a must-use tool.

INSTALLATION TIPS

As for the installation side, some caution there as well to make the swap/upgrade smooth and trouble-free.

“You need a good high-quality tee-bar-style puller to change-out a steering wheel,” says Joe “Lil’ Joe” Overfelt, the shop manager for 4 State Trucks and the Chrome Shop Mafia.

“Those cheap import tools can cause a mountain of headaches! You are dealing with a $600-$700 steering column and the last thing you want is to damage it by stripping out bolt holes, pulling threads, or damaging a steering shaft.”

“Another touchy issue on installation of a steering wheel is making sure you’ve got it ‘centered.’ Most times if you just guess at it’s position in relation to the front wheels you’ll realize a mile or so down the road the spokes are a spline or two off-center,” says Overfelt.

Making sure the wheel is centered and aligned with the front tires during installation saves both time and money.

“This means you have to do the complete R & R procedure all over, which is a big waste of time and money. What we generally do is make absolutely sure the wheels are perfectly straight before we pull the original steering wheel.”  (Check out or steering wheel how-to, “Get A Grip,” Summer 2009, for more tips.)

So there you have it. When you start thinking about interior customizing/personalizing, let your mind wander a little more than the steering wheel displays at the local chrome shop or e-store.

As you’ll see in our showcase below, you might be surprised at what you can find with a just a little more research and your own special creativeness. — The Editors

STEERING WHEEL SHOWCASE

Here’s a look at a just a few of the newest offerings in steering wheels for custom big rigs. Take the time to go to the manufacturer’s web sites to check out other wheels that are sure to turn your cab around. (Click on any image to enlarge.)

LOW LIFE

Colorado Customs’ Low Life ($500) custom wheel features a solid billet aluminum design and comes in a 14-inch to 18-inch size range. The Low Life is available in flat or gloss black powder coat versions with pin-stripe options and is clear-coated for durability. Fits most rigs with an optional adapter.  www.ColoradoCustom.com (714) 441-2498

TRUE CUSTOM WHEEL

M&M Machine can custom build any steering wheel design to fit your rig. The custom wheels ($469 for a 14-inch) are built from solid aluminum plates and come ready to bolt. Send M&M a sketch, and they will build the custom design to match the interior of your custom rig. www.truecustoms.com (601) 749-4325

VIP29

VIP WHEELS

As of late, Vehicle Improvement Products has been making steering wheels for the military. They do, however, still make steering wheels for trucks that will do any custom rig interior justice. For a more contemporary, flashy look, the 18-inch VIP49 might do the trick. It features four chrome-plated spokes and a flamed rim design. For a traditional, elegant style, the 20-inch VIP29 features two chrome-plated spokes and a top-grain leather rim.  www.vipwheels.com (847) 395-7250

BILLET STEERING WHEEL

Details Show Truck Acessories’ 16.5-inch three-piece wheel features an aluminum cast ring and a solid billet center. The back of the steering wheel is detailed the same as the front, so the the wheel’s custom look can be seen at any angle.  Details manufactures  all of its accessory products out of solid aluminum. The wheel is available at all of Detail’s distributors and comes with black or unfinished rings and ready to paint. www.bigironbling.com

GRANT DRIVER SERIES

Dress up your trucks interior with Grant’s new Driver Series Wood steering wheels. Hand finished mahogany wood accentuates a chrome steel spoke. For comfort, leather accents the spokes for a soft but firm grip where you need it most. Available in two and three spoke designs. www.grantproducts.com; (800) 952-6947

Chrome Shop Mafia tricks out not one, but two 2010 Freightliners to go on the show circuit

The Chrome Shop Mafia, the customizing arm of Joplin, Missouri-based 4 State Trucks, is notorious for turning big rigs with millions of miles on their bodies, interiors and drivetrain into head-turning show-stoppers. Their big rig artistry is evident across the country and well documented in both print and video.

Freightliner, on the other hand, is well known for its forward thinking designs and innovations. The company was looking for a way to turn heads in the direction of the Cascadia and all-new Coronado at dealer events and trucking trade shows in 2010.

Customizing each truck was the natural choice as was commissioning CSM to handle the job.

“The concept behind the two builds was showcase to the public Freightliner has great products and is a driving force in the Owner Operator market,” says Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing, Freightliner Trucks.

But as every customizer knows, for a custom rig to really hits its mark there has to be a definitive goal for the customizer; a “theme,” as it were. That fact wasn’t lost on those at Freightliner.

“With the Cascadia we really wanted to drive home the message you can have an aerodynamic truck that not only maximizes your revenue, but that also looks good and carries the Owner Operator’s individuality and spirit,” says Clausen.

“At the same time we wanted to show owner operators of the more traditional long-nosed trucks how easy it is to customize the already good-looking classic Coronado,” Clausen explains. “We know there are a lot of Owner Operators out there who love their chrome and want to add the little extra touches that make their trucks stand out on the road.”

Goals in mind, Freightliner handed the  keys to the two trucks to  Bryan “Bossman” Martin and the Chrome Shop Mafia crew. The boyz at CSM were more than up for the challenge to take a fresh-off-the-assembly-line 2010 Freightliner Cascadia^® and all-new Coronado^® to the next level.

This CSM-customized Coronado is truning heads at shows this year.

Classic and Chrome: Coronado
“The entire crew had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Coronado for some time, and when it came – wow!” said Bossman Martin when the first truck arrived at their shop.

“This is our kind of truck – with its long hood, traditional front end, exposed tanks and boxes, and a pretty respectable wheelbase. This rig offers a lot of [customizing] potential!” And customize they did.

The Coronado – Freightliner’s top-of-the-line heavy-duty truck – already features an updated design and aerodynamic details such as a sleek fiberglass hood, sloped windshield and dual chrome-steel intakes positioned on either side of the hood. But it needed a lot more to make a statement. Paint, for one.

Custom paint jobs turn heads, and custom paint is one of the many areas the CSM excels at thanks to their hired gun, “Wild Wes” Adkins, whom they call upon when special customer’s trucks need special looks.

The CSM paint team, assisted by Adkins, spent several long days sanding down the Coronado’s factory paint and replacing it with a wicked four-color paint job beginning with House of Kolor PBC 48 Cinnamon Pearl base.

Over that they laid on a cool blend of flowing stripes using a combination of DuPont blends including ChromaBase GM263K Pewter, 2008 Nissan C20 (lighter green), and  ‘94 Honda W9508k (Irish green effect), and capping it all off with a ’slick’ DuPont clear coat.

Once the new Coronado had its custom colors, the boyz turned their attention to the Freightliner’s hard parts to further accentuate the new paint.

“This new Coronado is a pleasing sight for any owner-operator – and we simply enhanced its good looks,” says Joe “Lil’ Joe” Overfelt, the CSM shop foreman who worked on the two builds.

Custom touches from nose to tail.

Their enhancements include frame sleeves with “Coronado” laser-etched in them; one-off, stainless cab/sleeper extender panels with lights; a Tommy gun logo panel at lower back sleeper wall exterior; and a custom seven-inch exhaust (deigned by Overfelt) from Dynaflex.

The Mafia crew also built custom CSM exclusives for the Coronado  including such items as a stainless visor, wheel caps, frame covers, and fiberglass double-hump fenders.

Under normal circumstances the CSM crew strips a rig’s interior and adds their custom touches.

But that wasn’t necessary with the Coronado as it came right off the assembly line fitted out for maximum driver comfort and convenience, including an updated dash, noise abatement materials in the cab, built-in refrigerator in the sleeper.

Freightliner's new Cascadia wears CSM custom upgrades quite well.

“We couldn’t be any prouder of the finished product,” said Bossman. “The Coronado would be an excellent choice for any owner-operator. It has fantastic interior features and amenities, and a classic look that will always be in high style.”

“Hot Rod” Cascadia
“When we first heard about the Cascadia, we were scratching our heads thinking, how cool can an aerodynamic truck really look?” said Bossman.

“And then we realized – what’s not to like? The Cascadia has all of the appeal of owning a fuel- efficient, reliable truck combined with a smooth, custom appearance guaranteed to put a smile on any driver’s face.”

Once again the CSM crew began with the exterior. This time Wild Wes and the crew created an intricate multi-color sunburst paint effect using DuPont ChromaBase paints. The main ingredients: Orange (802K) and Gold (235l/67U) topped with a White-diamond clear using Cadillac Escalade tri-coat (800J) doctored with a bottle of Gold Pearl FX.

They accented the Cascadia’s aero-body with a custom deck plate complete with a back -lit airline box, added a cut-out Freightliner logo to the smooth back exterior wall of the sleeper, and made a one-off rear center section for tail lights.

Cascadia dash was painted to duplicate exterior color scheme.

Custom-cut-and-painted front wheels further enhance the truck’s tricked-out looks as do the custom rear fenders, axle covers and light panels.

Inside, the crew added custom-embroidered seats and floor mats displaying both Freightliner and “Tommy gun” CSM logos. They also painted the dash panels and added vinyl graphics throughout interior carrying “aerodynamics with attitude” logos.

Says Lil’ Joe of the finished custom Cascadia, “This truck has a modern new-age look that everyone is sure to love.” “And the Cascadia’s aerodynamic styling saves at the pump. How can it get any better.”

One way is actually finding yourself behind the wheel of one the two beauties, which is a distinct possibility as Freightliner says both of these custom rigs will be put up for sale later this year as the custom Cascadia and Coronado complete the show circuit. – CR

Yes, it’s almost Thanksgiving. So why a blog about some polishing/detailing video?

Well, I figured not everyone would be glued to the dining room table or TV this weekend, or for that matter, the hunting lodge. Some of you may be looking out your window thinking about giving ol’ Pete, Mack, KW or IH a cleaning.

The winter road film gets on the fuel tanks, wheels, stacks and everything else. So if you do decide to spend a coupe hours in the shop this weekend–or at any other time, we asked the guys at the Chrome Shop Mafia to make us a video on the best way to put a shine on your custom rig.

Check out this video and grab a buffer!

http://www.customrigsmag.com/articles/technical-how-to-videos/

There are a million blogs on the web, but a new one I think truckers will find appealing is coming from 4 State Trucks/Chrome Shop Mafia.

“Our blog is written about issues that matter to the people in the trucking industry,” says 4 State’s Will James, the blogmeister of the Chrome Shop Mafia crew.   “We want to keep you informed about news that affects you.

“We want to keep you entertained with real life stories about people like you do and we want to keep you involved and connected to people who do what you do.  Please read our blog and join our community and leave your comments.”

Check it out…I know I will. http://4statetrucks.blogspot.com

4 State Trucks/CSM celebrate 30^th anniversary with Joplin blowout

The invite for the early October truck show simply said, “Come join us for our 3oth Anniversary Celebration. We guarantee a good time will be had by all.”

When you get an invitation from the boyz at the Chrome Shop Mafia like that there’s no way one can turn it down. You just know the turn out is going to be good and the hospitality terrific.

We weren’t disappointed, either. When we arrived Friday afternoon at 4 State Trucks Joplin, Missouri, compound the rains had subsided and the cold winds had begun to diminish.

We also found 97 trucks on site—72 of them registered in the Chrome Shop Mafia’s Truck Show.

It was the first day of their two-day gig, and Bryan “Bossman” Martin and his brother Bryce were up to their cold ears trying to get vendors and show participants shuffled around and squeezed into 4 State’s parking lots.

“Weather wise it wasn’t looking too good yesterday and this morning,” says Bryan. “But this storm’s blowin’ out and it’ll be good tomorrow.” And it was.

Unlike miserable Friday, Saturday morning was perfect for a truck show; the sky was clear and blue, the temp cool and crisp, and the wind just a light breeze. By 10am the crowds were rolling in and by noon parking spaces for spectators were getting very hard to find. By 2pm it was a capacity crowd.

Ice Road Trucker Alex Debogorsky

Freightliner was showing off their new 2010 Coronado and giving away four NASCR tckets w/pit passes and four Petty Driving Experience to some lucky winners later in the day.

Alex Debogorsky from Ice Road Truckers was there to shake hands and sign autographs, as were the CSM gang who were celebrities themselves. Dozens of people lined up every time the Bossman gave “VIP” tours of their shop and showroom during the day, too.

We also learned a dozen of the rigs on display were treated quite special by being photographed by Paul Hartley for the Chrome Shop Mafia’s 2010 calendar.

“Saturday night a huge bonfire we lit off in the 4 State compound as Matt Coleman & Road Hammers wound up the crowd with some kickin’ tunes,” says Martin of the end-of-day events. “And there was no shortage of BBG and food thanks to our friends at Red Hot & Blue ( a local Joplin purveyor of such cuisine.)

“Everybody in attendance was relaxed, havin a good time, ‘all smiles’ and had a ’spring in their step’ as Joplin was ‘right where they wanted to be,” say the Bossman.

Form what we could tell, the 30tth anniversary bash was a winner. We have been told we’re on the invite list for next year’s October Fest—Chrome Shop Mafia style. Woooo-Hoooo!—CR

GBATS WINNER’S LIST

Winners:

Poker Run: Jayme Snow

$650  gift pack: Shannon Crenshaw

$1000 gift pack: Chad Blackwell

$2000 gift pack; Cupp Farms

Lights:2nd – Jerry Kissinger

1st -  Billy Carter/Steve Hendershot

Paint:  2nd – Matt McCord

1st  – Jeremy Graves

Interior:2nd – Dallas McCord

1st – Paul Saline

Stereo: 2nd -Colin Stuart

1st  -Jeremy Graves

Peoples Choice:

Bobtail – Thomas Ivy

Combo – Jeremy Graves

Competitors Choice:

Bobtail 2nd place……..:Doug perkins

Bobtail-Best Of Show..:Matt McCord

Competitors Choice:

Combo 2nd Place…….:.Jeremy Graves

Combo Best of Show..: Wayne Baker

Larry Martin Memorial Award.: Randy Huddleston

2010 CSM CALENDAR TRUCKS

Hoewing Trucking

Troy Huddleston

Randy Rebillard

Andy FIero

A.Wise Trkg

Dave Schroyer

Chad Blackwell

Gary Salisbury

Jeremy Graves

Nathan Deacon

Paul Saline

Doug Perkins

[View with PicLens]

12►