Notable builds/trucks: Dead Man’s Hand, Vigilante, KMT 359

Location: Henderson, Colo.

Phone Number: (303) 952-8109

Outlaw Customs, headed by brothers Andy and Alex Gobel, spawned from transmission and differentials specialist Western Truck Parts, owned by their father Allen Gobel. Alex says the crew’s goal is “to think outside the box to provide cool custom products.

Anything we make, we want it to be truly unique – something that’s different than anything else on the market.”

The shop opened its doors in 2006, sharing property with its parent company, and started rolling out lines of custom products and building custom trucks. Alex says the shop’s start to finish design process is its specialty.

“Every piece we build for a custom truck, we build in relation to the other piece,” he says. “So we come up with new designs for entire lines or an entire truck and go into production.”

Outlaw recently opened a new four-bay building for custom work and a 2,400-sq.-ft. show room to house and showcase their builds. “We’re going to continue building ground breaking trucks and producing more and more Outlaw signature products.”

New computer-imaging/design  system allows customers to quickly see concept in 3D along with stress testing

by Bruce W. Smith

It was just an idea scratched out on a piece of paper until Ken Wirth handed the crude drawing to 12ga Customs’ Jeff Battler. A short time later what was little more than a concept for a tailplate was now floating in 3D color on a big computer screen looking as real as ever.

A  click of the mouse and a full parts list appeared, each piece in detail. Another click and the results of a computer-simulated stress test showed up.

If what Wirth was seeing met his approval, the 12ga Customs fabricating shop could be building his one-off idea with another click of the mouse.

Design program allows the part to be viewed and stress-tested with other components to ensure both fit and durability before any metal is touched.

The 3D CAD program, combined with the mechanical engineering and mechanic backgrounds of the 12ga design staff, allows individual  owner-operators and chrome shop retailers alike to quickly bring their parts from concept to reality.

Battler says they can design and “test”  just about any part large or small, be it a door handle to throttle pedal, visor to bumper.

“This new technology allows us to give our customers/dealers a full view  as well a mechanical break down and a stress test of the finished part prior to ever cutting a piece of metal,” explains Battler.

Ken Wirth's concept in reality thanks to 12ga Customs' new computer-aided design offering.

“Keeping current on the newest technology in this arena allows us to build even  more creative parts for the owners of custom rigs,” he says. “It’ll also significantly speed up the process of updating parts to accommodate  [truck] model changes, which gives our dealers more support to help their customers.”

According to Battler the benefits of having an in-house 3D design program are numerous, including being able to check all mounting points of the new part in its virtual environment, which will show obstructions that might not have been considered.

“Being able to preview the installation and fit of the custom part on the  computer ensures a good fit and reduces installation time,” says Battler.

“It also allows us to explore different manufacturing procedures,” Battler explains, ” ensuring our customers/dealers have the ability to have their part made without ever having to shut down their truck for the manufacturing of personalized parts.”

For more information contact: www.12ga Customs.com; (519) 766-0943