BURNIN' DINOSAUR BONES
Story and Photos: Darron Laking
It all started with wanting full length, 8 inch monster stacks with matching bends. It seemed straight forward enough. However as we all know, it is never as easy as that. It also had to look low, long and clean. Not easy with a 
NZ spec short wheelbase tractor.
The truck was purchased off White Trucks in Hastings and is powered by a C12 Cat, running through an 18 speed R/R and Rockwell rear on air. Originally an Alexanders rig, and credit to them, it was in excellent order. After throwing around ideas with my brother Shane and Willy White, the project started with a 7 week deadline!!
We started out by stripping nearly everything that was bolted to the chassis rails, then welding and smoothing all bolt holes. Because I wanted the stacks to go full length the fuel tanks had to be shifted back as far as possible, which also meant that the air tanks also had to be relocated. I fabricated wider stainless steel tank straps to hold the diesel tanks and concealed 2 air tanks between the chassis rails. We then had to fabricate the steps and I incorporated the batteries inside the driver’s side item, with the passengers side used as storage. The remaining two air tanks were then mounted to the step frames and then plumbed. There was no rear section to the front fenders as this is part of the side skirts that were originally fitted to the rig, so with the removal of the skirts came the need to fabricate new rear sections complete with new mounting brackets.
I wanted to import some fibreglass fenders from the US of A to get the look I was after, however the cost of freight made it not such a great idea, so I decided to make my own mould and get a local fibreglass company to make them. They are mounted to the truck with brackets inside the fenders to continue the uncluttered look of the build.
The truck was then sent to Dave Cowan at Truck Chief to have all the holes filled, then prepped and painted. Dave and his boyz did an awesome job of the paint even if they had their doubts about painting everything blue.
I wanted the cab roof left clean so a new stainless visor was made complete with new brackets and it was mounted low so the roof line was visible and to get the look of a chopped roof. Six 2” leds were mounted in the visor to keep things legal, and are covered with one way chrome bezels. The air horns were then relocated under the hood and new mirrors fitted. Panels were then fitted to the tops of the doors to help with the chopped look.
The interior was then stripped and brackets fabricated to mount the 203mm diameter stacks. The stacks were probably one of the biggest jobs on the rig. After I welded the 90deg bend and a reducer to take the tube down to 5inch, the whole thing had to be polished. The pressed bends were a nightmare and the whole procedure took about 40 hours. Stainless clamps and brackets were formed to mount the stacks to the cab and the exhaust underneath was made and fitted to the stacks.
A large, wrap around aluminium bumper was folded up and welded, then polished and mounted to the front to make
the truck look low up front. I wanted the rear light bar to be mounted low as well, so it would continue the line of the bottom of the steps, and tanks. The light bar was another fabricated item and is fitted with 2.5” beehive Led’s. Two 8” tail/stop Led’s with chrome bezels were fitted to the main section with a retro chrome LED licence plate light mounted in the centre.
Hubcaps and 3.5” nut covers that I imported are fitted to the polished Alcoa’s, and new chassis covers, also painted blue were fitted complete the minimalist look.
Inside, the dash was removed and the instrument layout was changed, before new panels were laser cut and 
covered in laminate. The instruments and controls were then installed with new chrome and S/S bezels, toggle extensions, switch guards, and peterbilt air vents. The gauges were all fitted with green LED’s and a 12” extension fitted to the shifter. An 18” wood rimed, stainless steel Banjo steering was installed and matching wood, trailer brake and column tilt leavers fitted.
Big thanks to everyone who helped with the project. Class5custom,Shane, Ben, The Cone, The folks at Truck Chief, Willy and crew at White trucks, Paul, Brendon, Kerri , Adam, and last but not least, Rachel & Kurt.
Remember, LOUD pipes save lives.
