Caught on the Lot – March/April 2024

We had too much fun building the Ranch Hand! Who wouldn’t love the experience? Buying a brand new 389 Peterbilt, customizing it in a cool and vintage motif, then seeing a longtime customer and friend end up buying it from us – that’s a dream come true in my book.

We took delivery of a solid copper-color Pete 389 with what used to be referred to as a 48-inch sleeper.

Equipped with a 565X15, 18-speed transmission and a low-air leaf rear suspension on 3.36 rear axles, the truck has some pretty juicy specs.

To list all of the upgrades we did would take half the pages in this magazine, so we’ll hit only some of the highlights, starting at the front and working our way back.

Up front, this 389 had factory air suspension on the steer axle, and we wanted to lower the front end when we were parked for an “all bizness” stance. I must say that the New Gen air suspension kit for a 389 factory air ride, from 12 Gauge Customs, did a spot-on job of accomplishing just that! And it was installed in just one day, with the addition of only two bolt holes in the chassis. We highly recommend this for anyone who wants a great deflate kit that retains all the great factory drivability and installs quickly and easily.

The Chrome Shop Mafia crew also did a 21-inch stainless bumper as well as a four-piece grille surround and grille insert to achieve that 359/379 styling. In addition, we added a skinny bow tie sun visor and five traditional cab lights with the super bright JML bulbs. We then installed some cab and sleeper skirts, plus air cleaner light panels to accessorize the exterior.

But one of the craftiest things we did was install an exclusive CSM DEF Hide-A-Way fuel tank on the driver side to conceal the ugly plastic DEF tank. Plus, we mounted a set of 7-inch best-fit exhaust stacks and went old school on the battery/tool boxes, too.

Vendetta half-fenders with the hidden mounting brackets, as well as a custom-fab real light bar, trimmed out the back of the truck.

I definitely have to mention the amazing deck plate that was a one-off built by the fabrication crew – stellar work! And, last but not least, the perfect retro styling and installation of vinyl stripes and graphics performed by Thunder Grafix. These came out looking incredible.

Our goal was to give a 2024 Pete the same vibe that you would’ve seen on a 1985 359. I may be a little biased, but I’m gonna say, “Mission accomplished.” LL