This strange tale took place back in the summer of 2004, and even more unusual things happened after that. "Since then, I have had Ajax Chrome refinish both the inside and outside of the truck," Johnny adds. "I also had Auto Weave Upholstery redo the interior. To make the truck flow, I took the rear springs apart, left the main spring in, added airbags with a leaving valve, and added a trackbar bar so I could adjust the suspension.
"I also changed all the lights to LEDs. In 2006, Valley Chrome made me a 13-inch, boltless bumper for the front. I took off the 11-inch visor and put on a 14.5-inch dropped visor by RoadWorks. I replaced the old 359 grille bars with W 900 grille bars." The truck also got an air compressor and air tank in order to work the seats, suspension, and the two sets of horns. The roof-mounted horns work with the pull cord, and the train horns work with an air over electric switch.
What was the previous owner's reaction to the extra mods? He's still involved with all the buildup aspects, and the truck stays at his house, largely because it fits in his garage. "He has become like a dad to me over the past four years," Johnny smiled. "But he said that the truck is just as much mine as it his. Then he did something I thought he would never do: He willed the truck to me."
"The summer of 2008- it's game on," Johnny enthused. "I'm going to take out the four-wheel drive and change the front axle to fix the steering problems." He also wants to add a Gear Vendors overdrive if he can make it fit, along with airbags for the front suspension.
Not only that, but it seems Johnny's really gotten hooked on this Mini-Me thing, because he's also in the process of building another pint-sized Peterbilt with a sleeper cab and fifth wheel so he can haul the kids around. In other words, Johnny has big plans for small things.