This month’s “creation” was built for John Milner (45) of Allen, Kansas. Clint always wanted to build a white on white truck, and he was finally able to convince someone to do it. At first, John was skeptical, but he went ahead and trusted Clint’s judgment – and he couldn’t be happier.
John is the son of Dick and Sandy Milner. His mom died in 1990, and his dad just passed away in February of this year. John’s dad started driving in 1973 for United Van Lines. John went out with his dad in the truck quite a bit. In fact, dad often took the whole family with him in the summer (five people in a COE was something to see). By the age of 15, John was already driving with his dad. The day after he graduated from high school, John started trucking full time.
A few months after his 21st birthday, John got a job with Kansas Motor Freight driving a single-axle 359 Pete, pulling 48’ doubles from Emporia to KC. Later that year, he bought a used 379 Pete and signed on with a United Van Lines agent out of Indianapolis, IN. At 24, he purchased his first new truck – a 1995 Pete 379 long hood, and then ran that truck ten weeks straight with no breaks! John eventually traded the ‘95 Pete for a new W900 in 1998. A couple years later, he bought a new 379 long hood with a 110” ARI sleeper, which he sold in 2004.
After going through a divorce, John got with Clint and ordered a new 379 long hood flattop with a 312” wheelbase. Pulling a reefer, John ran that 2005 Pete until April of 2011, when he replaced it with another nice Pete 379. He ran that one for just over two years, and then traded it in for this new 579-model.
Like a lot of truckers, John loves trucks more than the job itself. Not being independently wealthy, John needs to make financially-sound choices, so he opted for a fuel-efficient but cool aerodynamic truck. Aerodynamics play a big part after 58 mph, and since a lot of the roads he runs have 80 mph limits, it just made sense.
When it came to the color, John wanted to order a white truck, in case he ever decided to go back to United Van Lines, so Clint suggested two-tone white. He had the dream years ago to try this scheme, he just could never convince anyone to do it. John agreed, and the truck was ordered. While waiting for the truck to come in, John bought a new 53’ reefer from Matt at Utility Trailer of KC, which got 13 lights down each side, top and bottom, and a custom-made panel on the back with his logo cut out of it and back-lit with lights.
The truck is a 75th Anniversary Edition (#232 of 255) 2015 Peterbilt 579 with an 80” high roof sleeper, a Cummins ISX 550 with 2,050 ft. lbs. of torque, an 18 speed and 3:25 rears, sitting on LowAir, with an air-ride front axle. After it arrived at the dealership, Clint and the guys added a thin blue accent stripe to break up the whites, painted the door handles, and installed stainless Hogebuilt fenders on Clint’s hidden brackets. They also added a dump valve on the steer axle and lights on the back of the sleeper.
Over the years, most of John’s loads have been pretty boring, but one time, back in the day, he hauled a climate-controlled load for Capital Records – he moved all their master recordings from Los Angeles to New Jersey! A big fan of KU sports, John has season tickets to their football and basketball games, and when he’s not out trucking, John loves going to the games.
When people ask John what color the truck is, he simply replies – “White, it’s all white.” Clint would like to thank John for allowing him to order this unique truck. And, hooked to his new reefer, it turned out amazing. Good call, Clint!