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HARD WORK FINALLY PAYS OFF
This month’s Readers And Their Rigs features owner operator Enrique Vanegas (34) of Moreno Valley and his restored 1988 Pete 379. Enrique is no stranger to hard work (he’s been trucking since he was 16), but to him restoring this old classic was not work, it was therapy. He purchased the truck as a frame and axles only from a friend who had “parted it out” for his fleet. Being a guy who loves to “search” for the right parts at the right price, Enrique found the cab, 425 Cat engine and 15-speed overdrive transmission at local wrecking yards in Southern California. The hood was purchased new from Peterbilt. The long and low truck has a 275” wheelbase and special air bags that lower the truck. Enrique also upgraded the stock front axle with a car hauler axle to help lower the rig. He also customized the suspension brackets to lower it even more. The bottom of the 23-inch boltless bumper sits just 3 inches off the ground. The sleek black truck also has Double JJ headlights, a 12-inch wide butterfly visor, 7” straight stacks, hand-made polished aluminum 1/4 fenders, 120” aluminum deck plate, chrome driveshafts and chrome spring brakes. The interior features customized door panels that are black with royal blue flames, a chrome dash, an 18-inch wood steering wheel, air seats that can go all the way to the floor, 23 toggle switches with blue jewels and 14 gauges with chrome bezels. After two years of hard work, perseverance, passion and dedication, Enrique’s dream became a reality. Enrique has been married for 15 years and has four children. His kids love to help him clean the truck. Enrique hauls corrugated boxes and rolls of paper for Crockett Container Corp. in Santa Fe Springs, California. We are proud to say that Enrique has enjoyed reading 10-4 Magazine, from cover to cover, each and every month for the last seven or eight years. |
