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00:00This time on Rides Down Under,
00:29Aussie Truckers.
00:30Nicole continues work on the SAR build.
00:34We head to Alexandra for Victoria's biggest truck show, and Don visits Hallam Trucks to
00:40reveal the Golden Eagle Kenworth 610 build.
00:43But first, the Diesel Doctor team need to get this build across the finish line.
00:52Yeah, so we're really under the pumping issue at the moment with Diesel Doctor.
01:02We've got this big red beast behind me here.
01:03Today's the last day.
01:04Need to be on the road by tomorrow.
01:06We'll get some exciting things happening at the Alexandra Truck Show, but there's so much
01:11work to do.
01:12I know the list is as long as my arm.
01:13There's wiring.
01:14There's a tonne of wiring to do.
01:16There's a ducktail to go on.
01:18Sun visor to go on.
01:19Tanks to go on.
01:21All the inside.
01:22The Pellcraft steering wheel, gear steer, handrails.
01:25Haven't got the Kenworth badge on it yet.
01:28Nothing.
01:29So the list is really long.
01:30We decided to name this truck the Golden Eagle for this reason.
01:33I purchased this little baby here, Golden Eagle, so we actually changed the Kenworth
01:37badge as well.
01:3823 karat gold and decided to paint inside black of it.
01:41So just made this thing a little bit different.
01:43Gold and black and also changed the little birdie on the side to Golden Eagle on the side
01:47of the truck now.
01:48So it's a little bit different to what we normally do for TCD.
01:50So this is the beast, the Golden Eagle.
01:53So we've got the Golden Eagle.
01:56It was rightfully named the Golden Eagle.
01:59John found an antique hood ornament, which was gold.
02:02We were going to go get it chrome coated, but I loved the gold.
02:05And I thought, let's incorporate gold throughout the whole truck.
02:08So we've got a lot of first things.
02:10We've got a 23 karat gold Kenworth.
02:13We've got 23 karat gold all throughout the truck, which is just, it looks amazing.
02:18And the light that shines on it, just beautiful.
02:21So pinstriping on this truck's a big deal.
02:24Rick's done an amazing job.
02:26All the tasks I've been able to do in a short period of time.
02:29He's only half way there yet, 24 hours to go.
02:32So he's got a big task in front of him.
02:34I've got to give him so much credit.
02:35Like the workmanship's kind of amazing.
02:38Most of his truck's all hand painted.
02:39I don't know how he does it, to be honest with you.
02:41I just sit down and watch him and he's just freehand and just doing it.
02:44I've got no idea, but it comes out all right in the end.
02:57As you know, TCB, we like our lights.
02:59So I haven't counted how many lights on this truck yet.
03:01But I know there's a few and a few more to come.
03:03Unfortunately, they all didn't get here in time.
03:05It should be lit up and it'll be part of the show.
03:08This truck here, I've never heard of anyone who put 8-inch pipes on it.
03:11So I think we are the first.
03:13Don't question me on that.
03:14But I think we're the first people to put 8-inch pipes on it from Silverback.
03:17So they go to the Monster Stacks, which have come out amazing.
03:22You can't beat big chuffers.
03:25So Silverback has given us some 8-inch straight stacks,
03:30which has completely changed the look of this truck.
03:33I've never seen anything like this.
03:35It kind of looks a little bit like a Peterbilt, but it's still a Kenworth.
03:39So I'm actually really excited to show this one off,
03:43as well as the mud guards, which are the ribbed mud guards.
03:46So we're super excited to have some new stuff on the trucks,
03:50which, you know, it just makes it.
03:52Yeah, so Don came up with the idea of doing a vinyl wrap on our tank ends
03:57and had the guy come out and we were talking about it.
04:00And I thought, if you just have it on the tank ends,
04:02it kind of looks like it was an afterthought.
04:04And I, like, why don't we incorporate it throughout the truck?
04:08Let's do something different.
04:09Let's put it in places where it's not been seen before.
04:12So the first idea was just to put it on the rear bar.
04:14And from there, the ideas just flowed.
04:16And so you will see little elements of this vinyl wrap throughout the whole truck.
04:21And it just looks amazing.
04:22Look, the whole team put the efforts in.
04:27Look, it goes from Nick from the Exotic Designs.
04:30He done the Eagles.
04:31Even people like Genis Equipment supplied us a hoist.
04:34I mean, it doesn't sound like much, but to make the truck easy to work on,
04:37we did have it on the hoist, lift it up.
04:39So Genis is a great team.
04:41They support us as well.
04:42We've got Silverback.
04:43Even Kempy.
04:44Even Kempy.
04:45They come with the goods.
04:46Goes to new machines.
04:47Troll on this truck.
04:48And Nicole, she's wrapped with it.
04:50And Puppy.
04:51I think the equipment they supplied is second to none.
04:54It just makes their life so much easier.
04:56So they are so excited.
04:57So when we brought this truck in, the list started short with Nicole.
05:00And it's just grown, grown, grown.
05:02And I kept walking in here and adding to the list.
05:05I must admit, Nicole, she's been so good.
05:08She's really working with me.
05:09And look, we called him Puppy as well.
05:11They're coming after ours.
05:13And both of them together, putting both heads.
05:15It's been unbelievable.
05:17The team effort in this truck is second to none.
05:20As I said before, we've had late nights.
05:22And Nicole's really put her thoughts in.
05:24And look, I've put her under the pump.
05:27There's been some stressful moments there when things don't line up.
05:30But you know what?
05:31It's the part of the team.
05:32And we work together and make it all happen.
05:34We are seriously under the pump.
05:36There are so many people in my workshop at the moment.
05:38There's a lot to get done.
05:40We want to make Don's dream come true.
05:42We want to be at the Alexandra Truck Show.
05:44I've been putting in some huge hours the last couple of weeks.
05:48You know, 70 plus hours a week.
05:50I'm just as excited to have this truck at the show as I think Don is.
05:54So, you know, let's just make it happen.
05:56So yeah, we're 24 hours out from having to leave the yard to head to the truck show.
06:01We've still got to get all the steps on.
06:03We've still got to have the rear bar needs to be finished.
06:06We've got lots of final touches, final fittings to get done.
06:10You know, as Don walks in at the 11th hour.
06:13And, oh, aren't we putting mud guards here?
06:15Or don't we put more lights there?
06:17And I'm like, oh, calm down, Don.
06:19Look, Don has been like a kid in a candy shop.
06:22I've never had him in my shop so often.
06:25Like he has, we've been doing late nights and dinners here.
06:28And he's been along for the whole ride, which has just been brilliant.
06:31He loves this truck.
06:33We are right towards the end.
06:35I still feel he's a little bit nervous.
06:37I'm a little bit nervous.
06:38I think together we've done a great job in project managing.
06:41And I've had his back.
06:43Like he's had my back.
06:44I've had his back.
06:45We've come up with ideas and we're at this point now where we are this close
06:50to seeing it in its final form.
06:52And I'm very excited.
06:53So I got here this morning at Diesel Doctor.
06:55And I've got some accessories here from Pearl Craft.
06:58I must thank Pat and Sammy from Pearl Craft.
07:01They've come to the party.
07:02How cool is that?
07:04Gear stick.
07:05Goes through there.
07:07Look at that.
07:14Once again, Pearl Craft.
07:16Yeah, done yourselves.
07:17Absolute beautiful.
07:19I'm so excited.
07:21Put him in a truck.
07:22And this truck is coming together just nicely.
07:26I'm really happy.
07:27So I can't wait.
07:36Bit of a test for them as well for Diesel Doctor.
07:38Look, you know, put them under the pump and this is a test for them
07:40and they've come out on top.
07:41And, you know, I'm hoping people really enjoy this truck
07:44and appreciate the efforts that go into this truck.
07:47It's all handmade, like all that's done and so on.
07:49It's all handmade.
07:50Because I call it art.
07:51This is really art.
07:52Look, this truck has come out of them.
07:54You know, this truck, when I bought it, it was supposed to go up the north
07:57to do long hauls, road trade trips and things like that.
07:59And all the drivers are putting their hand up for it.
08:01But I'm deciding there might be a company ute for me to drive home with.
08:05So I think I might keep at that for the moment.
08:08Coming up, Don heads to Helen Trucks to unveil the fully completed Golden Eagle Kenworth 610.
08:23Righto Don, well, your truck's just come out of the detailers.
08:34It looks awesome.
08:35It's been a real pleasure watching it all come together.
08:38Tell us a bit about what you've done here.
08:40Well, basically, we organised this truck through Helen Trucks Centre.
08:44So I'd like to thank Helen Trucks Centre for the efforts and design.
08:47Years have done to this truck.
08:49And then the doctor picked it up and we brought it back and it's a bit of TCB bling on it.
08:54And things like we've covered the lights and the skirts in the interior.
08:59We've put a certain amount of lights on it.
09:02Done a deck plate.
09:03I got up to 8,000.
09:04I counted 8,000 lights and stopped counting.
09:06And this one, we did something a little bit different.
09:08We did the sign writing in gold.
09:10So that's why this truck's called the Golden Eagle.
09:12It's actually 23 karat gold leaf.
09:14So it is gold.
09:15So no one tried to rob it and take it away on me and cash in the gold.
09:19But look, I'm really proud of it.
09:21What we've done, we've done an exhaust on it, which I don't believe I've seen a 610 at the moment.
09:27First one I've seen.
09:28And I've got to say, it's probably the best 610 SAR that's rolled out of here in my time.
09:33So yeah, it looks awesome, mate.
09:34It's a credit to you.
09:36Yeah, it's a lot of effort and time and a lot of hours.
09:40But look, the product's the product and we're really proud of it.
09:43And we just want to thank everyone involved, especially the Hallam Truck Centre.
09:47Young Joshy, he's put a lot of effort in it as well.
09:51And the whole team.
09:52It's just been great.
09:53And it's another delivery for TCB.
09:55It's just great to be a part of doing trucks like this.
09:58You know, we just love, you know, the result.
10:01And, you know, everyone loves a good looking Kenworth, right?
10:04Yeah, exactly.
10:05Congratulations, mate.
10:06Thank you so much.
10:08Hope everyone else enjoys it as well.
10:09Here's the keys.
10:10Peace.
10:11Don, just taking the delivery of the new truck, mate.
10:28Looks a million bucks.
10:30Appreciate it.
10:31Still needs parts though.
10:32You've got 67 others.
10:34Yep.
10:35And how many trailers?
10:36Yep.
10:37They all need parts.
10:38Here's a good sales pitch here, isn't it?
10:40We need parts.
10:41Yes, we do need parts.
10:43And where are we tonight, Benny?
10:44Tell them.
10:45We're at our annual end of financial year clearance sale.
10:48So we're at Hallam Truck Centre.
10:50We've got a mountain of parts up for sale for one day only.
10:54We've got a special function tonight for some VIP customers like Don,
10:59who's one of our VIPs.
11:01He's got a big checkbook.
11:02I've got a big checkbook actually.
11:03You'll have to ring my wife and tell her to deliver it real quick, eh?
11:08So tonight's a great night.
11:10A lot of food, drinks.
11:11Yep.
11:12Yeah, so we've got our sales staff here.
11:15We've got some suppliers.
11:17So key suppliers like that really help us out with the sale.
11:20Castrol, Fleet Guard, Meritol, Ricoh.
11:24They're all here in support.
11:26And pack our parts, I should mention.
11:28Even though they haven't turned up yet.
11:29But they'll be here very soon.
11:31It's just a great evening.
11:32We just try and get as many customers as we can through for the night.
11:36We've got bigger than Texas barbecue going.
11:38So who doesn't love a barbecue?
11:40Exactly.
11:41So what this is all about, you get guys like me in.
11:43Yep.
11:44Show us around.
11:45Show us what parts you've got and explain them.
11:47Like I've spoken to a few boys just before.
11:49Not only getting the technical side, show us what they do,
11:52how many kilometres they do in the filters.
11:54Yeah.
11:55All the reports, which is great for us.
11:57When we're sitting back in the office, we actually don't see that.
11:59So you see it on pen and paper and it's great news and parts behind us.
12:05They're trying to really maybe spend a lot of money here tonight, I think.
12:09I'm a little bit worried.
12:10This Texan barbecue might cost me a few thousand dollars, I think.
12:13And there is an open bar.
12:15So hopefully they do get a little bit warm up and the checkbook comes out.
12:20Don't worry.
12:21I'm onto him.
12:22Don't worry about that.
12:23It's all about giving back to the customers as well.
12:26Don's been a fantastic supporter of Hellum Truck Centre and our other sites over two decades.
12:33Yes.
12:34And this is just part of the service that Hellum can give to us.
12:36Yeah.
12:37It's great.
12:38We can bring in any time, get parts, have nights like this, have a bit of fun, joking around.
12:42Yeah.
12:43And that's what it's all about.
12:44So, let's get into it.
12:45And hopefully walk away with the Pee Wee 50 and we can see Don on later.
12:48No, I think so, mate. I might hurt myself.
12:50Next, there's no rest for the Diesel Doctor team. It's back to work on the SAR.
13:17James' Equipment is a distributor for global leading brands such as Benpac, Sturtle Coney,
13:22Wee's Bath.
13:23So we supply hoist lifting equipment, specialised testing equipment throughout Australia in all
13:28segments, whether it's a car dealership right the way through to a car enthusiast or a truck
13:33dealership right the way through to truck enthusiast.
13:36The difference we see with the Benpac hoist is not just with the ergonomical technology that
13:41we use when we're operating the hoist and lifting the hoist, it's all about safety and longevity.
13:46We can put anyone under the hoist and we know they're safe.
13:49With the Benpac hoist, there's no complicated buttons to use.
13:53When we want the hoist to go up, we press the button.
13:55In return, then, when we want to lower the hoist down, it's just a matter of lifting the
13:58handle and that releases the safety locks.
14:01We just press the button and it steadily brings that car down.
14:07In our Benpac range, we have the two-post hoist, which is very, very popular.
14:10But we do the four-post hoist, and that's anything from a car to a truck in the four-post range.
14:15So the versatility for whatever you're using in any type of application in a workshop,
14:20we've got the hoist there to accommodate that.
14:22We're back at a 1953 Chev.
14:36It's been a long time coming, but we've been waiting for parts, trying to source parts and these old things.
14:41It's just not as easy as I thought.
14:43But anyway, it's all happening now.
14:45I've got a good friend of mine, Shane, from Valleygrunt.
14:47He's a pretty famous bloke.
14:49He sourced the parts for me, and he's here today.
14:51Big day for us.
14:53He's upgrading the braking system, and he's going to push it all together.
14:56Shane loves taking these sort of jobs on.
14:58The truck's as old as him.
15:00Well, actually, Shane's probably a little bit older, I reckon, but it's up his alley.
15:03This is what he does.
15:05He loves it.
15:06The truck's starting to come together now, so we're doing brake lines now,
15:09upgrading the braking system.
15:11The engine is getting rebuilt right now, as we speak.
15:14So, there's a plan ahead.
15:24Got the SAR back from the Painters.
15:26Long time coming again.
15:27We're just waiting for parts from the stage.
15:29There's a bit of a mishap, so it took a lot longer than I thought it was going to happen.
15:33But anyway, parts are here from the stage.
15:35What a day it is.
15:36So exciting for us.
15:38Going to open those boxes up soon and see what we've got.
15:41But also, we've rebuilt the motor.
15:43A big bad boy sitting beside me here.
15:45But there's some more goodies going on this.
15:47Firewall's back.
15:48So, now, the plan is start molding together.
15:51There's some parts that have got to come for the motor.
15:53Some shiny bits, obviously, come for the motor.
15:55So, they're not here yet, but they are coming.
15:57The parts have come.
15:58I've ordered some nice big stacks from the States.
16:01Some watermelon lights that I wanted.
16:03And some other bits and pieces that we can't get in Australia.
16:07So, I sourced them from the States.
16:09Brought them over.
16:10Let's get it happening.
16:11The front end, we've designed that.
16:13Put the front end on airbags, so the steering.
16:15So, you know, when we go out and go to some truck shows or whatever,
16:18we can be like a little hot rod.
16:19Just drop the front down and it'll look cool.
16:25We decided to go fiberglass guards on the back of this.
16:27And they're dropped down real low.
16:29I like the real low look.
16:30It's cool.
16:31So, we're not sure how we're going to mount them on yet.
16:33So, we've got to make the bracket system up for that.
16:35And that's a diesel doctor's problem, not mine.
16:37That's another little thing I've thrown in their hurdle there.
16:40So, we've got them on.
16:42We'll just see what the brackets we need.
16:44Fit them up.
16:45Make sure they sit nice and straight and low.
16:47So, that's a look.
16:48I really like all the wiring hanging out at a firewall.
16:50Just looked a little bit messy for me.
16:51So, never done it before.
16:53So, we've made a false firewall for this thing.
16:56It's got to fit it up now.
16:57It's back from the painters.
16:58Give it a dummy fit.
16:59Make sure everyone's right.
17:00Make some boxes up.
17:01Try to hide as much as we can.
17:03I just want that nice, smooth, cool look.
17:06The idea from the firewall is, I like cars as well.
17:09So, I go to car shows and things.
17:10And if you look at the real nice cars going around, all the engine bays are nice, clean.
17:15Basic, but clean.
17:16And I thought, why can't I bring that to the big boys?
17:20So, I'm going to just try it.
17:21See how it goes.
17:22And hopefully it looks cool.
17:23One question everyone asks me all the time.
17:25Is this actually going to be a work truck or a show truck?
17:27Not really sure yet.
17:28Might be my daily driver just to come to work.
17:30Might be my new work toy.
17:31So, not really sure.
17:33When we pulled the motor out of this, I decided to pull it down.
17:36Strip it.
17:37I'd rather do things right.
17:38Luckily I did.
17:39She had a few kilometres on it.
17:41So, we just gave it a good freshen up.
17:42Gave it a full rebuilt from the block up.
17:44New head, turbo, all the accessories inside.
17:47Just want to get it right.
17:49So, when we start it, drive it, my peace of mind, it's all done.
17:52This is really at the fun stage now.
17:54As I said, it took a lot of time to get parts in.
17:56But I've got them all in now.
17:57It feels like all my Christmases have come at once.
17:59I'm like a little boy.
18:00You know?
18:01I have little boxes and ripping off all the packages and see what's in there.
18:04So, I'm really excited for today.
18:06I really want to see all the goodies in the box and put it all on.
18:09Yeah, very exciting times for the SAR.
18:22It's been painted, all of our parts have been painted.
18:38We've got stuff that's come in from the States and this is the fun part.
18:43We're just getting to see all of our hard work.
18:45Putting it all together and just watching this beautiful mammoth truck be created.
18:51The firewall has gone off to be painted, colour matched to the chassis.
18:55And we're going to start installing it now so then we can start getting the engine in.
18:59So, this is the first process to building it all back.
19:02So, we're going to just move forward with getting this on.
19:07Looks fantastic.
19:09Love it.
19:13So, Don's got a, he's got very specific ideas and plans in place.
19:23Go down.
19:24To get, just to make it look different and make it look like something that's never been
19:31seen before.
19:32So, we're hoping to get pointy, like bullet head nuts for this.
19:37But first and foremost, we need to make sure that it fits and that it's going to do the job
19:42that it needs to do.
19:49Yeah, you'll notice I'm only sort of touching the edges and the insides, trying not to get
19:54anything on here.
19:55And there's so many obstacles to getting this firewall and it's been a really tricky build
19:59from the very beginning.
20:00And, you know, it's a credit to a lot of people who have had a go at it.
20:05Um, we're getting here and this is the fun part.
20:08So, seeing what it all looks like.
20:12So, this time we get to see what the, um, the boxes, the stainless steel boxes will look
20:31like up against the red firewall.
20:33Um, we've been waiting a long time for this.
20:35These have been sort of sitting in my shop for, um, yeah, about that long.
20:40So, we'll polish all this up.
20:42But, um, if you want to pass me some nuts and we'll get this on.
20:45Anything custom, anything that's fabricated, all of John's ideas, they're things that we
20:51haven't done before.
20:52You can't buy them off the shelf, especially some of the trucks that we're working with.
20:56They're old and they don't make the stuff that we need for them anymore.
20:59So, it is very custom and this stuff does take time.
21:02It does take time.
21:03And it takes time to get it right and to source products and import them.
21:20So, today, it's really hard to find good workers these days.
21:24So, I just bring my family with me.
21:27This is my son, Mark.
21:30Uh, yeah, he's been a real help and a real asset to the team, actually.
21:34A very fast learner.
21:35Um, helps make my job a lot easier.
21:46The whole idea behind this is to keep it super clean, make it look like it's never been
21:51touched and it's never been driven and to keep it that way.
21:54Um, so, by creating all of these elements, it enables us to keep it looking like it's brand new.
22:00Coming up, we're off to Alexandra for Victoria's biggest truck show.
22:04Where Don reveals the golden eagle to the mad passionate trucker community.
22:09We're at Alexandra, so, it's a truck show they have annually.
22:27We're a major sponsor now.
22:29So, we just come in and support the local community around here.
22:32I think it's great.
22:33But all the trucks here, there's so many nice trucks.
22:36Like, you walk around, so many good builders now.
22:39So, it's just talent.
22:40I love it.
22:41The transport industry in show trucks is just growing.
22:45And they come from everywhere.
22:46I know there's trucks from Brisbane, come from Sydney.
22:49It's great.
22:50Brings the community together.
22:51For Alexandra, it's great.
22:52It's free entry, but it's great.
22:53Yeah, look around.
22:54It's absolutely raining here today.
22:56It hasn't stopped all night.
22:57But families still come out to bring little ones.
22:59In prams.
23:00I just can't believe it.
23:01It's great.
23:02It's been a lot of hard work for this truck, but we've got it here.
23:04And people, I love it.
23:06People appreciate what we do.
23:08So, they get pleasure.
23:09I get pleasure.
23:10So, that's what it's all about.
23:11It really is.
23:12So, the Golden Eagle, we went beyond this one.
23:14We actually really thought about it.
23:16And just did a little bit of things different.
23:18Like, the tanks and the coverings on the back lights.
23:22And the pink striping on it.
23:24There's a lot of gold pink striping on this truck.
23:27We just put our minds together.
23:29A lot of it, you know, we argued.
23:31And everyone's got different opinions.
23:33But, you know what?
23:34It turned out.
23:35It's great.
23:36Everyone's enjoying it.
23:37I love it.
23:38After this weekend, hopefully I'm going to have a break.
23:40Been going pretty hard in the last couple of months.
23:42So, I've had no sleep in the last week, believe it or not.
23:44You know, I've been getting three, four hours sleep a night.
23:46That's a lot.
23:47So, I think I'll have a break and work on the next project.
23:50So, it's been a really massive week for us at TCB.
23:53Trying to get all these trucks ready.
23:55Especially the new one, Golden Eagle.
23:57But, we got it here.
23:58I think we arrived at 1, 1.30 this morning.
24:01And back up at 4 o'clock.
24:02But, we're here.
24:03Beautiful weather.
24:04As not.
24:05I think it's about 7 degrees.
24:08But, you know, everyone's out.
24:10People are still coming out and enjoying themselves.
24:11It's great.
24:12Huge week this week.
24:13I've had lots of help in my shop, which we've really needed to get this truck across the line and to get it to this show.
24:31I was determined.
24:32I just wanted it here.
24:34My heart is happy.
24:35There's a lot of things that this truck has that I've never seen before.
24:39I've been up and down the strip and I've looked at other trucks.
24:42There is nothing like it here today at this show.
24:45I'm super proud of what we've been able to produce.
24:49Things like the rounded rear bars, which are wrapped in vinyl.
24:54The deck plate with the landing lights on it.
24:57This Golden Eagle is really a Golden Eagle.
25:00And she shines.
25:01She's beautiful.
25:02We're working until 10 o'clock last night.
25:05The truck got here at 1 o'clock this morning.
25:08I don't know why I'm not tired, but watching everyone enjoy my truck, watching everyone look at the truck and point and even talking to them and engaging with them.
25:19It's made it all worth it.
25:21Absolutely worth it.
25:22This has definitely stretched my skills.
25:24I have learnt so much and I'm now even more willing to take risks and push boundaries and I suppose reach the same heights and goals that Don is wanting to do with his trucks.
25:34And, you know, what a great team.
25:36He's pulled it in for me as well.
25:38He was in the factory with us until 1 o'clock in the morning.
25:41He was there.
25:42He was feeding us.
25:43It's a group effort.
25:44It was a group effort from all of us.
25:45I don't mind having Donny in the workshop, but as long as he doesn't keep throwing new things and more things to do at me,
25:51it's like, let's just finish one task and then throw more at me after that.
25:56But, you know, it'll be good to have my workshop back, everything, all the tools back in their place and starting a new project.
26:02I'm looking forward to it.
26:03Next thing's the 108, the SAR and a couple of trailer repairs.
26:07So hopefully I'll just start small maybe with the trailer repairs, but the 108 is going to be my big one to get back on the road next.
26:21So I'm with Dylan Gregson.
26:28So Dylan Gregson will give you the history.
26:30His father was my first employee.
26:33He's become very close mates.
26:35His father was absolutely done.
26:38I can't speak highly enough of him.
26:40But Dylan, I've known him since he was a little boy.
26:43So I've watched him grow up and he looks more like his dad than his dad.
26:46He blew everyone hot.
26:47Split image.
26:48You'll think they'll be twins.
26:50So, since you're a little baby, you're on TCV trucks all the time for your dad.
26:55You know, he bought you in the trucks.
26:57I still remember that.
26:58But what's your fond memories of your dad and TCV?
27:01Oh, on the trips, going wherever we were going.
27:04Had some fun times as a kid.
27:07Going up north.
27:09We were going Sydney at times.
27:11Things like that.
27:12Carton panels.
27:13And remember, once Dad used to, we had to soften the fuel out of one tank to another tank.
27:19Oh, nice.
27:20Yeah.
27:21And Dad was, I was lucky enough to be the one that sucked in the hose.
27:24Well, your dad, he was old school though, truckie, that one.
27:27Like, his beliefs in the old school truck and the way he'd done things was second to none.
27:31Loved it.
27:32Loved it.
27:33He died doing what he'd done.
27:34Yeah.
27:35I suppose that was the best way for him to go.
27:37Yeah.
27:38Loved his job.
27:39But, Steve, when he started, I was still at home.
27:42So, parking the trucks at home and to rock up there all the time in his big footy socks and shorts.
27:46Not much would change anyway.
27:48I think that's pretty much what he went out.
27:50Yeah, I used to go around the Dons.
27:51I used to have to help wash trucks.
27:53That was my job.
27:54It's, you know, yeah, if I didn't do that right, I'd know about it.
27:58I remember a few times you'd done congoes for kids.
28:00Yes, yes.
28:01We got pictures of that in the house still and even a bit different to what it used to be.
28:06But, yeah, the trailers used to be in there.
28:08It was pretty polished, clean, everything like that, tarped.
28:12It's the way it was back then, wasn't it?
28:14Yeah, it was.
28:15Yeah, yeah.
28:16So, we loved it, like, can't speak highly off of me, as I've said.
28:20If I had 20 Steve Grixons, I'll have 20 more trucks.
28:23He was just a superstar to me.
28:30So, obviously, you grew up around the trucks, but you're still coming to these events after so many years.
28:34You must have some sort of passion.
28:36Yeah, I love it.
28:37I love it.
28:38I think Dad's been in it for a little while and then, obviously, I come along and pretty much, when I was born, Dad was on the road in a truck.
28:45And I think you've got a new one at that stage.
28:47I was in a different truck.
28:48I love it.
28:49Yeah, from day dot, I've been in the trucks and love it.
28:52The respect you've got for the drivers out there.
28:56I know what Mum had to go through with Dad on the road and the appreciation of them.
29:00It's not just the truck, it's the lifestyle.
29:02Love it.
29:03Yeah, love it.
29:04That's the way it is though, isn't it?
29:05If you're a truckie, you're a truckie.
29:07You're not home every night.
29:09It's not a nine-to-five job.
29:11It could be gone a day, it could be gone two weeks, three weeks.
29:14It's just the way it was.
29:15Just got to keep Australia moving.
29:17Yeah, that's it.
29:18Nothing better than young fellas on the trucks or the kids these days.
29:21It's not like it used to be though.
29:23Let's not forget about your brothers too.
29:24Oh yeah, their brothers used to come along, but we'd better not take their glory out of it.
29:29There was a tribe in the truck.
29:30It was a family affair though, wasn't it?
29:32It was, yeah.
29:33And Dad, we only had shoes on in the trucks.
29:35Nothing like that.
29:36It was a very rigorous program that Dad ran.
29:39It was white the feet before he got in.
29:41And until he drew on one of the Aerodyne's white leather interior and the blue pen.
29:48Dad could have probably murdered us on that day.
29:51His dad then me.
29:53But you know what?
29:54That's the way it was.
29:55Old school.
29:56Keep them clean.
29:57Keep them shiny.
29:58But still do the work.
29:59That's what it's all about.
30:01That is it.
30:02Alright.
30:03Nice seeing you again, mate.
30:04Life eyes, mate.
30:05Look after yourself.
30:06We'll see you.
30:09Next up, Nicole's back on the SAR build.
30:22Today's a big day for the SAR.
30:37I'm really excited.
30:38Got a lot of the chrome stuff coming for the motor and all the goodies, accessories that's
30:42come along.
30:43Powder coatings come.
30:44So now it's just a matter of getting the boys, get them wrapped up, start putting together.
30:49So all the chrome got done by master electric plating just down the road to carry them down.
30:53So we just like to use people locally if we can support their business as well.
30:57So they've done a great job.
30:59I went down there in the ute just trying to pick up.
31:01I thought there was only a couple of pipes and there's three layers of goodies there.
31:04So I was really excited.
31:05We'll be up to Jesse now, the mechanic, to put some goodies back on the motor, shine it all up.
31:10Today we're working on the engine for the SAR.
31:14Don is quite happy.
31:15He's very happy that this chrome bit is already here in the workshop.
31:19So today we're going to put it back together, all those chrome bits.
31:23That's only part of the engine.
31:25And there's heaps of parts that we need to put it back together.
31:29And they still got more chrome and some other bits and pieces that we need to order
31:36and we need to make this truck happen, to make it one truck for Don's project.
31:41This kind of job, I do it for a long time for being a mechanic.
31:46To be honest, I started my career when I was 14 years old.
31:49In this kind of field, I already over 30 years.
31:52This particular engine, which is Cummings engine, it's not too hard to do if you know what you're doing.
31:59But I got young guys that work with me, so I need to be slow so that they can learn how to do this job properly.
32:07In the engine rebuild, we start tearing down all the parts.
32:10So we start from the cylinder head, bottom parts, until it come up to the engine, just the engine block alone.
32:17So from the engine block, we strip the engine block, removing all the pistons, gun rods and everything.
32:24And then after that, if all the parts have already been dismantled, we clean the blocks and we inspect.
32:31So whatever needs to be done on the block, before we put it back together, we make sure that we repair or if the blocks need to replace, we replace.
32:40The chrome-beaten pieces that we send away for chroming, what's all those parts is fit to this engine, this is going to be ready to go on the truck.
33:03It's part of the aesthetic look.
33:06If you're doing this kind of project, you know, you add up not only the performance, so at the same time, you mix up with the looks and how the people will look your project.
33:17But somehow, you still need to work.
33:20The rocket cover on top, it's got a lot of grooves in it, so I just want to give that, instead of having it all polished, give it a bit of a touch-up inside the grooves.
33:32It's got a big Cummins logo on top, so we'll dress that up as well.
33:35Just give it that spark and light when people look at it.
33:38This truck, when we bought it, it's just a bit of a little project, but it's just blown right out.
33:42So just one thing leads to another, and we just kept adding and adding and adding.
33:46I don't know what the cost is, I don't really care, but I just want it to look shiny and I want people to appreciate for what it is.
33:52On this SAR, we've got a dummy firewall on it as well, and we're going to try to get that from the top and make it come right down the curves and the bottom where the motor sits.
34:01Just give it a clean, smooth look, and that will just follow right through the whole truck.
34:07People ask me about the lights on this one, I'm not sure really, I haven't really gone that far.
34:10We're still doing all the mechanical stuff really, so once we get the mechanical stuff on, I'll try to draw it up and see what I want on this thing.
34:17So what I want to do is I'll purchase some guards out of the States.
34:20They sit really low, I'm not sure if I'm going to go on job sites or not, but this probably will be a working truck, I'm not really sure yet, or just park it in the shed, I'm not sure.
34:27But I don't know, they sit really low and they're heavy and we've got to make up all the bracket system on it and make sure when it twists and bends, they don't crack.
34:34It's got to the stage where it's really exciting, but just want it done at the same time.
34:39I know it's still a while off, but just want it done, I can picture it in my head, I just want to put it out in the road and hopefully people appreciate what it is.
34:47So the boys are just in the workshop doing other odds and ends, there's plenty of work here to do, so they're just waiting for those parts to come in, then once that's in, they'll get it rolling.
35:14We've got one of the trailers in here to do a bit of maintenance on it, which is one of our road train trailers, so they do work hard.
35:20One of the boys found a couple of axles were cracked, which is not a good sign I suppose, but these things do work hard, run across Australia in the dirt and stuff like that, wherever they go in the mines.
35:29So it's just wear and tear, as simple as that, so we just purchased a couple of new axles and then we're going to weld all new saddles on them, line them up properly, because if you're a mill out, she's not going to track right.
35:40So the boys are onto that now.
35:48Last week, we bring two trailers on the pit and to be honest, normally, it's a normal protocol in this company that we bring all the trailers at the end of the year.
35:59We already bring at least six trailers, and those two trailers on the pit, they are unfortunately not really lucky, because we found out some major repairs that need to be done.
36:10One of the trailers there is a flat deck, and it got two axles that need to be replaced, another one is a drop deck, and unfortunately, it's got a cracked axle that need to be replaced as well.
36:22So, it's always happened to us at the end of the year, any gear, any prime mover, any trailer that we use, apart from doing the preventive maintenance and normal maintenance, we bring all of them on the pit to be inspected,
36:37because it's my job to make sure that all those gears are road-worthy, road-safe when we put it back on the road in the next year.
36:46AXL is part of the foundational parts of the trailer. They are considered as structural. So, if there's any dummies there like cracks on the heavy sides of the axle, there's no point in welding them and put it back on the trailer.
37:15Because chances is, it will give you some headache in the future. So, replacing them is not only preventing the accident happen, you make everyone safe at the end of the day.
37:29I ordered two brand new trailers for this one. Unfortunately, when we are on the process of putting it back together, we found another part of the axle.
37:38There's a crack as well that did replacing. So, I'm quite behind at the moment, probably a few days, just to put it back again this trailer. I'm waiting for parts.
37:48All the trailer manufacturers, they have a specific design. It's designated to a specific application. So, when they construct the axle, they can choose whatever parts they want to use. So, they can get any supplier that wants to get the supply.
38:05Next up, we're back at the Alexandra Truck Show. We meet Craig Membrick and his moving tribute truck, built in honour of his son.
38:18The Alexandra Truck Show, mate.
38:332025. It's been a good turnout, actually, considering the weather and everything. It goes to show how much people love trucks and this sort of stuff. So, it's been crazy, actually.
38:43I love getting all the kids up there and having a look, because that's where it starts, mate, you know, from the kids. And they're loving it. And if they want to jump up, I'll get them up there, mate.
38:50It's not one of those things you sort of say, no, no, get up there. Get up there, mate. Have a look. And, you know, they love it. And maybe they're the future. So, that's what it's all about.
38:58I know that's what Don loves as well. So, you know, getting the young ones in there and getting them out there and, you know, they're the next up and coming.
39:05We've been pretty busy here with everyone stopping and having a look at them and stuff like that. So, you sort of explain a bit to them and stuff like that. But just looking at the crowd, that's crazy.
39:13I was here last year and I think it's probably bigger this year. So, it's like you see everyone with their kids and, you know, they've got their dogs, whatever.
39:21It's great, mate. It's really good. Good turnout. Don's been focusing on the 610 and you can see why, mate. You know, it's come out great.
39:27The shed there have done a great job and under pressure too. So, made it happen and that's what it's all about.
39:33I got to move it today for him. Beautiful, mate. You know, it's got all the mods and cons and all the stuff in it. So, yeah, it's some really nice work, mate.
39:40So, if you get to have a look over it and check out all the detail in it, there's a lot of hidden detail there.
39:45So, still waiting for an air con. I've got a heater. But, yeah, it takes about an hour or two to get going, you know.
39:50But, yeah, I need an air con, mate. 100%.
40:02This truck was just going to be a cool truck back in 2011, probably around about the 15th of March.
40:08I purchased this truck off CGR trucks off Peter and Andy. And the time, two days later, Rowan passed away.
40:15And I went to America, Mid-America Truck Show and come back with a lot of ideas.
40:20This truck was just going to be a cool truck just to do up as a project.
40:23I'd never had a 9-0 before, but there was a lot of trucks named after their grandfather and their father.
40:29And I thought, well, let's do it up about me son, Rowan. And a lot of people heard about it and knew about it.
40:35And so we end up building this truck up as a showpiece, a memory of my late son, Rowan.
40:40Amazing people just popped up from everywhere to do it. I didn't ask anyone for a cent.
40:46People like Kenworth Factory, Al Mohatchie was the boss over there at the time, and we quoted to get it all up to scratch.
40:53I said to my blokes at the time, I said, get a quote. I don't know how far we'll go and to see what we do.
40:59We got $80,000, $90,000 of parts to re-chrome this, re-bling it, and back to the original standards.
41:05And I thought, that's too much. I paid $145,000 for the truck. Let's steal a little bit on it and just see what we can do.
41:11Two days later, all the parts turned up. They didn't pay a cent.
41:15Hallam Truck Centre paid for the mural on the back of it. Trucker's Toy Store, Rob New Painter painted it in his own time.
41:21We got Dulux paint. Everyone got behind it. It was just an amazing, amazing story.
41:25And I thought, well, Rowan's got to turn a bad thing into a good thing.
41:29So I ended up talking to Beyond Blue to try to get permission.
41:33Beyond Blue wouldn't turn me calls, so one of my girls at the time working for me,
41:38rang up Hawthorne Book Hall Club, tried to get on to Jeff Kennett, and left a message.
41:43And then we got a phone call back from Ros, who's the secretary, about two hours later.
41:49She said, I'll forward the message on to Jeff and see if he's interested in returning the call back.
41:53About an hour later, this was my reception at the time.
41:56She turned around and she said, oh, there's a gentleman on the phone.
41:59He sounds real arrogant, and he said his name's Jeff Kennett.
42:02I thought, wow, I've got to get this right the first time.
42:05I can't stuff this story up.
42:06So I took the call and told Jeff me story.
42:10You can imagine how many tire kickers you can see in his life.
42:13It changed the world.
42:14But anyway, Jeff said, I'll come down and see you this week.
42:17And I said, well, the truck's not ready yet.
42:19The truck's probably six months off it.
42:20He said, whenever the truck's ready, I'll behind you.
42:23I'll get permission from Beyond Blue authorization to use all the logos and all that type of thing.
42:27So that's how it all started.
42:29And it turned into one powerful, preventable suicide truck.
42:33I know this truck saved life.
42:35I love it.
42:36And my son's memory goes on.
42:37Rowan should be here standing next to me like Jack was before.
42:40But unfortunately, things don't go to land in life.
42:43And like I said, there's help out there.
42:45Suicide's 100% preventable.
42:47Suicide is 100% preventable.
42:49Next time on Rides Down Under, Aussie Truckers.
42:52We meet the team at Silverback.
42:53The legends behind the chrome stacks and guards on the Golden Eagle build.
43:09Don catches up with Craig to talk about the inspiring Searing the Future project.
43:14Steven from Genesis Equipment gives us a lowdown on the world's best workshop gear.
43:19We head to Bendico for meat stock.
43:22Trucks, tunes, bull riding, top grade barbecue meat.
43:27All that and more on Rides Down Under, Aussie Truckers.
43:31This program is proudly brought to you by Genesis Equipment, Kemping Australia and Silverback.
43:37Our crew stays at Quality Inn Robertson Gardens and Hunt's Hotel in Liverpool.
43:45This program is brought to you by Fuzzy Media.
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