Moving on to the drivetrain, Botelho and his crew opted for a CAT 3116 diesel motor with an automatic Allison transmission. As with everything else on the truck, custom motor mounts and brackets were fabricated to mount the new motor and all of its accessories. A custom stainless header and exhaust system were designed and fully polished to match the dual 100 gallon stainless fuel cells. Once in place, both the motor and transmission were painted with the PPG medium metallic blue found throughout the rest of the truck.
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Once the drivetrain and rolling chassis were finally together, the truck was moved back to Botelho’s shop for the custom cab work and final details. With the rolled-over cab sitting in front of him, Botelho broke out the sawzall and chopped the top off the mangled semi, fulfilling the promise he made to himself and his father all those years ago. Shaving the usual areas, such as the door handles and hood latches, the front fenders were given a radius while the fifth wheel attachment in the rear was smoothed as well. A custom, molded-in light bar was attached at the rear of the truck that also houses strips of titanium to satisfy Botelho’s dragging needs.
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Before final paint and assembly, the guys at Cen Cal Creations were assembled during the final week to complete the bodywork, interior, and paint work. With time running out, rolled aluminum and fiberglass panels were fabricated throughout creating a sleek, yet simple interior that wraps around the leather cockpit seats while gray carpet adorns the floorboards. Finally, PPG medium metallic blue base was sprayed over the entire truck while green and orange flames and skulls covered the fenders (the hood wasn’t actually finished till after the Big Rig Build-Off due to time constraints).
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Although a few hiccups managed to slow them, such as bad weather and a fuel pump that went out on them the night before they were to leave for Louisville, Botelho’s dream came to fruition as they rolled this big rig off the trailer and onto the show floor. Together with his wife, sister, mother, and father, the realization he had finally met his goal made for an emotional moment for all. “My mother and sister were crying,” Botelho says. “All those years that my father had gotten pissed at me for saving and collecting random parts were erased with one look. I had been waiting for that look my whole life.”