One of the biggest rock stars of last summer’s car shows was a highly modified big rig that looked like it belonged in a post-apocalyptic movie.
The plus-sized rat rod beast left the Mack truck factory as a 1966 B755 model, was used up by hard work, and eventually discarded to a very uncertain future as a scrap metal candidate with a blown-up factory 318 Detroit diesel before it was purchased/saved at an auction.
Jim Sutherland
The big Mack truck was saved by a team of talented employees at Prime Boiler Services, a group who usually build (or service) industrial boilers. The idea of a wild rat rod big rig began when company president Eric Madsen found a boiler from a 1912 Case threshing machine and wanted to use it as a portable BBQ for special events.
The idea was expanded into a bigger concept by a shop team led by Kent Madsen (the Mack’s auction buyer) and fellow employee Darren Benoit. They wanted to use the old Mack truck as a transportation platform for the BBQ unit proposed by Eric, plus they wanted to transform the retired big rig into a raging beast.
The process required a donor heavy vehicle that used to be a City of Red Deer fire truck and had a running 1985 Detroit 8V71 diesel engine. The newer engine transplanted into the ’66 Mack project truck was hooked up to an Allison 4-speed transmission connected to a rear driveline from a 2005 Freightliner.
The project truck was lowered by 9 inches on the front end and now rides on an air ride system, a feature that combines coolness and comfort when the Mack is on the road.
It is difficult not to notice the massive custom exhaust stacks on the big rat rod, a feature that comes from the creative mind of Kent and are custom-built in 3ft sections. For the record, the stacks also shoot flames because Kent and his crew rigged up a custom propane feeder system that is hidden from view by a custom container on the lower section of the truck’s cab.
The front seat is a custom bomber-style configuration that used two Harley Davidson leather jackets for the upholstery section on them. The Mack’s massive and intimidating front bumper is also a custom touch created by Kent during the build process.
The Highway 43 sign flaps on the rear of the truck are legitimate and were recycled from an accident that damaged the sign and required replacement reimbursement from Kent’s company. He decided to put the old sign to good use, given the fact it was now a part of company history and they had to pay for it.
The rear taillights will seem familiar to many of our MyStarCollectorCar readers because they were used on 1959 Caddy models. However, the taillights’ housings are a nod to the boiler maker business because they are pressure safety valves.
The rear license plate on the Mack truck looks like it is ready to fall off–but that is an illusion because it is firmly attached to the big rat rod rig.
The truck project began in 2017 and was completed early in 2023 by the shop team. Kent knew he and his team would answer the challenge and build a remarkable rig because, “We’re not allowed to say ‘No’ and we have lots of self-thinkers on our staff”.
The only tough issue left is which lucky staff member gets to take the company’s giant rat rod to shows and BBQs.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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