The Next Level

This month’s creation was built for Eric Baudino (34) of Mazon, IL. The Baudinos are no stranger to nice Peterbilts (Clint has built several for them and many have been featured in past articles), and this newest addition will fit right in with the best of them.

Like a lot of Clint’s customers with custom trucks, if the opportunity to sell it “for the right money” arises, they would take it and build a whole new one. Well, that is exactly what happened here. Clint built Eric a sweet custom ride back in 2009, and when someone offered to buy it, Eric took the deal. Then, he turned to Clint for his next ride – but this time, he wanted to take it up a notch to the next level!

Clint ordered a red on red 2015 Peterbilt 389 with a 44-inch flattop, an ISX 550 Cummins, an 18-speed, a split tank for a wet kit, and a Platinum interior loaded up with all the goodies. Eric wanted to add a few things, but he didn’t want to get too carried away.

Once the truck arrived, the guys added a dump valve on the steer axle, one of Clint’s custom drop visors, five bullet-style LED cab lights, WTI rear fenders with the lips trimmed, custom cab and sleeper skirts (painted), and a flush, smooth, painted deck plate. They also painted the headlight buckets, the dash panels and wood trim pieces inside, and the fuel tanks (except the ends – those were polished). As usual these days, Clint hid the urea tank inside the driver’s side step box (Sheldon at Big Rig Chrome Shop in Oshkosh, WI came through for them with some smooth SCR covers at the last minute), and Clint’s dad chopped the air cleaner screens. Blank air cleaner panels with a single light on each side were also installed. Thanks go out to Jesus, Charlie and everyone in the body shop for all of their help on this one.

As the icing on the cake, Eric wanted a nice set of 8-inch straight pipes, like what Clint had built for Eric’s cousin Nick back in 2012. Since there was no large-diameter Y-pipe system for the new Peterbilt 389s, Clint and his dad spent a lot of time cutting, modifying and welding a custom Y-pipe for Nick, but they really didn’t want to go through all that again. Having met the guys at Lincoln Chrome, Clint called them and asked if they would be interested in making him one. Well, not only were they excited to make one for Clint, but they took it to the next level and are now offering this system, which features no visible brackets and a 90-degree elbow, to their customers with 2011-2015 Peterbilt 389s. For more details, visit www.lincolnchrome.com.

In addition to pulling an end dump and farming, Eric also has a show cattle business. Growing up in 4H, Eric always had a passion for show cattle. As part of his business, Eric searches the country for exceptional yearling cattle that are still in the pasture, buys them, and then brings them back to Mazon, where he remarkets them to folks looking for handpicked show cattle. He said, “It’s too much work not to enjoy.” Apparently, he has a good eye for it, because in recent months, two of his cattle have won State Championships in Ohio and Illinois. In addition to finding the best cattle, he also offers “coaching” services after you purchase a cow, which include help in grooming and final prep for the show. If you’re looking for superior show cattle or have some to sell, check out Eric’s website at www.baudinoshowcattle.com.

Eric and his wife Kelli, who is a fourth grade teacher, have three children – Colton (4), Jaxon (3) and Alli (almost 1). The dash plaque on this one reads “NEXT LEVEL” – and that is where everyone involved with this project took it. And, for a guy who tried hard NOT to become a truck driver, young Eric Baudino has obviously not only accepted and embraced his deep trucking roots – he has taken them to the next level!