This month’s cool “creation” was originally ordered for a customer that changed their mind! After the truck sat on the lot for a bit, Larry Dyck of Jade Transport Ltd. in Winnipeg, Canada, saw it, liked it, and bought it. Being that Jade’s fleet consists of approximately 65 trucks that are all painted green, this purchase surprised just about everyone – including Clint and the guard at the Canadian border, who stopped the truck as it made its way home, and asked the driver, “You’re going to paint it green, right?” Nope!
Clint had the pleasure of meeting Larry & Kim Dyck at the Louisville truck show back in 2007. Since then, they have ran into each other at various events and have always had great conversations. On one 
of their recent trips, Larry & Kim stopped by the dealership to say “hi” to Clint. At that time, this truck (dubbed “Starsky & Hutch” because of its red and white paint job that makes it look like the Ford Gran Torino used in the 1970’s television series) was sitting on the lot. Larry liked it, so Clint sold it to him.
The truck is a 2011 Peterbilt 389 with a 48” flat top painted true red with vintage white stripes. Powered by a 550 Cat, this rig also has an 18-speed transmission, a 294” wheelbase, Low Air Leaf suspension, and an air-ride front (car hauler) axle. Clint did not know it, but back in the early days of Jade, the trucks were green (like today) but the door decals were red and white. Larry just happened to have one of those old stickers laying around, so after they took the truck home, it promptly got stuck on the door.
Clint did not do much to this truck, as Jade does most of their own work and customizing. He provided one of his signature visors, but that was it. The guys at Jade installed a set of their own rear fiberglass fenders (Shift Products), a smooth deck plate (painted red with two white stripes), a custom rear light bar, breather light panels from Shift, and a vintage 1970’s hood scoop, that was mounted on the deck plate and modified to house the airline connections. They also chopped the breather lids, changed the seats, and added a dump valve on the steer axle.
Larry’s dad formed J & J Trucking in 1969, and then changed the name to Jade Transport in 1976. Larry, Kim and a partner (Greg Arndt) bought Jade in 1984. Larry & Kim have three kids, and two of them are involved in both Jade and Shift Products. Jonathan is the oldest, then 
there is Robyn (she’s a teacher), and then Dave. Jonathan actually came down to pick up the truck, and when he did, he and Clint talked about Shift’s unique truck fenders. Clint learned a lot!
Shift Products was formed in 2008, but the guys kicked around the idea for years. Looking to create cool fenders for trucks, they used carbon fiber to build beautiful, lightweight, durable fenders. Since then, they have added fiberglass fenders, too, but theirs are made using a mat-style fiberglass instead of the typical chopped strand-style, and they use a full mold, so their fenders are smooth on all sides (even underneath). If you are looking for fenders, you should check them out (www.shiftproducts.com). And, if you see “Starsky & Hutch” out on I-94 in hot pursuit of a load, get out of the way!