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A 1997 Western Star 6900 — 1997 Rig of the Year, magazine cover legend, and one of the most recognised trucks in Australia. Rebuilt in three months under real pressure, with no expense spared.
Where It All Began
Mad Cow arrived with serious history behind it. A 1997 Rig of the Year winner, it had graced the cover of Roadtrains magazine and was one of the most recognisable trucks on Australian roads. The original truck ran a factory 19-litre KTA engine — we ran it hard for the first 12 months, and then the engine locked up in Townsville. There was only one decision to make: a full nut and bolt restoration, no expense spared.
The Journey
This was a full nut and bolt restoration — not a touch-up. The chassis rails were separated. The cabin and sleeper were raised onto airbag rails. Brand new X15 crate motor, brand new gearbox, all new diffs, new bull bar, new fuel tanks, all new rims and tyres, all new interior, all new wiring. And it was filmed as part of Aussie Truck Rehab — with real pressure, real deadlines, and a Casino Truck Show date that wasn't moving.
Everything came off. The cabin and sleeper were completely stripped and pulled from the chassis. A full nut and bolt restoration means exactly that — every single component inspected, every system rebuilt. The chassis rails were separated. This is where you commit to the job properly or you don't do it at all.
New chassis rails went in. The cabin was raised onto airbag rails — a major upgrade over the original setup. In went a brand new X15 Cummins crate motor paired with a brand new gearbox. All new diffs on Dana 52 suspension with 190 diffs rated to 185 tonne GCM. A 1997 truck with entirely new running gear.
The electric blue chassis and red engine became the signature of this build. Every bracket, every fitting, every line run properly. Nothing hidden. Nothing rushed. The engine bay on a truck like this is a statement — and this one says everything about how the job was approached from start to finish.
New fibreglass panels were laid up and shaped before going into paint prep. Every surface blocked, filled and primed until it was perfect. A deep black gloss finish leaves nowhere to hide — the preparation has to be flawless. The iconic blue and silver stripe graphics were laid out referencing the original truck.
The deep black came up mirror perfect. The blue and silver stripes went on. The cab started looking like Mad Cow again. New bull bar fabricated and fitted. New chrome fuel tanks polished to mirror finish. All new rims and tyres. The truck that had been in pieces for three months was starting to look like it belonged on a show field.
All new interior fitted. All new wiring loom. Every decal placed, every chrome piece polished, every bolt torqued. Filmed for Aussie Truck Rehab with a Casino Truck Show deadline that never moved. Three months of real pressure, real work, real results. Mad Cow rolled out of the workshop and turned heads all over again.
The Result
Three months. Brand new everything. Still a legend.
Mad Cow is one of the most favourite trucks we have ever worked on. No expense spared, no shortcuts taken. When you have a truck with this much history behind it, you owe it everything — and that's exactly what we gave it.