Our Creations

Jim Muncy’s 1984 Peterbilt 359 - “Overkill”

Approximately one month after a brief meeting in Sturgis, Jim Muncy arrived at Eye Spy Designs HQ for a detailed conversation about his 1984 Peterbilt 359, standard semi-tractor.  The discussion focused around converting the present suspension of the ’84 semi to an air ride suspension. Two months later, the Peterbilt arrived at Eye Spy Designs. Josh D. Krager, Creation Scientist/Owner, inspected the truck and determined the semi was in need of a complete overhaul due to out dated components and potential safety issues. Jim, Peterbilt owner, decided to take Josh’s recommendations and reincarnate the semi.

One month after delivery, the truck was completely disassembled and the Eye Spy Designs fun began. A new tubular chassis was constructed with front and rear triangulated 4 link suspension and the mild steel frame was polished to a brushed finish. To save space, the frame was used as the reservoir for the air ride system. Goose neck and reese hitches were built into the chassis to ensure towing capabilities.

The cab was soda blasted to strip several layers of paint to expose the raw aluminum, steel and fiberglass body. Jim had a grand time (approximately 40 hours’ worth!) hand working the aluminum to give the cab a striking brushed finish. The third LED brake light was frenched in above the rear window to finish the road safety upgrades. One must see the cab interior to truly appreciate the work. Within the cab, a new floor and transmission tunnel were fabricated along with a custom dash. Natural colored, tongue and groove oak boards make up the roof and rear areas of the interior. Diamond stitched leather overlay makes up the inside door panels and Iron Ace bomber-style seats on air ride bases, complete the interior.

Now, let’s talk about the front end. The biggest part of the front end is the engine itself. The engine is a relatively stock 1984 - 855 cubic inch single turbo Cummins Big Cam. Be sure to check out the one of a kind air intake; as it was designed from two top fuel dragster intakes. The 8-inch diameter chrome exhaust stack adds a touch of shine to the automotive work of art. The 1984 factory grill shell was customized to fit within the chassis with hand applied saddle leather trim and brass acorn nuts adding to the detail of the front end. 

What makes this semi stand out even more than the customized artwork and details; to include CNC turned billet aluminum lug nut covers, is the splash of sub-lime green paint located on the cab, engine, transmission and axles. Pictures do not do this truck color justice! The striking contrast between the green paint, brushed aluminum of the cab, and the polished raw steel frame captures the attention of bystanders wherever this semi is parked. Be it at an auto show, an ice cream shop or a truck stop; this tractor doesn’t cease to amaze new sets of eyes!

1940 Dodge Cab Over Engine Truck on Air Ride Suspension

Jim Muncy’s day of EBay browsing resulted in the purchase of a rough 1940 Cab Over Truck. It had a natural patina and there wasn’t anything fancy about it to call it special. As a matter of fact, you could call it a dead semi-truck that rested in the same spot behind a barn since 1965. It came with a locked-up engine, authentic bullet holes and a patina that only 50 years can create. The vehicle was shipped from Minnesota to the Eye Spy Designs headquarters located in Leroy Ohio. 

Shortly after arrival, the cab was removed from the chassis and the transformation began. The truck’s frame was replaced with a custom-built chassis using components from a 1984 Dodge 1-Ton truck. Along with the components from the 1-Ton truck, came a Cummins Twin Turbo, 600 hp Diesel Engine and a 47 RH transmission. The side panels and barn wood deck were salvaged from an 1800’s era barn located in Canada. The air intake is quite the spectacle. It was designed and fabricated utilizing two 1944-1946 Chevy truck headlamp housings.

If you have experienced a ride in a vintage truck, then you know how rough the ride can be. Thus, the need for an air ride suspension powered by a 1923 Briggs & Stratton Motor that drives the 1930’s Champion Air Compressor. 

The ‘picking’ challenge commenced! One evening during a boys’ night of wings and beer, a deal was made for a set of original 1940 Dodge rear fenders. These fenders were the impetus of the design and shape of the new creation. 1936 Dodge Coupe horn covers were fitted for tail light housings.

To finish the rear end, the rear bumper was designed using a large pitch roller chain from a Great Lakes Iron/Ore Freighter’s steering mechanism.  Add a corrugated steel trunk cover and antique brass fire extinguishers that conceal the nitrous oxide bottles, and you have yourself one hell of a unique rear end!

Jim, owner and hands on builder, was a master at locating the numerous vintage pieces-parts for his COE creation. The front end is proof of his picking successes. You will find a Danger sign strategically placed above the front bumper. And rightfully so! Two large 3 ½” open end wrenches were used as front end frame extensions and two large bolts were incorporated as bumperettes. The bumper’s center section was finished off with a sickle bar mower. To add some pizazz to the COE; green power pole insulators were fitted with led lights and are now used as the marker lights on the top of the cab.

The COE owner, Jim, who has made his living selling Chevron Lubricants for the past 30 years; asked Josh to incorporate nostalgic Chevron/RPM Delo items into alternative functions on the new creation. They are: Headlight visors, tachometer holder, dome light, glasses holder, cup holder, radiator overflow tank, cab ceiling headliner, Chevron starting fluid pellet dispenser for engine start control and floor patches.