Haul of Fame: Chad Smith’s Custom 2019 Peterbilt

Some trucks are built to work. Some are built to show.

Then there are trucks like Chad Smith’s 2019 Peterbilt—built to work, built to stand out and built with a story behind every detail.

As the owner of STS Transit in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Chad Smith comes from a family with deep roots in trucking. His parents started the company in the 1980s, and Chad and his wife eventually took over the business in 2013.

Today, STS Transit operates throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and parts of Alabama, primarily hauling waste and serving recycling facilities.

But this Peterbilt is more than another truck in the fleet.

It was supposed to be the 100th truck purchased since Chad's father began buying trucks—a milestone that deserved something special.

What started as one idea eventually became a completely customized Peterbilt that combines performance, craftsmanship, personality and a whole lot of attention to detail.

That's what makes this rig a perfect fit for the 4 State Trucks Haul of Fame.

A Trucking Legacy Behind the Build

Chad's connection to trucking started long before he owned STS Transit.

He grew up around his father's business and started working around trucks at a young age. Over the years, he gained experience outside the family business before eventually finding his way back into trucking.

That family connection remains an important part of STS Transit today. Chad describes the company's long-standing relationships as a major part of its success, including a relationship with Lubeck Glass that stretches back nearly five decades.

That history is important when looking at the Peterbilt.

This isn't a truck built by someone who simply likes trucks. It's a truck built by someone whose life and business have been shaped by them.

The 2019 Peterbilt That Changed the Plan

Chad originally had a different plan for the company's milestone truck. He had ordered chassis kits, but changes in availability eventually forced him to reconsider the project.

Then he spotted the Peterbilt.

The truck was sitting at a dealership in Pennsylvania, finished in white with a blue frame and a distinctive stripe. Chad had originally envisioned a dark purple truck, but the Peterbilt's combination of specifications, wheelbase and appearance immediately caught his attention.

The truck came equipped with a Cummins 605, 13-speed transmission, 300-inch wheelbase and 342 rears.

It had the foundation Chad wanted. From there, the project became about transforming that foundation into something uniquely his.

For anyone planning a custom Peterbilt build, the starting point matters. The right combination of truck specifications and aftermarket parts can make it possible to build a rig that performs the way you want while looking the way you envisioned.

That's where having access to the right Peterbilt truck parts and accessories makes a difference.

Shop Peterbilt Parts at 4 State Trucks

Custom Peterbilt Exterior: Starting at the Front

One of the first things you'll notice about Chad's Peterbilt is the front end.

The truck features a distinctive eight-sided grille, custom step plates and ventless hoods, creating a look that immediately separates it from a factory truck.

Chad even modified the air filters to complement the grille design. In fact, he says his company learned how to make that modification years ago from a 4 State Trucks tutorial.

That kind of attention to detail continues throughout the front of the truck.

The Peterbilt features:

• Low mirror brackets
• Custom cab lights
• Painted sun visors
• Painted door components
• Painted windshield wiper arms
• A 20-inch beveled-edge front bumper
• A tilt bumper kit
• J-style double-stack headlights
• Custom stainless-steel components
• Additional custom lighting

The result isn't simply a truck with more accessories. The individual pieces work together as one design.

For truck owners planning their own build, 4 State Trucks offers a wide range of Peterbilt bumpers, grilles, lighting, exhaust, exterior accessories and interior components to help personalize a rig from front to back.

Shop Peterbilt Bumpers, Grilles & Accessories

When a Truck Needs More Than Off-the-Shelf Parts

Some of the most memorable details on Chad's truck weren't simply pulled from a catalog.

The build includes custom panels, custom step work and a steel rear bumper that Chad built himself after deciding a previous fiberglass bumper wasn't what he wanted.

He spent the winter welding together a bumper designed specifically for the truck.

It's a perfect example of a simple truth about custom trucks: sometimes the part you want doesn't exist until somebody builds it.

That's where Chrome Shop Mafia custom fabrication comes in.

The Chrome Shop Mafia team specializes in custom fabrication and modifications designed around individual trucks and build concepts, from one-off components to larger custom projects.

Learn About Custom Fabrication & Installation

Whether you're starting with a sketch, a photo or an idea you've had in your head for years, custom fabrication can turn that concept into something that actually belongs on your truck.

Chrome, Paint and the Details That Pull It Together

The closer you look at Chad's Peterbilt, the more details you find.

The truck features 8-inch pipes, West Coast exits, polished tanks, fiberglass fenders, stainless-steel hubcaps and carefully selected trim pieces. The fenders received hand-painted stripes, while rock guards were added to protect them from road damage.

The truck also incorporates custom dash and air-ride components, along with polished and painted details throughout.

This is where the Chrome Shop Mafia approach to truck customization fits naturally into the story. The goal isn't simply to add chrome wherever there's room for it. It's about creating a cohesive build where the accessories, fabrication, paint and finish all work together.

4 State Trucks carries a wide selection of chrome, lighting, exterior accessories and interior trim for truck owners who want to take their rigs beyond the factory look.

Shop Chrome Shop Mafia Parts & Accessories

The Mack Trailer Had to Match

The custom treatment didn't stop at the tractor.

Chad's 2019 Peterbilt is paired with a 2020 Mack trailer measuring 39 feet with 60-inch sides. And just like the truck, the trailer received extensive customization.

LED lighting was added throughout, and the trailer floor was painted—a decision that started as an unconventional idea but became one of the most memorable elements of the build.

The trailer was also polished from top to bottom, while additional panels were added along the lower frame to help keep dirt out and reduce cleaning.

Between the tractor and trailer, the rig carries more than 400 lights.

The result is a complete combination where the trailer doesn't feel like an afterthought.

It carries the same personality and attention to detail as the Peterbilt.

Inside the Peterbilt: Nothing Stock About It

If the exterior gets your attention, the interior shows just how far Chad was willing to take the build.

The factory interior was essentially stripped down to sheet metal and wiring.

The dashboards came out. Everything was sanded and painted. The floor was customized, and the striping from the exterior was carried into the cab.

The interior was then finished with custom upholstery, door panels and a headliner.

Even the smaller details received attention.

The truck features a banjo-style four-spoke steering wheel, custom pedals, a Cummins-logo shifter knob and upgraded cabin lighting.

And then there's Chad's favorite detail: the painted and striped cup holder designed to match the exterior of the truck.

It's a small feature, but it says a lot about the philosophy behind the build.

A custom truck should feel personal.

From steering wheels and pedals to shifter knobs, lighting, dash accessories and sleeper-cab upgrades, 4 State Trucks offers parts that can help transform the inside of a truck into a space that reflects its owner.

Shop Peterbilt Interior Parts & Accessories

750 Horsepower Under the Hood

Of course, Chad's Peterbilt isn't just about appearance.

Under the hood is a Cummins X-15 605 that has been extensively modified while remaining emissions compliant.

The engine received a PDI chrome intake manifold, an aftermarket turbo kit and custom SH2 piping. Chad also cleaned up the engine bay by relocating wiring beneath the intake manifold and polishing components throughout the engine compartment.

The result is an engine making approximately 750 horsepower.

At the time of the interview, the truck had accumulated around 15,000 miles. Chad had driven it for work in Kentucky and Tennessee and said the truck was running cool, performing well and getting good fuel mileage.

That balance of performance and presentation is another reason this Peterbilt stands out.

It's not simply a truck that looks good sitting at a show.

It's a truck Chad actually drives.

More Than a Show Truck

That's ultimately what makes Chad Smith's Peterbilt such a fitting addition to the Haul of Fame.

It has the chrome.

It has the lights.

It has the custom paint, fabrication, interior and performance upgrades.

But underneath all of that is a story.

It's the story of a family business that began in the 1980s. It's the story of a son who eventually followed his father into trucking. It's the story of a company built on long-term relationships, hard work and a genuine connection to the industry.

And it's the story of a truck that was supposed to mark a major milestone for STS Transit before taking an unexpected path.

Every modification reflects Chad's vision—from the octagon grille and custom bumper to the painted cup holder inside the cab.

That's what Haul of Fame is about.

It's not simply about having the biggest build or the most chrome. It's about the passion behind the truck, the creativity that goes into building it and the story that makes it worth remembering.

Build Your Own Haul of Fame Truck

Chad's Peterbilt started with a vision and evolved into something much bigger.

The finished rig is a combination of the right truck, the right parts, custom craftsmanship, performance upgrades and countless hours of work.

Your truck doesn't have to look like Chad's.

Maybe your next project starts with a new bumper or a set of lights. Maybe you're ready for a custom interior, stainless-steel upgrades or a completely different exterior.

Or maybe you've got an idea that doesn't exist on a shelf.

That's where 4 State Trucks and Chrome Shop Mafia can help.

4 State Trucks offers a massive selection of semi-truck parts and accessories, while Chrome Shop Mafia brings custom fabrication expertise to projects that require something more than an off-the-shelf solution. Professional installation is also available for many of the parts and upgrades sold through 4 State Trucks.

Explore 4 State Trucks Parts & Accessories

For a custom project, the Chrome Shop Mafia Fabrication Shop can help turn an idea into a one-of-a-kind component, while the 4 State Trucks Installation Shop can help bring the finished build together. 4 State Trucks currently directs customers to its fabrication and installation teams for custom projects and shop scheduling.

Explore Custom Fabrication & Installation

Because every great truck starts with a story.

Build yours. Make it your own. Take it to the next level.

And when you've created a rig you're proud to show off, enter it into the Haul of Fame.

Your truck could be the next one we celebrate.