Haul of Fame: The Murder Pete

They call it the Murder Pete. Blacked-out, rugged, and raw, it’s a notorious big rig known for its “murdered out” style.

Supported by the custom fab shop work of Chrome Shop Mafia (CMS) and supplied with prime aftermarket parts from 4 State Trucks in Joplin, this truck has a story behind it.

The Man and Story Behind the Murder Pete Truck

Ray has owned his Peterbilt 379 (2000) truck model for years, and during that time, has poured enormous passion into transforming it into what you see today.

His gritty, tricked-out Peterbilt 379 doesn’t shy away from its various dents and dings. It only adds to the character of the rig.

The Murder Pete truck proudly shows its battle scars– each part holds a story. Yeah. Even the busted front bumper.

“I work it too much to keep it clean … I let it get beat up … drive it and beat it and go to work,” he said.

Ray had decided to put off replacing or refurbishing worn parts. It’s those scuffed pieces that make his design so unique.

Many years ago, Ray was driving near Texarkana at 60 mph when a wild boar jumped into the road and hit his truck, twisting the bumper and outright busting the headlights.

He kept the torn-up bumper, gave it a black powder coating to hide the damage, and installed a fresh set of Peterbilt 389 blackout headlights to complement the truck’s dark theme.

The Truck Parts that Make the Murder Pete

Paint, Flames & the Number 39

Just this year, he gave the truck a fresh paint job with flames and the number 39 (the truck number assigned to him at his first truck show) on the side cab door exterior.

The pinstriping designs were created by Terry McConnel, known by the moniker of “the Wizard,” in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Custom Cab Interior & Exterior Accessories

Every single part of this signature big rig has been carefully customized inside and out:

• Skull-shaped wheel spinner knobs
• Brass knuckle style shifter knobs
• Black 18-inch steering wheel

Each aftermarket upgrade is deliberate: the custom fiberglass powder coated front fenders, unique hub caps, and - the cherry on top - the spiked nut covers. 

Breathing Better: Air Cleaner Performance Upgrade

The parts and accessories that went into creating the Murder Pete weren’t just limited to a surface-level makeover, but a true performance boost too.

Ray's old, worn-out air cleaners just weren’t cutting it.

So, he replaced them with brand new air breather panels that featured custom CNC lasering and skull-shaped end pieces to match the truck’s gritty theme.

The new air breather panels and filters made a world of difference, in fact. This relatively small upgrade, by itself, made Ray feel like he had a whole new engine under the hood.

He’s got big plans to collaborate with Cody over at the Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, Missouri to integrate some custom CNC laser modifications to the air breather panels this winter.

The truck’s existing chrome stacks had also seen better days.

They were nearly 9 years old with a reapplied powder coating to cover up the wear.

They needed a total replacement. And? Well, the team at 4 State Trucks hooked him up.

The semi truck’s cab rack had been used rigorously for nearly 20 years. It’s still managing to weather sets of heavy tire chains that tend to drag off the corners.

Care & Character: Chrome Stacks, Cab Racks & Lighting Details

Ray decided to customize the rear-end of the truck by installing polished rear T-bar with duo-tone marker lights, wired to switch back and forth from green to red (legal hue for any rear-end light).

Even the center T-bar’s trim is lined with small skulls that cast a red light through the eye holes.

He plans on tweaking his rig even more in the future by adding a rear T-bar with snake motifs instead of skulls, and integrating cab lighting that highlights the “Peterbilt” label.

Truck Shows & Legacy

Ray has attended 9 to 12 G-Bats events, collecting every tag along the way. He remembers when the truck was still mostly midnight blue (the factory color) with only a painted hood.

That old blue stage is long gone; these days, his “raggedy black truck” stands next to show queens at events — and still draws admiration.

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The aftermarket parts and services from 4 State Trucks have been integral throughout Ray’s custom build.

Whether sourcing heavy-duty semi components or specialty custom parts, 4 State Trucks supports builds like Murder Pete’s from behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Chrome Shop Mafia, under the guidance of Cody, lays down the custom fab work, from accent lighting, air cleaners, and aesthetic enhancements to whatever else comes up.

If you’re working on a semi truck project and want custom parts, lighting, or fabrication, you can reference Ray’s build and ask for Chrome Shop Mafia (Cody) or 4 State Trucks to help with your parts order or design.