April Feature
'BIG MAMA'
1985 Peterbilt 359 EXHD

Everyone has a destiny, I, Leniel Kimble knew mine when I was still too young to understand that hard work wasn’t called “hard work” for nothing. Being the baby of the family, I was able to watch my older brothers drive 18 wheelers and I knew for sure that this was what I really wanted to do, not only to drive a truck but own my own truck. My interest in trucks isn’t just for financial stability it’s because I truly enjoy the serenity I get driving alone in my truck, sitting up high on the open road with a smile on my face. Not only do I have a passion to drive 18 wheelers, I am a diesel mechanic so I now have my own business, L KIMBLE TRUCKING LLC.

My first truck was a 1987 Peterbilt 359 short hood, I liked this truck but I wanted an extended hood, So in 2011 I purchased a 1985 Peterbilt 359 extended hood from Mike Guidry. This was the truck I really wanted.

After driving this truck for a year, up and down the highway carrying load after load I decided it was time to upgrade. This is when I started working on it at the Baton Rouge Truck Center in Port Allen, LA. I worked alone side the mechanics and I had hands-on with the transformation of my new improve Peterbilt. We stretched the wheel base to 292 inches and put a low leaf on it. We put in all new customized interior, new style mirrors and a single door glass. We sand blasted the whole frame and painted the truck the color Taupe. It has a v8 engine with a 6x4 transmission and a 355 ratio.

I was so impressed at my new truck I decided to enter it in professional truck shows. In August of 2012, I went to Dallas, TX to the Great American Truck Show and entered my truck where I placed 2^nd. After placing at that show I was invited to the Peterbilt Factory Show in Denton, TX. Competing in these shows has been enlighten and informative. I have never met so many people that share the love and passion for trucks that is as strong as mines.

Through years of hard work and dedication it turns out I was one of the lucky ones, my career isn’t a job, it’s my passion.