8-WHEELED WONDER

enhanced with a copper wire grid. In the rear, the Teak wood bed features a raised floor, brass pipe side rails, an essential piece of luggage for that perfect weekend getaway, and maritime lantern taillights. Drop the tailgate to check the gauges on the air suspension system. For a turn of the century touch, subtle cane work embellishments were added to the cab corners, radiator shell, and rear pan while the distinctive Mother Nature-inspired patina ensures immediate acceptance into the rat rod community.

When you move to the interior, you realize that imagination is a prerequisite if your goal is an award-winning vehicle. With hose-down maintenance as a part of the design esthetic, everything inside is unexpected. As we mentioned before, the driver and (brave?) passenger sit in the lap of iron luxury on re purposed farm tractor seats with the steering wheel also exuding native farm charm. And yes, that military gasoline nozzle really is the shifter for the 700R4. A combination of old and new gauges adorn the dash along with warning lights and brass tube grab handles. Coiled copper is used as a design element on the controls that activate the air suspension. The Teak wood floor, door panels, and rear cab wall match the wood in the bed while the hundreds of rivets inside and out give the truck an unmistakable steampunk vibe.

Probably the biggest visual shock on this feature-filled rod is the rolling stock. His previous ride, the Mack Rat, ran a pair of 22s up front and huge, dual 24s in the rear -- powder coated in translucent copper and laced with ominous chrome spikes. Clearly, José favors unique choices. Once again, he teamed up with Frank Carralero of Diesel Wheels to create this startling choice that causes heads to turn whenever the truck rolls into frame. Inspired by an eight-wheeled ride that Frank had back in the 80s, the Octo-rat boasts a pair of custom-made eight-lug wheels bolted to each corner, 26-inch versions in front and 30’s in the rear, all wrapped in Shinko motorcycle rubber. Each of the eight rims has been enhanced with an additional 20 lugs, symmetrically spaced around the perimeter, using 3/4-inch bolts on the 26s. Going the extra mile to achieve just the right

With the tailgate lowered, the gauges for the rear air suspension are visible but all the air suspension components are hidden beneath the raised bed. Brass bed rails and the vintage suitcase are unexpected additions.