I only have a 2006 Ford F-350 Crew Cab long bed Dually.... with a Talon Suspension system and Gale Banks Big Hoss Bundle... but I'm dragging a 24' Tag... A MotorTrac 4000 and it only has dual axles... And the tires are Hecho in Mexico... after I replaced the Hecho in Chinaco that I had put on to replace the brand new OEM versions that came on it. The Hecho in Chinaco BLEW on I 10 pulling out of Palm Springs... I replaced all 5 with the current tires once I hit Phoenix. I just don't think "trailer tires" are rated for high speed extended cruising... :lol:

If I had a gooseneck -- and triples.... I might creep up to 82 !!

LOL

WOW what a weekend!!! Frank and his crew are true professionals and stepped up and helped me out in a clutch! Frank has always been a good "mentor" and buddy to me throughout my 5 or so years of trying to make a name for myself. He's always been there to offer kind words and knowledge when I need it. Then to offer his shop and his guys to come in on a "pinch hit" deal and knock a bases loaded grand slam!! WOW! It was a long weekend with tons going on... I finally left Prodigy Customs at 2 AM this morning and pulled up to my place at 6:30 AM. Grabbed a shower and layed down for a "few minutes" with plans of being at my normal job at 8AM. Well that didn't work, and I'm just now rolling in here!

I can't thank Frank, Andrew, Micheal, and Bob enough!!!! :thumbsup:

As far as mileage, it is a 42-hour straight drive for me. I am right above Tallahassee, Fl. So, we either go I-10 and then cut up in AZ or we cut through Alabama and catch 40. For us from here 10 is the fastest way by about 150 miles. But, it's the worst road in the world with absolutely nothing to look at. But it is pretty much 70mph speed limit whole way!!

"West bound and down!"
 

(Think Smokey and the Bandit theme song...)

We'll take back roads through Montogomery AL and on up into Arkansas and pick up 40...
It's faster than going up to ATL and then over from Chad's shop...

EDIT = see Chad's post above! :D

I was only trying to have a little FUN with the "route".... and as usual learn along the way - as many people "here" have driven various routes that would have taken them along these freeways...

I've always figured 60 mph AVERAGE when towing... the trucks take longer to fuel - and you can't bob and weave in traffic - and you have to stop for some roadside "relief" -- after eating McDonalds at the truck stops... I even make my own coffee along the way - and keep a thermos full at all times. I'm a coffee snob - since I don't drink - and take my whole beans - grinder - and maker with me wherever I go...

I have played with the "route" --- I 40 vs I 10 -- I 40 is shorter in milage even thought it doesn't look it on the map... and at 60 mph 'average' -- it's almost 2 hours shorter. But what the routes don't tell you - which is why I said 'lets talk about it' - is hills etc which can really toss a wrench in your 60 mph average if you don't have the capacity to haul some serious butt...

I drove I 10 once - through Midland and Odessa I had to wear a large handkerchief over my face to keep the "west Texas dust" out of my nose. I followed a truck because I couldn't see where I was going. When I woke up the next day in Shreveport, Louisiana -- it had rained - and the streets ran with RED west Texas dirt... :lol: It sand blasted the front of my 2002.... and I had to get it painted when I finished the trip.

I take that back, 40 is 150 miles shorter!! My brain is not functioning properly today!! We'll go 40 over more than likely!! At least thats what I'm leaning for. Jerry is a truck driver by day so hes made this trip countless times over the years, so it'll be his call. He takes a lot of different variable into account based on what time we leave and then at what time we will go through major cities. One way might be quicker by mileage but if your gonna hit a couple of major cities during rush hour going that way you just through your mileage advantage out the window. We will make the call as we enter the truck to head west. Lots of activity tonight, interior guy will be there for headliner, interior panels, and seat install. John Paige will be there to do dash and guage install. Josh is reclearing the hood , as we had a nasty bug that got in the booth and did the tango in the center of the hood, and if I can can get in the action I'll get the glass going in.

Well the day job is drawing to an end. Time for a all nighter in the shop. Interior guys at the shop doing headliner, and interior panel install. We'll also knock out the front and back glass tonight. Along with what ever we can get done!

Woohoo SEMA , I ain't scared of you!!!

Careful buddy! Don't tempt the demons! :_paranoid

Uh, yeah. :lol:

Hang in there guys. This is almost over.

PRODIGY CREW/FRANK Way to go guys!! Outstanding! That is what this car thing is all about. The people, not so much the cars. The cars just bring all of us to the same place. My hat is off to the whole crew there at Prodigy!!
:cheers:

Demons?? Yeah this car has them!! I thought I was the only one who they fought against but I think Andrew and the guys at prodigy will back me up, this car is possessed. Divide and Conquer!!! Plan of the week, divide up the work to all my guys and folks are stopping in to help out, and conquer this demon car once and for all!!

Careful!
 

They can hear you my friend!! :evil:

Frank and Prodigy team, all I've got to say is wow! Way above and beyond. Best of luck Ty.

Ty, just catching up on this thread, the paint looks fantastic, wish I were going to SEMA this year to see it, an awesome effort by everyone involved!

I couldn't agree more my friend!! :yes:

What a week so far already! I just don't see how these guys do it...

Chad, Frank, Michael, Bob, and Andrew basically pulled a 72-hour straight thrash at Prodigy Customs over the weekend... and now with the car back home at Chad's shop; Chad, Josh, Jerry and special guest John (NOT A TA) are continuing the thrash to get the car back together after paint and fully assembled so we can start the journey west in just two days!

Prodigy and Fletcher's Customs are the real deal and I'm honored to have been given a glimpse of all the talent they possess! This really is/has been one of those life experiences that I will cherish forever... :woot: and it's not even over yet!!

Thanks again guys! :lateral:

I cant wait to meet all you guys at SEMA we have 3 days and I have 2 cars of 10 done with one going into paint today and another one going in tomorrow. We are all crazy and we should just forget about SEMA. its killing me I know it is

We getting closer. cutting and buffing right now!!! Headliner and interior panels are in. Glass going shortly. John (NOT A TA) is at the shop now doing the dash and cluster install!! Its all coming together but man its killing us all!!

pic's ? :lol: :D

I'll snap some pics tonight or tomorrow. Not gonna do any big all over shots!! saving the suspense for SEMA!!

wow, 2 more days to go~

Shop is crazy, currently 7 guys out there!! Wow does this place get small. I broke away to check on things and send out a sponsor update and was looking back through all the pics on my website. And its crazy how far this car has came. And what it has now become. There have been so many people and companies that have stepped up to be a part of this project. Its just pure out insane!! Thanks to everyone who has been apart of it!!

Just thought I'd do a quick picture progress post

Day I brought it to the shop
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...dom_bird/1.jpg

Stripped her down to find my future hell underneath!!
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...dom_bird/6.jpg

Complete floor and framerail rebuild

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...1/DSC00367.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...1/normal_7.jpg

Rolling chassis 9/8/09
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...l_54645345.jpg

Fully assembled for first time since10/6/08
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp.../10001/ty5.jpg

Great teamwork guys...way to go...best luck to you Ty.:thumbsup:

Thanks John!
 

I'm going crazy with anticipation!!! :willy:

I've got a briefing to give here at noon and then I'm hoping my boss will let me out of here early to day so I can head down to Chad's shop to join in on the tail end of the trash before we load the car up and head west!

"Are we there yet!" "Are we there yet!" "Are we there yet!" :rofl:

come on down you the next contestant on grab a wrench and a part and get it on the car ASAP!!!!

Last night was nutty!!! Had seven guys in the shop and boy the shop gets small. I actually just had to step back and play boss, and point everyone in the right direction.

Were getting close but we will be pushing into the weee hours of Friday morning before hitting the trailer and heading west!!!

have I told you how much this car hates me, and how I'm beginning to feel the same towards it?? lol :thumbsup:

Cars just aren't meant to be put together that fast. I can only imagine the four letter words flying around that shop. I'm sure the reward will be worth the trouble. Look forward to seeing it next week.

Things are progressing rather fast, but not smoothly!! this car has demons!!! And they love to mess with me!! We have given the car a new nickname "do twice" because I don't care what it is your gonna do it twice before it comes out like it should!!! Only 48 hours till our deadline till the latest we can leave!!

it's just after 4pm on the west coast. How are you guys doing?:cheers: :willy:

moving along and checking things off the list~~ Car is cut, buffing in the morning had to reclear a few things tonight. Interior is in. Buttoning up a few things under the car (driveshaft, wiring, centering rearend, etc) It'll be sometime Friday before we head west

Good luck. We're all counting on you.

http://www.independentcritics.com/im...laneSPLASH.jpg

Tyler

Well its 4 39 and ty and myself are still going at it! Things are going smoothly for once , knock on wood! We've wrapped up interior, seats, door panels, etc. Moving to exterior for rear tail panel and tail lights. Wish us luck boys and girls.

That's good to hear all the progress you've made.

Just wanted to say I am so impressed with what you're doing and the generosity of the Prodigy folks to step in and lend 'hands'...wow! :thumbsup:

Looking great guys. That shade of blue with the CF accents looks fantastic on the 2nd gen body style. Can't wait to see it finished. Keep going, you're in the home stretch!

are you done yet...........................:D

I was going to ask the same thing. Almost there guys. Hang in there!!

Were still going at it but we almost there. Just got done having a four person buffing party and boy is she shiny. Putting her all back together pics coming later I promise

Go Fletchers
 

GO FLETCHERS

:cheering:

UNBELIEVABLE EFFORT GUYS
CONGRATS TY

TOM

Pictures from the thrash at Fletchers
 

Ok, heres some update pics for you guys! These start Tuesday morning and end tonight after midnight.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild210.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild212.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild214.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild216.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild223.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild227.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild247.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild250.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild257.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild258.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild259.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild262.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...shbuild265.jpg

NOW THAT IS A THRASH!!


:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :lateral: :woot:

Looking good man...
 

pulling an all-nighter I see...

way to go guys...who's driving, have a safe trip!

just remember the lights at SEMA are brutal. Whenever you think you have it compounded and ready for polish, make another full compound pass over the car!

I have seen some of the most famous builders on the planet leave the shop with a nice shinny buffed car and watch it roll over and die soon as the lights come on!

Good Luck and drive safe

Is it on the road yet? Good luck guys and have a safe trip!!

Thanks for reminding me never to bring one of my cars to SEMA Frank...