Heavy Metal

1969 International Loadstar

It’s a 1969 International Loadstar cabover truck with a single rear axle and a super short wheelbase. When I saw this sitting in a junkyard, and got a good look at how good of shape it was in, I knew that I had to turn it into a project. Besides, there is just something about these old cabover trucks that every gearhead loves! The response was great when we stuffed in the hot Duramax diesel engine and custom air suspension, but people really went crazy when we put on the vintage Schlitz beer kegs for fuel tanks, and fit the vintage wrecker bed on the back. Since this is a former Navy truck, the name “Heavy Metal” was a natural fit.

Heavy Metal Partners & Products

Engine

Intercooler
Banks Engineering
2001 6.6 Litre Duramax Diesel Engine
Bully Dog
4" Custom Stacks & Exhaust System
Heartthrob Exhaust
Carburetor
Holley Performance Products

Wiring Harness and Engine Components (Turbo, Fuel Pump & Pulleys)

Modified Duramax Diesel Engine Tweak

PPE Diesel
Custom Aluminum Cross Flow Radiator
RND Fabrication

Universal Wiring Harness

Headlight switch and Ignition switch

Painless Performance

Chassis

7100 Remote Reservoir Shocks
Bilstein
Custom Air Ride Suspension System 2005 GMC Top Kick Rear Axle
Kelderman
Chassis saver Paint
Magnet Paints

Transmission & Drivetrain

Allison Transmission
Bully Dog
Custom Driveshaft
Carolina Driveline
Modified Allison Transmission
PPE Diesel

Interior

Custom Gauges (American Tradition)

Speedometer and Multi-gauge

Classic Instruments
Custom made 60/40 Seat
Handmade Seat Company
Custom seat cushion for 60/40 seat
Recovery Room Interiors

Universal Heat/AC Vents, Control Unit

Vintage Air

Weatherstripping

Steele Rubber Products

Body

Holmes 500 Wrecker Bed
Corona's Auto Parts

Schlitz Beer Kegs & Beer Tap

Purchased on eBay, modified by Stacey

Aluminum Bracks & Mounts, Custom toolbox, pylon & light bar
In The Ditch
Customized Keg Gas Tanks
Rick's Tanks
(2) 15,000lb Industrial Winches
Warn Industries

Body and Paint

Paint: Hot Hues Candy Razzleberry from Axalta

Paint acquired and applied by Hot Rod Institute. Contact them for further information on this paint.

Hot Rod Institute

Tires, Wheels & Brakes

Custom Polished Aluminum Wheels
Diesel Wheels
Tires
Goodyear
The Air Master: Air Brake System
Power Brake Service

Miscellaneous

Armageddon 120 watt tube amp
Egnator Amps

From the Store

Heavy Metal Episodes

  • The Return of Heavy Metal & Snowcat

    Stacey and the GearZ crew roll in an old favorite: Heavy Metal. The coolest hotrod tow truck is back in the garage and ready for a facelift.

    January 28, 2017

  • Heavy Metal Tow Truck

    Project Heavy Metal is back as Stacey rolls the old International cab over truck into the shop so he can outfit it with a vintage Holmes dual wrecker bed.
    March 12, 2013

  • Heavy Metal Tow Truck Returns

    What is cooler than a vintage tow truck? Nothing!
    June 18, 2013

  • Sgt Rock & Heavy Metal Tow Truck Updates

    Stacey rolls in SGT. ROCK to take care of things like steering, brakes, and the exhaust system.
    July 02, 2013

  • Heavy Metal Suspension

    Stacey rolls Heavy Metal back into the shop and begins to lay out some of the incredible modifications that he is going to be doing on this old junk yard '69 International Cabover truck.
    July 30, 2012