Trick My Truck: Lifeline
For Lifeline, we went a complete 180 degree change from what the truck started out as. We changed from a very common, factory paint job to a one-off design that really fit the style of the truck, and the theme really hit home with the Jackson family.
Overall, the truck wasn't too challenging. With us and the show, it always comes down to time, and Lifeline was one of the biggest trucks we've ever done. The challenge is building these trucks in a shorter amount of time than normal. But, no truck is too tough for the Mafia!
My favorite part of this truck was the Hood Xpress remote hood opener. Even though it seems like a small feature, it saves your back and it'll make it easier for Eugene to perform routine maintenance.
Eugene's reaction to his truck was great. He was so awestruck he didn't know what to say. His sons, Robert and Red, were the same way. I have seen them a few times since we handed it over, and they're all still very proud and grateful. Eugene is well respected in his community and the whole town is proud of him. No one ever wants to be broke down or in need of a wrecker, but if it happens in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the Lifeline will be there!
It's great to help these drivers out. When they walk in that building to see their truck for the first time, the looks on their faces and how they react is priceless. I travel all over talking to fans and other drivers, and the response I get is overwhelming. These fans are just as grateful as the drivers on the show! I've been building trucks for seventeen years and I love what I do. I can't begin to describe the feeling you get from doing this kind of work for people. It's awesome.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of 
patrick says:
I really like what you did for that tow truck driver and son’s i all so plane on becoming a automacanic but i would really like to have my onw shop becouse im 3thrd gennerason in my family and it brot a big tear to my eye ’s and i really like what the Mafia did i have seen from the frist show you guy’s have dane . you guys rock
ross poling says:
I had a bad 2 1/2 story fall in 2006, If my son in laws did not help me and my wife i would not be here today. Both boys gave up alot of time to help me recover and keep my income coming in plus work there own jobs. Both now have problems with there trucks and I can not help.
I hope you can look into this and help. I would recover quicker but I have this on my mind and I can not help. If these boys did not step in and help I would not be here today.
Thanks
Ross L. Poling
Cheerz says:
I LOVE hwat your team does with these trucks.
YOU GUYS are AWESOME. This is one of the best I have seen yet. Every time I think you can’t do any better you DO!!
I have seen your team all types of trucks. I for one would love to see a Volvo re-done. I think that your team could give that trucks some great needed style.
PLEASE PLEASE Trick A Volvo. Thanks
Tammy Olmstead says:
Let me tell you about my soul mate, John. He is the hardest working man I know.We live on a beatuful ranch nestled in the Montana Rocky Montains. The ranch was homesteaded by Johns great grand father and we all work off the ranch to insure that it is never sub divided. John owns an excavation busines. There are times that he doesn’t charge enough to cover expences because he knows that the customer can’t afford to pay for a back hoe to dig up a sewer. Every dollar that john makes goes back into the ranch. Most of the tractors and especialy the combine are nearly as old as John.(45yrs)He keeps them running and we all pitch in after work alot of the time in the dark to run the ranch.John raised his own two boy after his wife left him when the boys were about 3 and 5 yrs old and through the years he has been “dad” to at least a half dozon other kids. He supported them financially, emotionally, spiritually and showed them how to work. The life line of johns excavation busines is a “VERY 2nd hand” 1992 International Eagle dump truck.
PLEASE-trick his truck.
(The e-mail address is my Dad’s he is a assay-chemist)
cathy held says:
love the majic you guys can do .what can i do to my toyota pre runner any suggestions. bobby your awesome on this show keep up the good work
Jack says:
Jack…
Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts…..
Jennifer Baldwin (Bridgeman) says:
My father, David, owns his own Tow Trucking business. Bridgeman’s Wreckers out of Altamont, MO was passed down to him from his father, Roy ‘Shorty’ Bridgeman. My grandfather ‘Shorty’ died on the job in 1993. Grandpa died in a tow truck (the ‘90) him and my father had built. He was inducted to the Wall of the Fallen in Chattanooga, TN in September of this year. Bridgeman’s has been our family’s main income for 40 years, unfortutnately the trucks aren’t as good as they used to be. My dad does maintenance on all of them and he built some of them with his own two hands. Frankly, I want to give back to my father for all the sacrifices he’s made to keep food on the table and clothes on our back.
He has a 1988 White Volvo, all of the trucks need alot of work but that is the one that gets used the most. Dad is dedicated to his job, he will do it until the day he dies. I am begging that you trick his Volvo! Please. We don’t have alot of money, my husband’s in the army but I just want my dad to be able to stay on the road and keep helping people. He has done so much for his family and this is the only way I can think to give something back!
Please, if someone reads this…you have my email. I’m not doing it for tv, dad’s been on Fox 4 because of major accidents that he’s worked. It’s not about fame, it’s about giving something back to my dad.
Please trick my dad’s truck!
Taylor Doimer says:
I think you all did awsome with fixing up lifeline.It is beutiful.I am a big fan of your show.Keep on doing what you do.
Dave Filing says:
The Chrome Shop Mafia is a group of the most talented individuals assembled anywhere. The work (art) that you perform on these trucks is just unbelievable. I am especially blown away by Ryno’s paint jobs. I watch your episodes over and over, and I’m always amazed at Ryno’s artistry with a paint sprayer and an air brush - truly a beautiful sight to behold. Everyone else is an artist in his own right, also. This is one show that never makes me tired of watching re-runs. Please keep up the good work and keep cranking out those episodes.
If I am ever in the area of the country where your shop is located, I would very much appreciate the opportunity to stop and visit for a few minutes.
Thanks again.
RON BARTLEY says:
First of all you guy’s at the mafia shop, you are the very best. At least in my eye’s. For what you do for us truckers.That alone mean’s so much more than you’ll ever know. Thankyou one and all for a terrific show. Now for two question’s No. 1[ I have a kw 100 aerodyne with a whale tail.What can be done to a 90 model kw guy’s? And no. 2 My family and i met you fellower’s in louisville ‘ky@the truck show in 2007. Hey if you can help a poor trucker out it would be greatly appreciated. KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK. Your friend Ron Bartley from ohio
Karin Morrison says:
Hi
I am having a heck of a time to get through to you.
I posted a message for my husband earlier, but it vanished from the board.
Anyway, our wedding Anniversary is coming up in April, 2008
My husband is a trucker, has been for 55 years. I would like to buy an award plaque, with a Freightliner or
a die cast model with Phneumatic trailers.
I spoke to someone on the phone, but he insisted to E-mail about it.
Do you guys know what it takes us old people to deal with all this stuff on the computer? When we grew up we did not even have a TV or telephone!!!
Anyway … let me know the cost of either item.
God Bless! Karin Morrison cssanimals@itlnet.net
greg davis says:
how do you put your dad’s rig on trick my truck..
John Irwin says:
I am a vary big fan of trick my truck i like the lifeline best because it is my dream to some day beable to trick my tow trucks out i have been in the towing for about 16 years owend my own 8 years my trucks nead to be overhald but i still work them ever day it wood be the best thing ever to have the cromeshop mofea trick my truck it wood shutch a bleesing and i just want to say thank you all and god blees all
mary emery says:
Hello, im writting guys what an awsome job you do for people that need help.also to tell you about a dad that is single raising 4 childre on his own.He has five but 1 does not live with him.His tuck that he really needs to haul big heavey machinery arond really needs work on. I wouldn’t ask but for his family can you guys please help him out? His name is Russell he is a great friend of mine and he helps everyone out in his life in return I hope u can help? thank you
Edd says:
I don’t really have a comment about this truck, although I do like it. I have a question for anyone out there who can answer it. I saw an episode about a trucker who lost his son and the boy’s picture was painted on the 5th wheel cover. Is there anyone out there who knows the name of that episode and the name of the truck?
Tom Keegan says:
Hi
I am one of the few truck drivers who drive an 18 wheeler cross country. I shure could use a wheelchair lift on my truck, as the old one is about to meet its end. How do I contact some one who might help install for me.
Thanks, Tom K
Billy Mc says:
Hello and thanks
I worked out of North Little Rock sevral years ago. And bought a purple KW from a hard working man of his word that had a shop a nd wrecker service in the back of the old 76 truckstop. If thats the same Gene I knew you did good.High to him and lit tle Robert from north Arkansas.