If you are planning to build something out of the ordinary, do you know what you want? It’s really tough to build a cool ride that stands out in a crowd and doesn’t resemble the truck parked next to you. But Wayne Alberts does not have that concern. You see, when he parks his mini rig, it’s unlike anything else in the parking lot.

“My Lil Pete started life as a ‘96 Dodge pickup truck,” says Wayne. “A company in Nashville, Tennessee, made a kit to change it into a Lil Pete so it would be similar to my full-size Pete. Bob, the shop owner puts out a fine project to change your donor chassis into a quality truck. It is up to the builder to remove the body and freshen up the chassis to what you would like when it’s finished. The body kit comes without paint, interior, or all the fancy chrome, lights, and upholstery.”

While Wayne was still driving tractor trailer full time, he convinced Bob to do the body transfer with the Ram. It took some convincing because Bob usually uses ‘90s Ford trucks since it was the template for the mini rig kit he designed.

Only a 12-valve will do for the Lil Pete.

Wayne’s truck started when he removed the body from the frame and sent the rolling chassis to Bob’s shop. “The frame was steam cleaned so I could check for any bad parts,” Wayne states. “The Dodge had 158,000 miles on it but ran well.”

The drivetrain was moved back 11 inches to accommodate the oversize radiator and intercooler. Once the body was ready for the frame, it was test fit and the mounting holes for the fuel tanks and step boxes were drilled.

When the body was mounted to the frame, it was then taken back to Wayne’s home shop for completion. “As we started my portion of the build, there were no lights or interior, so I started by adding the lights,” says Wayne. “The front bumper lights, the side markers, the under the chassis, the under the fender, the custom third brake light, and the rear lights are where I started. All these are custom-made by either Chrome Shop Mafia or me. Such as the custom backlighting for the emblems.”

The mini rig interior is covered with Eastwood heat/noise insulation from the floor to the ceiling. The custom-sewn interior was stitched by D & E Upholstery.

We could say the 5.9 Cummins is basically stock, but we would be lying. Wayne added a few goodies like a Seth Farrell fuel pump, B & B Tooling shaved cylinder head, a much bigger intake, 5 x 18 injectors, and custom Stainless Diesel turbos that according to Wayne, put out 100 pounds of boost.

The one-piece valve cover/breather keeps the engine looking clean. The Dave Goerend transmission holds a triple-disc converter with a 3,100-rpm stall.

“We have been all over the Midwest to many car and truck shows, and we have a few trophies in our collection,” Wayne quips. “But most of all, my wife and I really enjoy the kid’s eyes when they sit in the truck. Some of them get to blow the train horns too.

Humble beginnings.

Do you want to see more Reader’s Rigs? This column is dedicated to showcasing what you guys and girls are driving and I need your help to give the Reader’s Rigs the props they deserve. If you would like to share yours, I want to hear about it — I can never get enough. If you want to see your truck featured as a Reader’s Rig, send a few pictures of your truck showing the engine, interior, and exterior, along with all of the pertinent information about it and I’ll make you internet famous. You can send your submissions to [email protected].