The reliability and endless customizable possibilities with Dawson International Trucks have kept Darryl Elke entertained for the past two decades.
“I just love the square look of an International truck – they look like they mean business,” said Elke. “Other companies are going for a rounder, more modern look, but I just love the old-school look of Internationals. Always have, always will.”
Elke purchased his first truck, a 1993 International in the early 2000s when he was running his own trucking company and immediately began modifying. To better accommodate shipping oil around northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Elke redid the N14 Cummins motor, beefing it up to nearly 600 horsepower, painted it flat black, along with a few other changes.
A few years later, he purchased a 2011 International, where he also redid the ISX15 motor, giving it 750 horsepower with 3,500 pounds of torque.
With those two trucks, he was leaving his competition in the dust.
“I have always found International tucks to be incredibly reliable with their parts. We were often on dirt roads, hauling oil and I would see other trucks broken down, but never mine. I made sure to keep the both of them in the best shape possible and as a result, we never ran into any issues while on the job.
Eventually, Elke shifted his focus and sold the company. The one constant during that time was the International trucks and he could not wait to get his hands on another.
Down in Kelowna, Elke found a neglected, rusted 1957 International truck. He purchased it and immediately took off the cab, removed the rotten frame and replaced it with a new, one-ton frame and used it as a pickup truck.
“I’ve always appreciated working with the Parts team at Dawson International Truck Centres. They always have the parts I need and everyone is very helpful,” said Elke.
After a year of driving it around town, Elke got the itch to modify it some more, so he installed a service body, equipped with tool boxes. After some more time went on, he added a bigger service body to it, which allowed it to carry a crane and air compressor. With the bigger body, he also upgraded to three one-ton axels, a pair of winches and installed 44-inch military tires, making it both street legal and more than ready to be taken off road.
Referred to as the Tow Mater, Elke is reworking his 1957 International for the fourth time. He has now removed the service body equipment. Already with a Cummins 12-valve diesel engine, Elke has the Tow Mater roaring with 1,000 horsepower and 1,500 pounds of torque. He is currently looking for a new frame to finish the transformation into a 30-foot flat deck for hauling cars.
Elke is looking forward to shopping for parts at our new Dawson International Truck Centres building located at 3953 Highway 97 North in Kelowna, B.C.
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