Published on 04/2/2007

Owning a pickup as your daily driver is a way of life in Texas. Many young families and working people were excited when Dodge introduced the Mega Cab pickup in 2006. However, it was frustrating that you could only get the Mega Cab Dually with a short box.

Kadell Suggs had been driving a Quad Cab Dually with a long bed and was ready to upgrade. When he discovered he could only get a short box, he drew on the legacy that was handed down from his father and grandfather. You see, Kadell owns Central Texas Frame & Alignment.

Central Texas Frame & Alignment was established in 1979. Just like his grandfather had done with his son, Kadell’s dad began teaching him the business. They now have a 20,000 square ft. facility on 25 acres in its original location in Elm Mott, Texas. David and Kadell have always maintained strict tolerances in the frame and alignment business, which has earned them the respect of fire departments, school districts, and many in the trucking industry.

To make a Mega Cab accommodate the long bed, the frame must be lengthened 20 inches. An additional cross member is then added. Brake and fuel lines are all new with no splices. The driveline is lengthened 20 inches and balanced as an assembly. The frame is painted with an epoxy for durability. Presently, they are working on obtaining factory connectors for the wiring harness so that splicing is not needed. They use the short bed as a trade-in on the long bed, and no additional painting is necessary. The current retail price for the conversion is $6495.

The response from the public has been phenomenal. Their charter dealer, Benny Boyd Dodge in Lampasas, Texas, sold the first Mega Cab long bed simply by having the demo unit show up at their store. “The second one sold before it was completed,” says Benny Boyd Sales Manager, Adrian Aguirre. The Benny Boyd phone has been going crazy after a radio spot announcing the Mega Cab long bed conversions. They have loaded pictures on their website, www.bennyboyd.com. “We have several units that will be ready soon,” says Adrian. “But you better put a deposit on one”.

More information:

Central Texas Frame & Alignment

Kadell Sugs

(254) 716-0014

http://www.megacablongbed.com

Benny Boyd Dodge

Adrian Aguirre

(512) 556-4880

http://www.bennyboyd.com

Tires/Wheels:

Rickson Truck Wheels

(800) 587-7633

http://www.ricksontruck.com