Kenny Graber’s 1998 Kenworth W900L honors his faith

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Updated Jun 4, 2017
Kenny Graber and his wife, Kim, and their daughter, McKenzie.Kenny Graber and his wife, Kim, and their daughter, McKenzie.

When owner-operator Kenny Graber decided to repaint his 1998 Kenworth W900L six months ago, he wanted his work truck’s paint scheme to honor his Christian faith. The truck is named “Ol’ Rugged,” as in “ol’ rugged cross.”

The truck is brown and cream with back striping. It has three crosses on the back, one of which is designed to look like it’s made of wood. On the back bumper, there’s a crown of thorns.

“A buddy of mine came up with the paint scheme,”said Graber, who’s from Patridge, Kansas. “I used to have a stick on the side with a cowboy kneeling at the cross and then when we went in to do it this way, I told them I wanted something on the back here and this is what my body shop came up with and that goes along with the way I try to live my life.”  

The inside of the cab is currently torn out. He’s not sure what his specific plans are for it yet, calling it a work in progress. He’s waiting until the engine is ready to be overhauled before he customizes it, too.

Graber has loved cool trucks since he was a kid, admiring them as they went down the road. His favorite part about his own truck is the way the paint scheme and colors came together.

“I want people to know what I stand for and who I am and that’s something that puts it out there before they ever even meet me,” Graber said. “It’s something I want everyone to know about.”

Graber showed his truck for the first time at Shell Rotella SuperRigs, May 18-20, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He won 5th Place Tractor Division and $250.

Kenny Graber's 1998 Kenworth W900L has crosses on the back along with a crown of thorns.Kenny Graber's 1998 Kenworth W900L has crosses on the back along with a crown of thorns.

Kenny Graber's 1998 Kenworth W900LKenny Graber's 1998 Kenworth W900L

Kenny Graber's 1998 Kenworth W900LKenny Graber's 1998 Kenworth W900L

Kenny Graber's truck is named 'Ol' Rugged,' as in 'ol' rugged cross.'Kenny Graber's truck is named "Ol' Rugged," as in "ol' rugged cross."