Jeff Kuchel / J. L. Kuchel Trucking

Jeff Kuchel definitely has a little bit of diesel fuel running thru his veins, partly due to the fact he'd always ride with his dad as a young boy and dream of owning his own truck someday! Jeff knew that he wanted to eventually be a trucker just like his dad and run the interstates just like he did.

Jeff actually started his driving career while he was in the military in 1983. While stationed in Germany he drove a 915 AM General pulling a 48' tri-axle flatbed  making deliveries to military bases all over Europe. Jeff continued driving trucks in Europe after his stint in the military, hauling for SAS Cargo, but he eventually came back to the states and ended up driving 2 million accident free miles for CF before they went bankrupt.

A brief break from trucking saw Jeff work for the State of Illinois Traffic Division, but he ended up back behind the wheel doing what he loved most. A cool old school Peterbilt double bunk cabover helped pay the bills for a while, and got Jeff plenty of looks out on the road, but engine troubles forced him to rethink things and he wound up purchasing his current ride, a 2006 Western Star Lowmax 4900 EX. This truck isn't your average Western Star, as Jeff has added his own touches that make it stand out in a crowd! The 270" wheelbase is full of custom features from the custom front bumper trimmed with 9 lights, to the 12 Gauge Customs' painted drop visor, to the Hogebuilt lowrider quarter fenders.

Jeff just recently put a new 14 liter 60 Series Detroit engine in the truck, and it's paired with an 18 speed transmission along with a set of 3:42 rears. He's putting out 700+ HP to the ground so let's just say the hills are no problem! The truck also has painted tanks with polished straps, and he pulls a 2019 Great Dane dry van with Timpte sides, stainless front & back clips, and a lift axle.

Jeff sends a big thanks out to Thunder Grafix and 4 State Trucks for helping him get his Star looking right! Jeff is out on the road more than he's home and his 2 travel companions are his two dogs, Phoenix & Stealth. Jeff actually trains military & law enforcement dogs and these two are his babies, listening to every word he says. Phoenix is a Belgian Malinois/Black Lab female and Stealth is a Belgian Malinois male. Jeff and his shining Star turn heads in every state he visits, and Phoenix & Stealth are there right by his side!