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Mother of Invention

Written by Emily Pogue

There is an old proverb that says necessity is the mother of invention and for Chad and Angel Eddy, owners of King Series Trucks, Parts, and Accessories, that was especially true. Wanting to enjoy the camping, traveling, and fishing their midwestern geography offered, the Eddys needed towing power for toys and plenty of room for their family of eight. Taking two Ford-F250’s and using his skill in mechanics, electrical, and welding, Chad constructed the first 6-door King Series truck for Eddy Enterprises in 2010 and has been helping others with their needs for interior space and hauling capacity ever since.

“We were trying to get our families to blend together after we got married. There’s nothing like a road trip to bond everybody together,” laughs Angel Eddy.

For several years, the pickup performed exactly as it was intended. In 2017, after more than 300,000 miles of fun and family, the couple put their truck on an online auction site for seven days. With over 7,000 views and tremendous interest in the truck, the Eddy’s discovered that their unique build just might have a very strong market. And they were right.

From rodeo families to hunting lodge owners, to people who just need space and the ability to tow boats, campers, or trailers, the King Series Trucks offer space, seamless construction, and the utility a recreational crowd needs. And for the Eddys, being able to fill a need with their passion and integrity of construction, new options are available for bigger needs.

The usual timeline for a King Series build is about eight weeks and starts with finding two trucks with conducive damage; one might have front end damage while the other has rear end damage. The team takes meticulous care to find lower mileage vehicles at insurance auctions nationwide that are great candidates with mild damage.

After getting them back to their home base in Emery, South Dakota, the Eddys tear the trucks apart and a rigorous examination of usable parts is done. Any items that end up being reused in the trucks are refurbished to amazing condition. If it doesn’t meet the standard or isn’t usable in that particular build, the team has an inventory management system where the parts are inventoried and either used in another build or sold online. In this way, the King Series Trucks build process is environmentally conscious and wastes very little.

While the trucks are completely torn apart, a rust proofing product is applied on the underside of the cab and box. They also use a ceramic thermal insulation product inside the cab, on the floor, inside the doors, and on the roof that insulates from heat and noise.

With an additional length of frame gusseted to a C-Channel steel supported frame that is backed by a 3-year warranty, safety and stability are paramount and guaranteed. Adding to the safety factor is the unaltered airbag system that is untouched in the trucks. Wiring and breaks are extended and expertly soldered, and the exhaust is taken off and lengthened. The driveline is done by a company in Sioux Falls and a company in Kansas custom builds the bumpers for all the trucks.

King Series Trucks are also soundly tested by an alignment machine on site. The new machine tests squareness and straightness with its eight wireless cameras and guarantees a correct calibration in the uncommon build. In addition to an alignment machine, there is also a paint booth on premises and all upholstery and carpet is done in house as well. That is a big area of pride for Chad, who says you’d be hard pressed to find a seam in the extended headliner. With catskin leather and customizable options for interiors, exteriors, and add-ons, these 6-door King Series Trucks are functional and gorgeous. And don’t forget about the roof.

"Our number one priority is functionality, and we really try to accommodate what each buyer wants. Every family has different taste and requests, whether it be a specific interior they are interested in, the number of seats, or accessories that allow their truck to fit all their needs, in addition to being unique to their family. We work closely with the buyers before and after purchase to make sure they get what they want and are happy with their new truck," says Chad.

The process is more than just a business; it’s a family’s passion and all members are involved. From naming the trucks, choosing the colors, and detailing to website development, welding, and mechanics, everyone in the family is an integral part of the build.

“They know how important it was to them growing up and everyone pours their heart into it,” beams Chad. “And we are doing it right, 100%, top to bottom.”

To learn more about the King Series Trucks, Parts, and Accessories, visit their website at kingseriespickup.com.

February 2020

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