Ep 3. Coupe de Tanker

In the third episode of Texas Metal season 6, titled "Coupe de Tanker," the crew at Ekstensive Metal Works take on their biggest challenge yet: transforming a decommissioned military tanker into a custom hot rod.

The episode kicks off with owner Bill Carlton driving through the Ekstensive lot on a bulldozer, showing off some of the shop's recent builds. He then introduces the latest project: a massive M45A2 military tanker that was originally used by the United States Marine Corps. The crew already has some ideas in mind, including chopping the top, replacing the cab, and installing a Supercharged LS engine.

Before the build can begin, the team must first strip the truck down to its bare bones. It's no easy feat, as this tanker was built to withstand warfare and is made of thick, military-grade metal. However, the Ekstensive crew is up for the challenge and quickly gets to work using saws, grinders, and other heavy machinery.

Once the truck is stripped down, the crew begins planning out the new design. Bill and lead fabricator Martin Burek sketch out the new cab design, which features a sleek, aerodynamic shape. Meanwhile, the metalworkers get to work on creating new panels for the body and adding in custom touches, such as a new grille and headlights.

One of the biggest challenges the crew faces is how to give this massive vehicle a more streamlined look. The answer they come up with is to chop the top, which requires cutting off several feet of metal and welding the roof back together at a steeper angle. The end result is a much sleeker and sportier-looking tanker, with a lowered roofline that makes it look less top-heavy.

Another major change the crew makes is swapping out the original engine for a Supercharged LS motor. This powerful engine is much more modern than what the truck came with, and gives it the horsepower it needs to really move. However, installing the LS motor isn't as straightforward as swapping one engine for another – it requires modifications to the chassis and drivetrain to ensure that everything will fit together properly.

Throughout the episode, viewers also get a glimpse of some of the other builds happening at Ekstensive, including a customized Dodge Challenger and a sleek, all-black Cadillac Coupe DeVille. However, the focus remains on the tanker build, as the deadline for completion rapidly approaches.

As the episode comes to a close, the tanker build is nearing its final stages. The crew installs the new cab, adds finishing touches to the bodywork, and gets the LS motor running. However, there are still a few challenges left to overcome. The team struggles with the brakes, which are difficult to get working properly on such a massive vehicle. Additionally, the crew is running short on time – in fact, the tanker needs to be delivered to its new owner in just a few days.

In the final moments of the episode, it all comes down to the wire as the crew works tirelessly to finish the build on time. Will they be able to pull it off and deliver the custom hot rod tanker of their client's dreams? You'll have to watch "Coupe de Tanker" to find out.