Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i Street Trucks

NISSAN is hoping to attract new full-size truck buyers with its new Midnight Edition package, available on both Titan and Titan XD. The discounted $1,250 package, which was previously already available on Frontier midsize trucks, equips the Titan with a body-color grille with dark inserts, dark headlamps, black fog lamp finishers, black exterior badging, black mirrors, black door handles, 20-inch black wheels, body-color front and rear bumpers, black step rails, dark charcoal interior trim and “Midnight Edition” exterior badge. Although final color options were not made public at the time of this writing, we expect the Midnight Edition to be available on Midnight Black, Gun Metallic and Glacier White Titans.…

BY NOW I’M sure you’ve heard of the Chevrolet LS engine. If not, I’m glad you’ve finally found a way to get out from under that rock. The LS-based engine platform has definitely taken over as the go-to engine swap in the last 5-10 years, and its popularity is still on the rise. Different variations of the engine can be found in everything from a bare-bones work truck all the way up to a factory-supercharged Corvette. Due to the different vehicle applications in which GM put these engines from the factory, obtaining an LS engine for your swap is easy. Just skim your local classifieds, or make a trip to the salvage yard, and you’ll probably have a dozen or so to choose from on any given day. But what…

“PAUL’S WORK TRUCK IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENTHUSIAST’S SOLUTION TO AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT: BUILD IT BETTER.” “HIS GMC HAS BEEN COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED FROM A MODEST DAILY-DRIVER INTO A SHOW-STOPPING PERFORMER, ONE THAT’S STILL CAPABLE OF HANDLING DAILY WORK.” LIFE TENDS TO TAKE A FEW WILD AND UNEXPECTED TURNS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND SO DO CARELESS DRIVERS. Still, each obstacle that life throws out tests how we’ll handle adversity. Paul Rogers has met his challenges with perseverance and optimism. More than a decade after purchasing his beloved ’97 GMC Sierra, Paul was T-boned in a car accident. Thanks to his love for customs and a supportive community, Paul got to work rebuilding his truck. His “Work Truck,” as he still calls it,…

THE OTHER HALF OF THIS DYNAMIC DUO IS DIAMOND EYE’S VERY UNIQUE AND SUPREMELY BADASS ’48 FORD COE HAULER. With the GMC riding piggyback, this vehicle was the company’s centerpiece at its SEMA booth and now serves as its promotional flagship. With the GMC hoisted up onto its bed, the pair cannot help but make the grandest of entrances. The Ford C series had a cab-forward design that looked like nothing so much as a Viking helmet on wheels. Today, these trucks are highly prized, and with this build Diamond Eye wanted to take advantage of that. So, as with the GMC, it was built to be a fully functional yet easy-on-the-eyes showpiece that in the process became what is possibly the meanest tow rig on the road. The cab…

ALTHOUGH CLASSIC TRUCKS are pretty damn cool looking, they don’t have all of the modern features we are accustomed to, like a solid audio system. These classic haulers came with the basics and that’s where the options ended. A radio and a single dash speaker were standard equipment. Although it was very minimal, it was better than nothing at all. Now that we’ve entered the 21st century we can implement a lot of the conveniences that we are used to in modern vehicles in our classics, including multi-channel speaker systems and Bluetooth connectivity. We can even stream tunes from modern digital files and SiriusXM Radio. Since we have the capability to hook up our phones, we can also receive calls directly through the stereo system, just like a modern car.…

IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH, YOU MIGHT STILL HAVE TIME TO COP ONE OF THE SLICKEST RAMS TO COME OUT OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECENT YEARS, THE LIMITED EDITION RAM 1500 HYDRO BLUE SPORT. “The custom look and high-impact colors have been well received in the marketplace, and this new Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport will surely stand out on dealers’ lots and in customers’ driveways,” said Mike Manley, head of Jeep & Ram Brands. “Enthusiasts demand that their trucks get noticed, and our Ram 1500 Sport lineup delivers a durable, powerful alternative with great visual appeal.” Ram also launched Sublime (Green) and Copper Sport limited edition trucks in 2017, and an Ignition Orange edition in late 2016. Special standard features on the Hydro Blue Sport include a Sport performance hood…

“SCHWARTZ PERFORMANCE’S BOLT-IN G-MACHINE CHASSIS FIT DIRECTLY TO FACTORY MOUNT LOCATIONS WITH NO BODY MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO INSTANTLY UPDATE THE STANCE, OVERALL RIDE AND HANDLING OF YOUR CHEVY.” ONE CLASSY CHASSIS This G-Machine chassis for 1965-67 full-size Chevrolet models aims to solve the factory version’s shortcomings, evident in maneuvers from turning a corner to quick lane changes. The G-Machine chassis features a host of upgrades from A-arms supported by needle bearings in the front suspension to a triangulated four-bar system with bind-free, Teflon-lined spherical rod-ends coupled with a full-floating Moser 9-inch rearend. Schwartz Performance’s bolt-in G-Machine chassis fit directly to factory mount locations with no body modifications required to instantly update the stance, overall ride and handling of your Chevy. Schwartz Performance 815.206.2230 Schwartzperformance.com PICK ME…

JEFF EKBERG IS A REGULAR GUY WHO FOUND HIMSELF ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CUSTOM TRUCK WORLD LOOKING IN. For the longest time, he’d been watching with admiration as guys transformed old trucks into modern street machines featuring up-to-the-minute conveniences without any loss of their vintage appeal. “After many years of sitting on the sidelines at shows and seeing others drive their incredible trucks … it was time for me to get one of my own,” Jeff said. Sometimes, that’s all the reason a guy really needs to get motivated. Luckily for Jeff the classic truck community is a relatively welcoming one. Well, Del Uschenko and his crew are anyway. Even if you have justa passing interest in custom trucks, when you hear the name “Del,” a certain style will…

THE 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit was a big one for truck enthusiasts, with major reveals from Chevrolet, Ford and Ram. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the new Silverado, Ranger and Ram 1500. 2019 CHEVROLET SILVERADO CHEVROLET GAVE US A SNEAK PEAK AT THE 2019 SILVERADO IN DECEMBER WHEN THEY HELICOPTERED A BRIGHT RED LT TRAILBOSS TO THEIR CHEVY TRUCK CENTENNIAL EVENT AT THE TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. The Detroit show gave us our first look at the other models as well as details about the model and engine lineup. The first thing you need to know is that there are going to be a lot of Silverados. Following legendary GM President Alfred Sloan’s motto, “a car for every purse and purpose,” there…

IF THE BEST things about truck shows are the cool collection of custom rides, then a prime location has to be a close second. Seeing hundreds of trucks gathered in one place is the perfect source for ideas if you’re interested in modifying your own vehicle. Having a huge collection displayed in the right setting can make for a really fun weekend. For its 40th anniversary event, the F-100 Supernationals returned to one of its favorite show sites, Tennessee’s scenic mountain resort town of Pigeon Forge. It was the event’s home for many years, but complications made it difficult to secure a location. Show promoter Charlie Cobble found the perfect site for the 40th anniversary extravaganza at the Splash Country Water Park, part of the Dollywood attractions. More than 400…

“THIS ’76 FORD BRONCO B100 WAS ORIGINALLY A MEXICAN MARKET SUV, BUT IT’S BEEN BROUGHT STATESIDE FOR A WILD TRANSFORMATION.” THE GUYS AT RIVER CITY RODS & FABRICATION NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE US WITH THEIR UNIQUE PROJECTS. This ’76 Ford Bronco B100 was originally a Mexican market SUV, but it’s been brought stateside for a wild transformation. It will feature a custom chassis with the help of GSI Fabrication and River City Rods & Fabrication, and will get a Coyote engine that will be placed midway on the chassis. Yeah, a mid-engined, Coyote-powered Mexican Bronco. And did we mention that it’s also going to be a dually? The 323 Duallysportz wheels and Falken tires will definitely contribute to the SUV’s amazing look, as will the air suspension from…

THE MILINICH FAMILY IS NO STRANGER TO HAVING ITS WORK FEATURED IN STREET TRUCKS . From paint jobs to complete builds, Lewis Milinich and his son Lee have impressed custom truck owners from all over the world by work done in their Hanford, California-based shop for many years. This ’56 Ford F-100 is the latest in a long line of custom trucks for the Miinich clan. When asked how he came across the old Effie, Lewis told us, “Our family friend, Steve Jacinto, gave the truck to my son, Lee, about 10 years ago, and it just sat. Last year, I asked Lee if I could build it, and he said, ‘go for it’ since he knew I had always wanted it.” With this project, however, Lewis…

“AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY BRIGHTLY COLORED LASER-CUT TROPHIES WERE HANDED OUT TO THE TOP 50 WINNERS, AND 40 SPECIALLY FABRICATED AWARDS WERE BESTOWED UPON THE BEST OFS.” DRIVERS IN THE Sunshine State are fortunate to enjoy a yearlong list of car and truck shows. With dozens held every weekend, Florida vehicles are never put up for the winter, and the fun is nonstop. With so many to choose from, events that have lasted more than a quarter of a century must be doing something right, which perfectly describes Slamfest, the longest running club-sponsored event in Florida. For the last couple of years the event was held at the smaller fairgrounds in Gainesville, but in 2017 the MiniMadness crew returned to a favorite location, the huge Florida State Fairgrounds…

IN THE RACING COMMUNITY, MANY CAMPAIGN OLD VEHICLES THAT HAVE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BEEN REINVENTED: NEW PAINT SCHEMES, BODYWORK, TURBOS, ENGINES, NAMES. Others roll out something entirely new and exciting. Performance Authority (PA) out of Bend, Oregon, falls into the latter category. What you’re looking at is their Pro Street entry, a ’60s-era GMC that has essentially been torn down from top to bottom and completely reassembled from the ground up. The GMC was originally purchased in the spring of 2014 for the paltry sum of $1,200. After a few years and a good six figures’ worth of sweat, blood, grease, metal shavings, bruised knuckles and capital outlay, it was transformed into what the builders affectionately call Demon Smurf. In addition to racing, it was also carefully put…

MIKE BLACKWELDER IS NOT NEW TO THE SCENE. He’s spent most of his adult life building custom trucks, including quite a few mini-trucks worthy of adoration. But somewhere along the way he decided that instead of dumping his cash into vehicles that never made him any money, he’d do the opposite. That’s when he bought himself a ’67 C-10. That was somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 years ago. In the meantime, he’s built up his sign business and done all of the usual things that adults do. About eight years back, he picked up a short-bed chassis from a buddy. It already came with a 1969 Camaro clip on the front end (bolt-in kits weren’t quite mainstream back then), and the back was already notched. It was just a…