Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2024 i F-Series Builder's Guide

WHEN FOLKS DISCOVER THAT THIS wonderfully crafted ’71 Ford F-100 has been dubbed “Vin,” inquiries pop up as to the reasoning behind its peculiar name. Let’s come right out and clear the air here—no, this truck doesn’t feature a diesel engine conversion under the hood, which would’ve been really cool to see, though. Even though this F-100 doesn’t have a baked-in “Fast and Furious” reference to its credit, the homage to its namesake runs much deeper than a dedication to a fictional movie character. When Brad Visser of Southern California reached out to Fat Fender Garage to take on his classic Ford pickup project, he shared with the FFG crew a list of his inspirations behind his vision, with the major one being the late great sportscaster, Vin Scully. Brad…

IN THE HEART OF CLASSIC FORD TRUCK restoration, there’s a delicate balance between preserving heritage and embracing modernity. Solos Mfg. recently released a billet double DIN bezel designed to be just that for 1968-’72 Bumpside F-Series enthusiasts. The bezel is crafted entirely from high-grade billet aluminum for durability and elegance. This choice of material not only ensures longevity, but also adds a touch of sophistication to the truck’s interior, blending with the classic aesthetics that F-Series owners cherish. The double DIN bezel accommodates modern 7-inch double DIN head units along with all aftermarket air conditioning controls. This integration allows truck owners to enjoy the latest in entertainment and climate control technology without disrupting the vintage charm of their vehicle’s interior. Solos Mfg. has also developed a unique 3D printed installation…

AS EDITORS OF F-SERIES BUILDERS GUIDE, WE’RE always on the lookout for innovations that blend the classic charm of Ford trucks with modern performance and ease of installation. Recently, we had the pleasure of installing Ridetech’s air-ride suspension system on a 1976 Ford F-100, and we’re are extremely impressed with the results. The challenge with classic Ford F-100 and F-150 trucks lies in upgrading their suspension while preserving their original character. These trucks were built tough for a different era, prioritizing reliability over corner-carving agility. However, with the Ridetech suspension system, we found a solution that perfectly balances heritage with handling. One of the standout features of Ridetech’s system is its ease of installation. The complete bolt-in suspension system replaces the factory front crossmember with a stout, bolt-on alternative. Designed…

BUILDING A SEMA SHOW TRUCK IS no easy feat, even with months to complete it. But to have to switch gears and start a whole new build just a month and a half before the show? Well, that’s a whole different level of “not easy!” Such is the story of this beautiful 2019 Ford F-250 named Bombshell. Owned and built by Amber Zanella and her husband Travis Zinner of Apache Junction, Arizona, this truck is a gorgeous showing of talent, determination, and tenacity. Amber and her husband own many companies, but one they are both particularly passionate about is ZZ Garage Co.—a custom automotive company specializing in hot rods, old trucks, and SEMA show builds. Under ZZ Garage Co., Amber and Travis had taken on the task of building a…

American Powertrain Manual Transmission Conversion Kits American Powertrain has complete 5 or 6-speed overdrive manual transmission conversion kits for all classic Ford F-100s. They feature either the TREMEC TKX 5-speed or the Magnum 6-speed. Each kit comes as a complete turn key system with transmission, bell housing, clutch kit, flywheel, crossmember and driveshaft. Optional parts include a bolt in hydraulic clutch conversion. American Powertrain 931-646-4836americanpowertrain.com Custom Autosound DIGADIAL RADIO A revolutionary new product from Custom Autosound Mfg. Introducing the USA-850 DigaDial Radio from Custom Autosounds Mfg., featuring virtual analog screen technology. Choose from four unique displays, including classic analog settings and a digital display with station and song info. Customize your display color and auto settings, stream music via Bluetooth, and enjoy MP3/WMA/FLAC playback from USB. With a built-in 300-watt…

A SLEEK, SOPHISTICATED SHOW-stopper: that’s what we thought when we laid eyes on this beautiful 1956 Ford F-100 for the first time. The secrets it kept were an added bonus! But when we found out that Tim Kerrigan, the original founder of Red Line Synthetic Oil was its owner, we thought it very fitting of this gorgeous red truck. Tim is an absolute lover of classic cars and has commissioned some absolutely amazing vehicles over the years. Among these include a high-horsepower 1957 Chevy Bel Air, a 1962 Chevy Impala SS 409, and probably his most well-known hot rod, a 1933 Ford Roadster named “Timeless,” the latter of which has competed in the Grand National Roadster Show and was even crowned the 2019 Goodguys March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance winner.…

WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING YOUR dream ride, what is the first thing you think of? Is it the look? The performance? The overall package? Regardless of what it is, you undoubtedly aren’t looking to build something exactly like someone else. That’s one of the best parts of custom car culture—the unique take on the “ultimate ride” that every vehicle carries with it. For Larry Bernal of Denver, that unique custom comes in the form of one sleek first-generation Ford Lightning dubbed Rayo Azul! The first-generation Ford F-150 SVT Lightning came onto the market with a bang. Introduced for the 1993 model year, this bad little truck was built to take on the likes of the Chevrolet 454 SS and GMC Syclone, touting the performance and agility of a sports…

HOW DO TRUCK SHOWS COME TO LIFE? WHAT inspires their inception? The answers hinge on a universal passion: our love for cherished rigs and the desire to share this enthusiasm with like-minded enthusiasts. This communal spirit, significantly amplified by social media, transforms our expansive world into a tight-knit community. Robert Phillips, the visionary behind the @oldfordcrewcabs Instagram page, embodies this passion with his dedication to classic Ford crew cabs. Triggered by the success of the Old Ford Crew Cab Meet during the Scottsdale Goodguys show in Arizona (a gathering we’ve highlighted in past FBG editions), Robert and fellow enthusiasts craved their own unique event. Finally, it was Robert’s turn to stamp his mark, choosing Lake Havasu, Arizona, as the idyllic locale for his endeavor. And so, the Riviera Marina became…

WHAT IS, HANDS DOWN, YOUR ULTIMATE dream truck? A new Ford Raptor or Bronco? An all-original Ford Highboy? Or maybe even a souped-up late ’80s or early ’90s mini-truck? We’ve seen a lot of cool trucks in our days, and in impressive forms at that. But when it comes to some of the most-notable and memorable in our minds, it’s the trucks you don’t see many of on the road that stand out, especially when taken to levels that some may scratch their heads at. One such truck is this beauty—a 1966 Ford F-250 crew cab named “Blue” by builder and owner Kyle Delfel. A fabricator by trade, Kyle certainly knew how to take this truck from stock to stunning, giving it a new life as a one-of-a-kind performance machine…

IT’S TIME FOR AN UPDATE ON Project Green Giant! We left off doing rust repair on the cab and starting bodywork on the fenders and doors. Well, we are still in paint jail, but we’re getting closer to being able to start installing the new interior and getting the truck reassembled. Over the last couple of months, I was able to get the fenders, hood, doors, and dash body-worked, blocked, and sprayed with color. The color we went with is Medium Green Metallic Glow, which was the color it came with from the factory. I have to say, when I was a kid I used to really not like the color, but as I started this project I figured it was only right to bring it back to its original…

IN 1941, MY GRANDFATHER AND MY uncle went off to war. US Air Force Sergeant Mal Maher was a 21-year-old tail-gunner on a B17 bomber, while 16-year-old Joseph Caplan served as cook for the US Navy. Maher flew 27 daylight bombing missions over Germany, deep into enemy territory. Their missions are widely considered among the most dangerous of the entire war. His crew was shot down three times, but in the words of my grandfather, “We just went back up.” Caplan was no ordinary cook. He lied about his age and found his way onto the USS Sagittarius where he was credited with shooting down one of the first Japanese aircraft in the Pacific. I guess God made cooks different back then. (The commendation letter shown here is almost illegible,…

IT’S ALWAYS AMAZING TO SEE WHAT true automotive artisans can pull off with old, rusted-out vehicles. Top-tier shops with the right combination of craftspeople and a collective hopeful outlook can make miracles happen. Classic Car Studio of Brentwood, Missouri, has proven it is indeed one of nation’s elite automotive restoration businesses, as documented in the TV series “Speed is the New Black,” which showcases some of CCS’s most celebrated accomplishments. Shop owner Noah Alexander and his crew have shown the world the high-caliber results they routinely pull off with nearly all types of vehicles, from vintage muscle cars to classic trucks and everything else in between. The Show Must Go On The last episode of “Speed” aired back in 2018, but that didn’t stop the CCS crew from doing what…