Street Trucks June 2017

OWNING AND DRIVING A CUSTOM TRUCK IS NOTHING SHORT OF PURE AWESOMENESS. None of us like to disappear into the crowd, and having a wicked ride expresses our individuality. Owning a custom truck is rewarding, especially when onlookers stare in amazement. So how do you get from stock to stunner? I think it’s a good idea to work on your own ride as much as possible, primarily because it’s the only way to truly know your truck’s strengths and weaknesses. You don’t have to be a master mechanic or pro custom fabricator to do at least some work yourself. Most of us can’t do it all though, and even some pro customizers subcontract certain jobs to specialists. Never be ashamed to rely on other sources to get a job done.…

FORD IS REINVENTING THE WAY DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ENTERTAIN THEMSELVES WHILE ON THE ROAD, OFFERING NEW WAYS TO WIRELESSLY STREAM LIVE TV AND LISTEN TO MUSIC IN ITS NEWEST SUVS. These new features are a result of shifting trends toward streaming services, such as television shows, movies, music, podcasts and more. For example, one in three U.S. consumers currently listen to streaming music, according to trade association IFPI, with Generation Z and Millennials streaming at a more frequent rate. In the all-new Expedition, coming this fall, an available Wi-Fi hotspot supports as many as 10 devices at once—up to 50 feet from the vehicle—while an available dual-headrest rear-seat entertainment system provides a next-generation video experience that allows passengers to watch live TV via SlingPlayer on either of two video screens.…

SHANE CRAFT, OWNER OF CRAFT AUTOMOTIVE, HAD BEEN PLANNING TO BUILD A SQUARE-BODY DUALLY FOR A WHILE, BUT ONCE THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF TO HELP BUDDY CHRIS STAFFORD WITH HIS ’66 C-10 (“THE SHERMAN SPECIAL,” PG. 60, C-10 Builder’s Guide , Summer 2015), Shane decided to alter his plans a bit and go with an earlier C-30 dually that he has named Night Train. Beginning with a dusty ’65 C-30 flatbed farm truck, Shane has already made steady progress and has collected quite a few parts for the build. His wheels of choice are 22-inch American Force Dually Classics with Nitto tires, and the chassis features a custom rear frame section and custom Choppin’ Block control arms. The completed truck will wear a custom-fendered bed for a…

THIS MONTH WE’RE TAKING A LOOK AT THOSE TRUCKS WITH A LITTLE EXTRA BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS: EXTENDED CAB PICKUPS. While we often just call them extra cabs, each truck manufacturer actually has its own term for that area with those tiny jump seats, which many of us eventually tend to fill up with speakers. Here’s a quick rundown of what each truck brand calls their cabs o’ plenty. Chevy and GMC: Introduced in 1983 on the S-10/S-15 and 1988 for full-size trucks, GM called them Extended Cabs before the days of rear suicide mini-doors. These days they’re referred to as Double Cabs. Ford: The SuperCab first came on the scene in 1974 on the F series and has been a popular option ever since. Dodge/Ram: Introduced in 1973 on…

SMOOTH OPERATOR THESE HOOD HINGES from All American Billet promise to add function and fashion to your 1967-72 Chevy truck. Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum with larger bearings, stainless steel gas springs and hardware, these hinges are engineered to operate smoothly and to last. Available plain, with holes or slotted, as well as machined or polished, or as part of the company’s exclusive Silverline series, these hinges are the perfect way to add some sick style to your engine compartment. All American Billet • 844.245.5381 Allamericanbillet.com LEAVE ’EM HANGING BELLTECH SPORT TRUCKS has announced its release of a lifting hanger for 2015 and newer Ford F-150 trucks. Made to be paired with Belltech’s 6446 flip kit for F-150 models, all of the required components needed for installation are included. The kit…

IT ISN’T UNCOMMON FOR AN AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURER TO BUILD A FULLY CUSTOMIZED VEHICLE TO SHOW OFF ITS LATEST WARES. It’s something that happens on a rather grand scale every year at events like SEMA. What is uncommon, however, is building a vintage vehicle with nothing but non-vintage parts (more on that later), and having the founder of an influential paint company gravitate to the project by personally developing brand-new paint colors especially for the build. While that might not be the usual way most truck projects go, it was most certainly the case with RetroManufacturing owner Steve Harrington’s personal ’52 Chevy Advance Design project. A few years ago, in 2014, Steve brought the truck out to SEMA to display in the RetroSound booth. While it was slated to be finished…