Street Trucks December 2018

YOU OFTEN HEAR THE SAYING, “CRUNCH TIME IS REAL,” BUT UNTIL YOU’RE THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE NATION’S TOP CUSTOM TRUCK MAGAZINE JUST ABOUT A MONTH OR SO BEFORE SEMA, THE PRESSURE JUST WON’T FEEL THE SAME. Emails and press releases announcing the unbelievable builds debuting at this yearly event can flood anyone’s inbox within a matter of minutes, but when you take into account all the manufacturers and brand leaders that want to meet the new editor of StreetTrucks, schedules and obligations tend to fill up quickly. Each email we received about SEMA opportunities is as intriguing as the last—and they will make for some long days and nights—but the amount of content we can bring you during and after the show will be the payoff of the exciting and…

TAKE CONTROL! ELECTRIC POWER STEERING KITS NOW AVAILABLE AT SUMMIT RACING In case you haven’t noticed, the OEMs have replaced traditional hydraulic power steering with electric power steering. Electric steering eliminates heavy, bulky hydraulic lines and pumps, so it’s lighter and can be packaged to fit in tight engine compartments. The factories made the switch for fuel economy, but the advantages of electric power steering make it ideal for updating your classic muscle car, truck, or street rod to modern steering. Summit Racing now carries EPAS Performance electric power steering kits that make the swap a cinch. The kits use an electric motor and a control module to provide power assist. The control module measures the amount of effort applied to the steering wheel and tells the electric motor to…

FOR FORD PICKUP FANS WHO LOVE RAPTOR POWER BUT WANT A MORE UPSCALE PACKAGE, AMERICA’S TRUCK LEADER IS DELIVERING WITH THE NEW 2019 F-150 LIMITED. “F-150 Limited customers create their own success; the truck is their reward,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “They wanted more power, so we combined Raptor’s engine with Limited’s business-class features to deliver Baja fierceness, boardroom style and the grit to tackle tough jobs.” Rated at 450 horsepower and 510 ft-lbs of torque, the new Ford F-150 Limited leads the competition, offering more power than any light-duty pickup on the road. F-150 Limited sports a new dual exhaust system with exhaust tips smoothly integrated into new rear bumper cutouts. In addition to improved performance, F-150 Limited’s refined cabin delivers an elegant, purposeful interior.…

FCA US LLC IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING AN ESTIMATED 1.1 MILLION U.S.-MARKET PICKUP TRUCKS TO UPGRADE THEIR TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISMS. An investigation by FCA US has discovered the power locking mechanisms in the tailgates of certain pickups share a small internal component that may break over time. If this were to happen, the vehicle’s tailgate may unlatch. FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The recall affects certain Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from model years 2015 through 2017. Trucks equipped with manual tailgate locks are excluded from the campaign, as are those with 8-foot cargo beds. The redesigned-for-2019 Ram 1500 also is unaffected. Its tailgate mechanism benefits from a new design that delivers enhanced functionality, such as lift-assist. Customers will be notified when service becomes available.…

WITH ALL OF THE AVAILABLE BOLT-ON LOW-PROFILE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBERS AVAILABLE THESE DAYS, A LOT OF US HAVE FORGOTTEN ONE OF THE OLDEST TRICKS IN THE BOOK WHEN IT COMES TO SLAMMING A TRUCK: THE FRAME Z. Basically, the frame is cut right in front of the firewall, raised up a couple of inches or so, then welded back up with plenty of reinforcement. The end result kind of looks like a “Z,” hence the name. Keep in mind that the frame will also have to be cut and moved a similar manner right before the core support to keep the truck’s sheet metal lined up, just like would be done for a bodydrop. If you’re not afraid of some major cutting, a Z can be an effective, budget friendly…

IN OUR QUEST TO BRING READERS NEW FEATURES EACH MONTH, THE STAFF HERE AT STREET TRUCKS CONSTANTLY SEARCHES FOR STORIES THAT NOT ONLY PROVIDE THE BEST CONTENT FOR THE MAGAZINE, BUT ALSO INSPIRE OUR READERS. Yes, we understand that dropping $50K-$100K on a truck build is simply not feasible for the majority of us, but when we come across two unbelievable Ford trucks from the same area in Oklahoma, it’s only fitting that we show our readers the level of success you can achieve by not being afraid to take a chance on building your own truck. Simply put, these Fords are the final reward for countless hours of hard work and determination invested by two guys with DIY attitudes and endless motivation. When we first met Addison Augusta and…