One of the newest innovations in the cordless power tool market is the drill with interchangeable heads. These heads range from a drill to a sander and even an inflator. We decided to see if it stands up to the hype by putting Craftsman's Bolt-On through a variety of tests.

We know there are a number of our readers that use their trucks for more than just a daily driver or showpiece. We have met plenty of you out there that use your trucks for work in construction, vehicle transport towing, oil fields, and even search and rescue. For those of you that use your trucks as a mobile office while performing your daily tasks, there comes a time when you just want a way to integrate your work needs better than vehicle manufacturers ever planned. The term that first comes to mind is, "A place for everything, and everything in its place." We have a solution that fits the bill perfectly.

If you're like us, you have a toolbox drawer full of loose hex keys that have no rhyme or reason. Over the years, you've collected hex keys from random tool kits at Christmas and just thrown them into the mix. The problem is the size you need is either too hard to find or it simply isn't there at all. Hex bolts and screws are found on automotive fitments, home furniture, and even toys for your kids. A T-handle hex wrench set serves three purposes: you can get more leverage, they are more comfortable in your hand, and in a set, you have instant tool inventory. This month, we set out to find the best T-handle hex wrench set and proceeded to run each brand through a variety of tests to determine the winner.

As you can see, there is nothing hidden under my sleeves.” That line may be a mainstay for magicians, but truck lovers don't buy into the smoke and mirrors of marketing hyperbole and false promises. You want a truck that works hard, plays hard, and looks good doing it. For several years, we've used our in-house 2010 Ford F-350 shop dualie behind the scenes to haul parts, tow trailers, and make long trips with projects in tow. The entire time, there was one large problem constantly looming over the driver—it was 100 percent stock. This no-frills, base-model work truck was the perfect tow pig for someone who isn't into customizing trucks. But for custom truck nuts like us, we hated driving the stock dualie and always made sure to wear sunglasses to hide our identities. After some senior management persuasion, we got the green light to make it look more befitting of a Truckin team hauler.

From the outset of the Blue Bomber project, our goal has been to create a precision-handling truck that we could run at the track on the weekends, while still enjoying comfortable driving during the week. As we have moved closer to that goal, the time has come to finally address the creature comforts that the truck is lacking. We will admit that we are rather spoiled and the rubber floor mat and lack of sound dampening in a brand-new truck did nothing to make us want to sit in the driver seat for any length of time. Thankfully, the rubber was easy to clean during track days, but we wanted an upgrade to our driving experience and relief from the noise pollution.

Despite the tough economy there are still badass trucks being built and reputable companies around to get you the custom parts that you need. We are currently working with a local shop, Unrestricted Auto Trends in Lake Elsinore, California, building a 1971 Suburban. The owner of the truck wanted a complete bolt-on system that would lay out the 'Burb while maintaining a great ride. KP Components, a division of Chris Alston's Chassisworks, makes an entirely new suspension for the '67-'06 GM trucks and SUVs. Their cantilevered four-link kit (PN: KPC 4CBO-C31, $1,753) is by far one of the nicest riding bolt-on airbag suspensions around. To complement this, we also ordered their front LayArm kit (PN: KPC LAB-C41, $2,008). Together, these kits will bring the Suburban down while keeping it riding smooth. The suspension parts are just step one, as we'll also need all of the air components to complete the install. We contacted AVS for the air line, airbags, valves, tanks, switches, and even wiring. AVS has great prices and fast shipping so you can get to work trasnforming your ride. Follow along as we turn this Suburban frame into a low roller in two days.

Each year the truck manufacturers try to outdo each other and come out with a better suspension than the other guys. This keeps aftermarket suspension companies in business, since they have to adapt their kits to the ever-changing trucks coming out of Michigan. One of these companies is McGaughy's. Hailing from Fresno, California, McGaughy's is one of the only companies that offer kits for both lifting and lowering. This means that they have to work twice as hard when it comes to developing new kits for the new trucks.

At first impression can forever alter your perception of a person, place, and especially a custom truck. The leading edge of your pride and joy is one of the first things people see, and it's also the perfect starting point to upgrade and accessorize your truck. To help out this 2012 F-150 FX4, we ordered up a grille from Fuel Off-Road. With big Fuel Off-Road Throttle wheels planned for the Ford, we wanted a matching grille, and thankfully Fuel has an entire lineup of new grilles that complement the tough, stud-clad look of their off-road wheels. For this application, we needed to cut out the factory plastic grille and bolt the new Fuel grille to the FX4 shell. It was an easy install but required an air saw. To check out how we upgraded the front end of this F-150, read along and get the know-how.

Our 2011 Silverado, dubbed Project Blue Bomber has been coming along nicely. We have dragged it across the country and back to show off some of its performance potential and still it asks for more. To say we are having a blast with it is a huge understatement. After the installation of the Edelbrock supercharger and our subsequent custom tuning, it became woefully apparent the factory brakes were not up to the task of being repeatedly stomped on during track duty. We'll be addressing that shortcoming here with the installation of performance brakes from AP Racing.

Ever had a friend call you up and say they needed help with a water pump, alternator, or brake install? It always goes something like this, "Hey, do you mind coming over and helping me do a brake job? Dont worry Ill buy lunch. Oh, but can you bring some tools?" Because youre a nice guy and a good friend, you always put down the remote and head to the garage. It's this very scenario that makes this months Truckin Tough test an important one. Trying to throw heavy and oddly shaped tools into a grocery bag or book bag never turns out well. With that said, you dont want to drop $50 or $100 on a tool bag you dont use all of the time. To help you make an educated purchase, we present you with the $20 tool bag test.

Performing engine swaps is at the core of hot rodding. Dropping in a new powerplant from another vehicle is the cure for more power, better performance, and bragging rights on the street and at the strip. lately, Ford and Chrysler have been doing their best to create better performance crate engines for enthusiasts to snatch up and figure out how to wedge into their engine bays. However, they simply pale in comparison to the sheer popularity of the venerable LS-series engines from gm. What makes these engines even more desirable is the extreme power potential with the addition of a supercharger or turbo.

Can a truck be simple and still turn heads? It's the ideal situation, and we're here to help break down the formula for a daily driver which can easily be used for work and for play. Our goal was to dress up a newer Ford F-150 with off-the-shelf parts that required as few tools as possible and could be handled by any truck owner at home with a decent amount of mechanical knowledge. In a nutshell, we wanted our truck to be worthy of getting a big thumbs up at the local watering hole or pulling into your favorite trailhead.

Last month, Project Blue Bomber was at Stillen’s performance center, receiving an Edelbrock E-Force supercharging system for the Silverado’s 4.8L engine. Strapped down to Stillen’s chassis dyno, the 2011 Silverado spun the rollers to the tune of 374.18 hp and 366.36 lb-ft of torque. The one caveat was those numbers were pushed through the original exhaust system. We made zero supporting modifications to allow the engine to properly exhale all the air being forced into it. This month, we chose to change that and the power results were better than expected.

Much like Scarface's Tony Montana wielding an M-16 and exclaiming, "Say hello to my little friend," you'll feel unstoppable when you need to cut metal with DeWalt's 14-inch chop saw. Featuring a powerful 15.0 amp/4 hp motor, the DeWalt D28700 saw ($209.95 at www.summitracing.com) can cut up to 4½-inch round stock and 4¾ x 5⅓ rectangular stock. Thanks to an ergonomic D-shaped handle, spindle lock for quick blade changes, and an adjustable spark guard to redirect sparks from you, the chop saw is easy to use, and makes metal cutting a fast and painless process.

Grille swaps are a simple modification that can subtly change the whole look of the front of your truck. We recently picked up a 2012 Ram 1500 and decided that our first modification would be an aftermarket grille. We called up Summit Racing and ordered a Paramount Restyling grille. Follow along as we show you how easy it is to change the look of your truck.

Sales numbers are on the rise for Ford’s newest F-150, especially the EcoBoost-powered models claiming better-than-V-8 power and MPG. With 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, the twin-turbo V-6 definitely has power to spare, but with any new engine, we’re always trying to make more. To help our little 214ci V-6 inhale and exhale more efficiently, we installed an aFe Stage-2 Magnum Force intake and Corsa after-cat exhaust system. More air in with more air out means more power from our boosted engine. Giving our 4WD F-150 better looks, we bolted on a 2-inch Ready Lift T6 billet spacer that will lift the front end up to 2 inches. Capitalizing on those extra inches of clearance, we added 20x8.5-inch KMC Skitch wheels from Tire Rack, along with 275/65R20 (34 inches tall) Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires. With Nitto’s all-terrain tire, we’ll benefit from a quiet, smooth ride, and better off-road performance than the OE tires. A big perk to ordering wheels and tires from Tire Rack is their ability to mount and balance them, along with the option to purchase TPMS sensors for your new truck. This way the check engine light stays off and you can enjoy your new purchase with peace of mind. We even received new lug nuts with our wheel order. Each of these installs were performed the same way you would do them, in the driveway using basic handtools, and after just a full day spent working, we had transformed the performance and style of the F-150.

Carroll Shelby stuffed a Ford V-8 into an AC Ace’s compact engine bay and essentially turned the automotive world on its head. Following the big engine compact body formula, Ryobi has launched its new 18V lithium-ion compact drill. With a fullsize ½-inch adjustable chuck, variable speed trigger that propels the drill up to 1,600 rpm, 18V lithium-ion power for big jobs, and weighing in at just 2.9 pounds, the Ryobi drill has all of the feature boxes checked. The best part of the drill may just be the price. Purchased at Home Depot, our 18V drill came in a kit with a 60-minute charger, canvas carrying case, and two lithium-ion compact batteries for only $129.99. That’s a big-time value no matter how you look at it. Also keep in mind, the Ryobi 18V batteries can be used with any Ryobi 18V+ tool, which means those two spare batteries could really come in handy.

There once was a time when the term bumper signified a large metal beam designed to shrug off dings and dents. Now, however, most automotive bumpers are coated in fragile plastic or chrome finishes, and can be easily damaged by even the lightest impacts. So, when it came to our ultimate work truck project, we knew we needed a set of replacement bumpers that would both look tough and provide better crash protection. After doing some research, we came upon Flog Industries, a newcomer to the aftermarket bumper segment. This familyowned and operated company is located in St. George, Utah, and fabricates some of the most rugged and imposing truck bumpers weve ever seen. We promptly ordered a set, and as soon as they arrived got to work bolting them in place. Follow along to see how this simple upgrade transformed the look and feel of our F-150.

We have touted the huge benefits of engine supercharging in the pages of Truckin for years. With so much gain from so little installation time, forced induction adds the power to play and the torque for towing, all encompassed in one tidy package. As you have undoubtedly seen, we have kept a firm finger on the pumping pulse of every new supercharging system ever released for the fullsize truck and SUV market. For each of the many engine series and their changes, the need for newly designed systems seems to have no end in sight. It’s a subject matter we are excited and passionate about, and we want you to be just as excited. Superchargers have become the go-to method for big power, MPG, and reliability.

Change often comes with compromise and that is certainly the case when it comes to todays gasoline. It is not the sweet-smelling, pseudo-solvent fuel we all grew up withwell, most of us anyway. Modern gasoline is an aggressive-smelling chemical with plenty of additives. It burns cleaner, which is great for performance and emissions, but its composition permeates rubber, including fuel hoses. In fact, it can actually seep through rubber hose, drying it out prematurely and causing it to become brittle, crack, weep and possibly fail.

Don’t you love it when your friends who don’t own a truck call you up and ask for help moving, hauling, or transporting something that won’t fit in their econobox. With today’s incredible new trucks riding smoother than ever, getting impressive mileage, and providing room enough to sit five adults comfortably, there isn’t a good excuse for not having a pickup in your driveway. To prove this theory, we modified a 2012 F-150 Lariat with easy-to-install parts that added to, not took away from, the Ford’s everyday functionality.

Our tools are like our kids. We never knew how much we’d love them until we had them in our arms. Tool storage is at the top of the wishlist for every DIY enthusiast, professional ASE-certified mechanic, and shadetree weekend warrior. Tool storage needs to be well built, easy to maneuver, and large enough that you won’t outgrow it after a few tool purchases. We hit the tool jackpot once we took delivery of Matco’s latest mobile service cart. The large heavy-duty service cart isn’t one of those flimsy, cheap tool carts you see on sale in sale’s flyers for $99.99. Matco’s large service cart is fully welded with unibody, double-wall steel frame for increased tool capacity and strength. As we mentioned, growing out of a toolbox is always a concern, but with more than 22,000 ci of storage, this cart will handle even the largest of mechanic’s tool collections.

As you saw on the cover of Issue 12, 2012, our in-house '09 Ram (dubbed Project Lead Sled) has the wild paint and slammed stance that draws curious onlookers everywhere we go. What our Ram was missing was an interior that matched the over-the-top visual appeal. It was high time to change that, so we called Allen Hayes and the crew of 714 Motorsports in Westminster, California. With a long list of magazine-featured interiors and custom audio systems, 714 Motorsports was just who we needed to share our vision with. After meeting with Allen and Chris Caris and discussing the picture we had rattling around in our heads, he added his professional spin to it and off we went. It was a match made in heaven, as the interior met all of our expectations and then some. Project Lead Sled was looking tight, tucked, and quite fashionable. All of the seating surfaces received a two-tone diamond-stitched makeover along with additional diamond stitching in the door inserts. The multi-colored interior was toned down with plenty of black suede to eliminate the factory tan headliner and A-, B-, and C-pillars.

In our last issue, we covered the installation of Firestone’s Ride Rite airbag system in the rear of our ultimate F-150 work truck. This straightforward modification drastically improved our ability to tow and haul heavy objects, while preventing suspension sag and allowing on-the-fly ride height leveling. Now that our F-150 is a more effective tow vehicle, we needed to focus on improving its handling for everyday use and especially when towing. Fortunately for us, the suspension pros at Hellwig had the solution in the form of new, larger front and rear sway bars.

We're pleased to introduce our newest in-house project dubbed the Blue Bomber. A stripped-down work model 2011 Chevy Silverado, Blue Bomber certainly has some style and curb appeal as delivered fresh from the dealer's showroom. However, we are looking for a great ratio of handling, speed, and comfort that can be driven on a regular basis to work, to the track, and everywhere in between. Is it a realistic goal? Only time will tell, and right now we're pumped to jump right in and get started with an all-new suspension we sourced from Belltech sport truck suspension systems. With nearly 30 years in truck suspension development under its belt, Belltech has been a staple in the truck market nearly as long as Truckin has.