It's our incessant need to add some personal flair to the trucks we love to drive on a regular basis. In the case of this '09 Ford F-250, that flair came in the form of a mild suspension alteration. The slight altitude adjustment allowed us to fit larger tires wrapped around wheels that had plenty of eye-catching ability compared to the plain Blue Oval offerings we were replacing. Since we would be spending plenty of time traversing asphalt and roaming on the occasional rock-strewn trail, our choice in suspension heights was kept minimal with a Ready Lift 2½-inch front coil spacer and a 4-inch rear block. Before you try to figure out the odd front to rear equation, know that the factory 2-inch rear block gets removed. With the Ready Lift 4-inch block in place of it, our rear lift number only equals two inches over stock. A perfect elevation addition to clear the LT305/70R18 (35-inch) Nitto Dura Grappler tires and 18x9-inch Ultra wheel's Mavericks. With all of the towing and mild off-roading we do, the E-load rated Dura Grapplers were the perfect choice, and they have a 45,000 mile warranty. Outlaw Offroad is situated just a hop, a skip, and a jump from our offices, in Santa Ana, California, so we headed over there to receive our two-hour makeover. The install was easy and can be performed in your driveway in a day, but best of all, the new Super Duty transformation cost less than $2,900.

Value is a buzzword in today's economy, but in the world of tools, oftentimes "value" is seen as inferior. Not so with Eastwood's new digital electronic torque-angle wrenches. We used them side by side with other "top brand" units costing more than double and found the Eastwood wrenches to be easy to use, accurate, and solidly constructed. With measurements from 15-150 lb-ft, the ½-inch-drive unit (PN: 13622, $119.99) is extremely versatile and good for a variety of torque needs such as performance bolt-ons, suspension installs, and of course, lug nuts. Accurate to within +/- 2 degrees both clockwise and counterclockwise, the 72-tooth ratchet turns easily and is perfect for confined working areas. Once the preset torque figure is reached, a buzzer sounds and an LED glows letting you know the nut or bolt is good to go. If you've ever assembled a late-model engine, you know a torque wrench with low pounds-per-inch measurements is a must-have. For those applications and for smaller, more delicate installations, we also ordered a 3/8-inch digital electronic torque-angle wrench (PN: 13619, $119.99). With a spec range from 7-100 lb-ft, the smaller 3/8-inch torque-angle wrench may be better choice if you don't have an 8-lug truck requiring massive torque at each corner.

One of the things we love to see is a custom truck completely flat on the ground with a killer set of wheels that look literally sucked up into the fenders. The stance can be hard to achieve, with some trucks being more difficult to work on than others. The main issue in achieving that in-the-weeds look is the diameter of the wheels and tires chosen. Fitting fairly diminutive 20-inch or 22-inch wheels under a fullsize truck does not require anywhere near the amount of modifications that a 24-, 26- or even 28-inch wheel and tire combination would need to clear.

Taking the tool world by storm last year, the dog bone wrench was on more TV commercials than fat people losing weight by popping a miracle pill. Having succumbed to marketing hype before with "As Seen On TV" products, we wanted to know if these handtools had any merit. As a whole, the concept makes sense—convenient multiple sizes in one wrench, good leverage with a thick handle, and less clutter by way of leaving an entire wrench set at home. But, and these questions are the clincher, do they work and are they worth the money?

Hello Truckin,
I was thinking about getting one of the '88-'94 Chevy C/K trucks with a 5.7L manual five-speed transmission. I know you have tested the Banks mule pickup with its twin-turbo system that was backed by a Doug Nash six-speed. I have looked for a Doug Nash and other six-speeds, but I can't seem to find any. Is there any info that teaches how to modify a five-speed into a six-speed?
Chad Hinkle

Chad,
Creating a six-speed from a five-speed isn't something to give more than two thoughts to. Your query is easily answered by checking out the offerings from both Richmond (www.richmondgear.com) and Tremec (www.tremec.com). Both companies offer six-speed transmissions with ratio choices that will suit your build perfectly.

One of the most common questions we get is about adding headers to LS engines. Headers help to smooth out the flow of air leaving the engine, increase power by helping the engine expel the exhaust gases more efficiently, as well as adding a better exhaust note. As a rule of thumb, shorty headers help add low-end torque, with average horsepower peak numbers, while long-tube headers add big power figures, and produce a torque increase later in the rpm range. After bolting on a big ProCharger supercharger to this 2011 GMC Sierra in Issue 5, we wanted to help the force-fed 6.2L LS engine breathe easier and pick up some ponies while we were at it. The addiction to power never loses its grasp on you.

It's not always best to admit, but many of the lifted suspension installations we do in the magazine see more time on the road commuting and looking cool than they do getting tossed around in the dirt. Unfortunately, the form has taken the center stage with function merely a backup singer in the song. It's high time to change that. Many of you have trucks that get used for their designed purpose, and see just as much time on as off the road—basically, a true balance of work and play. We are turning the focus your way with this new project.

Last month we put locking pliers through an extensive torture test in our new Truckin Tough section, and in doing so, we developed a fondness for Irwin's Vise-Grips. A trusted tool brand since 1885, Irwin Tools is no stranger to meeting the needs of professionals and home handymen alike, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when we came across the automotive trade category at irwin.com. Delving deeper into Irwin's automotive tool lineup, we found several tools we didn't even know were available to us DIY mechanics.

Ford's latest line of Super Duty trucks provide endless power, impressive amenities, and a suspension engineered to survive the world's toughest terrain. Whereas all of that sounds impressive, we know that bigger is always better, and when it came time for Skyjacker Suspensions to design a new lift kit for the '11 Super Duty, they did so without compromising any of the Ford's abilities. Ride, off-road capability, and looks were all improved with the addition of Skyjacker's 8.5-inch lift system. Complete with a four-link upgrade using high-impact, heavy-duty DOM tubular arms with adjustable tie-rod ends, Softride front coil springs, track bar relocation bracket, radius arm bracket, front and rear shocks, and rear leaf springs, the Skyjacker lift system includes everything you need to help your new truck soar above the rest. Best of all, it's a 100-percent bolt-on install with no welding. Able to clear 40-inch tires with an aftermarket front bumper or minor trimming of the factory valence, the addition of larger tires with new rolling stock will instantly give your Ford better off-road traction, more ground clearance, and unparalleled style. To make this 2011 F-350 stand out in a crowd, the team at Skyjacker bolted on a set of 20x9-inch KMC XD Series Spy wheels wrapped around massive Interco Super Swamper IROK tires sized 39.5x13.50-20LT. The aggressive looks of the wheels and tires, combined with the in-your-face styling of the '11 Super Duty, results in an off-road truck fit for Mad Max. If your pickup is in need of an all-terrain attitude, check out our install and give Skyjacker a call for their latest lift kits.

More than one million 6.0L Ford Power Stroke vehicles are on the road today. Despite an exceptional torque curve, an impressive power-to-weight ratio, and a surprisingly compact package size, the 365ci Navistar International-built V-8 suffered from a series of reliability and warranty issues during its short lifespan. In response, Navistar redesigned, tooled up and built the improved 6.4L version of the Power Stroke for '08-'10 Ford Super Duty trucks. As a result, pre-owned 6.0L Ford pickups are in abundant supply, and are often a few thousand dollars less than a similarly equipped diesel pickup of the same vintage from Dodge or GM. For those of us diesel enthusiasts with mechanical aptitude, the 6.0L Power Stroke is possibly the best late-model pre-owned truck value going today.

It's the ultimate LS-engine "what if" scenario: Could the blower from the Corvette ZR1's LS9 engine be dropped on the larger-displacement LS7 found in the Z06? That would create the ultimate "factory" combination—especially because it would drop into any GM truck that came with an LS engine, dating back to '99.

Up to this point, you’ve seen Project New Guy, our in-house 2000 Silverado build, receive an airbagged suspension and the body get smoothed and covered in a sea of blue paint. After three long months of work, she was ready for her final makeover—the interior. When it comes time to transforming an interior, certain questions need to be addressed before buying anything. First, how crazy do you want to go? For this project, we wanted a big “Wow” factor without losing any everyday functionality. Next, we had to look at materials, colors and, of course, the audio. Lastly, we needed to figure out how much of the work we could do ourselves, and what areas we’d need to have handled for us.

As some of you are well aware, we awarded the 2008 Dodge Durango our coveted SUV of the Year award at the time of testing. One of the issues with the long term test vehicles provided us by the manufacturers is the inability to do any modifications to said vehicle. We managed to run down a healthy and clean used example allowing us to show you what can be done with one of these fun and versatile SUVs. Our unit is a 2WD with a PowerTech 4.7L V-8 under the bonnet, factory rated at 235hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. However, those numbers are at the crank, so we will be running the Durango on the dyno to see how our before and after figures come out at the wheels.

With an open book to do whatever we pleased, we brainstormed a ton of ideas and ran down plenty of scenarios. After the dust settled, the decision was made to bring this mid-size performer up to a respectable and streetable trim without going overboard. What could be done by most owners with minimal effort and still be easy on the wallet should you be completely unable to do any of the labor yourself? With K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) running through our collective brains, we sought help from the pros. True Flow was sourced for one its high-flow intake conversions and Gibson exhaust pulled an aluminized exhaust from its inventory. On the outside, we contacted E&G Classics for a stainless mesh grille to replace the stocker and Tom McWeeney of Kustoms Inc. used paint from PPG to color the door handles and rear hatch trim for a matching fashion statement. Wheels and tires were also included in our makeover, so we went to the local internet ads for a used set. Follow along as we dress up the Durango with more sense than cents.

Trying to bust loose a stripped nut or bolt is never anyone's idea of a good time, but it's inevitable when working on any car or truck project. Inside the house, when the wife tells you to swap out the showerhead, we all grab one tool—locking pliers. No toolbox is complete without a quality pair of locking pliers, and we asked ourselves, “Which brand is best?” After driving to local tool and auto parts stores, we purchased eight pairs of 10-inch curved jaw locking pliers and put them through several stringent tests, including: jaw clamping force, overall tool strength, teeth condition on stripped nuts, wire cutter ability, a torture test with more than 130 lb-ft of torque enforced, design, ergonomics, and value. Each test was worth 5 points with a maximum of 40 points available. The results will surprise you.

Bragging rights are a constant fought battle to determine where domination lies. Hardened warriors fight, claw, and kick trying to grasp for every inch of advantage. It's no big insider secret that Ford and General Motors have a decades-long brawl that will seem to rage on for decades more to come. With neither side showing any signs of faltering or wariness, we'll choose our side and watch the contest twist and turn through all the cheers and jeers. Not that any more competition is necessary between the two, but the thought of sending two gladiators into battle is an activity we just could not pass up.

Snow tires are expensive and used only a few months out of the year, whereas snow chains can be cumbersome to install, damage your nice wheels, and can rust between seasons. Rather than deal with those cold-weather remedies, we found a tool that will get you through the snow, is quick and easy to install, and won't damage your nice wheels. Sound too good to be true? It's not. During the winter months, tools for getting your truck or SUV out of the snow aren't just found in a large, sticker-clad box in the garage.

We admit to being a little partial to the custom truck scene in Southern California and Texas, but we're well aware many of you use your trucks for more than just looking good in a parking lot on the weekends. Towing, hauling, and hunting are a few things we ask of our daily drivers, and for this story, we turn a completely stock '09 Silverado 4x4 into a trail-ready hunting machine for around $4,400. That sum may look imposing until you realize we added functionality, more power, better looks, improved safety, and each of the installs could be done in your driveway over a two-day weekend. With hunting season over and your truck ready for a makeover, we've collected a great group of bolt-ons that will make your daily driver more capable than ever.

After making our 2000 Silverado project truck sit nice and low with the help of an airbagged suspension, the next step was to take the truck from Master Image Customs to Unrestricted Auto Trends in Lake Elsinore, California. Jake and Al Provoost, along with Angel Esqueleto were going to make the body as smooth as it was the day it rolled off the production line and look even better than the engineers could have ever imagined. This was a massive undertaking, as the truck was a former work truck and the body had seen better days. It hauled everything—concrete, rocks and wheelbarrows—from jobsite to jobsite with little care in the world as to what it looked like. With less than two months before its debut at the SEMA show, a lot of work still had to be done.

Adding horsepower to nearly any computer-controlled EFI vehicle nowadays still follows the original plan for more power set forth since hot rodding was in its infancy. The old adage still rings true with more air in and more air out being the basics of the equation. Proper fuel and timing are a serious part of the equation too, but that's the beauty of EFI. Allowing the engine to get more air in the cylinders and out through the exhaust is our part, while we leave it up to the computer to read the amount of air traveling in, compressing, firing, and exhaling.

Hey guys,
I was reading a recent edition of Truckin as I have done every month for the last 18 years. In reading the tech article titled "Rebirth of the Green Movement" (Vol.37, No.13, November 14, 2011, Page 86) I developed a question. I wanted to know more about the fuel connection. Your article said that we would just need to buy an adapter to hook up the factory fuel lines to the LS3 system. My question is, isn't there a difference in fuel line PSI between a '80s or early '90s fuel system versus the modern EFI systems? That being said, I understand you changed the fuel pump, but I thought the fuel systems were completely different when it comes to the return lines and PSI within the lines as well as the fuel pumps?

Thank you,
Derek Parker
Via email

We've all been there, getting out to the truck and turning the key only to be greeted by that pit-in-the-stomach feeling of the engine not starting. It's a big-time bummer when you need to be somewhere and you're officially stranded. Forever relieving that anxiety is Chicago Electric's new 5-in-1 portable power pack. Not only does it provide 600A crank/1000A surge emergency jumpstart, it can also inflate your tires with the built-in 260psi air compressor. Much like a Swiss Army knife that keeps revealing new and useful tools in a compact package, the 5-in-1 can power portable AC devices like laptops, small TVs, and charge your iPod with its 400W power inverter. It also has dual 12V power outlets to provide juice for additional electronics needing 12 volts of power. Capping off the impressive package, an LED work/map light helps you see the work area when the sun is down.

After adding new Anzo lights and a rolling tonneau cover to his 2010 F-150, this owner had a severe case of the custom truck itch. Seeing other trucks cruising and towing with a taller stance, bigger wheels, and knobby off-road tires had him searching through Truckin' for the latest in leveling and lift technologies. Wanting a truck that would still ride nice but look tough isn't a pipe dream, and we helped him find the best of both worlds in just a few hours. Icon Vehicle Dynamics has recently released a complete leveling kit system that improves ride quality, helps the ½-ton clear 34s, and adds impressive off-road capability of the new-body-style F-150. The kit comes with a tubular, uniball upper control arm, 2½-inch coilovers for the front, and 2-inch monotube shocks for the rear. Adding rugged good looks and functionality, we wrapped a set of BMF 20x9-inch Novakane wheels in BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A rubber, size 275/65R20 (34 inches tall). We'll show you how simple it was to increase the height of this Ford while increasing the outward appearance and performance, both on- and off-road.

2011-and-Newer Silverado 6-inch Lift System

2011-2012 Silverado 2500HD/3500HD 6-inch suspension lift kit.

Tuff Country Inc.
(800) 288-2190
www.tuffcountry.com

With the constant onslaught of simple and reliable EFI horsepower available today, it's easy to forget that not all of us want or need huge power in a large package. Many truck projects on the road could benefit greatly from a more basic approach with a smaller cubic-inch assembly that would be a little lighter on the wallet. At the forefront of the Gen III and Gen IV LS engine rush is Turn Key Engine Supply located in Oceanside, California. For those wanting a smaller inch engine that still packs a decent punch, Turn Key has three engines just for you. With a range of 327ci 5.3L engines putting out 350, 400, and even 450 hp, we wanted to know more about these powerful and reliable engines.

Last month we showed you the first of a series of articles on our latest buildup, a 2000 Silverado dubbed Project New Guy. Master Image Customs in Montclair, California, took care of the front suspension in a couple of hours, even installing new wheel hubs and SSBC rotors and calipers. With that complete, it was only a matter of tearing apart the rear suspension and bolting in the KP Components cantilevered four-link and Watt's link kit, along with the SSBC rear brake kit. For our 22-inch wheel and tire combo, the KP kit was a perfect choice to drop the rear nice and low. Follow along to see how easy it is to install a full rear suspension slamming your frame on the ground and making it ride like a Cadillac.