I was hired to work as the Associate Editor of Truckin’ in early September of 2010. For the first three months of working at the mag, I was truck-less. That was until I picked up the perfect project truck, a 2000 Chevy Silverado that had been used as a work vehicle, and for $3,000, I couldn’t beat it. It was in sad shape, which made the need to fix it up taste that much sweeter. After talking with Editor Dan Ward, I decided that I wanted to build a daily driveable ’bagged show vehicle.

Planning custom body modifications to your truck can conjure up all kinds of pictures floating through your mind. We're betting the first negative thought that pops into your head is long, arduous hours of welding, sanding and filling to achieve those custom touches. With the help of Street Scene and Trucks by Trader's, we're going to show you an easy-to-manage body mod that results in a dramatic change for your truck. If you use your truck less for towing and hauling, and more for fun and enjoyment, then a roll pan may be perfect for you. Replacing the rear bumper, a roll pan fills the gap left behind after ditching the bumper, giving the rear of your ride a smooth rear view and a much more sporty appearance. Street Scene makes a urethane, bolt-on rear pan for our brand-new GMC Sierra that would give us the look we were after without the headache that modifying your truck’s skin can bring.

A truck's electrical system can create anxiety in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts ranging from newbies to seasoned shadetree mechanics. Today's trucks are basically one sophisticated computer running several smaller, specific computers tasked with operating the engine, transmission, brakes, interior, lighting, and safety systems. Trying to diagnose or work on several of these systems can be even more difficult if there are issues with voltage, ground problems, or worse, shorted wires. Thankfully, we've found a great handheld tester that makes working on any electrical system an easy job, rather than a difficult, stressful task.

It's easy to dismiss the use of basic lighting in today's trucks as cost-cutting measures from the manufacturer. But halogen headlights and incandescent bulbs being used for run, brake, and turn functions, in many instances, use more energy and produce more heat than the highly sought-after LED counterparts. That's not to mention the lifespan deficiency in comparison. Vehicles marketed in the U.S. are headed into better use of technologies thanks to a ban on incandescent bulbs imposed for the year 2014. You can get a jump on the manufacturers thanks to companies like Anzo USA who make bolt-in, replacement lighting to suit plenty of vehicles while dressing them up at the same time. Headlights can be ordered with projectors for better light dispersion and the ability to upgrade to HID. Anzo also adds LED turn signals to many applications with matching taillights to boot. We have some plans in the works for an '11 Ford F-150, but first we wanted to add better looking, brighter, and longer lasting lighting. We contacted Auto Anything for a great price and quick shipping on the Anzo lights. Check out how we made our 2011 F-150 look great and in the process, made it safer.

It can be quite easy to over think your truck or SUV project. Ideas start rolling off the top of your head and start picking up speed with ease. Add a friend or two and maybe you will get the recipe right. Then again, maybe you won’t. Godfather Customs had a basic recipe for a clean Ford F-150 that was able to be cool enough to turn some heads, and easy enough that everything could be bolted on. The vision began with a mild suspension lift with enough room to clear a set of KMC Rockstar wheels and Nitto Terra Grappler tires. Of course, that alone would not be enough, so the need for visuals was attended to. We caught up with the crew at Godfather Customs for the installation of a Reflexxion hood and T-Rex X-Metal grille with a matching, mesh bumper insert. A couple of parts can have a big impact on your truck.

Every now and then, a modification comes around that seems like it is a no-brainer to do. For instance, LED lights look cool, last a long time, and help make your truck safer—it's a no-brainer. If better handling and safer driving conditions are on your list of needs, we're here to tell you there is a no-brainer upgrade to make your truck take corners faster, switch lanes safer, and even drive on back roads with more spirit. The miracle cure is simply swapping out to bigger, stronger sway bars.

Working on custom trucks takes on a natural progression as you learn new things, develop skills after years of experience, and begin to take your abilities to the next level. Whether its engine assembly, bodywork, or chassis fabrication, one area where you’ll probably need to explore is the art of welding. We call it an art because when done the right way, it can literally make things out of nothing. However, when done wrong, it can be both dangerous and debilitating. Welding isn’t brain surgery, but it definitely helps to have the right equipment.

Of all the systems that comprise a working engine, the oiling system is one of the most important parts of the puzzle. Forcing vital lubricating fluids to the metal-on-metal assemblies inside an engine's core, the buffering properties of today's oils are the lifeblood of any internal combustion machine. So it doesn't make sense to simply overlook the oil as being an occasional check-up item on our truck "to-do" list. When pushing high rpms for extended periods of time, repeated drag launches, or swinging from one corner apex to the next, the oil in the pan constantly moves with the forces being enacted against it. Add to that, cold starting of an engine when it has zero oil pressure, and we begin to see the needs for a product to make us feel like we're not on a daily mission to destroy our beloved engine by grinding all its internals together.

There are many mechanical sounds that have a certain way of crawling right into your head and releasing thoughts of dread and dismay. Those kinds of sounds signify that your day, week, or possibly month is in complete ruin. There seems to be a direct correlation between the emanating sounds and your wallet. It’s like they’re somehow connected to each other, causing your credit cards and hundred dollar bills to shake uncontrollably. We felt that exact wallet shake and feelings of dread when our ’02 Chevy Avalanche began to show signs of finally calling it quits. Trying to get moving from a stop was an exercise in frustration as the engine would rev, but the transmission wouldn’t allow much forward momentum. After a week of slipping, the 4L60E had enough of our abuse and decided to leave the SUT stranded awaiting a tow truck to come to the rescue.

When it comes to building custom trucks, most people think about buying something with a bed rather than four doors and a trunk. But when those people start having families, buying an SUV starts looking pretty good. The problem comes when they decide to customize it just a little bit but don’t want to go full bore and start cutting up the floor and notching the frame. What do you do then?

Last month, we showed you how easy it was to install a 430hp, smog-legal GM Performance Parts E-Rod engine in a pre-’96 truck. This month, we’re building upon that solid foundation and adding the necessary components to make it ready to run, all while dressing it up in the process. Eddie Motorsports (EMS) recently launched its new S-Drive billet pulley and serpentine belt setup for LS engines, and we felt this was a perfect time to get our E-Rod engine up and going. Out of the crate, the GM Performance Part’s E-Rod comes with a water pump installed and a crank pulley, but it’s still missing an alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, and tensioner. Thankfully, opening the Eddie Motorsport’s box filled all of our needs with top-shelf components like an Edelbrock water pump, Sanden A/C compressor, Maval power steering pump, Powermaster alternator, and Gates tensioner with belt. Another perk to the Eddie Motorsports kit is its compact design, which is perfect for trucks with cramped engine compartments, or for show trucks that want a clean, simple look. Made in America out of 6061-T6 billet aluminum, this kit makes us proud to buy and install. Our square-body Chevy truck was still at PPC Customs, in Clovis, California, and it made perfect sense for them to install the S-Drive kit while we took the pics. If you’re in the market for a serpentine belt setup, check out Eddie Motorsports for all of their applications.

In the past, the custom truck scene has been all about building the best looking ride for the shows. That was then, this is now. Instead of just "Sittin' Pretty" under a shady tree, custom truck enthusiasts want more out of their haulers. The pro-touring and performance trend is invading the custom truck world. After the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association introduced showgoers to their autocross competition a couple of years ago, we have seen truck builders transforming their rides into lateral g-Machines. Now when you peer under the hood, the engine bling has been replaced with serious horsepower components that make a statement. The truck’s lowered stance isn’t just about curbside appeal, but about function meeting form. Things builders are now paying attention to include: acceleration, braking, and cornering.

In the previous two installments, we cammed our Ram and then followed up with a stroker kit in an effort to increase torque production. Both routes were ultimately successful in elevating the torque curve over the factory components. It wasn’t until the installation of the wilder custom hydraulic roller cam in Part Two that we started sacrificing low and midrange torque in a quest for top-end power. Cam timing usually has the effect, as ideal cam timing to maximum peak power is not the same as ideal cam timing to maximize torque production. The question is one of engine speed—or more specifically where do you want your torque curve generated? Wilder cam timing effectively shifts the torque curve higher in the rev range. The upside is increased top-end power, but the penalty of the shift is a loss in not only low-speed torque production, but likely overall drivability as well. The ideal world would be to have the power offered by both, or better yet, more power everywhere. Time to get PSIched!

As you have undoubtedly read, when we last left off with Project Novakane (Throwdown Thrash, Volume 37, No. 10, page 92) it was painted and in the capable hands of Chassis by Aaron Iha for the final stages of the trucks performance transformation. All the paint and bodywork completed before that fateful trip were barely mentioned as the focus of the story was on the incredible fabrication and truncated time schedule necessitated to get Novakane running and competitive for Truckin’s 2011 THROWDOWN.

We’ve all been there, at the dragstrip, truck show, track, or even the side of the road when a wheel and tire needs to be changed. Using a tire iron or torque wrench will get the job done most of the time, but in the process, your back is thanking you for all that extra effort spent busting loose the lug nuts. Makita’s new 18V ½-inch impact wrench (part number BTW450) is here to save the day, literally. Packing a monster-sized motor in a compact 10½-inch body, the lithium-ion battery-powered impact delivers a maximum of 325 lb-ft of torque. We told you that motor was a monster. That much power makes it a pit crew favorite around race shops, and can save tons of time when off-roading a tire needs to be changed. Other perks include an LED light to illuminate your work area, soft, rubber-coated grip handle, and Makita’s proprietary hammer and anvil mechanisms with hardened steel for superior driving power.

Although the term "green" has gained a great deal of popularity in the last few years, the term can be rooted back to the turbulent flower child era of the ’60s and ’70s. Even the efforts of the first Earth Day in 1970 transformed history but remain largely unacknowledged by most people. By definition the green movement is “the support of environmentally friendly products opposed to those that pollute or harm the environment.” Political pressure on car manufacturers has been one of the greatest accomplishments made by these earth-loving groups. An example of this political pressure dates back to when President Nixon formed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) back in the early 1970s. With the EPA formed, states such as California spearheaded more regulation towards controlling harmful emissions expelled by our beloved vehicles. They enacted semiannual smog checks on all vehicles sold in the state, and formed a group referred to as CARB, or the California Air Research Board, which tests and mandates pollution-controlling equipment on vehicles to curb harmful particulate matter. Their hearts were in the right place, but their minds weren’t, as the new smog equipment restricted horsepower and torque numbers down to dismal levels, which forced aftermarket manufactures to put on their thinking caps towards regaining acceptable numbers back to the marketplace.

Back in Part 1 of our Cam the Ram series on the 5.7L Hemi, we subjected the bone-stock test motor to a simple cam swap. The wrecking yard motor was run on the engine dyno using a Fast XFI/XIM management system in two configurations, first with the stock cam, then with a mild Comp cam. Equipped with the stock cam, the 5.7L produced 370 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. These numbers jumped to 401 hp and 427 lb-ft with the installation of the 260H-13 Comp Cam. The cam not only improved the peak power numbers, but offered consistent gains through most of the rev range with no loss in low-speed torque. Hot off the success of camming our Ram, we decided to take things to the next level. Looking to continue the theme of impressive torque production without sacrificing drivability, we elected the tried and true method of increased displacement. Basically we’re adding inches to get pounds—foot-pounds of torque.

Power is fun, sexy, and one of the first desires for all hot rodders and custom truck enthusiasts. It takes your breath away and it helps knock out the cobwebs in your head after a long 9-5. Power can also be dangerous, especially if you accelerate so fast that your brakes can’t slow you back down. Out of control with you holding on for dear life, your truck can easily be turned into a 5,000-pound missile if you don’t plan ahead. As a wise man once told me, “Plan ahead, it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” If you’ve been wondering how to make your truck safer, stop better, and keep yourself out of precarious situations, we have the solution for you—hydraboost.

Trucks are a perfect investment because they provide you with daily transportation for everyday life, and when works needs to be done, you can roll up your sleeves and fill the bed with whatever you need to haul around. The only drawback to an open pickup bed is that your cargo is left exposed and unprotected from the elements. The obvious solution is a tonneau cover. But what happens if you need to move something too tall to fit under the cover? Pace Edwards is the leader in metal rolling tonneau covers that not only allow you to be able to cover up cargo in your bed, but roll it up into a compact container at the front of your bed when not needed. Unlike fabric tonneau covers, the Pace Edwards Full Metal Jack Rabbit cover is lockable and extremely durable.

Math sucks. We’re just keeping it real with that factoid, however, finding out the proper equation for a cool daily driver is way easier than you may think. Almost an oxymoron for many custom trucks, functionality shouldn’t suffer because you’ve modified your ride. There is absolutely no reason a good-looking truck cannot be used for what it was intended. Although many people prefer the ride height of their truck to be the same as their driving surface, rolling in a body-dropped truck just isn’t for everyone. Some people want a truck that handles well and looks good, but is still functional without having to worry about bending fenders or busted air lines. The answer for them is a basic cruiser that has minimal mods, but a great deal of impact. Making wise decisions before handing over your credit card is the best way to be happy every time you jump behind the wheel.

GM’s LS-series engine has taken over the automotive world; it is now a common sight between the fenders of muscle cars, hot rods, planes, but what about trucks? For a long time, the fear that an LS conversion would cripple a bank account left truck enthusiasts clinging to the SBC and BBC that motivated the hobby for more than 40 years. Things have changed, and those not willing to evolve will be left behind at the gas pumps filling up at $4.00 a gallon. So what options are there? Engines pulled from a Camaro, Corvette, GTO, G8, and other LS-powered cars can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 and are not a common sight in local salvage yards. The alternative is to look for an engine out of a late-model GM truck. These trucks have an engine life expectancy of 200,000-plus miles, so salvage yards are littered with GM truck engines pulled from wrecks. In addition to being readily available, these engines are extremely affordable when compared to a crate motor. The truck engines are under the Vortec badge, yet feature all the same technology as the popular LS1, LS2 , and LS3 except with an iron block in most cases. A 5.3L truck engine with full accessories can typically be located anywhere in the U.S. for under $1,000 and that’s with low miles. These 5.3L engines are the most common engine of the entire LS family and offer 300-plus horsepower in a stock application. A 5.3L with a performance cam, LS6 intake, and headers is easily capable of 400 hp. The larger truck engines such as the 6.0L and 6.2L can demand more money, but offer even greater power potential. With that being said, there is an LS engine for nearly any budget and power demand.

In this economy, it is getting harder and harder to find budget-friendly ways to make your truck look and perform better. Luckily for us, there are still companies out there that understand this and are making parts that do the trick, without eating a hole in your wallet. We came across this completely stock 2010 Silverado 1500 with a 4.3L V-6 and just the sight of it sent shivers down our backs, the same shivers you get when you hear gears grinding.

McGaughy’s Suspension has done it again with their new 7-inch lift kit for the 2011 GM 2500HD and 3500HD trucks. Available for both the 4WD and 2WD versions, the kit allows for a 37-inch tall tire with minimal trimming. The kit was designed with safety and longevity in mind. One great thing about this kit is that the spindles were CAD-designed to achieve factory geometry and alignment specifications.

From its wide stance and flared bodywork, to its incredible off-road capability, the Ford Raptor is seriously imposing. There’s simply nothing like it on the market, which is why the United States Border Patrol has pressed a fleet of them into service along the Mexican border.

It sounded impossible to anyone who enjoyed sleeping, seeing their families, or who didn’t enjoy donuts and energy drinks. What it consisted of was building a back half from scratch, installing an engine and transmission, wiring and plumbing said engine, installing the brakes along with the front suspension and hydraulic brake assist unit, and narrowing the rearend, cutting the bed and front fenders for clearance, running the truck on a chassis dyno and tuning the truck, and assembling pieces as they came in from paint and body. All of this needed to be accomplished in only six days so that Project Novakane could compete at THROWDOWN. Deadlines suck.