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Driven Racing Oil’s Break-In Oil Kit BR30 5W-30

June 14, 2023

Top Builds from the 2025 NSRA Street Rod Nationals Builder’s Showcase

The Street Rod Nationals returned to Louisville once again, marking its 31st year at the Kentucky Exposition Center—and its 56th overall. Four days filled with some of the best street rods, customs, and classics brought together everything from survivor sedans to full-tilt customs. With over 10,000 cars on the property and close to 70,000 people wandering the grounds, it’s not just a car show—it’s a rolling history lesson, a swap meet, a family reunion, and a street rodder pilgrimage all rolled into one.

RILEY’S ’72 Chevy

It seems never to fail: You buy an old truck from a friend or family member with the intent of just sticking a used motor in it and giving it a quick paint job. This usually means that the front clip comes off to put the motor in, and that leads to taking apart the front suspension, which leads to assorted chassis upgrades, as well as the rest of the frame components being unbolted and stripped down for paint, and that means the cab is taken off and sent to a paint shop. Well, you know how those stories play out, and without going any further, this is exactly what happened to Jim Riley and his son Dusty.

Sweet Patina

We recently had the opportunity to work on a Levi’s Edition AMC Jeep Renegade—a unique piece of off-road history that has undoubtedly seen its fair share of adventures. The exterior still boasts its original paint, complete with bumps, scrapes, and surface rust that showcase the character that comes with many years of use and enjoyment. Rather than opting for a fresh new repaint, our mission was to preserve its tough, battle-worn patina while adding protection and a nice polished matte finish to show it some love. We wanted to enhance its character, highlighting its scars instead of hiding them, and, with the assistance of Sweet Patina’s products, we accomplished this beautifully. This Jeep didn’t spend its life tucked away in a garage; its paint tells a story, with each scratch, chip, and faded patch serving as a badge of honor. We felt that applying a shiny new paint job would be a disservice to this classic Renegade.

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RUGGED LUXURY

Hypertech and John Garrett Outdoors team up to build a unique F150 for the 2021 SEMA Show

Author

The Auto Builder Staff

Phoptography by Scott Killeen

The Utility of Vehicles: More Than Just a Status Symbol

Cars and trucks are all about utilitarianism. Although vehicles have become status symbols, at the core, it’s all about getting people or things from one place to another. Through the years, Ford Motor Company has solidified its place in the annals of automotive history with its incredible lineup of consumer and commercial trucks. As the nameplate has been expanded and new options made available, Ford’s famed F-Series truly offers something for everyone.

John Garrett Outdoors and the Ultimate Off-Road Ford F150

John Garrett Outdoors, a company known for its top-tier guided hunting and fishing expeditions, has recently unveiled their latest creation—a fully modified 2021 Ford F150 Lariat hybrid. John Garrett teamed up with Hypertech to design and build a truck that is equally at home on and off-road. This impressive vehicle is not only equipped with everything one might need to survive off the grid (or in the world of competitive bass fishing), but it also boasts several modifications that make it stand out in a crowd.

Luxurious Comforts for the Great Outdoors

One of the most notable features of the John Garrett Outdoors F150 is its electric-powered grill, refrigerator, icemaker, microwave, and washer/dryer combo. These appliances allow users to enjoy all the comforts of home, even when they are miles away from civilization. The Ford 7.2Kw Pro Power Onboard Generator ensures that these appliances have a constant supply of power, even when the vehicle is not running.

Enhanced Off-Road Capabilities

In addition to these luxurious amenities, the F150 is also outfitted with several practical modifications designed to enhance its off-road capabilities. These include a 3-inch lift kit, off-road wheels and tires, and plenty of storage options for anything you might need for a successful hunting or fishing trip. The vehicle also boasts numerous exterior modifications, such as fabricated front and rear bumpers, along with a winch, to help it should the terrain become too much.

A Showstopper at the 2021 SEMA Show

Overall, the John Garrett Outdoors F150 is a true marvel of modern engineering. Its combination of luxury amenities and rugged off-road capabilities make it the perfect vehicle for anyone who loves the great outdoors. The F150 was recently on display at the 2021 SEMA show, where it received rave reviews from attendees. It is sure to become the blueprint for anyone who loves to explore the great unknown and is looking to get off the grid in comfort.

Base Vehicle

2021 Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab 5’, 5” Bed
5L PowerBoost, Hybrid V-6
Automatic transmission

Powertrain

430 HP / 570 lt. lb. torque
12,700 lb towing capacity

Chassis

Bilstein 3” Lift / Level kit
Ford Performance by Borla Cat-Black Exhaust System

Wheels & Tires

Centerline Racing Wheels
Toyo Open Country Tires – Size: 35X12.5R18LT

Exterior

Ford Performance Portable Air Compressor Kit by ARB
Ford Accessories Bedslide 5.5” bed
Ford Rear Bumper step
Yakima Roof-Top Fishing Rod Box
Yakima Load Warrior Roof Cargo Basket
Rigid Industries Adapt E LED Light Bar 50.0 Inch
Rigid Industries Diffused Surface Mount Pair D-Series Pro
Rigid Industries 1 X 2 65 Degree DC Power Scene Light Black Housing
SAE J583 Compliant Selective Yellow Fog Light Pair D-Series Pro Street Legal Surface Mount
Rigid Industries Spot Diffused Midnite Surface Mount Pair D-Series
Rigid Industries Driving Surface Mount Amber Pair D-Series Pro
Off Road Under Body Lighting – Rock Light Kit
Warn Winch VR EVO 12-s
Leer Truck Cap with Leer Locker and Storage
Howard Horn Pinstriping – Custom hand painted logo and pinstriping
Electric grill, Microwave, Ice Maker, Washer/Dryer and Prep Sink