THE AUTO BUILDER
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Smooth Trails Ahead: Installing Skyjacker’s Slip Yoke Eliminator Kit for Your Jeep Wrangler TJ
Upgrading your Jeep for better off-road adventures sounds awesome, but sometimes it can cause unexpected problems. For example, when you install a Skyjacker Rock Ready-Double Flex Suspension Kit, you might notice your Jeep vibrating more than usual. That’s because the lift can mess with how the transfer case and rear axle line up. Luckily, Skyjacker has a solution called the Slip Yoke Eliminator (SYE) kit. It not only stops the vibrations but also makes your Jeep’s drive shaft stronger. In this guide, we’ll walk you through installing the NP 231 Short Shaft “Fixed Yoke” Kit. We’ll cover everything from the tools you need to important things to think about before you start. So, if you’re eager to boost your Jeep’s performance, keep reading to learn how Skyjacker can help.
Please Be Seated
Replacing interior components is not usually that difficult, but interior repair–especially seat repair–requires skills, equipment and training which many enthusiasts may not have acquired. To find out what it takes to make a replacement seat, we went to the Performance Choice division of Mid America Motorworks in Effingham, Illinois.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ALL NEW Classic GM 350 from Gandrud
Say “350” around a group of car people, and you probably won’t need to explain yourself. For generations, the GM 350 small-block has been the engine under the hood of a first truck, a favorite cruiser, or the project that taught someone how to turn a wrench. It’s familiar, straightforward, and backed by a depth of parts availability and knowledge that helps make owning an older vehicle enjoyable. The 350 became a classic choice for a reason.
Spotlighter
AN EVENT TO REMEMBER
Goodguys’ 10th PPG Nationals
Author
Stephen K. Anderson
Words & Photography
A Decade of Excellence at the Goodguys PPG Nationals
It’s been said before, and judging from what we saw this year, we agree that the 10th Goodguys PPG Nationals “was one of the finest automotive events ever!”
A Spectacular Showcase of Automotive Artistry
As the years go by, and as the quality of cars continues to exceed expectations, it isn’t surprising that the venues attracting the top cars get more spectacular over time. This year, record crowds in Columbus, Ohio, came out in droves to witness an amazing chrome carnival. Cars of every description, many of which were completed weeks, days, and in some cases only hours before the event, were debuted there, which made for an amazing array of automotive artistry. And if you think you’ve heard this before, know that even the most ardent car nuts were wide-eyed and standing motionless with mouths gaping as they tried to make sense of all the hardware in attendance.
An Impressive Range of Rides
The variety of cars at this year’s show covered the gamut of time and taste, from vintage classics to the latest street rods, leading-edge muscle cars and vehicles that defied description. While some centered on the visual senses and others focused on performance, all were captivating in one way or another, and many provided onlookers with concepts that will undoubtedly find their way into future creations.
More Than Just a Car Show
As always, Goodguys events offer up so many other areas of interest, so it’s easy to get lost in the indoor and outdoor exhibitor aisles, looking at all the components available through the aftermarket today. There were also special seminars held to inform and educate enthusiasts. Add in a swap meet, the car corral, DJ Dave’s continuous tunes, Friday night drags just up the road and lots of great food, and there was no shortage of things to do, people to meet, and cars to ogle over. With the Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year competition, it couldn’t get any better.
See It for Yourself
But rather than trying to tell you about an event that is altogether visual, check out this fantastic array of machinery with your own eyes. It’s nothing short of awe-inspiring and definitely memorable.
One of the more radical muscle cars at the event was Kevin Triplett’s ’69 Camaro with a 632ci engine wedged in front, ahead of a TKO five-speed and an extensively modified interior that is sure to start something.
One of the most exceptional ’56 F-100s to come along was Steve and Becki Haessly’s brilliant red example featuring a neat molded interior and a clear bed floor, exposing all of the beauty that rolls beneath this pickup.
