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OffRoad Trucks

Extreme F-250

Stan Belcher didn’t start out like a man possessed when he bought his ’03 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab truck. But it didn’t take long for him to turn into one. Initially, the plan was to lift the truck enough to run a set of 44-inch tires. Stan liked the Super Duty trucks because of the straight axle, which made lifting it 12 inches a snap. Three weeks later he had the body lifted three inches. He actually drove the truck with the 15-inch (total) lift and the stock wheel and 30-inch tires for about a month and a half. After installing the 44-inch tires the truck looked perfect. Everything was great, and Stan loved the truck… and then Swamper comes out with a set of 49-inch Irok tires!

LS Swapping a Classic Jeep CJ

In 1981 this Jeep, that now belongs to Clinton Campbell of Dallas Texas left the factory floor with a straight 6, but he drove it away from Street & Performance with a 5.3 truck LS-1 type engine and a 4L60E transmission. Clinton wanted more performance, drivability and, with the recent enforcement of emission laws in Texas, he needed to be able to pass emissions.

A Tough Act to Follow

Though clutches rank below power-adders on the desirability scale, they are every bit as important. In fact, you’d be better off not spending the time and money on a trick blower or turbo kit if you do not plan on upgrading the stock clutch assembly. Sure, it is possible on some applications to improve the performance of your motor without a clutch and pressure plate upgrade, but you can only take things so far. Eventually, the engine will let you know by racing to the moon when you least expect it. Your clutch will likely slip under full throttle, and most probably at the highest load. Better hope you have a rev limiter or things can really get ugly. But have no fear … Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has come up with a variety of effective combinations to cater to the needs of performance enthusiasts and racers.

STEALTH OPULENCE

Building a cool new truck to show off at SEMA is nothing new for Jim Lewis and his team at ProMotorsports in Edmond, Oklahoma, as that’s what they do. This stunning new ’07 Cadillac Escalade EXT is their most recent creation. Like so many other enthusiasts, Lewis used the latest generation Escalade because it was an immediate hit, especially among the urban lifestyle crowd, so team ProMotorsports thought one would make a great representative demo vehicle for their shop. Billy Lewis came up with the flat black concept, with tons of chrome and polished metal to contrast the flatness of the finish. While the paint may be the first item that attracts you to this truck, the crew at ProMotorsports actually started the build underneath it all by increasing the performance of the Escalade.

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How-to Get Shorty

This article dives into the unique modification of a 1967 Chevy Suburban by Mike Dempsey, who reimagined it into a shorter, Tahoe-styled version. It also features Ken Farrell’s Retro Tek company, which has revolutionized the EFI system to combine the aesthetics of classic cars with the efficiency of modern technology. The article covers various aspects of vehicle modification, including chassis adjustment, engine upgrades, and the integration of advanced fuel systems.

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SMOKIN’

Allen Cornelius wanted to make a statement that his shop, AC Customs in Shreve, Ohio, could blend old-school Ford muscle-car performance with a new style truck, giving it the performance and looks to match.

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QUIET DOWN

If you’ve ever hopped out of a classic pickup into a modern daily driver pickup, you have probably noticed the startling difference in noise and heat levels within and throughout the interior. This is because some time in the mid-’80s, pickups began receiving the same noise and heat control attention as auto manufacturers spent on cars, as they filled every nook and cranny with noise cancellation foam, sealant and padding. These insulations greatly helped cancel out noises and improved temperature control, as well as help dampen vibrations.

Older classic trucks are among the worst in all these areas. They squeak, they are noisy, and do little to control heat buildup inside the cab, especially around the floorboard. Since all these trucks were originally workhorses, not much attention was paid to these areas, but this problem is easily solved. Whether you are just beginning your interior and building from scratch or retrofitting your existing truck, Dynamat offers a wide selection of noise and sound cancellation products. Dynamat engineers have designed a complete line of products, ranging from speaker kits to complete sound and noise cancellation solutions from the floor to the roof.

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RIDING ON AIR

Lowering a truck usually involved cutting coils and shaving bump stops. Out back, the rear end was treated to lowering blocks, a few pulled leaf springs or heated coil springs. Over the years, manufacturers began to address these demands, as lowering coils, spring leaf blocks, dropped spindles and flip kits were offered. Times changed with the introduction of airbags, as owners were able to slam their pickups with full ride height adjustability. Air Ride Technologies (ART) is one of those companies offering quality suspension solutions for truck owners, with kits that fit specific applications.

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Rearend Upgrade

This article delves into the process of upgrading a ’40 Chevy truck, focusing on swapping the original torque tube differential with a ’69 Camaro axle assembly and enhancing the rear suspension. It provides a comprehensive guide on reusing the leaf springs, installing new bushings, and incorporating a strong shock mount for rear frame strengthening. Essential tools like a bushing removal tool, MIG welder, and an oxy-acetylene torch are highlighted, demonstrating the intricate steps involved in modernizing early Chevy trucks.

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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

After purchasing this ’02 Silverado, the owner was looking to gain some additional horsepower and torque through a few small bolt-on performance parts. While the truck is still under warranty, there is a large variety of performance parts that not only meet certain warranty requirements, but also do not cause any problems at the dealership. After looking at all the available options for this Silverado, it was decided that the first modification to the engine was going to be the addition of a new AEM Brute Force air intake. AEM offers a vast array of dyno-proven intakes for specific applications, including trucks such as this Silverado.

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