IFS Install on Chevrolet C-10 Pickup Trucks (1960-1987)
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
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MAX ENERGY MUSTANG
The Hypertech Max Energy Spectrum flash programmer is a device designed for the performance-minded individual looking to extract the most from their car or truck. This advanced programmer allows for full control of the vehicle’s ECM, enabling the user to adjust a wide range of parameters that influence the vehicle’s performance.
POWER WINDOW HOW-TO
Adding power windows is a popular aftermarket option for classic vehicles these days. Worn-out window regulators have given people problems for years, and as replacement parts have become increasingly more expensive and harder to find, it’s simply easier and often cheaper to replace the old regulators with new electric ones. In the past we had to raid wrecking yards for parts that would adapt into our vehicles, and as expected there were generally a few problems associated with doing this. First, you don’t always know the condition of the parts being used, even though they look good; and second, you would need some background in window geometry to get the job done correctly. Finally, you need a certain level of basic fabrication skill and tools, which would be more than basic hand tools. With today’s technology and the availability of well-engineered aftermarket power window kits this has all changed, as it’s commonplace for most people to go straight to a kit designed for their vehicle.
Caddy Stu
Richard Larson and his wife, Jane, have owned a number of custom cars and trucks in their time, but they never really thought they would have so much fun building and owning a custom 53 Studebaker pickup. There was no plan to find a Studebaker; the truck simply found him. I lived across the street from a friend who owned a repair shop in town, Larson told us. Over some time, he had collected six or seven cars and trucks that he hoped to restore some day. One weekend morning, his wife informed him that she planned to plant an orchard in the area where the vehicles were being stored…and in one week. He had to get rid of his collection. I asked about the Studebaker pickup and he said if he could get $200 for it, it was gone. Well, it was gone.
Spotlighter
Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 Day 1 – Gulfport Highlights
America’s Largest Block Party Celebrated 30 Years of Cruising on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
Thirty years, thousands of cars, and one heck of a good reason to head south. Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 rolled into Mississippi on Sunday, October 4, kicking off its 30th anniversary celebration with an army of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, classic trucks, and just about everything else with wheels and attitude.
What started back in 1996 with just 374 registered vehicles has grown into one of America’s premier automotive gatherings. For eight glorious days, the Mississippi Gulf Coast became a rolling car show, with Highway 90 serving as the main artery connecting cruise-ins, entertainment, and thousands of enthusiasts who know there’s nothing better than putting some miles on old iron.
Gulfport: Where It All Began
The action got underway in Gulfport’s Jones Park, the heart of Cruisin’ The Coast and home to Cruise Central. Cars lined up to get in, and the wait was practically a car show of its own. From pristine restorations to pavement-pounding street machines, there was plenty of eye candy before anyone even got through the gates.
Mother Nature tried to crash the party, bringing rain to Sunday’s opening festivities. The weather forced a few schedule changes, including postponing Gautier’s Cruisin’ Through The Decades celebration until Monday. Fortunately, the rain didn’t stick around to spoil the rest of the week’s cruising.
Beauvoir: A Little History While the Rain Passed
With rain putting a damper on opening-day cruising, Beauvoir in Biloxi offered a welcome distraction and a chance to explore a little Gulf Coast history while waiting for the skies to clear.
Located right along Highway 90, the beautifully restored 1852 estate was the final home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Today, its 65 acres feature the historic mansion, Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, Civil War museum, and scenic grounds overlooking the Mississippi Sound.
Beauvoir welcomes Cruisin’ The Coast participants, making it a worthwhile stop between cruise-ins. The property also offers RV accommodations, and its historic guest cottages add another interesting dimension to the estate.
Whether you’re looking to escape a passing shower or simply take a break from the endless parade of chrome and horsepower, Beauvoir is well worth a visit when you return for Cruisin’ The Coast 2027.
Hardy Court: Chrome, Classics, and Good Times
Over at the Hardy Court Shopping Center, the Cruise-In with KOTO kept the celebration rolling. Old-school tunes, cool cars, and plenty of bench racing made for exactly the kind of laid-back gathering that keeps people coming back year after year.
Automotive personality Courtney Hansen was also on hand for scheduled appearances at Hardy Court and Gulfport, adding a little star power to the opening-day action.
From the polished chrome to the rumble of big-inch V8s, Hardy Court offered a taste of what made this event special. No velvet ropes, no stuffy atmosphere. Just great cars and the people who love them.
One Week Just Wasn’t Enough
Here’s what makes Cruisin’ The Coast different: the whole coastline becomes the car show. From Gulfport to Biloxi and beyond, the streets, parking lots, restaurants, and casinos came alive with rolling automotive history. There was always another cruise-in, another row of cars, or something unexpected rumbling down the boulevard.
If you’ve never made the trip, you’re missing one of the great experiences in the hobby. And if you’ve been before, chances are you’re already counting the days until next year.
Cruisin’ The Coast returns October 3–10, 2027. Start making plans now, because this is one automotive vacation worth taking.
The engines may have cooled, but we’re just getting started. Stay with The Auto Builder as we look back at eight days of chrome, horsepower, and coastal cruising, one day at a time.
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