
THE AUTO BUILDER
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VINTAGE ENGINE REBUILDING

2004 NOPI Nationals Atlanta: Storming the Nats Car Show

PEEL ‘N STICK
When dismantling your project car, you probably ran across the crumbling remnants of the original insulation. Old cars are notoriously “leaky” when it comes to heat and sound barriers, making them louder and hotter than the typical daily driver. Sometimes a loud exhaust system overrides the road noise, but you’ll always notice when your air conditioning system never seems to keep the cabin cool. If you’re in the midst of an interior refresh, or a full restoration, it’s a great time to consider new insulation.

Colorado Drop Kit
DJM Suspension has earned its reputation as a leading manufacturer of lowering kits for trucks, and their new 3×4 kit for the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon is no exception. This kit delivers a 3-inch drop in front and a 4-inch drop in the rear, achieving an aggressive stance while maintaining impressive ride quality. The kit includes specially designed lower control arms for the front and high-strength steel lowering blocks for the rear, ensuring both performance and durability.

Drop ‘N’ Stop
Getting a ’55 Chevy to sit at the right ride height is as easy as installing a set of 2-inch drop spindles, such as those from Superior Spindles and others. Getting the big ol’ car to slow down offers many more choices as well, and as long as you’re swapping spindles it is an excellent time to install those long-overdue disc brakes. When you think about it, it doesn’t make good sense to put a newly rebuilt tri-5 Chevy on the same road with stock OE cars with ABS four-wheel disc brakes. If ever you came upon a situation where a car ahead of you had to stop in an emergency situation, the performance of even a stock set of disc brakes will far “outdistance” your drum setup, meaning you would not be able to stop in time and could well end up in the trunk of the car ahead of you. Not good.
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On Your Guard
Giving This Unlimited the Kilby Treatment
Author
Matt Emery
Story & Photography
The Risks of Rock Climbing in Motorsports
In a sport where the object is to climb over as many rocks as possible, there is some inherent danger of damage. After all, the rock giveth, but the rock taketh away, too. They do this in many ways such as crushed body parts and other components, but thankfully companies such as Kilby Enterprises are there to take away as much of the danger to your rig as possible.
Kilby Enterprises: Innovative Products for Your Rig
Kilby Enterprises makes many cool products, such as their On Board Air systems, but they also produce some heavy-duty skid plates that are designed to keep the rocks from inflicting pain on you and your rig.
Installation of Kilby’s Protective Products
Recently, we watched as the Kilby crew added a host of their protective products to this new Unlimited. From their heavy-duty front bumper to their gas tank skid plate, Kilby offers not only protection, but also some style as well to the vulnerable portions of the Jeep. And the best part is that the parts (with the possible exception of the gas tank skid plate) are easily installed. Even the gas tank skid plate is not all that difficult to install, but it does require the removal of the tank to do the job. In fact, they had the entire job done in a day. Sure, they do have a little practice at this, but the average at-home enthusiast can still do everything in less than a weekend.
Follow Along for the Ultimate Protection
So, follow along as this Unlimited gets the protection it needs to tackle any trail and still get the occupants home in time for that planned BBQ meal.
ARTICLE SOURCES
C U Off Road
Manufacturer of high quality American made products that include the Max Coupler towing line, On Board Air systems for all of your air-up needs, and more!
350-400 Falcon Ridge Parkway
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 674-6292




