Ford Fever in the Smokies
September 30, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
AN AMERICAN TRADITION
Here in the United States, we have been conditioned to find vintage tin in many places. The availability of good cars to build into street rods has become more limited as the years have passed, but depending upon your choice of bodies, there are still quite a few options. Of course, the advent of reproduction bodies has added to the choices. Now put yourself in a foreign land and think about how hard it would be to find a good 70-plus-year-old imported American car to build. That is what Wayne Streams faced as a native of the United Kingdom. Building street rods has grown in both popularity and participation in the UK. There are many vintage English vehicles available, but American cars are the most cherished among British rodders.
Truck Takeover at the Triple Crown of Rodding
Custom trucks have bulldozed their way into the hot rod world, turning what were once old workhorses from the ’30s through the ’90s into show-stopping, tire-shredding machines. These trucks aren’t just about hauling gear anymore—they’re packing serious muscle under the hood, killer suspension setups, and sleek designs that demand attention at events like the Triple Crown of Rodding.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 6.5L Turbo-Master Wastegate Controller
More is always better, until it’s too much. The wastegate is responsible for keeping the turbo from continuously building boost until it pops. By allowing exhaust gas, the driving force of the turbocharger, to bypass the expeller (turbine), it will stop the impeller from sucking in air, creating boost.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel for Squarebody GM Trucks (1973–1987)
If your 1973–1987 Chevy truck’s dash looks like it’s still stuck in the Carter administration, it’s time for an upgrade.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of Intellitronix
Bring your Squarebody’s dash into the modern era with the Intellitronix Analog Replacement Gauge Panel (AP6004) — a killer upgrade that blends classic analog style with next-gen performance and precision.
Show-Stopping Style and Function
The black polycarbonate face with its subtle brushed stroke finish instantly transforms your interior from dated to show-ready. Inside, you’ll find a full set of precision analog gauges — 160 MPH speedometer, 8K tachometer, oil pressure, water temp, voltmeter, and fuel level — all backed by a Lifetime Factory Warranty.
Performance That’s Built In:
- One-button speedometer calibration works with any tire size, gear ratio, or transmission.
- Built-in trip meter, high-speed recall, 0–60 time, and ¼-mile ET tracking.
- Automatic nighttime dimming for perfect visibility in any light.
- Works with mechanical or electronic transmissions — or go all-in with GPS precision.
Upgrade Your Setup with These Premium Add-Ons
- GPS Speedometer Sending Unit: Plug-and-play, 3-wire hookup with built-in GPS accuracy. Works with 4000, 8000, or 16000 PPM speedometers — no recalibration, no guesswork. Perfect for trucks running custom gears or oversized tires.
- Universal Gauge Harness: Clean up your wiring the right way. This 8′ color-coded harness includes quick-connects for easy removal, plus connectors for water temp, oil pressure, tach, volt, fuel, speedo, dash lights, turn indicators, and high beam. Professional look. Hassle-free install.
- LS Swap Kit: Dial in your modern GM powerplant with everything you need — 12mm & 16mm bushings plus a 10K-½ watt resistor. Keeps your LS talking perfectly with your Intellitronix setup.
Easy Install and Complete Package
🛠️ Includes: All sending units, sensors, hardware, and an acrylic faceplate — everything you need to get your gauges live and accurate fast.
Why It Rocks
BOTTOM LINE: If your ’73–’87 Chevy or GMC truck still rocks that tired factory cluster, it’s time to step it up. The Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel delivers show-stopping looks, race-ready accuracy, and bulletproof reliability — all in one slick package.
💥 LIFETIME WARRANTY. LEGENDARY LOOKS. NEXT-LEVEL PERFORMANCE.
👉 Grab yours now at IntellitronixGauges.com and transform your dash today.
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