The editors of Hot Rod are in the process now of building this '68 Chevy Van for the 2012 SEMA Show in affiliation with eBay Motors.

Working with Mackey's Hot Rods of Huntington Beach, CA, they not only sourced the love machine, but every single last part needed exclusively on eBay Motors. 

While they would love for you to vote for them, the key to this campaign is that you can be the winner. Vote for your favorite, even if it isn't the Gasser Van and at the same time enter to win a $5,000 dream garage.

So whether you're into rally, racing, off-road, or showcars, this competition has everything to offer so join in the fun and pick your favorite. See the entire video series now at www.builtfromebay.com.

The editors of Hot Rod, Lowrider, european car, and Four Wheeler are in the process now of building SEMA projects sourcing not only the car, but every single last part needed exclusively on eBay Motors. Best of all, you can vote for your favorite and at the same time enter to win a $5,000 Dream Garage.

The effort is BUILT from eBay® – A web series that takes four automotive magazines and their selected garages and creates a competition to showcase eBay Motors amazing selection. Each team starts with the purchase of a niche-enthusiast vehicle, and then searches out and purchases each and every part to go with them. Whether those parts be new, retro, performance or new-old-stock, these four teams are being tested to pull it off.

 So whether you're into rally, racing, off-road, or showcars, this competition has everything to offer so join in the fun and pick your favorite. See the entire video series now at
www.builtfromebay.com.

Looking for a supercharged 2010-2011 Chevy Silverado, under warranty?

If you have the money, want instant bling-points, and want to skip all the hassle of customizing yourself, then let Callaway lead the way! Check out their latest news:

OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT - APRIL 15, 2011: Callaway Cars reports that their SportTruck testing and validation phase has been completed and production has commenced. New Callaway SportTruck SC450, SC490 and SC540's are based on the 2011 Silverado 1500 and 2500HD, Avalanche, Suburban and Tahoe. The trucks join the Callaway lineup that includes the Callaway Corvette SC606 and Z06-based SC652, and Callaway Camaro SC552 and SC572 coupes and convertibles.
Callaway SportTrucks may be equipped with two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, with any Chevrolet equipment group (WT, LS, LT and LTZ), any cab style (regular, extended and crew) and any bed length (short, standard and long).
SportTruck SC450's are equipped with 5.3L engines and are rated at 450 bhp @ 6200 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm. The 6.0L-equipped SC490's produce 490 bhp @ 6200 rpm and 496 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm. The 6.2L SC540's generate 540 bhp @ 6200 rpm and 522 lb-ft of torque @ 3800 rpm. Callaway engineers were able to attain these increased power levels with virtually no reduction in fuel mileage, perfect drivability and 50-state emissions compliance.
Callaway SportTruck standard equipment includes:
- Roots-style Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) Supercharger
- Liquid-to-air Intercooler, integral with intake manifold
- Carbon Fiber Injector Covers
- Increased Flow Fuel Injectors
- High Flow Intake System
- Low Restriction Exhaust System
- Callaway Badging, Exterior and Interior
- Callaway Embroidered Headrests and Floor Mats
- Callaway SportTruck Key Fobs
- Callaway Authenticity Documentation Package
- Callaway 3 Year/36,000 Mile Limited Warranty
Popular options include ChromeCoat Supercharger Finish, Callaway Nine-Spoke Alloy Wheels, SportTruck Suspension System, Le Mans GT Brake System, SportTruck Interior Group, an extended 5 Year/100,000 Mile Powertrain Warranty and a Callaway Factory Delivery option. 
Like Callaway Corvettes and Callaway Camaros, Callaway SportTrucks are prepared exclusively at Callaway's Old Lyme, Connecticut, Santa Ana, California and Leingarten, Germany facilities. Callaway cars and trucks are sold and serviced by a network of Callaway Authorized Retailers, 26 of the best Chevrolet dealers across North America with factory-trained sales and service personnel.
MSRP for the Callaway SportTruck packages is $15,995. Production time is approximately two weeks from vehicle arrival at Callaway factories. Click here for more SportTruck product and pricing information from the Callaway Cars website.
For over 30 years, Callaway Cars has designed, developed and manufactured world-class performance vehicles and cutting-edge automotive components. Vehicle manufacturers, such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Holden, Mazda, Range Rover and others, have contracted with Callaway for project engineering and system manufacturing. Callaway's numerous racing accomplishments include winning multiple pole positions at Le Mans and successes in SCCA World Challenge and at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Currently, Callaway Competition (Leingarten, Germany) constructs Z06.R GT3 race cars for FIA and ADAC GT Masters series; the Callaway in-house team has won Driver and/or Team Championships each year since 2007. In 2012, Callaway Cars will celebrate its 25th year of constructing Chevrolet-based performance vehicles, a period that began with the RPO B2K 1987-1991 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette produced for General Motors.

CALLAWAY SPORT TRUCK

SILVERADO BUILD PRICE

The following is an introduction letter from Mike Dingell, the new director of the SEMA Action Network, the political action arm of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Organization.

Dear Fellow Truck Enthusiast:

It is with great pleasure, and a sense of excitement, that I write to introduce myself as the new Director of the SEMA Action Network (SAN).  

As a lifelong gearhead with roots tracing back to the Motor City, I am very proud to take on the responsibility of leading America’s premier automotive enthusiast network in the battle to protect our cherished heritage.  In an era of increasing governmental involvement in the hobby, it is imperative that we remain organized and stand together.  We must continue to ensure that lawmakers, both on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the nation, hear our voices loudly and proudly.  We will not stand idly and allow America’s automotive traditions to be legislated out of existence.  In addition, we will promote pro-active policies that benefit the hobby.  As I assume the mantle of this great organization, that is my pledge to you.

I come to this job abundantly aware that the fight to defend the hobby from aggressive regulation may not be easy, but it is a necessary one.  For 14 years, the SAN has staved off attacks from forces seeking to create obstacles to our responsible enjoyment of this hobby and made strides towards ensuring its future.  Continue to stay informed.  Respectfully let your legislators know where you stand on the issues.  Most importantly, spread the word.  Let your friends, family, and fellow enthusiasts know the vital importance of SAN’s mission and to join the cause.  As always, joining the SAN at  http://www.semasan.com/san/join.aspx  is FREE and carries no obligations.  
 
I look forward to meeting each of you at events across the country and working together towards the preservation of our hobby.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at miked@sema.org.  

Very Respectfully,
Mike Dingell

One year ago today, news hit that Sport Truck had been cut as a magazine.

I received the news via a phone call from editor Calin Head a few hours after it had happened. In one way, it feels like this just happened yesterday. In another way, it feels like it's been forever. Do we miss it? Yes. Thankfully, the staff members that were around for Sport Truck's last day are all still with the company, or with the company now. Tech editor Calin is now with Super Chevy, working out of the same building as me. He still has the yellow S10 that you saw on a Sport Truck cover. Art guy Andy is back with the company, steppin' up his game with Motor Trend. Main man editor Finnegan has joined up with Hod Rod. As for me, I've added Off-Road Magazine's website to my workload, in addition to the beloved Mini Truckin' website and of course, occasional updates to Sport Truck's website. By the way, numbers are still high here on sporttruck.com!
Anyone want a sticker? Super nice die-cut stickers in white and silver? Private Message me.

Performance characteristics of the animal kingdom mirror the grip, acceleration and toughness of BFGoodrich Tires

 GREENVILLE, S.C. - July 14, 2010 - What does a pneumatic wrench, a window washer and a tree frog have in common?  Launching today, BFGoodrich(r) Tires' new national advertising campaign will answer that question.  While the company hopes this campaign will have consumers "jumping" into stores to purchase a new set of tires, it is not the reason they are showcasing a tree frog.  Instead, the company is focusing on the characteristics of the amphibian to illustrate the grip of new set of BFGoodrich tires.  Other animal metaphors throughout the campaign will bring the company's message home, enabling consumers to understand just how easy it is to bolt on grip, acceleration and toughness to their vehicles.

This national broadcast, print and online advertising campaign heralds a new approach for BFGoodrich Tires, providing consumers with a series of unconventional and obviously fictitious situations to help clearly visualize key tire benefits.  The campaign illustrates that while consumers cannot literally bolt on a cheetah's "legs" for acceleration or a tree frog's "hands" for grip, they can achieve the grip, acceleration and toughness for their vehicles by simply bolting on a set of BFGoodrich tires. 

"Although not all consumers aspire to be race car drivers, rally pros or drifting champions, they can get a more exhilarating driving experience by owning tires with the same attributes of those used by these driving experts," said Tom Jupena, marketing communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires.  Among the BFGoodrich Tires' records and accolades touted in the advertising:

* Grip:  The first street tire to pull a 1g turn
* Acceleration:  The first street tire to run a sub-eight second quarter mile
* Toughness:  20 straight SCORE Baja 1000 victories

While the animal kingdom captured the spotlight for this campaign, it was supported by two stars in the automotive world.  Both are members of BFGoodrich Tires' TeamBFG program, a diverse coalition of auto enthusiasts who share BFGoodrich Tires' passion for motorsports.  Two-time Formula Drift champion Samuel Hübinette did the stunt driving for the spots and Rally pro Lars Wolfe provided technical and special counsel.  The vehicles featured in the ads include a Ford Mustang GT with BFGoodrich g-Force(tm) Super SportA/S tires and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with BFGoodrich g-Force Super SportA/S tires. 

The BFGoodrich Tires team led the development of the new campaign in cooperation with a senior level team from The Martin Agency, located in Richmond, VA.  The new campaign features a media plan that includes a variety of television, print and Internet advertising mediums. 

Online and television advertising featuring the tree frog metaphor will launch on July 14.  This first television spot will also be introduced on BFGoodrich Tires' Facebook page and YouTube channel.  Print versions of the tree frog will begin appearing in September issues.  Cheetah and "toughness" print ads will get rotated in later in the year.   Dealers are also supporting the campaign with point-of-sale materials and advertising materials designed to extend and enhance their own local marketing plans.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 35 years, BFGoodrich(r) Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock crawling.  BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.  Visit BFGoodrich Tires at www.BFGoodrichTires.com. 

BFGoodrich Tires' enthusiasm has extended on-line as well, with a gathering place for auto enthusiasts to upgrade their passion for driving through Nation of GO, where people can celebrate and share what they love to do best at www.NationofGo.com.

Enter to win! Become a Kelderman employee for a day at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and get a chance to meet Rampage Jackson!

Go to http://www.kelderman.com/sweepstakes/ today to enter! The sweepstakes ends on August 31, 2010 at 11:59:59PM EDT, so act now!

Enter NOW to win a trip to the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA SHOW) in Las Vegas, Nevada for you and a travel companion by logging on to http://www.kelderman.com/. You will be able to participate in the unveiling of the replica A-Team van Kelderman is building for Rampage Jackson, the celebrated UFC fighter and actor playing BA Baracus in the recently released A Team movie.  In fact if his schedule allows, you’ll be able to take a drive with Rampage in his new van, and attend dinner with both him and Jeff Kelderman later that night in Vegas.

The SEMA Show is the world's largest automotive trade show, with over 100,000 attendees from over 100 countries, and you will have a chance to be a Kelderman employee for the day as you help them man their booth. The Grand Prize includes round-trip coach airfare for the winner and his or her travel companion, four (4) night, three (3) day hotel accommodations, and (2) passes to the 2010 SEMA Show as Kelderman employees.

For more information, call Kelderman’s technical assistance toll free number at 800-334-6150.  Kelderman Manufacturing is located at 2686 Highway 92, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.

Clean-dezert.org has teamed up with NS OFFROAD to put on a fundraiser event to benefit our local desert clean ups.

We have reserved a private showing of Dust to Glory on April 29th at Cinema City Theatres in Anaheim Hills (Imperial / 91fwy). Tickets are $10 a person and ALL proceeds go to clean-dezert.org and will help pay for more dumpsters, disposal fees, and more clean ups.

Before the movie, there will be a truck show in the theater parking lot at 6pm. Many race teams have committed to come to show their support as well as guys with their own projects. All vehicles welcome and wanted (prerunner, race, 4x4, rally) no matter the build budget. Grab food at Carl’s Jr., In-N-Out, or Knowlwood’s near by, check out the cool rides, see a great movie, and support a good cause. There will be security and a photographer during the event as well.

Email adam@clean-dezert.org with any questions!

See you there!

Design Miller's first Limited-Edition welding helmet and WIN by entering their first-ever Hood Hysteria contest!

Miller is inviting fans to submit designs and vote for their favorite helmet for a chance to win a Limited Edition Series helmet inspired by the winning design. One Grand Prize package and two finalist packages will be awarded to the top designers.

Highlights/Key Facts
• Contest runs from April 12 to May 31, 2010
• Download the official entry form and submit designs online
• Miller chooses top 3 finalists; fans can vote for the winner
• Grand Prize winner receives a $3,100 USD welding package and the first helmet produced from the limited-edition run of 1,000 helmets inspired by their winning design
• Two Finalist Prizes Miller welding protection package valued at $400 USD each

APPLETON, Wis., April 12, 2010 - Recognized as the industry leader in graphic  welding helmets, Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is tapping yet another creative resource for the next helmet designits fans. Miller debuts Hood Hysteria, its first Limited Edition helmet design contest, which runs from April 12 to May 31, 2010. Only 1,000 helmets will be produced in this Limited Edition Series inspired by the winning design. Fans can download a helmet template, draft a design and enter via mail or online by May 31, 2010. Miller will choose the top three finalists and beginning June 21, 2010, fans can vote online for the Grand Prize winner. The winner will be announced on June 30, 2010.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a $3,100 USD welding package and the first helmet produced from the limited-edition run of 1,000 helmets inspired by their winning design. The remaining helmets within this Limited Edition Series will be available for sale beginning in November, 2010, while supplies last.

The helmet complements the Grand Prize package consisting of a Millermatic 211 Auto-Set with MVP All-in-One MIG welder, Spectrum 375 X-TREME Plasma cutter and Arc Armor Welding Protection products, including a Leather Jacket, HD MIG/Stick Gloves, Metalworker gloves, and Shade 5.0 Safety Glasses.

Two finalists will each be awarded a prize package valued at $400 USD consisting of a leather and cloth Combo Jacket, HD MIG/Stick gloves, Metalworker gloves and their choice of a Performance Series helmet.

To enter the Miller Hood Hysteria contest:
1.) Think of a unique, original design for a Miller Helmet.
2.) Download the helmet template at MillerWelds.com/hoodhysteria and draft your design.
3.) Upload your design entry at MillerWelds.com/hoodhysteria or mail to:
Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Attn: Hood Hysteria Design Contest
5730 Technology Circle
Appleton, WI 54914

Fans can enter as many times as desired, however, all entries must be uploaded or postmarked by May 31, 2010. Miller will choose the top three finalists, post them online and beginning June 21, 2010, fans can vote for the Grand Prize winner.

Visit MillerWelds.com/hoodhysteria for complete contest details and official rules.

P Series (Parts Specialist) and M Series (Engine Machinist Test Series) Cuts

A Motor Age article released this morning reports that the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) will be cutting several certification tests at the end of this 2010 year. The tests that will no longer be offered include Truck Aftermarket Brakes Parts (P3), Truck Aftermarket Suspension & Steering (P9), and the Engine Machinist (M-Series). The last chance to take these tests will be during the Fall 2010 testing period in November. Certification credentials, information, and support for Machinist, P3, and P9 certified professionals will be available through 2015. If these test areas pertain to you, I strongly suggest you verify this information on your own and plan accordingly. I have not seen this announcement on the ASE website, yet. 

The deadline for the Spring 2010 testing is quickly approaching (March 31), so if you need to sign up for your ASE tests - do so immediately! If you've gotten this far, take the test(s) and get the certification (or re-certification)! Don't put it off any longer. Here is the Spring 2010 Registration Booklet.     

With three frame colors and two lens options to choose from, Miller's new Arc Armor safety glasses offer exceptional comfort, protection and durability.

Miller Adds Safety Glasses to Its Line of Welding Safety Products

APPLETON, Wis., March 11, 2010 - Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has added safety glasses to its Arc Armor(tm) line of welding protection products. Designed for optimal comfort, fit and durability, the new safety glasses are available in three different frame colors and either clear or shade 5.0 lenses.

Featuring rubber ear pads and form-fitting orbital eye coverage, the new safety glasses reduce facial discomfort and pain that can occur after long periods of use.
 
The Arc Armor safety glasses provide outstanding protection features, including shatter-proof polycarbonate lenses with an anti-scratch coating and soft foam eye guards that keep out dust and perspiration. The shade 5.0 glasses, ideal for plasma or oxy-fuel cutting, also feature a reflective outer coating that protects against ultraviolet light.
     
The new safety glasses meet the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for personal eye and face protection devices.

Highlights/Key Facts
* Available as either clear lens or shade 5.0 for cutting/brazing
* Comfort features include form-fitting orbital eye coverage and rubber ear pads
* Safety features include soft foam eye guards to keep out dust and perspiration and shatterproof lenses with anti-scratch coating

Product Manager Quote
"Welding safety is of paramount concern at Miller, and we understand that welders don't just want safety products that are durable and protect them from potential hazards. They want their safety products to look cool and they want to be able to wear them for a full day without pain or discomfort. We designed these new Arc Armor safety glasses, like all of our Arc Armor products, to meet those criteria."
-Bill Gardner, product manager, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

For more information, visit Miller's Web site at www.MillerWelds.com, call 1-800-4-A-Miller (800-426-4553), e-mail info@millerwelds.com, fax 877-327-8132, or write to Miller Electric Mfg. *** P.O. Box 100, Lithonia, GA 30058.

Share this safety tip with your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents; anyone you care about.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home, or someone trying to break in to your house, just press the panic button on your car remote... The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off, or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator.  Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this tip. It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on your car remote. It works if you park your car in the driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life.

This safety tip could also be useful for an emergency, such as a heart attack, when you can't reach a phone.

For those of you who are waiting patiently and expectedly for the next issue of Sport Truck Magazine to hit the newsstands or arrive in the mail, it will not happen.

"I have been buying sport truck on the newsstands for 10 years now and noticed there hasen't been a new issue in a few months. Just wondering I don't want to miss any issues."

"This will be my third time writing to Sport truck. I just want to know why, you are no longer making sport truck. Just all of the sudden to cut production? I would like to hear a reason why..... Or if you don't have the time to write to all the upset people who no longer get sport truck, then post one reason on your website as to why. But I feel you do owe the people who were loyal all those years a reason as to why.... Thank you for your time."

It is true that the last issue of Sport Truck Magazine was the December 2009 issue. I truly understand the sadness, shock, and anger caused by this unexpected news. If I could change such a decision, I would. And, like the reader's comment above, I would like to hear a reason why. I have been working on this site since 2006, and had enjoyed contact with the editorial staff right until the very end. I certainly did not see the end coming, and from what I can gather, neither did they. I don't know what to tell you guys, other than business is business.

Here's what I've learned from it all and here's how I'm dealing with it. Appreciate every moment, because in an instant, everything can change. Try not to take the good things in life for granted. Things, like Sport Truck, don't last forever. I never truly thought Sport Truck would end. Keep your collection of Sport Truck Magazines. I have the first issue of Sport Truck and consider it valuable. I could stop working on this site at any time, but I truly like Sport Truck and will fight for this site to stay alive with everything I have. I'd rather build it up than just forget about it. And by the way, this site is still doing very well. 

I know none of this answered your questions, but please understand that I do not have the answer. The good news is that you are being heard, and I'm glad the magazine mattered to you guys.  

Take a minute to complete this short questionnaire from Superchips!

Superchips is attempting to assess its position in the performance tuning arena. They hope to measure their progress, identify areas that need attention, and strengthen the bond between them and their customers.

Please take a moment to complete this short questionnaire. Your candid and thoughtful reply will help their evaluation. Most people are able to complete the questionnaire within 5-7 minutes. Your response and any comments will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

After the results are tabulated and compiled, as a thank you, Superchips will be selecting several lucky participants who will receive Superchips prizes including logo t-shirts, hats, stickers and for the grand prize one of two brand new Flashpaq programmers.

I had just returned from lunch on September 15, 2009, when I received a phone call from Sport Truck Magazine Senior Editor Calin Head.

I could tell that something was wrong; he asked if I had heard the news. Upon my reply of "no," he told me that the magazine had been cut that morning. All work on the next issue, January 2010, was to be stopped immediately, even though the issue was a few days from being done.

I was simply shocked. Calin and Mike had just returned from their road trip to the RA Show in the Chevy, and we were looking forward to showing you guys all the "stuff" from their trip. I had just been at Subway the previous week with Mike, Calin, and Andy, and everything was fine. Dang it, in fact, I had just picked out a grille for my S10 as a future tech install.

It has taken me 4 months to write this blog because I have been in denial for that long. I made everything okay in my mind by declaring that Sport Truck was not gone, or that it would come back.

Some are surprised that this website is still up. Why be surprised? Is 20 years of Sport Truck just dead and meaningless overnight? Are all those great stories useless now? Absolutely not! The Sport Truck content preserved on this website will continue to get massive page impressions. We will continue to put up Web Exclusive content from magazine shoots, current shows, and the road trip. I will not abandon the hours and years of work on this site without kicking and screaming - loudly.

-Web Producer Monica

The softer, prettier side of SEMA.

The original River Run is back! That's right, the West Coast Nationals Truck Run & Show will return to the La Paz County Park in Parker, Arizona, September 25-27, 2009.

In the morning (9/25), I will be departing for the 278 mile journey from Southern California to Parker, Arizona. This should take 5ish hours or so. It is going to be a hot drive without air conditioning, but I'll live. The tradeoff is that I can pump air for my air ride super fast.

I am hoping to get out of town sometime in the AM - the earlier the better, in order to arrive during daylight to set up camp. That's right, I'm bringing a tent and some potato chips, because I'm camping. None of that hotel stuff!

A lot has to happen between now (or 7 tonight when I get home from work) and in the morning. I need to glance over the S10 to make sure we are somewhat ok to drive it out of state. No time for any major changes at this point! I need to shop for food, pack camping gear, charge the cameras, and fit in some sleep somewhere in there. Because of the tonneau cover, full tweed, step notch, 12 gallon tank, 3 amps, and 2 compressors, there is not enough room to fit everything in the bed of the S10. In fact, an ice chest might be too tall to fit. Because of this, I have a Silverado "support vehicle" making the journey, driven by my fearless partner in crime, Nick.

I will try to post from my Blackberry, depending on motivation and reception. Otherwise, definitely expect photos and video. You won't see my coverage include the same 20 previously featured trucks that get snapped at every show thereafter - my goal is to focus on the other 98% of the trucks in the scene.

Stay tuned for updates!

I've been offline for the past 36 hours or so and it's time to play catch up. I spent last Sunday night and Monday at my parent's house in Arkansas..

At 4am on Tuesday, I loaded up the Parts Racer and hit the road again, with a goal of reaching Flagstaff, Arizona that same day. Well, that didn't quite work out. About five hours away from my folks' house, I reached New Mexico and then trouble arose. In the middle of a construction zone, which had Interstate 40 narrowed into just one lane in either direction, the engine died. I coasted to a stop on the dirt shoulder and discovered there was no fuel pressure, according to the telltale Holley gauge under the hood. After making sure I had voltage to the electric fuel pump, and cracking open the inlet and outlet lines to verify there was no fuel being pumped from the full tank of gas, I decided to install my spare fuel pump.

It was a different brand of pump that required some re-plumbing and wiring and while I was at it, I cut a few zip ties from the fuel line running on the inside of the framerail to allow me to move the line to the outside of the rail, away from the exhaust. The LS327 engine roared to life and I was back on the road again. In the meantime, a storm front had moved in, which once again proved my old windshield wiper motor to be utterly useless. 15 miles later, smoked poured out from the right side of the truck. I pulled over again, jacked up the passenger side of the truck and found that I failed to resecure the trans cooler lines that were tied to the that fuel line I had just moved. In the darkeness of night, I could just barely see that a portion of the line was lying against the hot exhaust header and it burned a hole right through it.

Thank god for AAA. A tow truck showed up an hour later and towed me (for free!) the next 100 miles to Albuqurque, New Mexico, where I stayed the night with a some friends. The next morning I replaced the trans cooler line and also dropped the gas tank out of the truck to double check the plumbing because once again the fuel pump wasn't pumping fuel. I found a crack in the supply line and replaced it, confident that the truck was once again roadworthy. I hit the road at 2pm and got all of 20 miles down the road before the engine died again, ironically, in a construction zone. I had planned on being back in the office on Wednesday so I needed to act fast.

My last trip to the auto parts store had netted me a couple of 3/8-inch brass unions and some extra fuel line, which I had bought just in case something like this had happened. I had two five-gallon gas jugs sitting in the bed so I decided that rather than remove the stock gas tank again, I'd just replumb the fuel pump to siphon from my plastic gas jugs. I now had a truck that would run, but only for about 60 miles before running out of gas. I made it to Gallup, New Mexico and found a Walmart, where I purchased three more five gallon jugs. My McGyver mechanic skills paid off, the truck ran flawlessly the rest of the day and I made it all the way from New Mexico to Orange County, California by 4am today.

I grabbed a couple hours of rest and am now back in the office. What a trip! Oh and and as for that vibration, I'm not sure what's causing it. I'm too tired to figure that out right now. My next goal is to install a new pickup in the stock gas tank so I can drive a little further between fill ups.

Yesterday, the Parts Racer developed a mild vibration in the steering between 73-74 mph. Until that occurrence, the truck has been a dream to drive.

We started out the trip with a five inch drop up front and a six inch drop out back using Belltech suspension components. Two inch drop springs and three inch spindles lowered the front suspension. An axle flip kit dropped the rear suspension. Combined with Belltech shocks and front and rear sway bars, and 275/50R17 Nitto NT450 rubber on 17x9 Vintage Wheelworks V48 wheels, the truck is a friggin' slot car in the turns, with a tight, performance-oriented ride quality. Without a load in the bed, the back end is still pliable, even over rough road.

We filled the bed with tools, camera equipment, spare parts, and gear for this road trip. The rear suspension is hammered now, tucking about 1.5-inches of tire, with the rear axle sitting on the bumpstops. Thankfully, the rear bumpstops are the oem-type soft foam rubber ones and so the ride has only been rough over the occasional railroad crossing or expansion bridge transition.

When we reached Phoenix, Arizona, we added Baer brakes, which required switching from Belltech's three-inch spindles to CPP's two-inch spindles, raising the front of the truck up one inch. The ride quality was retained but the truck stops a whole lot better now.

As for the vibration, well, I'll crawl under the truck before I head home and see if anything has come loose.

I'm in Arkansas today. I got into town to visit my folks just in time for dinner last night, which was awesome. Nothin' like home cookin'.

On the way here I had a few milestones for this trip:

1. I saw my first Colt45 sign with Billy D. Williams on it.

2. The Parts Racer got 18.3 mpg on a stretch of I-40 that I averaged 68 mph on.

3.

After a great night in Tennessee, we are headed back to USA Stadium for day two of the Relaxed Atmosphere All-Star Event...

I found this picture of the Parts Racer at www.67-72chevytrucks.com, a site that has a section for '73-87 chevy trucks. Several of the site's members were at the show enjoying the scenery.

It's 7am and we are in Tennessee.....      

We even got about six hours of sleep, which is awesome considering the events of last week. Time to head over to the show. later!

We just finished putting the truck back together. No time to clean it or get rid of any paint residue, overspray etc.

At the rate we are going, we'll get to tennessee at about 1am in the morning, which is plenty of time to sleep before the show. Sorry, but I dont have time to post pics of the truck yet. Besides, its dirty. But it is blue and I'm very happy. Later!

Right now the truck is fully wetsanded, cleaned and taped off. It's ready to spray paint onto. But we are missing the new cowl induction hood.

Damn. Not only do we not have the hood, but with the luck I've had recently with freight companies smashing the parts, even if the hood does show up it probably won't be a "scuff it and spray it" kinda deal. It's 3pm and we are running out of time. As a backup plan, we are sanding the old hood, which has some low spots and dents in it, just in case we have to paint it and put it back onto the truck.

Now this truck isn't perfect, but we've worked hard to get it as straight as possible in just four days and it's gonna suck to go through all that and put a dented hood back onto it. That's the first thing people will notice when we show up to the truck show.

Cross your toes. I'm hoping the freight guy gets here soon.

We've got color! The bed is out of the booth and drying in the hot Texas sun. Actually, it's not that hot today and it's quite humid, so it's drying slowy.       

Thankfully, the paint kicked off quickly and is almost dry to the touch. We are still wet-sanding the guide coat off the cab but it's probably only an hour away from going into the booth to have the door jambs painted. The bed came out really nice for having limited time in the bodshop and only one session of block-sanding. Given more time we could probably make it perfect, but I'm not after perfection so it's perfect in my eyes. The Kustomwerx guys have kicked butt on this stage of the project.

We anticipate beginning the reassembly of the truck at about 5pm tonight. I plan on hitting the road at about 6am tomorrow, which will put us in Millington, Tennessee at about 6pm tomorrow night. Cross your fingers.