Innehållsförteckning för October 2023 från Street Trucks

IN THE HEART OF A BUSTLING HIGH SCHOOL, AMIDST THE CLANG OF LOCKERS AND CHATTER OF STUDENTS, THERE IS A MAN LIKE NO OTHER: MIKE WARREN, THE CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION/AUTO SHOP TEACHER. With Mr. Warren’s passion for all things automotive, he’s the kind of teacher who leaves a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to be in his class. We don’t think anyone would disagree that teachers are among the most unsung heroes out there. From tons of unpaid hours to putting in their own financial resources to make sure their students don’t go without, they go the extra mile school day after school day. Because of this, free time is pretty much nonexistent during the school year. And since Mike is a car guy and teaches others about the…

WHEN IT COMES TO USING A TRUCK LIKE A TRUCK IS MEANT TO BE USED, THERE NEVER REALLY IS A CORRECT WAY. Everyone has their own needs and uses for a truck. Whether it’s for hauling hay to the cows in the field, delivering lumber to a job site, taking the kids to practice, going off-roading in the woods, or even showing off at the local show, there’s always an intended use when the truck purchase was made. For this situation—as a ton of our readers will understand—a truck is a daily vehicle that allows us to throw larger items in the bed when needed. On this build, a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab shortbed, part of the plan is to be able to throw all my camera gear…

A DEFINITIVE LIST OF ICONIC TRUCKS CONSIDERED LEGENDARY TITANS IN OUR INDUSTRY EXISTS—AND THIS FLAMED-OUT CHEVY IS ONE OF THEM. Built way back in 1999 to be a rolling truck-shaped menu of its latest wares, Billet Specialties’ 1997 Chevy pickup defined what an ideal sport truck looked like. It sat low but had a noticeable rear rake. It had a staggered set of billet wheels with wide rear meats. It featured expertly executed body mods and paint that met the same standards that seasoned hot-rod builders aspired for. This Chevy was the perfect example of what truck fans of the day wanted for their ride. But once the style moved into different directions (as it does), it was displayed less and less until it was covered and packed away in…

THERE COMES A TIME IN MOST TRUCK BUILDERS’ LIFETIMES WHEN PICKING UP ON A PROJECT WHERE SOMEONE ELSE LEFT OFF IS INEVITABLE. It can be difficult sometimes to find popular older-model vehicles that haven’t been previously altered and/or butchered by another aspiring customizer. Hey, it’s just how it goes out there, especially if you’re hoping to find a deal. Every now and then, if you’re wanting to take home that specific make and model truck or SUV, you just have to take what you can get, prepare for the worst, but still hope for the best during the rehabilitation process. Brian Nelson, a proud member of Relaxed Atmosphere and a longtime fan of Chevy OBS SUVs, found himself in a similar predicament as he shopped around for the best two-door…

2024 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER RETURNS TO ITS ORIGIN TOYOTA’S off-road icon and longest-running nameplate is making a comeback to North America for the 2024 model year, returning to its rugged origin. Since its introduction in the U.S. market in 1958, the Land Cruiser evolved over the years from the legendary two-door models like the 40 Series with its fold-down front windshield, white roof, and rear jump seats to the capable yet fully loaded 200 Series, which was the last generation to be sold in the States and combined Land Cruiser’s strength with premium luxury features. Now, Land Cruiser stays true to its heritage, returning as a high-quality offroader at a more accessible price point that will take a wider range of customers on numerous backcountry adventures across the globe. Built…

WHEN IT COMES TO COOL VENUES FOR CAR SHOWS, THE GROUNDS FOR BATTLE IN BAMA, PRESENTED BY ULTIMATE AUDIO FABRICATION, STAND OUT FOR SURE. The event is held at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama, with show vehicles surrounded by jets, tanks, helicopters, and even a battleship. This show always brings out some of the best vehicles from all over the country to park in this cool venue—and this year was no exception. When you pull into the show, you see some of the main vendor and sponsor booths lining the road with the “VIP Row, presented by New Creations” vehicles making a huge first impression. But then you notice the military vehicles permanently on display, tucked among the show vehicles, and a massive US Navy battleship…

SOME OF US WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE SCENE FOR A WHILE NOW HAVE TO FACE THE TRUTH: EARLY 2000S BUILDS ARE KIND OF CONSIDERED OLD SCHOOL BY TODAY’S STANDARDS. LS engine swaps weren’t yet a thing, we were finally figuring out reliable air-ride setups, and a patina paintjob was a sign that a truck was still “under construction.” In short, we’ve come a long way since then. But, just like some modern-day builds, toward the end of that era we began to see a lot of copycats and, perhaps, certain things were overdone. While the ’90s and early ’00s were a time of innovation—air-ride setups got wilder and wilder, body drops became almost mainstream, billet accessories were everywhere, and custom graphics were on everyone’s “to do” list—pretty soon a…

I’M IN THE HOME STRETCH OF THIS DUALLY BUILD AND THE 2023 HOT ROD POWER TOUR IS QUICKLY APPROACHING. To recap the last 2 articles on this build I completely gutted the interior, the truck was repainted by Mirror Image Auto Body, I reassembled the interior with a ton of parts from LMC Truck, installed Dakota Digital gauges, painted the frame, installed Belltech’s 5/8 drop kit and finished up some motor work. Thank you to the sponsors and partners who came together to make this build happen. ▪ Air Lift Company▪ AutoAura Paint▪ AZA Auto Wheel▪ Belltech Suspension▪ Clear Coat Solutions▪ Dakota Digital Gauges▪ The Dually Shop▪ Florida Paint Supply▪ Indasa Abrasives▪ LMC Truck▪ Lowboy Motorsports▪ Mirror Image Auto Body▪ The Window Tint Shoppe 01 With all the messy work…

ENGINEERED Vintage is one of those companies that is a small business founded in March 2021 by fellow truck enthusiast Ben Kohler, who has an engineering background. ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT THE TRUCK INDUSTRY IS THAT ENTHUSIASTS AND COMPANIES ARE ALWAYS BRINGING NEW PRODUCTS TO MARKET. I especially love it when that new product is exactly what I’m looking for. Engineered Vintage is one of those companies that is a small business founded in March 2021 by fellow truck enthusiast Ben Kohler, who has an engineering background. Ben started Engineered Vintage by selling fabricated shackles and behind-the-bumper winch mounts for 4x4 trucks. This quickly expanded into aluminum fabricated grilles for C10s, more specifically for 1971-’72, 1973-’74, and 1977-’79 Chevrolet C10s. Each grille is cut on a CNC machine and…

CHRIS ECHEL OF GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, BOUGHT THIS TRUCK FROM HIS DAD BACK IN THE YEAR 2000. His pops had purchased the ’97 Chevy two years prior and used it to serve as a volunteer fire truck. It was even decked out with emergency light bars on the roof and a utility camper shell on the bed. The truck came in handy for awhile, but once it fell out active duty, Chris was able to get his hands on the keys and began to customize it little by little throughout the years. This Chevy has gone through many changes under Chris’ ownership. He started with a simple static drop back then and eventually upgraded to an air-ride system over time. He has also gone through lots of wheel styles that…

MEXICO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DESTINATION KNOWN FOR ITS RICH CULTURE AND BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS, BUT IN THE SUMMER AT ISLA SAN MARCOS IN AGUASCALIENTES, LOS CHEVROLETEROS BRING OUT THE BEST IN THE REPUBLIC. Each year gets better and better. This fourth edition of their show brought in over 800 vehicles from Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Durango, Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas, Querétaro, Nuevo León, Chihuahua, and even Texas, Arizona, and California, all showing up to take part. More than 8,000 people packed out the event for two days, enjoying some of the Mexico’s best builds and hanging out and enjoying the chill atmosphere the show had to offer. The wide spectrum of rides—from restomods and simple drops to all-out ‘bags and motor swaps—had something for everyone to enjoy. It’s different…

IN THE CONTINUED SAGA OF THE SERGEANT SQUARE PROJECT, STREET TRUCKS MAGAZINE IS GEARING UP FOR A SERIES OF TRANSFORMATIVE STEPS THAT WILL BRING US ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE GRAND UNVEILING THIS NOVEMBER AT SEMA 2023. With the truck back at our shop, the true artistry of this charity project is set to flourish. DISMANTLING FOR EXCELLENCE The first order of business involves a comprehensive disassembly of the vehicle. This meticulous process will pave the way for a remarkable transformation as we prepare to powdercoat the frame, ensuring the foundation of the Sergeant Square is as remarkable as its appearance. We understand that the heart of a powerful build rests upon a strong chassis. PAINTING THE DREAM Teaming up with Johnny’s Hot Rods, we’re taking the next stride by…

SERGEANT SQUARE STEALS THE SPOTLIGHT AMIDST CLASSIC AND MODERN MARVELS AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF A SUN-SOAKED DAY. This automotive extravaganza brought together car enthusiasts, families, and the community at large to celebrate the fusion of automotive innovation and patriotism. For automotive aficionados and families alike, the Motortopia Showoff Series Stage 5 event was more than just a gathering of vehicles; it was an experience that left an indelible mark. Hosted under the open skies, the event showcased an array of classic and custom trucks, cars, and motorcycles, each embodying the passion of their creators. With a backdrop of music, tantalizing food trucks, and a kid’s zone complete with bounce houses and face painting, attendees were treated to a day full of excitement. Attendees not only indulged in the world of…