You can email your questions to Professor Hammer at covell@cruzio.com, or mail to Professor Hammer, c/o CLASSIC TRUCKS Magazine, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. We'll print your name and city unless you request otherwise. Ron Covell has made many DVDs on metalworking processes, and offers an ongoing series of workshops across the nation covering all aspects of metalworking. Check them out online at www.covell.biz, or call for a current schedule of workshops and their free catalog of DVDs and fine-quality metalworking tools. Phone 800-747-4631, or 831-768-0705. You can send a request by mail to Covell Creative Metalworking, 106 Airport Blvd. #105, Freedom, CA 95019.inline_mediumwraptextright25707974/hotnews/0912clt_tubing_dolly_metalworking_tips0912clt_01_z+tubing_dolly_metalworking_tips+welding_with_profesionals.jpgTrue

Known mostly for its deep roots in the country music industry, Nashville is a great place to visit, especially if you plan the trip around the Goodguys Nashville Nationals. Usually held the last weekend of June, the weather is always hot, but this year, the mixture of high temperatures and high humidity gave everyone an excuse to find a shade tree. To aid in the comfort of its participants and crew, Goodguys has changed the date of the Nashville Nationals, moving it to the month of May in hopes of pleasant springtime temperatures.inline_mediumwraptextright26836522/events/0912clt_2009_goodguys_nashville_nationals0912clt_01_z+2009_goodguys_nashville_nationals+custom_flames_paint_job.jpgTrue

In a world so full of kits and bolt-on parts, it's rewarding to do something unique and out of the norm-but sometimes veering off the beaten path is done out of necessity. Take air conditioning for example. There are a plethora of retrofit kits out there for just about every vehicle-as long as it's a popular vehicle. I know '67-72 F-100s still aren't sought-after trucks, but that doesn't mean you have to sweat while driving one!inline_mediumwraptextrightHere is the brunt of the Vintage Air components I selected for the F-100. The heart of it all is the Vintage Air Gen II Mini evaporator unit with defrost. While the Mini is the smallest Vintage Air evaporator, it has proven itself a strong workhorse over the years in countless hot rods and trucks where space is limited.31057797/tech/0912clt_1967_1972_ford_f100_vintage_air_ac_install0912clt_04_z+1967_1972_ford_f100_vintage_air_ac_install+air_conditioning_kit_parts.jpgTrue

These days it's tough to figure out which of the ever-popular, well-worn-looking shop trucks out there are actually work horses for the business lettered on each door. While most of these pickups aren't actual "employees" of any real or fictitious shops, they are decorated as such for fun, but there are still a few that punch the clock and serve as rolling business cards.inline_mediumwraptextright26834554/features/0912clt_1966_chevy_c10_pickup_truck0912clt_01_z+1966_chevy_c10_pickup_truck+custom_front_grill.jpgTrue

You might have been warned about putting all your eggs in one basket, but what if you put all those baskets safely in a classic truck? Even though Gary Caton's '48 Chevy started out life as an egg truck and anything but classic in post-World War II's burgeoning America, it would take more than half a century to be treated as such. In fact, it was rolled into a barn for 25 years and then forgotten where trees would eventually block the doors and form a time capsule of sorts.inline_mediumwraptextright25627454/features/0912clt_1948_chevy_pickup_truck0912clt_01_z+1948_chevy_pickup_truck+front_grill.jpgTrue

John & Pat Devine
Southern California
1955 Ford F-100
CHASSIS
FRAME:	stock
MODIFICATIONS:	So-Cal Speed Shop, Dirty Howard
REAREND / RATIO:	Currie Tru-Trac 9” / 3.23:1
REAR SUSPENSION:	Total Cost Involved parallel leaf, Bilstein shocks
REAR BRAKES:	Currie 11” drum
FRONT SUSPENSION:	Heidts IFS, Bilstein coilovers
FRONT BRAKES:	11” GM disc
STEERING BOX:	rack-and-pinion
WHEELS:	Wheel Vintiques, 17x8
FRONT TIRES:	Goodyear, 255/55ZR17
REAR TIRES:	Goodyear, 275/60ZR17
GAS TANK:	stock, sealed by Mattson’s, Stanton, CA
DRIVETRAIN
ENGINE:	Ford 460ci big-block
HEADS:	Super CobraJet aluminum
VALVE COVERS:	no-name aluminum
MANIFOLD / INDUCTION:	dual intake / Holley
IGNITION:	Mallory
HEADERS:	Sanderson
EXHAUST / MUFFLERS:	custom / MagnaFlow
TRANSMISSION:	Ford C-6
MODIFICATIONS:	TCI converter
SHIFTER:	modified stock
BODY
STYLE:	F-100 standard cab
DOORS:	stock, one-piece glass
FENDERS FRONT / REAR:	stock / stock
HOOD:	stock
GRILLE:	stock
BED:	modified stock
BEDWOOD:	Doug Miller Cabinetry, raised
BODYWORK BY:	So-Cal, Mick Jenkins
PAINTER:	So-Cal, Sean Dooley
PAINT TYPE / COLOR:	PPG / custom-mix, black
HEADLIGHTS / TAILLIGHTS:	Cibie halogen / ’53 F-100
OUTSIDE MIRRORS:	stock
BUMPERS:	stock, relocated
INTERIOR
DASHBOARD:	stock
GAUGES:	stock, redone by United Speedometer, Riverside, CA
AIR CONDITIONING:	Vintage Air
SOUND SYSTEM:	Kenwood/ARC Audio by Audio Shoppe, Riverside, CA
STEERING WHEEL:	stock
STEERING column:	stock
SEAT:	stock, redone by Gabe Lopez
UPHOLSTERY BY:	Gabe Lopez, Bloomington, CA
MATERIAL / COLOR:	basket-weave vinyl / black
CARPET:	black short-loop

Wish Granted
Reader Scott Lepping from Green Lane, Pennsylvania, sent an email with some pictures of his '48 GMC five-window pickup.inline_mediumwraptextright26836771/features/0912clt_1948_gmc_five_window_pickup_truck0912clt_02_z+1948_gmc_five_window_pickup_truck+front_grill.jpgTrue

It probably wasn't long after the first delivery vehicle rolled out of a coachbuilder's shop that a sign painter went at its side with a brush.inline_mediumwraptextright25703258/features/0912clt_1937_ford_2_1_2_ton_flatbed_truck0912clt_01_z+1937_ford_2_1_2_ton_flatbed_truck+chicago_beer_truck.jpgTrue

Modern automotive disc brake designs share common features. The primary components are a rotor and caliper. The rotor attaches to the wheel hub and rotates at the same speed as the wheel and tire assembly. Machined flat and true, the rotor's parallel faces are the braking surfaces for lined brake pads.inline_mediumwraptextright31052775/tech/0912clt_disc_brake_fundamentals0912clt_02_z+disc_brake_fundamentals+aftermarket_brake_components.jpgTrue

New Dials For Old Trucks
Classic Instruments is proud to announce their new gauge panel and gauges for '67-72 Chevy trucks. The seven-hole "tach" gauge panel has polished stainless steel bezels and flat glass over each of the gauges that are available in nine different styles. The turn signal indicators are in the stock location for a more original look, while the high beam indicator light in the 140-mph speedometer is a modern blue LED. The Classic Instruments '67-72 truck panel comes complete with sending units necessary for installation (temp, oil pressure with bushing, and pulse signal generator) and is shipped assembled with a wiring harness. For more info from Classic Instruments call 800-575-0461, or log onto www.classicinstruments.com.inline_mediumwraptextright26826793/tech/0912clt_december_2009_classic_truck_parts0912clt_01_z+december_2009_classic_truck_parts+gauges.jpgTrue

I am currently working on a '53 Ford F-100 pickup truck. I am going to use a '79 Ford 302 engine. I am thinking of putting a Mustang II IFS unit onto the truck. Most likely I will use a unit from TCI or Heidt's. My question is, do these IFS units have places to mount my engine on them, or do I have to buy other parts and attach them to the IFS? I never see such an item in the photographs and was just curious.
Brian Strube
Via emailinline_mediumwraptextright31051992/hotnews/0912clt_mustang_ii_ifs_no_limit_engineering_airbag_install_kit_questions0912clt_01_z+mustang_ii_ifs_no_limit_engineering_airbag_install_kit_questions+new_mail.jpgTrue

Well, as some of you have probably already heard, read on the Internet, or finally were able to get that magic eight ball to reveal, my time in the Driver's Seat here at CLASSIC TRUCKS has come to an end. For me, the journey was an unforgettable one, to say the least, and in my 15-plus years in the business, the last five with CT alone undeniably taught me more, opened my eyes more, and grounded me more than the entire decade preceding.inline_mediumwraptextright26826421/hotnews/0912clt_classic_trucks_new_editor0912_01_z+classic_trucks_new_editor+drivers_seat.jpgTrue

Note: Steering and brakes rank high on our safety list. Whether your truck is a stock restoration project or a modern street truck build, performance means more than a hot crate motor. In this month's lesson, we'll explore brake system basics.

Up until this particular project, NorCal resident Eddie Ames was more likely found behind the wheel-or better yet, beneath the hood wrenching and tuning-of a 5.0L Mustang. When asked "why" he chose an F-1 pickup, or rather this particular one, he initially said it was due to it already having a Mustang II frontend, but later admitted the "big, bubbly fenders" had a lot to do with it. Well, regardless of whether it was aesthetically or mechanically motivated (we're pretty sure the transplanted 283 Chevy played no part!), the fact of the matter is that he chose a classic truck, period.

In 1949, three years after first establishing South Lamar Automotive in Austin, Texas, Francis Reissig went down the street to Capitol Chevrolet to purchase a new 3100 Series pickup. Whether or not he realized it at the time is unclear, but that five-window would end up serving as much, much more than just a shop truck for the family business-it literally became part of the family ... and still is to this very day.

I have never written because of a magazine article before. I have been following the build of your '39 with great interest. I myself have a rusty '38 project and have been very interested in seeing how I can learn from your project. I too added IFS to my truck and was faced with the same six-bolt pattern dilemma that you mentioned in your article. You never explained what you did about it and I'm dying to know. I would also like to keep the original pattern and use the OE 16-inch wheels. I have not had any luck in finding any rotors that fit a Mustang II spindle and keep the 6x5.5 pattern. What did you end up doing?

Lead The Way
This essential guide for owners or enthusiasts of Chevy trucks built from '55-60 provides step-by-step instruction on frame and chassis cleaning, suspension rebuilding and upgrades, rebuilding steering, upgrading brakes to front discs, rebuilding the engine, cooling system upgrades, transmission choices, electrical rewiring, and much more. For ordering info, contact the Penguin Group at 800-788-6262, or online at www.penguin.com.

No matter what it is, when something gets stolen you feel a multitude of emotions-surprise, anger, vulnerability, and helplessness, just to name a few. Unfortunately, none of these feelings will help bring back what was taken and the more valuable the item, the more painful the sting is on the old pocketbook. Back in 1990, Samuel Fernandez of Torrance, California, became the victim of grand theft auto. His '70 Chevy shortbed was shanghaied from the curb of his own house by someone who thought they needed it more than he did. Not only was the '70 gone, but so was the wind in Samuel's sails.inline_mediumwraptextright25627688/features/0911clt_1972_chevy_c10_pickup_truck0911clt_01_z+1972_chevy_c10_pickup_truck+front_bumper.jpgTrue

Dave Schaub of Los Gatos, CA, recently took on the challenge of covering 49 States in nine days in a '32 Ford Roadster, a feat that most said couldn't be done, to raise money for kids in need. Dave's goal is to raise $100,000 in total for the Ronald McDonald House of Stanford, CA, and he is encouraging followers to get involved by donating as little as a penny per mile through his website, www.49in9.com.

You know, one of the last things that I need is extra time to "think", 'cause that's just what I'm going to do, and then some. Given the opportunity, my mind goes into overdrive imagining all sorts of stuff, mostly what I could or should be doing rather than just dreaming about it. During my recent hiatus, I'd remodeled my entire house in just the first couple days alone-the remainder of that two-week period wreaked some serious havoc on my brain (that's far from normal operating capacity as it is, which you've probably noticed by now)

There are more than a few old trucks still out there waiting for a good home and a new lease on life, but many of these trucks have had their ride and safety sacrificed for looks. While there are a great number of people who love a truck that is sitting in the weeds, the work done to get it there needs to be well thought out or you and your truck might literally wind up "in" the weeds.

Q. I read your articles every month in CLASSIC TRUCKS, and enjoy them! I hope you can help me with my plan of attack for fixing a rear fender on my Suburban. I've attached an "on-truck" photo of the fender.

If you have a Classic Cruiser and want to see it here, email at least six high-resolution photos and background info to the address above, or mail prints to: Classic Trucks, Attn: Grant Peterson, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870.