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

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

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.

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.

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.

For those of you wondering, "Why would anyone want to revert 'back' to six-lug in the first place?", then the following article might not be for you. However, for anyone with an IFS-equipped early GM pickup that you'd like to run similar-era (six-lug) wheels on, keep reading!

Last month on the C-10 we showed Classic Performance Products' trailing arm crossmember for the '67-72 Chevy trucks in preparation to run a new exhaust system through it-up out of harms way! The old exhaust system hung down too far after the truck was lowered and it didn't live too long as a result. I wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

Most improperly lowered vehicles ride as such, and the farther you go the more problems you encounter in the search for an "in the weeds" stance. There are many limiting factors as to how low you can go, from stock suspension parts to engine or transmission pans, frame clearance, body panels, and of course exhaust systems.

Falling victim to radiator boil over or having your engine vapor lock while cruising through town is never a good thing. Finding yourself in the left turn lane at a red light with the engine sputtering and the temp gauge rising has certainly put some extra beads of sweat on many a brow. And while some may enjoy pushing a steaming truck through a busy intersection while Joe Public lashes obscenities, there really isn't a good reason why any of our trucks "shouldn't" be running cool to begin with. A properly set up cooling system should be able to keep even the most radical engine configurations in the most cramped engine compartments at or under a realistic operating temperature. That being said, though, it is a common problem we see day in and day out at events across the country, and even on some of our own projects. But before one can tackle a cooling system issue, we need to understand the basics of said system and what causes most vehicles to overheat in the first place.

We've probably all heard the old acronym KISS. For those who haven't, it stands for Keep It Simple Stupid, which is a reminder not to get paralysis from over analysis (one of my other favorite sayings). Just about every aspect of building old cars and trucks has been done these days and while it's fun-or not-to think of taking a project down to the bare frame for chassis modifications, it's not always necessary.

Primary side main fuel metering begins off-idle and goes through wide-open throttle. The stronger manifold vacuum holds the main metering rods down in their jets. A spring counterbalances the vacuum pull, and when vacuum decreases, the spring pressure moves the piston upward. Tapered metering rods, attached to the piston, move upward and allow more fuel to pass through the jets. This is a smooth balance between a calibrated spring, sized rods, and jets, and the amount of manifold vacuum present. When power is needed, the fuel mixture enriches. At cruise and light loads with higher manifold vacuum, the rods remain lower and provide less fuel flow.

No matter what vehicle you drive the battery must be replaced at sometime; and unless you like calling for a battery service vehicle to come out and charge you an arm and a leg for a simple DIY job, I suggest you take one hour out of your weekend and change your battery. In this economy every dollar counts so let's not throw money down the drain on a cheap battery that may die in a year. If you don't know how or just need a refresher then you're in luck. Since a good battery is just as important as choosing the correct motor oil why not replace your battery with one which is proven to avoid corrosion, leaks and wont spill. OPTIMA Batteries has a large array of batteries for every type of vehicle out there. It doesn't matter if you have a show stopping car/truck, a high performance dragster, a street legal muscle car or a daily commuter. OPTIMA Batteries has the perfect battery for your needs. The one I have installed in my car looks much better than the stock battery and once I finished installing it I saw a difference on how much quicker my engine cranked over. When you have already invested thousands of dollars in your vehicle, why would you skimp out and not choosing a high performance battery that in the long run will save you money and give you a little peace of mind.

Classy Carbs
Holley Performance Products is proud to announce their all-new Ultra Street Avenger and Ultra Double Pumper carburetors designed for improved performance, weight savings, and show-quality looks. Each of these new carbs is made totally from aluminum, which allows them to be 5 pounds lighter than their zinc predecessors. The aluminum construction also allows them to hold their shine much longer as well. They come tumble polished from the factory, but can easily be hand polished. The metering blocks and base plates are made of 6061-T6 billet aluminum for added strength and mating surface integrity, as well as good looks. The metering blocks and base plates come on the carbs in trademarked red, blue, or black anodizing. For more information contact Holley at 270-781-9741, for the nearest dealer call 800-HOLLEY-1, or visit them on the web at www.holley.com.

If I can do it, you can do it! I have taken the EFI plunge and survived. Like many of you, I was/am not very savvy with electrical gadgets, wiring, or fuel-injection systems, but luckily there are people out there who are and make parts to help the electrically challenged.

Whether you service your own ignition or need more troubleshooting savvy for road rallies and cruising, this month's lesson focuses on spark and ignition system basics. Understanding ignition fundamentals will improve your tuning skills.

I can remember back when Total Cost Involved was about to drop the '58 Chevy 235 engine and Gear Star Turbo 350 trans in my '39 just as they finished up the suspension. Actually, what I recall the most was one very simple question they asked: "Do you want the firewall cut or not?" For those of you wondering why they'd even consider that, let me explain in a little more detail.

What a long strange trip it has been indeed! Something happened this month that seemed far fetched some time ago--the Bumpside ran. I know, I can't believe it either. It was by no accident and required a fair amount of hard work and head scratching. You know by now that the late-model 4.6L 3-valve Ford engine in the '68 is a first and actually forced Ford Racing to make a harness to bring life to the all-aluminum V-8.

EZ AS EFI PIE
Fear not fuel injection fans or those curious. FAST has just made it easier than ever to convert your engine from carburetion to fuel injection with the new FAST EZ-EFI Self Tuning Fuel Injection System. The most important feature of this amazingly efficient system is the self-tuning operation does not require chasing components, expert tuning experience, or a laptop computer to tune. Simply hook it up, answer the basic setup Wizard questions on the included hand-held display, and the system truly tunes itself. The FAST EZ-EFI Self Tuning Fuel Injection System is a totally complete system including the ECU, wide-band oxygen sensor, wiring harness, fuel injectors, fuel pump kit, and other assorted components, including the innovative new 4150 Throttle Body from FAST. For more information from FAST, call 877-334-8355, or visit them online atwww.fuelairspark.com.

Whether you weld full-time as a profession or occasionally at home--for that matter, if you use any type of welder period--one of the most important components you need to be outfitted with isn't necessarily the most expensive. Regardless the type or quality of machine used, what really counts when it comes to your personal safety is having the best face protection you can afford. Your eyesight is not expendable, so do yourself a favor and take the precautions to ensure you're properly covered whenever you strike an arc!

Though the task of not only fitting, but functionally utilizing a power window system in an antiquated truck has been successfully completed, there's still the matter of providing a means of activation for said components. Furthermore, there are two pieces of fresh-cut laminated glass just waiting to replace the old cracked, de-laminating windows used to initially get the Electric-Life EL1000 power window kit up and running. While some of you may have gotten a bit perturbed that this wasn't covered last month, seeing as there's more than just simply installing glass and hooking up a couple switches, it made more sense to devote an entire article rather than condense to what would have likely been nothing more than a couple photos. Hopefully this final chapter will appease the agitated!

Every vintage truck needs mechanical help. Often a frame-off restoration includes engine, transmission, steering system, brake, suspension, axle, and electrical work. Subletting these chores, a time-and-materials proposition, can be costly. Moreover, what's the point to a classic truck project if you can't perform the work or maintain the finished product yourself?

They say that the road to a certain lowly, hot, lava-filled place is paved with good intentions, and whether or not that's true, good can come from missed goals. I tell myself this when it comes to my '68 Ford that is long overdue from the one-year build time we originally set--well over a year ago.

Open & Shut
Long awaited and now available, Chevs of the 40's is pleased to offer brand-new `39-46 Chevy truck upper and lower door hinges. No more hunting swap meets and salvage yards only to find not-so-great, used hinges. Each upper and lower can be used side for side and can be bought individually or in sets. Visit Chevs of the 40's online at www.chevsofthe40s.com or call 866-681-7420.