Classic Truck Performance

As I was finishing up last month’s editorial, we were just preparing to head off to Las Vegas for the 2022 SEMA Show. Well, we did just that, and I’m now here to report on how that all went down. Following last year’s post-pandemic return after taking the previous year off, there was speculation on what kind of turnout this year’s SEMA would generate—especially with the news that Chevrolet and Ford (among others) would not be in their usual campsites surrounding our beloved Hot Rod Alley. Well, let’s just say that overall, I was more than pleasantly surprised—other than the fact that I absolutely do not like Vegas, that is. Upon my initial stroll into the Las Vegas Convention Center (after obtaining the required credentials), for the first time in who knows…

1. BEDWOOD AND PARTS F-SERIES RETROLINER BedWood and Parts announces the release of its new RetroLiner for the ’73-79 Ford F-Series pickup. The RetroLiner is an industry exclusive, application specific, real wood bed liner system designed for pickup trucks with a factory metal bed floor. It offers classic styling in a variety of natural wood tones and colors to customize the largest flat surface on your pickup. Each RetroLiner kit includes the following components, features, and benefits: laser measured, 3-D modeled, and digitally designed to ensure precise fitment. CNC milled to match the contours of the truck bed with a state-of-the-art mounting system that allows the RetroLiner to “float” just above the stock metal bed floor, allowing rain or wash water to drain appropriately. It is pre-sealed with your choice of…

An accumulation with age, there’s always a story that comes with a classic truck with years of family history attached. The ’54 Chevy 3100 gracing these pages, known as the “Hemi Truck,” is no exception. It was the mid ’70s in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and young Ricky Seedorf drove this five-window ’54 Chevy to high school every day. After graduating high school Ricky parked the ’54 outdoor next to a barn and it sat rusting away for decades. Then one day Ricky and his older brother, Tom, a devout Mopar guy, got to talking and Ricky gave Tom the ’54, with the only caveat being he wanted a ride when it was done; shortly afterward in 2014 Ricky rolled his truck on I-40 heading toward Oklahoma City and was killed. Under a…

For what it’s worth, all C10 trucks had pretty decent suspensions from the factory. From 1971 on up, their front brakes weren’t too shabby, either. But pretty decent and not too shabby after 50-odd years—coupled with how those once-workhorse haulers are now used—just doesn’t cut it … not even close. For your ’63-66 and ’67-72 C10s, the upgrade options are plentiful. In the past few years, options for the ’73-87s have multiplied as well. Today, however, all the rage is going with a full chassis swap—but for folks (like me) with a rather limited budget, that rage isn’t even an option to consider. Realistically, even some of the complete front suspension kits are up there in price range as well. But one of the great things about the C10’s front suspension/steering/brakes is…

Ford truck enthusiasts are a passionate group who lead the pack in terms of nicknames for their favorite body styles—Unibody, Bumpside, Dentside, just to name a few. Although less common, another nickname is the “Highboy,” a name that refers to ’67-77 ½ Ford F-250s, specifically those optioned with four-wheel drive. These trucks naturally sat higher than their two-wheel-drive brothers due to the driveline configuration, earning the name and reputation for hard work. Highboys were rarely recognized for their fit and finish or overall build quality, but a father-and-son from Madisonville, Tennessee, changed that with the restoration of this immaculate ’69 Ford F-250. This tough-looking Ford came to the Randolph family in 2015 as a rough start, but Chesley could see the potential, as he’s spent many years studying, building, and trading…

For any truck project, you’ll need to do a lot of sanding and grinding. These processes are so fundamental to metalworking that most people don’t give them a second thought. The more you understand about using these products properly, the more money you can save on materials, with the bonus of getting better results. Abrasives have been around for ages–going back to 13th century China when they actually glued sand onto parchment to make sandpaper. The technology has evolved considerably since then, and the abrasive media used for modern-day cutting, grinding, and smoothing has advanced tremendously. It’s important to keep safety in mind when using abrasives with power tools. A lot of metal can be removed in a hurry, but it comes off as a shower of hot sparks, and it’s essential…