What do you want to See in Truck Magazines?Give me your ideas!

[Rokcrln]

Ok were to start. First off most people here know me as a do it your selfer that loves showing others how to do small to large projects. The reason I like doing this is because I grew up in a house were the only thing my parents were into was Golf So almost all my fabrication skills started by reading every car mag on the shelf (and I still have everyone today). But back in the 80's and early 90's their were alot more do it your self articals in the different mags and today their are still good ones from time to time but alot more "Flash" articals of new trucks or 50K old trucks not the backyard truck that granpa parked because it was falling apart 15 years ago and now you want to fix it up kind of trucks.
So the reason I do so much as far as builds and How-to stuff on this site is to get more people back into old cars and trucks. I agree that the Low buck stuff will have a great following but the high end stuff sells mags as well to a different market but that helps keep it on the news stand for us as well. As for advertising being placed in and out of articals that is just what they need to do to get the buisness to advertise with them. Do you guys realize if all the advertisments were in the back and you never looked at them and the buisness pulled their adds what it would cost for each mag you bought $8-15 easy. So that being said they do what they have to do so we can afford to keep buying our 8-12 mags a month

By now most of you guys have run accross one or more of my builds on this site from 67 extended cab, 68 4 door crew cab, Project slow build, Lemon Drop and my curent personal build for the site is "LFD's Low buck truck build". I might be wrong but from how many people look at these posts I would say their are just what we all want. Here is my LWB to SWB bed chop from this week end http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223158&page=9 and if their is anything I can do for you guys with your Truck Builders mag let me know. I think it would be great for this board to get some of its members in the mags to get more people to this site.

So if their is any I can help out with please let me know.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[timcos]

I had not heard of truck builder...Now I have...I am going to look at it on the newsstand.

[PanelDeland]

$$$$ Put the cost in actual dollars,not magazine freebies in every tech/how-to article.Most mags have some older projects and leftover parts they use in a build,and while we all do that most of us don't have an extra set of aluminum heads lying around.Do a long term buildup on a daily driver.Where you can only do weekend long projects to it.You know one rocker panel at a time instead of putting it on a rotisserie.Junkyard cheap mods would be great articles.Maybe a junkyard cheapie page each month.Do basic repair/replacement articles.Teach the newbies how to change ball joints and give some of the more experienced guys tips to make it easier.
Start a truck that's been sitting for 10 years and build it to a reliable driver to sell to fund another project.
I like show coverage also.The Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals in Maggie Valley NC is one of my favorites.It's coming soon and there will be quality trucks there.
Take us to a swap meet and teach us how to find the deals and what to avoid.
Build a truck then "Drive it like a rental",somewhat like Stacy David does.Tell us what worked and what broke.Let us know what you would do different next time.Don't just make the mistakes let us learn from them.
OK that's what I came up with off the top of my head.

[panteratron]

http://www.feslerproductions.com/1967ChevyTruck.htm

check this out if you want to know about TRUCK BUILDER MAG!

[68GMC454]

while the high dollar builds are nice, they really lose the use of a truck. and even with the 10,000 build you got a really nice truck if you can do most of the work yourself..can we get down the the lower income guys who struggle just to get the trucks drivable..i mean my old gmc will be lucky to get a junkyard motor put in it this year and put on the street..when all is said and done i will have less than 3000.00 in my truck and that is over several years. I KNOW im not the only guy out there that struggles to pay the bills every month, let alone building a truck or any other project. i plan on doing the front cross member swap to, but even with the donor truck, i will still be under 3000. but most of the stuff that goes into my 68 gmc will be out of a junkyard or a field...now that im hurt again, who knows when i will be able to gewt a motor, but i keep my eyes open, who knows i might get lucky one day..sorry if this doenst make sense, but i think you get the idea,, there are alot of us out there who work hard for the little money we get every month, and with kids and family first, projects are last...we are called the working class,,or working poor ive heard to....
billy

[N2GMTrux]

I've never heard of Truck Builder magazine, a website I need to check out.

Like Seanu said,

More how to articles, for the average garage builder...the one who doesn't have $5k tools needed to do a job, or a nice lift...ect.

Maybe specific series that cover restoration issues for certain years, i.e., panel replacements for 67-72, or rust issues. (details, details, details)

===============
My Idea

A Rescued 67-72 truck that should be put out of its misery, brought back to life: Sounds but I would be waiting for every issue with something like this.

A complete truck build with catalog parts building what would appear to be a stock 67-72 Chevy or GMC truck with all the bell and whistles. But the main thing of the build would be spread out onto several issues from buying, breaking it down, sandblasting, hand painting small parts, powdercoating large major parts, assembling together, using modern wiring harness like "Hotrod wires kit or EZ wiring kit" start to finish, How to replace panels if needed or repair panels when needed "NO BONDO,,,,, maybe light bondo glaze for small imperfections", a do it yourself paint job at home and how to get the best results. How to buff the paint out. Show assembling of all parts like bed, cab, and front end.

The main thing here would be to list what works and what didn't or how to modify it to work and make the entire build a Tech article. Make the truck appear stock with modern drivetrain (basic crate 350/700R4), suspension, front/rear disc brakes, power windows, vintage air or other after market A/C unit, rebuild the stock 12 bolt rearend with newer gear-ratio to work with trans and tire combo. And all types of other Tech INfO in there.

[stllookn]

I need to subscribe to that mag. It looks great. I am a minimalist at heart (read CHEAP)! I have a '67 ratrod stepside that cost $500 and has had every piece of sheet metal replaced and/or repaired and I still don't have more than about $1500 in the truck! Most of the cost is in primer! It has taken about 3 years, lots of swap meets and trading parts but it is going to be done soon and it will look pretty decent. The wife does not complain about the dollars spent and I don't feel guilty using the truck. It doesn't have 400 hp but it all works and is a ton of run to drive. I love the low buck builds but when I hear $10,000...I consider that a pretty rich build!

Jugernot...that looks like my stepside...except those high buck wheels!

[stllookn]

Not to hijack...but jugernot...look similar...LOL?

[magsnubby]

Is this the correct link? It doesn't seem to be working.

http://truckbuildermagazine.com/

[weasel29gm]

I agree with Delands ideas,but a mag has to fit all incomes. I get 6 mags a month. Why? Diveristy for the average hot rodder Car Craft and Pop H/R. High tech Hot Rod and Chevy H/Po. For trucks Classic Trucks and Custom Classic Trucks. For features and some tech,build-ups Chevy Rumble and Super Chevy. I've read Truck Builder but I don't care for late model and all the LS computer stuff. But thats me I don't comdem it just not my cup of tea!! For example a 8K small block don't interest me when one can build a decent one for 1-2K without the fluff. But when someone has a big checkbook and wants a 572 go for it. Because it is called " Hot Roddin''

[jkaylor68gmc]

I agree with everything here. i just have to push for these things. I baby this book and have recently don alot of '67-'72 stuff and my next project is going to be along of these lines. We just have killer deadlines. The next issue features the GMC-Chevy conversion using LMC parts and the whole deal cost me about 1950 bucks then I sold the parts I removed and now have about 1500 bucks in it. Patch panels, welding materials and sheetmetal isn't cheap but I am goin to be tackling some at-home panel deals my self by welding up the heater assembly holes and rockers.

[70ChevyChris]

I may be the only one, but I would love to see a mag cover fixing up a 4x4 that is stock or slightly modified. It seems that all 4x4 mags focus on rock crawlers and all truck magazines focus on lowered 2wd's.

[jkaylor68gmc]

We rareely have 4x4s but we have a 4x4 book called 4x4 Builder that covers classsic 4x4s and new stuff too.

[oldno7]

You guy's have some good points, so here are a few of mine. There's nothing that bothers me more than advertisment. I think all that garbage should be the last 2-3 pages of the book. I'm tired of reading an article, and it gets shifted to a diff. page because Gaylord's bought the bottom of the page. I realize you make money buy this, but come on. (SORRY) I would like to say thank's for asking us what we like. The tech article's are cool. I like to read about (JOE'S) truck, and what he has done to it. I do like the high builds, for diff reasons. I like to see trucks fixed up nice, and I take what I can from the article. I am a poor boy and do not have 20-30k worth of tools. So I think you guys should have a section called (POORBOYS WAY) for stuff like rust rem. and body panels you now! Pic's. are worth a 1000 word's. I would like to see about getting info on back issuse of truck builder mag. Pos # to call and order would be great. What issuse did you have the Fabris truck in. I would like to read that article. I think it was just on E-bay. I'm not for sure what it went for. Once again thank you for asking us. That says alot. oldno7

[Orange]

I wish we had....





















More writers like jkaylor68gmc writing for these magazines!

[beaterC10]

I would like to see something like Rod and Custom was when it was re-introduced in the 80's or like Car Craft when Freiberger was in charge.

Real world down and dirty tech. Projects for the guy who still has to drive his truck everyday. Most magzines seem to be written as advertisements for big shops or for old guys with a big bankroll.

[fatboys69]

I agree with SlickOrange, I am a local guy to jkaylor and the guys from Buckaroo Communications and all those guys are great!!!!, very knowledgable and down to earth and some of the greatest guys you will ever meet ( they love anything automative ). Truck Builder is a very good magazine. I think that by asking for suggestions it will be even better, so if you ever see them at a show you really need to stop in at there booth and say hello.

[cojnit]

maybe we could do these high dollar builds if we didnt subscribe to so many magazines!! (J/K) I am a mag addict. Here is my .02.

Not all of us are master fabricators, heck I cant even weld. We are however enthusiest as well. I would love to know what kind of things I am looking for as a weekend warrior when I am tackling a project or having a shop do work. As well as being able to figure out what kind of shop I am really looking for. 99 out of 100 "body" wont do rust repair or fabrication, no money in it for them. these things are good to know.

As for the articles, one of the mag (cant remember which one) has some nice details about the builds now (actual cost, actual time, shop used, level of diffculty ect.) this is very helpful to me as a warrior in determinig what projects I can tackle.

As for the high dollar stuff, I NEED to have it. This is what motivates me (although I can get them in every other mag) and got me into this stuff way back as a kid.

I think a nice section would be "bolt-on Building" for those of us who cant do it any other way without getting raped.

I have a ton more opinions, but this is running long.

[3/4tonterror]

Never Heard Of Truck Builder??????????

[jkaylor68gmc]

If you are interested in the Fesler Red Chevy Truck build here is the number and issues coordinating this.... 1-866-515-5770

Nov/Dec 03- Frame and beginning
Jan/Feb 04- Custom bed and other monior work
Mar/Apr-04- Body assembly
May/June 04- Rearend assembly
Jul/Aug 04- all the loose ends
Sep/Oct 04- The Dash
Nov/Dec04- Engine and frame final
Jan/Feb 05- Final body details, prep and painting
Jul/Aug 05- Braking system
Sep/Oct 05- Sound deadening and interior

I am in editorial but I think we are selling the whole set on a special for the set of ten with free shipping.

The newest issue next month,April 2007 features the "67GMC to '67 Chevy conversion as well as a Covan dash install in a '70 Chevy.

I did the '67-'72 Be Cool Radiator install in the Feb 2007 issue
Ididit tilt '67-72 column install is in the Nov/Dec 2006 issue and Fat Man boltin '67-72 Mustang II
6 lug to five lug axle swap with a '65 rearend, same as ours in my '47 in the Aug 06 issue.
Installing a Custom autosound stereo in a '72 Chevy C-10 Mar/Apr '06 issue.

I wiil find some more later


Dec 05 Truck Builder, Final Feature, pull out poster Project '67 Finale.

[jkaylor68gmc]

ttt

[slomotion]

Just a quick thought....that's the way mine are, quick, if I don't move on them they go away.

Could the Mag be set up like a book? ie, chapters; Chapter 1. News, Chapter 2, An old build, chapter 3. a current project, Chapter 4. TOTM, Chapter 5. etc. etc. Maybe that would be an editors nightmare, but we'd know where to go, and our articles would be consolidated within the "chapters". Then the advertisers could purchase spots in-between the chapters that would correspond to the previous article.

[sixty8c10]

low budget builds...like I could do at home with minimal power tools.

[jkaylor68gmc]

Like i'v said, I am looking for this and one of the big ideas was ten projects you could do at home in a weekend for under 200 bucks.

[jkaylor68gmc]

ttt