To get us started, Ben Vaneperen and the crew at No Coast helped us get the cab mounted on a rolling cart that would make it easy to move around the shop and allow us access to the floor, rockers, and cab corners. We elected to install a full floor that was complete from rocker to rocker, cab back to toeboard, and already had all the supports attached underneath. This may seem like a drastic move, but we can tell you that it made a huge difference in the quality of the finished product and the time it took to get there.

ne of the most difficult things for someone to admit is that after investing time and money in a project that the completed project is no fun to drive. The fact is that even the coolest-looking trucks seldom see the road if the steering wheel placement isn’t comfortable.

When installing a steering column there are several considerations, certainly appearance is one of them. Many years ago steering columns were often sourced from wrecking yards. Those of us who have been around for a while can remember the GM car and truck tilt columns that were so ugly the bottom portion was hidden by carpet or upholstery material. Of course whenever steering components are involved, safety is a concern as well. Years ago, if U-joints were necessary to connect the steering column to the gear there wasn’t much to choose from. We’ve seen U-joints used that were designed for industrial applications, power takeoffs, import car applications, and even some from military surplus stores (most of which were for light helicopter tail rotor driveshafts). Many of these installations were sketchy at best and dangerous at worst.

ruck shows have been around for decades, but there were many years when attendance seemed to plateau. It felt like the same trucks parked in the same spots each year. Even though each show was a reunion of sorts, the repetitive nature of many shows caused them to lose the “wow” factor that once made them so great. One of the events that broke the mold was the Grand National F-100 Show, held in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The tourist town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is filled with Ford trucks of all generations, converging on the LeConte Center every May.

For 2024, Joe Carpenter and crew rearranged the parking layout to better suit the event. The new layout provided ample parking area in the outdoor show and shine area, as well as an expanded area for vendors and swap meet. The show continued its proven footprint inside the LeConte Center with an outstanding display of show trucks, vendors, and great food. The adjustment to the parking area was a welcomed change, as it allowed for more than 1,200 trucks to pour into the area and offers room to grow even more.

Dozens of awards in eight categories of judging covered all generations of classic Ford trucks, ranging from the ’30s through 1996. Specialty awards included Best Crew Cab, 4×4 Trucks, Panel Trucks, Best Patina Truck, and more. The Top 3 trucks included Holden Jung’s 7.3L Godzilla-powered 1956 F-100, Billy McSwain’s elegant and slick 1962 F-100 unibody, and Dennis and Saun Strobel’s ultra-clean 1950 F-1 pickup.