The Granatelli Motor Sports 12V Electric Vacuum Pump Kit is an all-new design using forward-thinking technology not seen before in this segment. What does this mean? The Granatelli design utilizes a rotary vein–style pump with an enlarged diaphragm to ensure maximum suction while remaining nearly dead quiet and vibration free. Utilizing an MAVP (Manifold Absolute Vacuum/Pressure Sensor), it eliminates the need for old-school vacuum switches and relays. This configuration also guarantees an incredibly quick vacuum recovery time ensuring 17- to 23-inch Hg vacuum all the time. It comes in four standard configurations: bare (no outer shell), black, chrome, or gunmetal gray ABS plastic outer shell. They even offer custom color options for a nominal fee. These kits comes complete with 5 feet of ⅜-inch supporting vacuum hose, proper wiring harnesses for an easy install, and vibration dampeners, all while maintaining a common mounting hole configuration.

For more info, contact
Granatelli Motor Sports at (805) 486-6644 or visit granatellimotorsports.com.

he passage of time has a funny way of changing things. Take for example back in late 1987 when Chevrolet and GMC, after 15 years of producing essentially the same body style for its C10 series pickups, introduced the C/K 1500, which C10 fans then referred to as the “new body style.”

In the 21st century the name has changed but the game is still the same: guys remain infatuated with the clean lines of the C/K 1500 series but the slang name is now OBS (meaning old body style). The C/K series wasn’t the first truck to be offered as a customized special right off the showroom floor … as history reveals, that was the 1956 F-100 right off Ford dealership floors.

hen it comes to affordable, “bolt-on” horsepower improvements for your LS engine, the $64,000 question has always been: What’s real and what’s nothing more than snake oil? Well, believe it or not, we actually have the answer to that—and it’s rather shocking … no pun intended!

When it comes to the LS family of powerplants most don’t complain when it comes to factory performance. But we’re not most people, and any opportunity we get to bolster what’s under the hood, we take advantage! That said, when it came to the 5.3L powering Jason Scudellari’s Bumpside (yes, you read that correctly!) it already had an ample amount of boost in the form of ProCharger’s D-1X supercharger—putting out 18 pounds of boost at 7,500 rpm, it was already producing a not-so-modest 1,000-plus horsepower. Word on the street had it that by simply swapping the LS coil packs and wires could garner an additional 15-30 more horsepower … at least.

f you look closely at trucks produced from the ’80s on you’ll notice that a substantial effort was put into “quieting” the ride within the cab, unlike most produced prior to then—and by that, we’re referring to the quality and effectiveness of the sound deadening and weatherstripping used by the manufacturers (or lack thereof with the older trucks, to be more specific). There’s nothing worse than driving an old truck—that’s inherently loud to begin with—that has rattling door glass and excessive wind noise. When that rattle bucket happens to be a 1967-1972 Chevy/GMC, however, it’s a relatively simple fix.

The author (left) and Paul Willis (right) put the finishing touches on the G-Comp front suspension installation on a 1955 Ford F-100 frame.

his saga started not long after our good friend, Paul Willis, announced he had unequivocally finished his last project truck. Shortly thereafter Willis brought home a 1954 Ford F-100 that he claimed would really be his last project.

Like many trucks its age, this latest acquisition had undergone several modifications—the most notable being the once-popular installation of a Volare transverse torsion bar front suspension. This swap included a failed attempt at adding a rack-and-pinion steering gear of unknown origin and a pair of crudely fashioned motor mounts. It all had to go.

he great state of Texas is known for having a lot of good things, and that includes plenty of classic trucks. In this article our focus is trained on informing the DIY guy how he can handle every phase of installing an aftermarket A/C system in his truck, including how to charge the system with R-134a for as little money as possible.