Customized Practicality...

First off, I love reading about the sick tricked out trucks in your mag, but one thing I'd like to see more of is features of customized daily drivers.  I’ve been reading your mag since I was 16 (’97) and one feature I’ve always enjoyed reading is the trucks featured in your “Reader’s Rides” section.  Reason why is because it gives me an idea on practical customization for my truck, but the features on the trucks are so short that it doesn’t do these trucks justice.  I understand that yall have to sell mags, but it would be cool to see a 1 to 2 page spread on a nicely customized daily driver.  Don’t get me wrong, keep the cutting-edge customs coming...they’re just flat-out cool!  But, there are some of your readers (myself included) that don’t have the budget to put towards that kind of customization.  Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:  I own a ’05 Silverado.  My plans for her are:  A 3/4 Belltech drop and Hotchkis swaybars with 20s on 45 series rubber.  Exterior stylistic enhancements:  Black Chrome Speed Grill, Dimond Clear headlight housings w/clear corners, a chrome Bowtie emblem, clear 3rd brake light, upgraded bulbs all around, and an Undercover tonnaeu.  Interior accessories:  Carbon fiber dash trim, white faced guages and upgraded speakers (undecided on Rockford or Alpine) w/factory radio.  Performance:  AEM intake, JBA headers w/full JBA cat-back and a Hypertech tuner.  That’s it…no air-ride, no body mods, no major fabrication, no fancy-shancy radio, and no off-the-wall performance...just a fun, good looking daily driver that is still useful and practical in all aspects of my daily life.  The idea is to give your readers customizing ideas for their rigs that they can actually achieve without having to take out a 2nd mortgage!     Like I said, I’ve been enjoying your mag since I first started driving and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.  As a reader that has seen this mag grow tremendously these past few years, I just wanted to throw my idea out there on a topic that could help pull a more diverse group of readers.  Thanks!

- Jmac  

After much discussion in our editorial meetings we are getting back to some simpler modifications. Volume 33, No.1 for 2007 has a simple 2006 Ford build that includes a 2/3 drop, 22-inch wheels and tires, exhaust, and intake. We'll be doing many such tech stories during the 2007 editorial year and they fall under the new moniker, Fantastic Four. Get back to me after you see it and let me know if it suits you.

Harley Camilleri
Truckin' Magazine
harley.camilleri@primedia.com  
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult...

Big H, the "simpler modifications" route is a great idea, glad to see comin' our way!!!

Most of us have daily drivers, and will always have...daily drivers... and for most of us, full custom-fab cover truck status won't ever happen.

I'm all practical, reliable modifications, and my custom truck is also my daily commuter.

thanks for comin' on the forums Harley!!

Monica  

Big H
Thanks for the reply!  I'll be sure to check out the Vol. 33 features.  I'll be in touch.