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

[jkaylor68gmc]

I would love to do that and I am currently looking for a few, i may do a a '73 or so swb fleetside.

[oldno7]

It seem's that alot of poeple don't now of your mag, myself included. I have been on this board only a few month's, and just now seen the Fesler truck. I think alot of us are just simple guy's! I've been to Barnes&Noble but twice in my life. Why isn't your mag. in all store's? By simple I mean (Walmart). I understand that advertising is important, I'm just saying when a mag. turn's into 80% advertisement (TRUCKIN), then I'm not interested!

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by oldno7

It seem's that alot of poeple don't now of your mag, myself included. I have been on this board only a few month's, and just now seen the Fesler truck. I think alot of us are just simple guy's! I've been to Barnes&Noble but twice in my life. Why isn't your mag. in all store's? By simple I mean (Walmart). I understand that advertising is important, I'm just saying when a mag. turn's into 80% advertisement (TRUCKIN), then I'm not interested!

Amen, brother! Bummer is that when a mag starts expanding to cover more, the # of advertisement pages go up too. It'd be great to have a 150 page mag with no ads, but they gotta pay for printing and all that. Its an interesting balance between info, and ads...hey, maybe print the ads with ink that turns transparent upon viewing to reveal more tech articles underneath...

[seanu]

Ok...I'm back...with another idea...

How about having a special issue printing...maybe a rust/restoration issue..focused on certian issues..maybe with less adds, but at a little higher price....you could then focus more on the details that way!

I'd buy a special issue that went over key points on a build up...or maybe a complete "garage budget" built up...in detail,

Even if it was twice as much as the regular issue..I'd buy that!

[jkaylor68gmc]

That sounds good but here is the inside scoop on mags. Ex

25 pages of ads are equal to about 75 grand in the real world depending on whos book. That has to pay editors, shipping, printing, mailing.

The end purchaser usually pays the freelancer. WE Have To Have ADS!

I will be doing a big rust repair deal. Our books are in Wal-Mart. We have twelve titles which in clude Street Rod Builder, Chevy Rumble, Super Rod, American Rodder and Trucks Builder, Ford Builder and Rodder's Digest. The distributor can only put out so many.

[metalmassfab]

Wal-Mart, here I come!

[jkaylor68gmc]

Our boss has actually mentioned doing a group subscription for some of the forums that various editors are members of. I will talk to him about TRUCK BUILDER. It is a bi-monthly.

[hyarbour]

How about some info on fairly simple upgrades taken from other vehicles; like using the tile column from the late 70's vans into a 67-72, the fact the side marker lights from those vans are identical to ours, pieceing together a vintage style cruise control and installing dual tanks that don't look like do-do.
Maybe you can do a series to show how to take a basic C-10 (C1500 in my case) and upgrade to about every factory and dealer option that was available.
Can't wait to get an issue of the magazine. (By the way, is it going to mostly earlier trucks or the newer ones?)

[seanu]

Well I didn't say no ads..but maybe a special issue, with a higher newstand price would leave more room for article..and less ads.

Or...since the special issue, would be specific to a certain year, ect...the ads could cost more, to reach a more specific group of buyers!

or am I just...

[jkaylor68gmc]

I have plans to do a few themed issues but I can't release that info. I will take care of you guys though.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I apologize if this has been posted, but I skimmed the pages and didn't see anything about it....

RUST NEUTRALIZATION!

What are the PROPER methods and materials to use to neutralize rust.

What are good primers to use that will prevent rust (say if you're project will be stored indoors, but still in primer for 1+ years.)

How to properly prep a panel for primer (all steps including what the proper primers and cleaning materials are.)

Some how to's on how to properly use bondo and repair dent's so body work is minimal.

Other magazines have touched on these subjects, but I'd like to see a real in depth look at them.

I painted my '67 myself, but I think it could have come out better.

Thanks for the considerations.

[jkaylor68gmc]

O.k. You got it, give me not this issue but the next and I will tackle this.

[bobthecop]

Originally Posted by hyarbour

How about some info on fairly simple upgrades taken from other vehicles; like using the tile column from the late 70's vans into a 67-72, the fact the side marker lights from those vans are identical to ours, pieceing together a vintage style cruise control and installing dual tanks that don't look like do-do.
Maybe you can do a series to show how to take a basic C-10 (C1500 in my case) and upgrade to about every factory and dealer option that was available.
Can't wait to get an issue of the magazine. (By the way, is it going to mostly earlier trucks or the newer ones?)

I agree, there are a lot of interchangable parts, susp, steering, lights, etc. some of the doners are not desirable vehicles, like vans. It would be nice to know what all fits.

[jkaylor68gmc]

If everyone here would comprise a list of what interchanges what years, I would be happy to include a full boneyard spotters guide.

[rodstored-72]

i agree with the above post. i am very intersted in simple mods that a weekender can do with updated parts from other vehicles. from simple things like a steering wheel to maybe harder things like suspension components. maybe a section like a diy day or garage (name) or something & have the article cover the aspect(s) of the modification(s). i would like to subscribe to it as well...

thanks!
rodstored-72

[jkaylor68gmc]

1-866-515-5770- Talk to Sonja, she can help with subs. I am trying to get a club price for everyone right now.

One year subs get a truck builder hat and two year gets a t-shirt

[IvelDesigns]

i haven't read this thread completely, but i think it would be cool to a monthly column featuring an up and coming builder. maybe it's someone who has recently won a prize at some regional event, or maybe it's some 16 year old kid who works on other people's trucks in his dad's garage.

Foose and those guys are great, but I like seeing what other small names are doing.

[magsnubby]

Originally Posted by Stroker

Like many of the others I like the low buck or medium buck builds. One of my favorites was a series in Sport Truck (a number of years ago when it was a good mag) of a Yellow 67-72 Step Side. I think their budget was a little over 5K and they ended up with a decent daily driver complete with a cheap paint job and some body work.

I loved the build on that '67. It was a really great low budget build. Not every one can afford to drop a years salary into their truck. If i remember correctly, didn't the do the prep work then take it to Earl Scheib for a paint job? To bad the mag went to crap. It used to be a great mag. I think they bought the truck off of a guy that bought it to haul his Harley around then decided it didn't fit so well in the back of a short bed truck.

Originally Posted by Stroker

More detail on fabrication. The dash build up on the Fesler Truck was very good!!!

That's the kind of stuff i really like. Maybe a couple pages in each issue on a specific mod?

[jkaylor68gmc]

I am looking for something like that.

[67chevemall]

How the tires and wheels fit ON the 67-72 TRUCKS MAN.
Tubbed wheels
lowered wheels
combo
Air Bag setup wheels
how big how small the rim/tire. Real dim's like 8" X 18 " ect...
different looks with back spacing.
different looks with suspension set ups.

[jugernot]

I Want To See My Truck In A Magazine, Maybe on the cover, when It Is Done!!!!!!!

[Luvlegs]

How about alternatives for projects - for example - SHOW 3 ways to "finish" a part:
1) scrape, sand, spray can prime/paint = 6 months = cost 6 bucks
2) sand blast, metal etch, prime, paint = 3 years - cost 25 bucks
3) prep and have powder coated = 6 years - cost 35 bucks

I get tired of all the ads but want to keep all my "info" BUT I can't save all the mags so I take a razor to the pages, trim out what I want, scan into the computer and file the clippings in folders. I found things I most often clipped, showed me where the bolt was, which way the part fit or how it was fabbed. Tell me which alternator to get, how many feet of green wire I need and then show me all the connections in the pictures... THAT is the stuff the regular guy can actually use.

Over the years, "service" has been a fading commodity in the world so to see a Magazine group go to the readers for their input is a breath of fresh air!

I too am headed to the book store - just seeing the one post of the cover at the begining of this thread got me revved up again!

[mnunn454]

I'd like to see any truck builder magazine include a references section. (i.e: what parts will swap directly with other parts, what parts will swap with a few minor mods, and at the end of the spectrum: what are some of the strangest parts anyone's ever swapped onto/into a vehicle.)

For example, I'd like to go to a junk yard and find a combo cargo/3rd brake light that I can use in my 69. What Chevy "donor" truck's light comes the closest to matching the curve of my 69's cab and is still relatively easy to install?

Info like that can be REAL helpful to the "Truck builder", saving lots of time.

[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!