Letters To The Editor - Paper Cuts - March 2006

  |   letters To The Editor March 2006 drawing Dear MT,
I've got an '88 GMC S-15, standard cab, five-speed. Can you give me some ideas for it? I also have a '91 S-10 Blazer. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
Jeff Mathis I like bikes!! No, seriously, we are asked this question time and time again. It's a question that we can never answer because each person's ride should have its own flavor to it. Check out the mag, see what you like, and go from there. Good luck!   |   letters To The Editor March 2006 custom Truck Dear MT,
In the Sep. '05 issue I noticed a particular article. It's for the cover article, "Third Time's the Charm" featuring Patrick Reid's '93 Ford Ranger. The question I have has to do with the two spikes on the front of the bumper. The picture on page 10 has the spikes on the left side, page 44 has the spikes on the right side, and page 51 has them back on the left side. How did this happen and what side are the spikes really on?
Casey Pollis
Bordentown, NJ Dear Casey
The reason the spikes switch sides on the picture has to do with one of the images being flipped. The reason this is done has to do with the art director's need to create an artistic and correct layout. Flipping the image sometimes gives the correct look for the art director and does more justice to their layout, while not affecting the integrity and creativity of the owner's truck. Another way you can tell images are being flipped is by the steering wheel. We had comments questioning if the truck was right-hand drive, as well as people thinking that we had photoshopped out the body line on one of the pictures, when in reality Patrick shaved the body line only on one side. Dear MT
I have an '87 Mazda B2000 that has been bagged, shaved, and body dropped. I replaced the motor with a remanufactured 2.0l. It has Pacesetter headers and a Webber carb. I got rid of all the smog control and most vacuum lines when I changed the carb. Now no matter how I adjust the carb it always runs rich and I can't adjust the timing correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Robert Crouse
Clarksville, TN A possibility on your carb could be that the jets are too big. You would have to take the carburetor apart and change the jets if this is the problem. Also, you could check your cam-to-crank timing. It's a possibility that if you have changed the harmonic balancer the TDC might be off. To check this, bring the motor to TDC using the #1 cylinder. Use a dial indicator in the spark plug hole. Now confirm that the harmonic balancer is at zero to make sure that the bottom end is correct. If not, make a new mark and adjust the timing marks to their appropriate new location. If this is above your head or still doesn't work, then check www.yellowpages.com to get the digits to your local mechanic. There are too many possible answers without seeing the engine in person. Dear Mini Truckin'
I have been a reader of your magazine for about seven years. I finally got a subscription last year. Your magazine just keeps getting better and better. Well, anyways, I have a '00 Toyota Tacoma and it is bagged on 20-inch Lexani's. It has a cab back frame four-link all fabricated by me in my garage. The back lays frame, but the front has been a nightmare. The firewall and wells have been cut and everything has been relocated. The problem is that the tire is hitting the clutch master cylinder, and the front is about 1-1/2 inches off the ground. I need to know how to relocate the clutch master cylinder. Is there a kit? I would also like to know where I could get a drop spindle after the clutch master cylinder has been relocated.
Mike Jones
Hesperia, CA   |   letters To The Editor March 2006 custom Toyota Truck You are in luck, Mike. Chassis Tech makes a 2-inch dropped spindle for your ride. DJM Suspension also makes a drop control arm kit to really get the lowdown. As for relocating the clutch master cylinder, we contacted our good buddies at Devious Customs and here's what they had to say. They take the master cylinder and reservoir off the firewall and mount the entire unit behind the dash in the same direction. You will have to make a bracket to mount the master cylinder. This moves the pedal back 4-6 inches, which you will have to modify. The pedal will have to be cut and moved back to a reasonable reaching level.