Letters To The Editor - Paper Cuts - December 2004

  |   letters To The Editor December 2004 truck Drawing Starting Young
Dear MT,
Hey fellas, thanks for putting out a magazine for our special breed - the mini-truckers. Here is a picture that my niece gave me when I got home from work the other day. We just wanted to share it with you. We start 'em young in our family. Take care and God bless.
Angel Garcia
Merced, California Hey Angel,
Thanks for the picture. It's always way-cool to see the little ones taking part and getting ready to become the next generation of mini-truckers. To be honest, your 7-year-old niece draws better than we do, so we're sure she'll be building some killer minis in no time at all. Just keep on leaving your magazines all over the house so your kids can check out what we have to offer (we're sure your wife just loves that). Body-Drop It Like It's Hot
Hey MT,
I have a couple questions that I could use your help on. Numero uno: What is the difference between a stock-floor body drop and a regular body drop? Second: My '95 S-Dime just got a facelift and not in the good way. I was hit by a Silverado a few weeks ago and want to swap in a new front end. Is there a kit for the TrailBlazer conversion, or is it a custom swap? If you can answer my questions, you might save one more mini from the graveyard.
Thanks.
Gerry Rogers
Pittsburg, Texas   |   letters To The Editor December 2004 custom Chevy S10 Hey Gerry,
We'll do our best to give you a general response to the first question. For a more in-depth and detailed answer, you'll have to wait for the body-drop-theory story we're working on piecing together. The basic difference between a stock-floor body drop and a traditional body drop is found in the process, because both result in laying your truck to the ground. In a traditional body drop, the floor is cut out and raised the 3 inches (or whatever number) it takes for the body to touch the ground, then welded back in. Obviously, you'll have clearance and other issues to address, but this is the basic rundown. A stock-floor body drop involves either modifying your frame by cutting it down the 3 inches to lay the body on the floor, or building a new frame that allows the body mounts to be moved down. This makes it so that trouble spots, such as the tranny tunnel, are the only parts of the floor that need to be cut out and raised. There are pros and cons to both methods, and either one is very labor-intensive and should not be done unless you have an excellent knowledge of the basic fabrication involved. We hope this helps out, but keep your eyes open for a full in-depth theory piece covering the differences in a future issue. The second answer is that a front end change is a full-custom conversion, including fender splicing and an entire front end swap. Good luck. We hope your truck can be saved. Future Staffer
Dear MT,
I'm 17 years old and a senior at Obion County High School in Tennessee. I took two years of auto body and was planning on going to UTI for fabrication, but I recently acquired a new interest. What are the requirements for being an MT photographer? I would love to work for your magazine - it would be a dream job. Thanks.
Travis Hester
Obion, Tennessee Hey Travis,
Besides how to get their truck in the magazine, the most popular question people ask is how to work for the magazine. Working as a photographer on the MT staff requires a degree in photojournalism, or equivalent experience in the field. It also takes excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and a fundamental knowledge of our mini-truckin' lifestyle. The good news is that most people with photography experience can start by freelancing. This means that the job pays you as your work is published. A handful of freelancers work for many magazines and can get away with doing it as a full-time job. For now, pick up a camera and start taking pictures at every show you go to, while also practicing on your buddies' trucks. An easy trick of the trade is to make sure the sun is behind you when you're shooting and watch for shadows. Remember: Photography is the same as anything else - practice makes perfect. Good luck.