Despite sometimes being referred to as “death at one mile an hour,” four wheeling has become exceptionally popular with the off-road crowd. Today the guys spend some time with Cassie Hughes of Bestop, known for its soft tops, half-doors and seat covers for Jeeps and trucks. From the CJ5 and JL to the new Bronco and Hummer EV, it’s never been easier to be careful, be safe and have a righteous amount of fun!
Improvements in suspension geometry. More modern alignment settings. Reducing body roll. Evolutionary leaps in shock technology. What is the secret of Ridetech’s success? “It all starts with the people that work there,” Product Manager Darren Schilling explains to Kevin and Willie. “A lot of these products we developed we didn’t even know that we needed them or wanted them, and all of it was born usually in building a car.”
This episode is all about metal – shaping, smashing, cutting, making it do what you want it to do, which isn’t always easy. “I’ve definitely filled up a few scrap bins in my day,” Bruce Van Sant, Owner/President of Trick-Tools, confesses to the guys. From his auto body background growing up on a farm, to becoming a self-described tool junky, Bruce now offers all kinds of tools, even tools for tools!
For pure sub-9 second, factory direct, mega horsepower drag racing, nothing beats COPO Camaro. Just ask Rich Rinke, multi award-winning driver and owner of COPO Parts Direct. Kevin and Willie do just that as they get the inside scoop on the latest and greatest. From battles royale in the staging lanes, to the next evolution of the Central Office Production Order, one thing remains constant, says Rich: “We’re a bunch of overgrown Hot Wheels lovers!”
The guys have a beautiful 1978 GMC Step-Side Square Body in the shop today and they’re making some much needed improvements to it. From bezels to bed wood, once they’re done, this truck is going to look awesome!
Today the guys work on an old 1972 Plymouth Duster that needs love. They’ll add some much-needed sound deadener and heat barrier along with some other items. They’ll then sift through the pile of parts that the owner sent along to see what’s still of use to this classic.
Kevin and Willie take a brand new 2020 Jeep Gladiator and outfit it with all the bells and whistles it needs to make it one awesome street machine!
“The future creates the present.” So Google’s top-rated futurist speaker Thomas Frey tells the guys in this fascinating podcast. From predictions of the death of the internal combustion engine and the emergence of the 1000-mile range electric car, to the impact of autonomous vehicles on real estate values and how the Covid era will fundamentally change mankind, “We’re gonna try to stretch people’s thinking a little bit here, so let’s jump right in!”
Kevin and Willie ponder the science, the mystery, the voodoo behind the harmonic balancer that holds an engine together. They invite Fluidampr’s Ivan Snyder III to school them on the three types of vibration to be aware of – unbalanced, axial and torsional – starting with Lesson #1: You know you’ve gotta have a damper, but what the hell is it? The answer: It’s crucial.
Kevin and Willie go behind the scenes with longtime SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting as he prepares to roll out SEMA 360, the organization’s new online platform created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the annual Las Vegas trade show. With over 6,000 member companies, the Specialty Equipment Market Association is much more than its namesake event. The preeminent trade association of the automotive aftermarket is on the front line of defense, actively tackling the biggest challenges facing the $45 billion industry. “It’s a whack-a-mole gig” that keeps Chris extremely busy.
The Rambler Ranch in Colorado is, in a word, unique. THE destination for all things AMC, Nash (and Kelvinator appliances) is home to, as Willie puts it, “one of the most amazing car collections on Earth.” Started in 1992 with 30 cars and now numbering upwards of 800, rarities include a 1955 Pinin Farina Speciale, 1948 Nash Tow Truck, AMC Marquesa prototype, and the only AMC Concord Touring Car in existence. “I have seen grown men cry,” says caretaker Ben Hamilton, “and I’m not joking.”
Troy Ladd has a special love for old school hot rods, especially 30’s-era hot rods. Ever since he built his first car in high school – a ’66 Mustang – the visionary behind Hollywood Hot Rods has made his bones on new stuff that looks like old stuff and makes you feel like you’re back in 1936. From one-of-a-kind barnyard finds to the one that got away, Troy tells the guys, “I wish I had the ability to keep them all and never sell a car,” but unfortunately that’s no way to run a business.