Oh What Wondrous Trucks We Saw At the 2017 SEMA Show – Part 1

Nov 16, 2017

The 2017 SEMA Show was just chock-a-block with modified trucks. There is any number of explanations why trucks seem to have taken over the annual show. These include the truck that as trucks still maintain a full frame, they’re easier to modify, trucks make a big impact when parked inside a booth, or that more than car buyers, new truck buyers spend more on aftermarket components. Or maybe it’s all of the above. Regardless, we saw an amazing range of modified trucks that are just too many to share in just one story. Here’s part one. Look for part two shortly.

Finish Line Speed Shop GMC BC-30 Dually

For the third year Finish Line Speed Shop brought to SEMA a custom vehicle for a charitable cause

Finish Line Speed Shop brough their GMC dually to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of each build, let’s take a minute to cover something really important. We’ve written before about Finish Line Speed Shop, most recently about their Dodge Dart build for disabled veterans. For the 2017 SEMA Show, Finish Line Speed Shop and “#ProjectGivingBack” decided to build out a classic GMC C-30 dually. The sale of the truck, renamed BC-30 (for Burnout Cancer), at an upcoming Mecum auction will be directed to cancer research. Proceeds will go to the world-renowned Fred Hutch Center in Seattle. Cancer has hit us or someone close to all of us at some point or another. Owner and founder Lyon McClenahan was not quite eight-years-old when his dad passed away due to complications from brain cancer. His father Tom was just 34 years old. Lyon and his wife Jennifer have heartbreaking stories about friends lost to cancer and currently fighting the terrible disease, as we all probably do. K&N supports this program and asks you to do the same. Just jump in and follow #projectgivingback for more info.

Fuller Moto 1940 Ford Truck

The 1940 Ford sits on a Morrison chassis with IFS and a solid rear axle with quick change center

Fuller Moto turned a 1940 Ford barn find into this immaculate street machine powered by a 302 V8

Starting with a 1940 Ford barn find out of Georgia, Bryan Fuller of Fuller Moto has more than saved the girl, he and his team have given it life beyond what Henry Ford could have ever expected. Under the truck is a custom-made Art Morrison chassis that features tubular independent front suspension. Out back, an Art Morrison four-bar kit makes certain the solid rear axle with Tiger magnesium quick change behaves properly. The old Ford has also been updated with Wilwood disk brakes and Flaming River rack and pinion steering. Ridetech supplied the air-ride suspension which is fully adjustable, allowing the frame to be dropped to the ground. The wheels are mounted on aluminum lightweight Sprint Car Wide-5 hubs with period correct bias-ply looking tires that are actually Coker Firestone radials. The motor is a 302ci Ford with a K&N filter feeding a Holley 650 CFM carb atop an Edelbrock manifold and finned aluminum valve covers. The exhaust is 2.5” Magnaflow Hot Rod Exhaust Kit.

Phat Phabz 2017 Ford F-350

Jake built a custom frame to accomodate the air bags and the multi-link rear suspension

Jake McKiddie of Phat Phabz built this rig for the owner of a 1959 Cadillac to tow from show to show

This 2017 Ford F-350 from Jake McKiddie’s Phat Phabz was commissioned by Dave Shulman of Orlando, Florida. Dave contacted Jake about building a dually that could serve as a hauler to move his 1959 Cadillac from show to show across the country, and Dave wanted to look cool doing it. Jake took on the job. The stock 6.7L Ford Powerstroke diesel engine has been upgraded with a PPEI tune, AirDog Fuel System, and a K&N air intake system. The chassis rides on a custom frame built in Jake’s shop that’s bagged at all four corners, with a custom parallel four-link setup on the dually rear axle. Stopping this beast are Wilwood six-piston calipers front and rear clamping onto 16-inch rotors.

And More Trucks...