Shop Talk

Trim Replacement

Replacing damaged trim on older vehicles isn’t cheap. Dagger Tools Trim Bumping and Restoration Tool can help restore stainless steel, plated or polished steel, and aluminum trim by ‘bumping’ out dings and dents.

The tool features a drop rod attached to a steel fixture and a leather shot bag that sits on the fixture’s base. The rod has a half-inch quick-change chuck that accepts various dowels, chisels, and other bits. To use the tool, fit the desired bit in the chuck and position the trim on the shot bag. The rod can be operated with one hand, allowing you to accurately target a damaged area while leaving a hand free to guide and move the work piece.

The Dagger Tools Trim Bumping and Restoration Tool comes with one each of hard maple and aluminum dowels with chamfered ends; 1/2- and 7/16-inch steel chaser blade chisels for raising low spots; three forming spheres; a multi-tool with wedge, blunt, and sphere ends; and a 6- by 6-inch shaping pad. (www.daggertools.com)

Scratch-Free Tool Trays

The Summit Racing Silicone Work Tray holding tools

The Summit Racing Silicone Work Tray lets you keep tools and small parts close at hand without nicking or scratching your vehicle’s painted surfaces like a metal tray can. It has a built-in magnetic parts tray to hold screws, bolts, and other fasteners; a large compartment for screwdrivers, ratchets, and other tools; four small compartments for small items; and storage for drill and hex bits. The Summit Racing Silicone Work Tray measures 14.5 by 9.25 inches. (www.summitracing.com)

Gauge Your Brakes

Milton’s Brake Pad Gauge with color-coded gauges in eight thickness levels

Milton’s Brake Pad Gauge allows you to quickly measure brake pad lining thickness without the hassle of removing brake components or wheels. The color-coded gauges come in eight thickness levels, so you know immediately if the brake pads are good to go (green indicates safe), if service is required soon (yellow means caution), or if they need to be swapped immediately (red warns they need to be replaced). The thickness is stamped into each gauge in both SAE and metric dimensions from 2mm/.0787-inch through 12mm/.4724-inch. (www.miltonindustries.com)

Improving Upon Improvement

S&S Diesel Motorsport created the original 6.7L Power Stroke CP4 Bypass Kit, aka Disaster Prevention Kit, back in 2016. Five years later, S&S developed the Gen2 6.7L Power Stroke CP4 Bypass Kit, which improved upon the original design by adding a return filter to contain debris coming directly from the pump.

The engineering team at S&S has now created the Gen2.1 6.7L Power Stroke CP4 Bypass Kit. Rather than redesigning an already great kit, the team changed only the return filter design to use high-quality Donaldson fuel filters that are readily available.

Even though the USA-made, billet filter heads will increase production costs, S&S plans to absorb the increase and hold firm to the current price of $400 USD.

The Gen2.1 Bypass Kit is currently in the testing phase, but will be available for sale once the S&S fuel system engineers are confident in the validation results.

The S&S Gen2.1 Bypass Kits are compatible with 2011-19 and 2020 and newer Ford Super Duty pickup trucks with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine option. (www.ssdiesel.com)

Get An Upgrade

Built to handle sled pulling, drag racing, and everyday driving, the PPE Stage 5 Transmission Kit is one of the strongest transmission upgrade kits PPE offers, thanks to the triple clutch converter, valve body recalibration kit (recalibration kit does not change shift points, but only increases clutch holding power), converter flow valve, and upgraded C1, C2, C3, and C4 clutches and Kolene steels.

Kits vary by quantity, thickness, and material based on your specific transmission needs. Call to discuss your transmission project to ensure you get the most from your build.

It’s 50 states emissions legal and available for the 2001-2010 GM 6.6L Duramax with Allison 1000/2000 Transmission. (www.ppepower.com)

Armor For Your Diesel

Heatshield Products Heatshield Armor exhaust insulation is 10 times easier and faster to install than traditional heat wraps while providing heat reduction and exhaust scavenging benefits.

Heatshield Armor provides multiple benefits, including a significant reduction in heat that’s being radiated by the exhaust – a boon to any vehicle without air conditioning – and also decreased spool time and exhaust lag on turbo engines. Beyond the overall improvement in exhaust performance, insulating the system also decreases the volume of heat that the underbody components are exposed to, helping to extend their lifespan.

Additionally, the outer layer of Heatshield Armor can be painted with high-temp paint without any surface prep. Spray and go, not spray and pray. Heatshield Armor uses a specially formulated BioCool material, which has a 4-mil-thick, high-temperature, aluminum-alloy exterior for additional protection. The insulation material is able to withstand up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit of constant, direct-heat contact and 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit of intermittent heat. The material won’t cause skin irritation or itchiness during installation.

Cutting and shaping for fitment requires only a heavy-duty pair of scissors and a sharp knife or razor blade. Attaching the insulation is as simple as using Heatshield Products Thermal-Tie locking ties or the Power Anchors system, both of which allow for removal and reinstallation of the insulation as needed. (www.heatshieldproducts.com)

Need A Lift?

a lift kit for 2019-2021 RAM 3500 4WD diesel trucks and 2019-2021 RAM 2500 4WD diesel trucks

BDS Suspension is going to new heights with lift kits for 2019-2021 RAM 3500 4WD diesel trucks and 2019-2021 RAM 2500 4WD diesel trucks. The new 8-inch 4-link conversion systems are designed to improve the look and performance of a new RAM by offering improved strength, capability and handling at a new, taller lift height. The kits join existing BDS Suspension 2-/3-/4-/6-inch lift kit options.

These systems include everything necessary to correctly lift and level the late model RAM 3500 and 2500 4WD diesel trucks for improved off-road capability with room for up to 40-inch tires, all while optimizing vehicle ride and handling. Kits include your choice of BDS NX2 gas shocks or FOX 2.0 performance series gas shock for improved ride and damper performance. (www.bds-suspension.com)

What A Screamer!

a track bar bracket for 2008-2021 F250 and F350s from BD Diesel

Common leveling and lift kits pull the track bar out of position, affecting ride and steering quality, as well as axle position with respect to the body and frame. BD Diesel has designed a new track bar bracket for 2008-2021 F250 and F350s that relocates the pivot point 2 inches lower down. This offsets the lift kit and brings the track bar assembly down into the factory position. This fixes common steering and tracking issues, bringing the axle back into position. The BD bracket is designed with High Strength, heat-treated cast iron, to provide a strong, reliable upgrade.

It can be combined with BD track bar for larger lift kits and the cast iron design is ideal for 2- or 2.5-inch leveling kits. (us.bddiesel.com)

Replace That Plastic Coolant Tank

Mishimoto Universal Coolant Overflow Tanks in red, blue, white and black

What do plastic coolant overflow tanks do best? They crack and cause coolant leaks which can allow air to mix with the coolant, ultimately leading to engine overheating. Upgrade your plastic overflow tank with a Mishimoto Universal Coolant Overflow Tank. The tanks are TIG-welded from 3mm-thick aluminum and have a sight tube so you can easily check your fluid level. This sight tube is removable and can be installed on either end of the tank, which is helpful when installing in a cramped engine compartment.

Mishimoto Universal Coolant Overflow Tanks have a CNC-machined billet cap with an O-ring seal for leak-free operation and a magnetic drain plug on the base of the tank to remove ferrous contaminants from your cooling system. The tanks are available with a polished or black, blue, or red anodized finish and are backed by Mishimoto’s limited lifetime warranty. (www.mishimoto.com)

Front Coil Spring Kit

Designed to accommodate larger wheels/tires without body or fender modifications, this front coil spring kit raises your RAM by 2.5 inches. Made from high-strength steel that is shot-peened, heat-treated and powder-coated for long life. (www.gorancho.com)

New Pistons For Your 7.3L

The emerging popularity of Ford’s 7.3L truck engine being used in competition applications has prompted highly-respected piston manufacturer Wiseco to develop a high-performance 2618 forged aluminum replacement for the OEM hypereutectic piston. They have been used successfully by leading Ford engine builders.

Offered with either 10.0:1 or 11.0:1 compression ratios, the piston features a 4.220-inch bore design to complement factory specs. The forging features a strutted design to provide maximum strength at minimum weight, and is bolstered by the use of an H-13 tool steel wrist pin. Wiseco’s race-proven ArmorGlide skirt coating reduces friction and provides improved durability.

A perfect complement to Wiseco’s new Godzilla piston is the new H-Beam connecting rod from sister Race Winning Brands company K1 Technologies, a high-performance replacement for the OEM cracked powdered metal rod. (www.wiseco.com)

Safety In the Shop

It’s a smart idea to wear safety glasses when you’re in the shop, especially when you’re drilling, grinding, or beating on something that can produce metal shards, sparks, and parts flying every which-way. Summit Racing carries a big selection of Dentec Safety Glasses that will protect your eyeballs and add a bit of style to your work wardrobe. Here are some examples:

SenTec Safety Glasses feature impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses with a scratch-resistant coating that provides 99.9 percent UV protection. The integrated nosepiece provides a comfortable fit when using a half-mask respirator, and flexible hinges provide a snug fit without digging into your temples.

Mango Safety Glasses have rubberized temple arms that wrap gently around the back of the head and behind the ear for a comfortable fit and to keep the glasses from slipping off. Other features include curved polycarbonate lenses and fully adjustable silicone rubber nose pads with molded traction grips.

SenTec Reader Safety Glasses are made for close-up work. The clear polycarbonate lenses are offered in +1.5, +2, and +2.50 magnification strengths and feature an integrated nosepiece and flexible hinges for a comfortable fit, and a scratch-resistant lens coating that provides 99.9 percent UV protection. (www.dentecsafety.com)

New Launch From GEARWRENCH

For years, when it came to removing corroded, rusted, rounded and frozen fasteners, the entire tool industry was stuck. No effort. No movement. No innovation. And that left professional mechanics with nothing but unreliable options that broke down after only a few uses.

The GEARWRENCH Bolt Biter line of extraction tools has quickly become a major force in the extraction tool category through its innovative design and unmatched durability. That evolution continues with the new GEARWRENCH Bolt Biter Screw Extractors, designed with features to grip stripped, frozen and damaged screws successfully.

The revolutionary Bolt Biter Screw Extractors use patented tapered sides so the tool sits easily and safely into damaged screws, while the side- and tip-cutting edges provide powerful and consistent extraction. The bi-directional design makes it easy to remove fasteners from the extractor after use but also allows for fasteners to be retightened in an emergency, if need be.

With 1/4-inch and 7/16-inch hex base options, Bolt Biter Screw Extractors can be used with a ratchet, wrench or power tool. An S2 steel composition and heat treatment process results in a lifespan that is 50x longer than the competition. Bolt Biter Screw Extractors will be available in mid-April in both a four-piece and 10-piece set. (www.gearwrench.com)

Get An Edge On The Competition

Make something old new again with Edge’s new update kit. Convert a CS2 or CTS2 Juice with Attitude to our latest CTS3 in-cab monitor. This kit will include the new CTS3 display, a new window mount and update cable. This will allow for a total integration of the currently-installed Juice system. The CTS3 monitor offers faster processing speeds, quicker load times, a more intuitive state-of-the-art swipe system, a crisper display and a sleeker look. This upgrade kit does not include the required Juice modules, sensors or wiring harnesses associated with it. It cannot be run as a stand-alone unit, and it must be used in conjunction with a previously-installed Juice CS2 or CTS2 system.

NOTE: Not compatible with 1999-2007 Ford Power Stroke or 2007-2010 GM Duramax applications. (www.edgeproducts.com)

Aid Your Fuel Economy

The new Banks Monster-Ram Gen 2 isn’t just the only 50-state emissions compliant high-performance intake manifold for all RAM 6.7L Cummins pickups, but it’s also the winner of the most important competition: Mass Air Flow. That means it aids in fuel economy.

Gale explains why CFM is not a constant and therefore not a good measure of performance. What is a good measure? Mass Air Flow. CFM only tells you the volume of space the air takes up, it doesn’t tell you about its mass. The heavier or denser the air is in a given space, the more oxygen it will contain. That’s why knowing its mass is so important. And, when it comes to Mass Air Flow, the new Monster-Ram Gen 2 reigns supreme. (www.bankspower.com)