Gearz - Season 16 (2022)

GearZ Visits a young truck restorer.

Stacey updates a 1998 Trans Am.

Red Bird rear suspension from BMR Suspension

Tommy Ivo's Wagonmaster Dragster story

Some of the best gear-head memories come from a time when as a kid or a teenager, we started tinkering and building by using our imaginations. We didn't have instructions or have a budget to buy all kinds of parts. Maybe it was painting your bike, engine swapping a go-cart, or making a booger-weld frame out of some spare metal you found in the scrap pile. The point is, we created something from a pile of parts. And that's where the Toolboxer project comes from. Follow along as Stacey takes three Cornwell Toolboxes and turns them into drive-able vehicles by pulling parts from junk yards, Craigslist, and Facebook marketplace. Time to get back to using your imagination and making things happen. This week on GearZ.

We've had a blast beefing up the suspension on our old Bird. This car is going to handle like a pro. But with suspension upgrades and the type of driving we're going to be doing, there are a few other things we need to take care of. We've got to make sure this bird is going to stop. Tag along as Stacey outfits this ride with some massive Baer brakes. Then it's on to wheels and tires because you need some serious rubber on the road if you're going to stick to the curves. This bird is almost ready to fly. This week on GearZ.

With summer just around the corner, the main focus for any car enthusiast is driving their vehicle and having FUN with it. In this episode of GEARZ, Stacey rolls in what could be the ultimate open-air, fun machine...an original Meyers Manx dune buggy. These, crazy, colorful, fiberglass bodied buggies were not only beyond cool, but they also started a revolution of affordable, do it yourself projects that opened the doors to what would eventually become the Kit Car world. If you've ever wanted a dune buggy, or wondered where they came from, you'll love this show. After that, Stacey dives into some tech pieces that will definitely make your life easier in the shop. So, dust off that surfboard dude and let's go.

There was a time when vans ruled the custom scene. They had slick paint jobs (sometimes with wizards), crazy interiors, and even crazier engines. Then, like the lightning from a wizard's wand, they disappeared, and the world of vans returned to boring service vehicles. Well, like it or not -- Vans are back. That's right. Vans are emerging as the new custom vehicles on the car show scene. But where do you find cool parts to turn that dumpy old phone service or laundry van into a sweet street machine? Hang on to your sliding doors, cause Stacey has a few tricks up his sleeve to take some common parts and use them to breathe some new life into the faded glory of van culture. The Great Van Redo starts now on GearZ.

The crazy yellow van is getting a face-lift. Last time Stacey showed off a few different grille options that could work with these older vans. It's good riddance to that clunky plastic face, and hello to some real steel. But with every modification, there are bound to be a couple of roadblocks. But this is a rocking van, and just like the A-Team, roadblocks are something vans were meant to break through. Hang on tight, cause Stacey's gonna show you what it takes build your own brackets to relocate the headlights, and keep them fully adjustable, and serviceable with OEM parts. What's more, taking care of these mods is just the beginning. The van craze is Back. And just like Mr. T. used to say, "we pity the fool that don't watch this vantastic episode."

Are you a diesel maniac? Do you love the smell of rolling coal in the morning? Does the whine of a diesel turbo make your heart race? Then we may have the event for you. The fastest, strongest, and meanest diesels come together once a year in Indianapolis for a diesel only event known as "the Ultimate Callout Challenge. This all-out event pits driver against driver in drag racing, dyno runs, and the punishing sled pull to see who has the ultimate machine. Think you're up for the challenge? Tag along as Stacey takes you through this year's event, on Gearz.

Every gearhead out there knows that unboxing a crate engine is like Christmas morning no matter what time of year it is. Inside that box is a pre-built, run-in, and ready to install engine, and it means the heart and soul of your project has finally arrived. Well, we're no different on GEARZ, and today, Stacey unboxes a 570hp GM Performance LS 427. But it's not just the engine, it's also the matching 6L80E transmission and the plug and play kit that will allow us to install this setup in virtually anything. But just like a Christmas morning toy that needs batteries to work, this crate engine is going to need a few extra things before Stacey can drop it into our classic yellow chevy van. We're talking engine accessories, headers, and all the other things that you need to address when you're thinking about doing a motor swap on your project. After that we dig into some paint tech as well as how to keep the heat down on your exhaust system. It's all here, on Gearz.

With any project, there comes a time where you are ready to dig into it and start cutting, welding, and building. BUT STOP...wait a minute. Before you loosen one nut, or roll that cherry picker an inch closer to your engine bay, are you planning for success or failure? Today on GEARZ, Stacey shows how to plan in a way that will save you time, frustration, and money. By laying out your parts and planning each step of the disassembly and reassembly you will find that the project will not only go together quicker, but you also plan for delays or obstacles that may come your way ahead of time. There is nothing worse than getting stalled in the middle of a project...today Stacey shows you how to keep that from happening on the Ol' Yellow Van.

Question: who is the most influential automotive designer of all time? Did they work for Ford, Chevy, Ferrari, or Jaguar? Or were they more of a maverick and designed race cars like Lola, McLaren, or Chapparal? Well as amazing as all these people were, no car designer influenced the hot rod world like the legendary Tom Daniel. With vehicles like the "Red Baron", "Beer Wagon", "Paddy Wagon", and "Tijuana Taxi", he didn't just capture the imaginations of millions of young gearheads, he and Monogram gave them the models to build their own version. But there is so much more to the story and the elusive man and his creative, artistic genius. Today, Stacey and the GEARZ crew journey to Utah to find out more about the legendary car designer Tom Daniel. After that, Stacey gets cutting and chopping on the Toolboxer projects, then we venture out on the road to visit a crazy fiddle player and his project with rust issues. Only on GEARZ.