Every time we venture out to No Limit Engineering in San Bernardino, California, we wonder what sort of customizing they'll be doing on the F-100 giveaway truck for the 2006 F-100 SuperNationals and Ford Family Reunion (May 18-20). Rob MacGregor, the pro shop's founder and chief fabricator, is all in favor of cutting up new components to make them better. On repeated occasions we've seen No Limit's craftsmen fire up the plasma cutter or turn on the automated bandsaw to carve away at a brand-new part. With the word custom so prominent in our name, we're all in favor of such actions. Who says a custom vintage truck-builder has to be limited to modifying used components? If you're making a part look better and/or function more optimally, we say cut away, creative artisans.
We can almost hear those plasma cutters and jigsaws firing up. As long as you have a well-formulated plan for how to proceed, you can make new parts more effective and appealing to the eye. No Limit Engineering is building the F-100 giveaway truck with a Ford Racing theme. The pickup will have a high-performance chassis and engine/trans, and an all-out racing appearance. After the shiny, new stainless steel bumper arrived from Dennis Carpenter Ford & Cushman Reproductions, No Limit Engineering appreciated the first-class polished finish and quality of the component. They immediately decided the polished finish would clash with the rest of the truck's racing look. Also, a stock F-100 bumper is wider than the bedbox. The bumper would look more aerodynamic if it was flush with the bedbox. Rob measured the width of the box and went to work on the new bumper. We didn't even attempt to stop him, since we knew there's always a method to his meticulous metalworking.
Follow along with No Limit Engineering to see how easy it is to give the rear of your custom cool vintage hauler an all-new aura and high-performance look. You'll be cutting up those new parts in no time.

To make the rear bumper the...

To make the rear bumper the same width as the bedbox, Rob used an automated bandsaw to remove 4 3/8 inches of material from the brand-new Dennis Carpenter polished stainless steel bumper.

If you don't believe us, here's...

If you don't believe us, here's proof. Holding the freshly cut new Dennis Carpenter rear bumper, Rob stood in front of the new Dennis Carpenter rear fenders that were cut and customized in 'F-100 Fenders Fitment Fabrication' (Dec. '05).

Since the F-100 giveaway truck...

Since the F-100 giveaway truck has a Ford Racing theme, Rob decided to sand the polish off the bumper pieces to give the finish a brushed-aluminum, high-performance appearance.

Rob TIG-welded the 4 3/8-inch...

Rob TIG-welded the 4 3/8-inch narrower rear bumper back together

Held into position, the modified...

Held into position, the modified rear bumper looks good.