We trust you've followed No Limit Engineering's progress on the 2006 F-100 Supernationals giveaway Ford Racing-themed '56 F-100. Led by owner, engineer and master fabricator Rob MacGregor, No Limit technicians have a reputation for performing top-quality professional custom classic car and truck building. They also manufacture many industry-leading components for vintage custom trucks, street rods and musclecars.
No Limit's artistry is so astounding, if we hadn't witnessed them working firsthand, we'd think we'd somehow been trapped in a netherworld of fabrication fairy tales. In my most recent visit to San Bernardino, California, at No Limit Engineering's manufacturing and distribution center, I watched Rob construct a custom transmission hump out of sheetmetal. Given this article's allusion to fairy tales, what could be a better title than Humplesteelskin? After all, No Limit Engineering would be constructing a hump comprised of steel skin to cover the high-performance Tremec manual transmission.
Without further ado, why don't we watch and learn more about No Limit's wizardry with fabrication and engineering? See how the myth of Humplesteelskin became a reality in less than a day. The best thing is, no trolls were killed in the creation of Humplesteelskin!
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 Before fabricating Humplesteelskin,...  Before fabricating Humplesteelskin, a sheetmetal-skinned transmission hump... |
 ...Rob measured the opening...  ...Rob measured the opening he'd previously cut into the toeboards and floorboards of the BeBop's fiberglass cab... |
 ...Tremec manual transmissions...  ...Tremec manual transmissions are longer than many auto trans, hence the necessity of having a long and large opening in the floor. |
 No Limit marked where to drill...  No Limit marked where to drill holes on the trans hump brackets. |
 Rather than drill the holes,...  Rather than drill the holes, Rob used the 3/8-inch-diameter hole punch on the Ironworker and made fast work of the brackets. |
 With two of the frame pieces...  With two of the frame pieces in place, he rechecked some measurements he'd already made. |
 To prep the brackets for being...  To prep the brackets for being tack welded together, Rob ground the brackets' cut surfaces smooth with the freestanding grinder/sander. |
 It's far better to fine-tune...  It's far better to fine-tune components before they're put together than to tweak them afterward. By studying the separate pieces, No Limit determined the most effective plan of Humplesteelskin attack. |
 Since the frame pieces would...  Since the frame pieces would be welded together on a workbench, the protagonist of this fabrication tale carefully laid out the sections. |
 Rob donned his gloves and...  Rob donned his gloves and mask, fired up the MIG welder and started tacking the sections together. |
 Shearing the ends of some...  Shearing the ends of some of the sections to the correct angles in the Ironworker came next. |
 No Limit welded the pieces...  No Limit welded the pieces together that would be flat. |
 While holding the pieces at...  While holding the pieces at the desired angle, Rob tack welded the sections together to form a frame. |
 Confirming the component had...  Confirming the component had the proper fitment came next. |
 Humplesteelskin would be made...  Humplesteelskin would be made in two sheetmetal sections. The portion closest to the engine/toeboards would be 11.75 inches long, while the part closest to the seat would be 10.5 inches long. Soon, you'll learn more from this cardboard template. |
 Transferring the cut lines...  Transferring the cut lines to some sheetmetal came next. |
 Before cutting out the skin...  Before cutting out the skin for Humplesteelskin, Rob cut away the excess sheetmetal in the step shear. |