The Truck Shed
Old trucks, campers, tools, projects, road stories, and the kind of mechanical mischief only an old Ford can bring.
🛻 Old Red
Every old truck has a personality. Some are dependable. Some are stubborn. Old Red is both.
🔧 Garage Projects
Repairs, upgrades, modifications, and those jobs that were supposed to take thirty minutes but somehow lasted all weekend.
🚐 Campers & Road Trips
Adventures on the road, campground stories, travel plans, and lessons learned one mile at a time.
⚙️ Tool Bench
Favorite tools, handy tricks, maintenance tips, and old-school fixes that still work.
Truck Shed Philosophy
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it is broke, grab a wrench and a cup of coffee."
Recent Shop Notes
Featured Truck Of The Month
Future location for truck photos, camper projects, restoration pictures, and road-trip memories.
Define the Project Before Modifying Anything
For the truck shed, begin by deciding what problem the project is supposed to solve. Storage, towing, electrical capacity, comfort, maintenance access, weather protection, and road readiness can require very different solutions.
Measure before buying parts. Record model numbers, ratings, dimensions, clearances, connector types, and photographs of the existing setup. A small mismatch can turn a straightforward project into rework.
Keep changes serviceable. Future access to batteries, wiring, plumbing, fasteners, filters, tires, and other maintenance points matters after the project is finished.
Respect Ratings and Systems
Truck and camper projects can involve weight, towing, electrical systems, batteries, propane, water, structural components, tires, and braking. Manufacturer ratings and equipment-specific instructions should take priority over guesswork.
Do not treat a similar-looking connector, fuse, wire, fastener, hose, tire, or hitch component as equivalent without verifying the relevant rating and application.
When a modification affects safe vehicle operation, structural integrity, braking, steering, fuel, propane, or high-current electrical systems, qualified professional help may be appropriate.
Test Before the Road Trip
After a project, inspect the entire work area and test the result under controlled conditions. Check for movement, leaks, heat, loose hardware, electrical problems, interference, and anything that could change once the vehicle is moving.
Document what was changed. Save part numbers, receipts, photographs, wiring notes, service dates, and measurements so future maintenance does not require starting from zero.
A successful camper project should still make sense after several trips, not just look finished in the driveway.
Practical Checklist
Explore More From The Truck Shed
New stories and practical guides drawn from topics that now have a better home at Sweet Tea & Grace Y'all.
Truck and Camper Projects
A practical framework for planning truck and camper improvements with attention to weight, power, water, weather, access, and safe workmanship.
Read the guide →Garage and Repair Projects
How to organize garage work, assess risk, document repairs, and know when a project belongs with a qualified professional.
Read the guide →DIY and How-To Guides That People Can Trust
A guide to writing and using DIY instructions that clearly explain tools, assumptions, hazards, checkpoints, and when to stop.
Read the guide →Old Tools and Workshop Stories
Preserving the history of old tools, the people who used them, and the practical knowledge carried in a working shop.
Read the guide →Shop Organization Basics
Organize a working shop around clear zones, safe access, frequently used tools, materials, cleanup, and future repairs.
Read the guide →Toolbox Essentials
Build a practical toolbox around the repairs and maintenance tasks a household actually performs.
Read the guide →Trailer Maintenance Basics
Maintain trailers through regular checks of tires, bearings, lights, couplers, safety chains, brakes, and structure.
Read the guide →Generator Basics
Use and maintain portable generators with attention to fuel, ventilation, load, storage, and emergency planning.
Read the guide →Chainsaw Safety
Use chainsaws more safely through proper equipment, planning, maintenance, stance, and awareness of kickback.
Read the guide →Beginner Welding Projects
Plan small welding projects around correct equipment, ventilation, fire safety, material preparation, and inspection.
Read the guide →Woodworking Shop Basics
Set up a small woodworking space around safe tool use, dust control, material storage, and accurate measuring.
Read the guide →Restoring Old Equipment
Evaluate old equipment before restoration by researching parts, safety, originality, intended use, and total cost.
Read the guide →Small Engine Maintenance
Maintain small engines through fuel care, air filters, oil, spark plugs, belts, cooling, and proper storage.
Read the guide →Lawn Equipment Care
Keep mowers and outdoor power equipment safer and more reliable through inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and storage.
Read the guide →Shop Safety Checklist
Create a repeatable shop safety routine covering lighting, ventilation, fire protection, lifting, cords, chemicals, and exits.
Read the guide →Air Compressor Basics
Use air compressors more safely by understanding pressure, hoses, drainage, tool requirements, and maintenance.
Read the guide →Battery Maintenance
Maintain vehicle and equipment batteries through inspection, charging, storage, clean connections, and safe handling.
Read the guide →Winterizing Equipment
Prepare seasonal equipment for cold weather by addressing fuel, batteries, fluids, cleaning, storage, and corrosion.
Read the guide →Farm Repair Planning
Organize farm repairs around urgency, safety, parts, weather, downtime, and whether professional help is required.
Read the guide →Camp Trailer Repairs
Prioritize camper and trailer repairs by water intrusion, structure, electrical safety, plumbing, appliances, and travel readiness.
Read the guide →RV Storage Planning
Store an RV or camper with attention to moisture, pests, batteries, tires, plumbing, security, and periodic inspection.
Read the guide →Measuring Tools Explained
Choose and use tapes, squares, levels, calipers, gauges, and layout tools for more accurate work.
Read the guide →Shop Lighting
Improve shop visibility with safe fixture placement, task lighting, color rendering, glare control, and emergency lighting.
Read the guide →Emergency Repair Kits
Build practical repair kits for vehicles, trailers, home, and travel without carrying unsafe or unnecessary equipment.
Read the guide →Vehicle Recovery Equipment
Choose and use recovery straps, shackles, traction aids, jacks, and winches with attention to ratings and safe procedures.
Read the guide →Tire Care Basics
Inspect and maintain tires through pressure, tread, age, load, damage checks, rotation, and proper storage.
Read the guide →Grease and Lubrication
Use lubricants correctly by matching product, location, quantity, cleanliness, and service interval.
Read the guide →Shop Cleanup Routines
Create cleanup routines that reduce fire risk, protect tools, prevent slips, and make the next project easier.
Read the guide →Hand Tool Restoration
Restore hand tools carefully while preserving useful markings, correcting hazards, and avoiding unnecessary damage.
Read the guide →Power Tool Storage
Store corded and cordless power tools to protect batteries, cords, accessories, and safe access.
Read the guide →Extension Cord Safety
Select and use extension cords based on load, length, location, condition, and temporary-use limitations.
Read the guide →Garage Electrical Safety
Recognize common garage electrical hazards involving outlets, cords, chargers, lighting, moisture, and overloaded circuits.
Read the guide →Jack and Stand Safety
Lift and support vehicles more safely by using rated equipment, correct points, level surfaces, and redundant checks.
Read the guide →Parts Labeling and Storage
Organize fasteners, fittings, hardware, spare parts, and project components with reliable labels and locations.
Read the guide →Fastener Basics
Understand common nuts, bolts, screws, washers, grades, threads, coatings, and when replacement is necessary.
Read the guide →Rust Prevention
Reduce rust through cleaning, drainage, coatings, storage, inspection, and early treatment.
Read the guide →Paint and Coating Preparation
Prepare metal and wood surfaces for coatings through cleaning, sanding, repair, masking, and environmental control.
Read the guide →Shop Ventilation
Improve ventilation for dust, fumes, heat, moisture, engines, paints, and chemicals while respecting fire and health risks.
Read the guide →Fuel Storage Safety
Store gasoline, diesel, and other fuels with correct containers, ventilation, separation, labeling, and local compliance.
Read the guide →Chemical Storage in the Shop
Organize solvents, oils, cleaners, adhesives, paints, and aerosols by compatibility, labels, temperature, and spill control.
Read the guide →Bench Vise Basics
Mount and use a bench vise for holding, bending, cutting, and assembly without damaging the work or the vise.
Read the guide →Workbench Planning
Design a workbench around task height, strength, lighting, clamping, storage, and available floor space.
Read the guide →Shop Floor Planning
Arrange equipment, benches, vehicles, storage, and walkways for safe movement and realistic work flow.
Read the guide →Mobile Tool Cart Planning
Build or organize a tool cart around stability, frequently used tools, weight distribution, and safe movement.
Read the guide →Service Records for Equipment
Track equipment maintenance with dates, hours, parts, fluids, repairs, and recurring service reminders.
Read the guide →Buying Used Tools
Evaluate used tools by condition, missing parts, safety features, repairability, accuracy, and total cost.
Read the guide →Shop Project Prioritization
Prioritize repairs and projects by safety, need, weather, downtime, budget, and available skill.
Read the guide →Knowing When to Call a Professional
Recognize when electrical, structural, fuel, brake, high-voltage, lifting, or other work exceeds safe DIY limits.
Read the guide →Shop Fire Prevention
Reduce fire risk through housekeeping, hot-work control, fuel storage, extinguishers, ventilation, and emergency planning.
Read the guide →