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Jason Noel from Fat Fender Garage talks about building custom trucks, his new interior kits, Fox body Mustangs and more.

Jason Noel from Fat Fender Garage talks about building custom trucks, his new interior kits, Fox body Mustangs and more.

CarCast Jan 15, 2026 60 min
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About this episode

Jason Noll from Fat Fender Garage shares insights into building custom trucks, the challenges of the hot rod industry, and the evolution of his business. He discusses the importance of managing customer expectations, especially when blending classic designs with modern technology. The episode also highlights Fat Fender Garage's new interior kits, aimed at making custom interiors more accessible. Noll touches on the growing interest in Fox body Mustangs and the company's plans to expand their offerings. With a focus on creativity and quality, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons for automotive enthusiasts.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Toyota Camry
S5A-0043 (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Toyota Camry

"... Savvy, Toyota says you can have it all, with the Camry, the Corolla, and the Corolla Cross."
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Toyota Corolla
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota Corolla

"...ota says you can have it all, with the Camry, the Corolla, and the Corolla Cross."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that is popular because it is easy to drive and doesn't use much gas. Many people like it because it is dependable and doesn't cost a lot to keep running.

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Ford Lightning
UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Lightning

"...the black Ford Lightning. I have a front suspension for it, and then we were talking about doing just a rear suspension..."

The Ford Lightning is a special version of the Ford F-150 truck that is designed for speed and performance. It's popular among people who like fast trucks.

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Part

coilovers

"We did a deal with JRI, we had some pretty cool adjustable coilovers and stuff. I haven't even cut that truck apart yet underneath to get it done yet, but yeah, maybe we revisit that..."

Coilovers are special parts of a car's suspension that help control how the car handles the road. They can be adjusted to change how high or low the car sits, which can make it perform better.

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Concept

hot rod

"...trying to hopefully figure out how to build a hot rod truck, and it went well. That was kind of the goal for the beginning."

A hot rod is a car that has been changed to make it faster and look cooler. People often take older cars and add new parts to make them perform better.

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Company

Gas Monkey Garage

"...I remember like, I take notes with watching Gas Monkey Garage in the first season..."

Gas Monkey Garage is a popular car shop that appears on TV. They buy old cars, fix them up, and sell them, showing how they do it on their show.

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Concept

restomod

"like a Seema build, even though you're not building it for Seema, right? Kind of comparing that against other things you built, and it's going to drive like a new car. And so you're battling that expectation is of taking a 1950, 60, 70, 80s car, right?"

Restomod is when you take an old car and fix it up, adding new parts and technology to make it drive better while keeping its classic look. It's a way to enjoy the style of an old car but with modern features.

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Ford GT500
Ssu (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford GT500

"But my daily driver is a GT 500. I want a 1968 truck to drive like and run like my GT 500."

The Ford GT500 is a fast version of the Ford Mustang, designed for people who love speed and performance. It's known for having a really powerful engine.

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Ford Mustang GT500
Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang GT500

"And then you think you're just going to put a GT 500 motor and some different suspension and it magically turns into a car,"

The Ford Mustang GT500 is a fast and powerful version of the Mustang sports car. It's famous for its speed and performance.

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Ford F-100
W. Bulach (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford F-100

"we actually actually have that right now in 1968, believe it or not, it's white base model F 100 pickup truck, brand new chassis, everything."

The Ford F-100 is a pickup truck made by Ford, especially popular in the late 1960s. It's known for being tough and useful for various tasks.

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Nissan Leaf
EurovisionNim (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Nissan Leaf

"...when EVs were just starting to come out, the Nissan Leaf, I remember specifically, was just like the Nissan Leaf is a funny little looking, you know, 100 mile range EV. And and goofy looking headlights and everything."

The Nissan Leaf is a small electric car that can drive about 100 miles before needing to be charged. It was one of the first popular electric cars and has a unique look.

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Concept

aerodynamic noise

"...we realized there was no engine noise or anything. All you heard was wind noise. Right. If your stereo wasn't turned up, basically."

Aerodynamic noise is the sound you hear from the wind when driving. It can come from different parts of the car, and designers try to reduce it to make the ride quieter.

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Part

headlights

"...it was the shape of the headlights that was making it. So we had to redesign the headlights, but the car was designed."

Headlights are the lights at the front of a car that help you see at night or in bad weather. They can also change how the car moves through the air, which can affect noise.

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Ford Contours
IFCAR (Public domain)
Car

Ford Contours

"...igned. So they had kind of these weird bumps and contours and stuff to the headlights, you know, and you d..."

The Ford Contour is a small car that was made in the 1990s and has a different look compared to other cars. It was known for being fun to drive, but not many people remember it today.

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Brand

Lexus

"...if you wanted it as quiet as a modern new car, if you wanted it as quiet as a Lexus..."

Lexus is a brand of luxury cars made by Toyota. They are known for being very comfortable and quiet when you drive them.

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Company

TMI

"You know, TMI, you can buy seats from them. You can buy some door panels."

TMI is a company that makes parts for car interiors, like seats and door panels. You can buy their products to change how your car looks inside.

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Concept

customization

"...start to have a conversation about the customization."

Customization means changing a car to make it look or work the way you want. This can include adding new parts or changing the color.

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Brand

Chevy

"...we have another Chevy one coming out."

Chevy is a popular car brand in the United States that makes many types of vehicles, like trucks and cars.

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Ford Mustangs
Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustangs

"...ed that quite a bit. You know, when when Gen one Mustangs and Camaros became expensive, you know, even for..."
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Chevrolet Camaros
Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Camaros

"...when Gen one Mustangs and Camaros became expensive, you know, even for a shell..."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a well-known sports car that competes with the Ford Mustang. It's popular for its powerful engines and stylish looks.

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Company

Roadster Shop

"...we're now seeing, you know, companies like Roadster Shop doing..."

Roadster Shop is a company that makes custom cars and parts. They help people improve classic cars to make them faster and look better.

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Concept

Fox body chassis

"you know, Fox body chassis and Camaro chassis."

The Fox body chassis is a type of car frame used by Ford for the Mustang and other models. It's popular among car enthusiasts for upgrades and custom builds.

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Lucid Air
ToyGTone (CC0)
Car

Lucid Air

"... then when that starts to happen, you see Vintage Air going, we've got Fox body Vintage Air AC kits no..."

The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really far on a single charge and has lots of cool features. It's designed to be comfortable and high-tech, making it a strong competitor to other electric cars.

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Company

Vintage Air

"And then when that starts to happen, you see Vintage Air going, we've got Fox body Vintage Air AC kits now that you can swap in..."

Vintage Air is a company that makes air conditioning systems for old cars. They help keep classic cars cool and comfortable.

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Company

Dakota Digital

"and Dakota Digital. You know, love those guys talking with them."

Dakota Digital makes digital gauges and instruments for cars. They help drivers see important information like speed and fuel level in a modern way.

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Term

OBS Ford

"they're like, yeah, we have our OBS Ford gauges coming out soon."

OBS Ford is a nickname for older Ford trucks made between 1980 and 1997. Car fans use this term to talk about those specific models.

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Shelby Cobra
Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
Car

Shelby Cobra

"...x body to SEMA, I think it was like 2016, the red Cobra, I brought it out with Magnaflow and there wasn'..."

The Shelby Cobra is a fast sports car that was made a long time ago and is famous for being really powerful. Many car lovers want to own one because it's considered a classic.

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Company

Magnaflow

"...I brought it out with Magnaflow and there wasn't anything out there..."

Magnaflow makes parts for cars, especially exhaust systems that help make cars sound better and perform well. They are popular among car enthusiasts.

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Ford Broncos
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Broncos

"...lieve in. You know, we have the bills versus the Broncos this weekend with the Broncos has a slight favor..."

The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that is great for driving on rough roads and going off the beaten path. It has a classic look and is loved by people who enjoy outdoor activities.

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Company

Ring Brothers

"...you can blame like Ring Brothers and, you know, you know."

Ring Brothers is a company that makes special parts for cars and helps customize them. They are famous for doing a great job and making cars look really good.

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Company

Rad Rides by Troy

"...a couple of small pieces like Rad Rides by Troy, like Rad Rides would go, this is the washer..."

Rad Rides by Troy is a company that customizes and builds cars, often using special parts to make them unique and high-performing.

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Term

engine compartment

"...this is the washer that you want in your engine compartment on your fenders."

The engine compartment is the space under the hood of a car where the engine and other important parts are found.

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Term

fenders

"...in your engine compartment on your fenders. Like like I saw like Rad Rides doing that kind of..."

Fenders are the outer parts of a car that cover the wheels. They help keep dirt and rocks from hitting the car's body.

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Concept

custom car parts

"...that's an essential part of the business is like we have to make parts. We have to sell parts that need to be."

Custom car parts are special pieces made to improve or change how a car looks or works, often made for specific cars or styles.

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Part

brake booster

"And you're just like, it's just why I bought my brake booster and I bought my master cylinder."

A brake booster helps you press the brake pedal with less force, making it easier to stop your car.

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11 cars featured

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