Ring Brothers Round 2

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last decade or more, you’ve definitely heard of or seen a Ringbrothers masterpiece somewhere. They build some of the world’s finest street machines and have parlayed their success into an expanded catalog of high-end parts and accessories. Family owned and operated since day one, the brothers started off like most of us, tinkering with cars as kids. Their father owned a Skelly gas station, so naturally they had fuel running through their veins. When they were young boys, 10 and 11 years old, Jim and Mike were already doing bodywork and learning to paint cars wherever they had the chance, including their parent’s basement and even a friend’s chicken coop.       

Clem 101 sets a high bar for a shop truck, but it isn’t all show. In true Ringbrothers’ fashion it has plenty of go.

What started off as a fun hobby more than 30 years ago has turned into one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality billet accessories, custom carbon-fiber pieces and speed equipment that combine form and function to make any custom build unique. The brothers run a full collision shop alongside the more well-known custom car division that produces around two to four jaw-dropping vehicles each year. They have quickly become a staple in the custom automotive world: SEMA, Detroit, Goodguys, you name it.

They don’t always get to build something where they get to exercise 100% artistic and creative freedom, although it does happen sometimes.

So how does a shop known for building amazing street machines get mixed up with a shop-truck build? It just so happens that this is the second Ford F-100 shop truck for the brothers Ring because F-1s hold a special place in their hearts. The first was a beautiful ’58 F100 finished in Liberty Gray with Red HRE wheels, built a few years back. They are true blue boys with good taste, and they’re heading into  round two with this ’56 F-100 build known as Clem 101.

This time around they didn’t take their normal approach with renderings and a full build blueprint; they went more “build as you go,” making it a more fun and leisurely process.

The base started as a simple bare-bones restomod ’54 F-100 shop truck. The brothers wanted something they could build for themselves without worrying about customer input or styling cues. They don’t always get to build something where they get to exercise 100% artistic and creative freedom, although it does happen sometimes. This time around they didn’t take their normal approach with renderings and a full build blueprint; they went more “build as you go,” making it a more fun and leisurely process.

The truck began as a rusty ’54 F-100, but the brothers just couldn’t agree on the changes they wanted to make. They had a 1956 cab that agreed to swap in, but they retained the 1954 grille with modified front and rear bumpers. They moved the front wheel wells forward 7 inches, using a vastly popular Ford Crown Vic front end they narrowed 5 inches. Then they proceeded to scratch-build the entire bed. A unique machined tailgate and a custom-fabricated trailer hitch tie it all together. Widened front and rear fenders allow plenty of clearance to fit the HRE Performance Wheels and Nitto tire combo, which further reduce the size of the well openings. The brothers couldn’t decide whether or not to keep the side vent; Jim said no, and Mike said yes. It turns out that while Jim was on vacation, Mike won that round. With so many faint body modifications, the brothers are not afraid to try new things and won’t succumb to peer pressure or trends. They have their very own distinct style, and even this subtle shop truck screams “Ringbrothers.”

Clem 101 sets a high bar for a shop truck, but it isn’t all show. In true Ringbrothers’ fashion it has plenty of go. The Ford Performance 415-hp 5.0L Coyote engine came straight from the crate and transformed the engine bay. It looks as though it was made for the F-100 after the engine bay once it received the full Ringbrothers treatment. Backed by a Bowler four-speed auto 4R70W and a John Industries 9-inch, there’s no trouble pushing around those giant 305 Nittos. The brothers say that aside from the stance and look they really just love the way the truck drives. “It rides so nice, gets up and goes, sounds amazing and puts a grin on your face when you’re cruising, windows down, on the Wisconsin back roads.” It doesn’t get much better than that.

As always, they are steadily working on new products and jaw-dropping rides. We’re definitely excited to see what the future holds and can’t wait to see their next shop truck.

What can we expect from the brothers in the future? As always, they are steadily working on new products and jaw-dropping rides. We’re definitely excited to see what the future holds and can’t wait to see their next shop truck.

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TECH SPECS

Jim & Mike Ring

1956 Ford F-100
Spring Green, WI

Chassis & Suspension

• Front: Ford Crown Vic narrowed 5-inch, QA1 custom front sway bar
• Rear: Ridetech 4-link with Ridetech coil-over springs on a John’s Industries with 9-inch housing, center section and axles with Royal Purple Maxgear
• Detroit Speed rack-and-pinion

Powertrain

• Ford crate 5.0L Coyote V-8 with Vintage Air front runner system for power rack and A/C
• Bowler four-speed automatic transmission 4R70W with Royal Purple Oil
• QA1 carbon fiber Drdiveshaft
• Flowmaster 44 stainless exhaust with customized Flowmaster headers
• Aeromotive fuel tank, pump and management

Brakes

• Baer 6P six-piston front and rear

Wheels & Tires

• HRE – 545 Vintage series
• Front: 19×11 on Nitto 305-35-19
• Rear 20×13 on Nitto 305-50-20

Body & Paint

• Started as a 1954 truck, changed cab to 1956
• Box built from scratch, except for fenders, which were widened 3 inches, wheel openings narrowed
• Fabricated custom trailer hitch
• Moved front fenders ahead on chassis and modified shape
• Custom running boards with billet machined inserts
• 1954 F-100 front grille chromed
• Modified stock front and rear bumpers chromed
• Developed hood hinges and custom tie downs for bed
• Advanced Plating chrome
• Speedy P Green BASF Glasurit Waterborne paint
• Global Finishing Solutions paint booth

Interior & Stereo

• Custom seats by Upholstery Unlimited
• Classic Instruments gauges
• Vintage Air Heritage evap kit heat and cool
• Kicker head unit, speakers and amplifier

Special Thanks From the Owner: “Prestone, BASF/Glasurit, Flowmaster/Hurst/B&M, Royal Purple, 3M, Aeromotive, ARP, Baer Brakes, Bowler Transmission, Classic Instruments, Dynamat, GFS – Global Finishing Solutions, Heat Shield Products, Holley, HRE, Miller Welding, MSD, QA1, Ridetech and Vintage Air.”

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