What's in Issue 57? Let's start with the following directive that was sent to the TDR Writers:

For Issue 57, the theme will be coffee table/internet engineering. You know the kind: You get the Jegs/Summit/JC Whitney catalog and spread ‘em out on the table. You chose the biggest and the best cam, intake manifold, headers, carb, pistons and cylinder heads. The orders for parts arrive, and on the way back from the mailbox you sing a little Frank Sinatra, ‘I did it my way.’ he next stop is assembly. You work through some minor problems and the components are forced together. The moment of truth: It cranks and runs! Congratulations. Yes, it runs, but it runs like a dog. Would it have been better to consult someone with experience? Do you really believe all the stuff you read on the internet? Coffee table/internet engineering. Do you have any stories to tell? This should be fun.

Now you know the directive. As usual some of the writers used the theme, some did it. You’ll find their articles on this subject scattered throughout the magazine.

In addition to the staff's assignment, you will find these articles of interest in Issue 57:

- Timbren Suspension System installation by Bill Stockard.
- Wheels, tires and suspension upgrades by Doug Leno.
- 5.9 HPCR engine performance upgrades, Part 5, by Doug Leno.
- 6.7 engine overview by Joe Donnelly.
- A revisit of the best repair techniques for fixing the dowel pin on 12-valve engines.
- Analysis of lube oil (we added 13 more oils to our previous comparison of 8) and conclusions about the CJ specification of oil by John Martin.
- An article on a Mega Cab Long Bed Conversion.

With the TDR at 172 pages, you should be busy reading and not sweating the hot August sun.