Locked & Loaded Magazine Issue 23

People are tired of magazines that have ads, sales pitches, and bogus “fillers” to eat up space. They want a magazine that is free, easy to access, and totally focused on badass pictures and content. They want a magazine produced and written by the people and for the people. They want the chance to share their passion and to be heard. It is our absolute pleasure to meet these standards and to give you Locked & Loaded Magazine. We hope that you enjoy our content and if you don’t… tough shit. This magazine is not for the faint of heart! - Daniel

& Kaitlyn Ramey, Editors-In-Chief

STANG MAGAZINE PRESENTS

TALKING WITH TJ

As we begin our journey into the descent of madness that is my mind and the crazy antics of my life, I would like to first introduce myself. My name is TJ, blah blah blah, that sums it up and all you need to know. Whew… got past the CRAP no one cares about! Now for the good stuff.

Mustang culture is one that is very unique and brings together people from all walks of life. One thing is for sure though, the STANG Mag crew isn’t your typical crew. We are a bunch of weirdos, oddballs, and outcasts. We party hard and live by our ride or die motto and have adventures like no other.

From partying in various spots all over the U.S., to touring some of America’s most haunted sites, to having my ass spanked by a beautiful Latina in Las Vegas in front of a restaurant packed full of guests (and owning it), it’s never a dull moment! All I can say is... strap in, rev the shit out of your motor, and let’s go!

MUSTANGS AT DAYTONA

For me the highlight was to be able to drive on the Daytona International Speedway. To be driving on the track right next to the 31-degree banks are insane. From the ground level, it literally looks like there is a steep wall right next to you. The raceway was very cool as you go through it and to see all the seats as you drive by made you feel like you were in an actual race for a split second. The after party at Blue Flame Terrace at Daytona Hotel was surreal. The bar is located on the second level of the hotel with a full view of the shopping district and beautiful waterfall. It felt like something you would see in California. As I drank all four of my Long Islands and sat back to enjoy the view, it was like heaven on earth. Great atmosphere with amazing Mustang enthusiasts, who were are all welcoming.

The way the event is set up, on some nights the events are held in the evening which gave you an opportunity to explore Florida. Since I was down in Florida with my dad, Tim “Rocket Scientist” Perry, we had to go see Kennedy Space Center. Growing up, my dad worked on space programs including the Hubble Space Telescope, IBEX, and International Space Station support missions, which he would tell me stories about the different programs and give me patches from NASA of those programs. It was really cool to see all the programs that he had worked on set up on display at the museum. I know it must have been a truly special and surreal moment for him to see his life’s work

celebrated in a museum. It was insane to see the rockets up close and personal. They also had different simulators to give you an idea of what it was like to be in a control center as a rocket is taking off in which the wall literally was shaking like crazy. Then there was another simulator which you enter into a vehicle box, then they strapped you into a chair and the whole box is raised vertically from one side so that your back is literally parallel to the ground just like you would be in the space shuttle. The simulator took you through the launch experience from take-off and flying into orbit. Holy crap what an experience! The simulator vibrated the hell out of your body as it simulated take

TALKING WITH TJ

MUSTANGS AT DAYTONA

off. Even the seats had air in it which was released to give you the feeling of the g-forces pushing you. You also get to touch an actual piece of moonrock! Now, you guys know me and I don’t play around when it comes to seeing cool stuff, especially badass stuff. C. Green’s Haunted History House and Museum located in Cassadaga, Florida did not disappoint. The house was filled with haunted objects, haunted dolls, and other macabre items. It also detailed the paranormal history of the area and the famous psychics who lived there. Talking to the employee who worked there, apparently Cassadaga is the Psychic capital of Florida,

since it sits between three naturally occurring vortexes, which allows for stronger psychic activity. In Saint Augustine, they had a medieval torture museum filled with the actual torture devices obtained from collectors around the world. The coolest part of this museum is that they allowed you to touch the torture devices. Some displays even used the devices on the mock ups like the guillotine, which was surprisingly heavy.

In Fort Pierce was the Navy SEAL Museum. This placed kicked ass! They had all the Navy SEAL weapons on display as well as boats, swimming gear, and mission

gear. You could actually go and sit inside a Navy SEAL mission used Blackhawk which was cool as hell and roomy I might add! In one room they had a Zodiac boat set up with mock guns which closely simulated the real guns in size and weight like a MP5 submachine gun and a 50-caliber gun that you could take pictures with. If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, fuck yeah, I took pictures with the simulated guns and inside the Zodiac boat. Where else will I ever get to be inside a real Zodiac boat! Outside there was Mark V special operations craft, riverine boats, SEAL delivery vehicles, space capsules from the Gemini and Apollo space missions

used in training and World War II era beach obstacles used to prevent the allies from entering from the beaches. A unique thing about this museum is they have a piece of a building from Hiroshima which was at ground zero when the atomic bomb went off that you can see.

This was one hell of a trip. I urge anyone to experience Mustangs At Daytona because you will not be disappointed and you will have the time of your life!

BULMA–1991 GT

BELIEVE ME, I HAD NO BUSINESS HAVING A CAR LIKE THAT AS A 16-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN.

My passion for Mustangs started when I was a kid. I got my first Mustang when I was 16, a 1984 GT 5.0 five speed with T tops. Believe me, I had no business having a car like that as a 16-year-old young man. But that is where my love for Fox Bodys started!

When I got this one it was primed with rhino lining and the top half of the engine was in a box. There were Vegeta stickers from Dragon Ball Z all over it. So, I started calling it Bulma which is Vegeta’s wife. That is where I

started. Everything has been replaced with new, from the wheel bearings to paint, and everything in between.

The engine has been completely rebuilt and bored to a 306 with KB pistons. It is also equipped with Trick Flow stage 2 cams, Edelbrock E- Street 205 heads, 1.7 roller rockers, Trick Flow track heat upper and lower intake, and a new Z-Model T-5 from Summit Racing. I have spent the last five years turning this car into my dream car! All work has been done in my garage by my friend Miquel Valle and myself except for the engine bore, paint, and body work.

PHOTO CRED: JAMES SWEAT

DARK SHADOW

PAUL BELLIS

DARK SHADOW–2004 GT CONVERTIBLE

The best part about owning a Mustang is being a part of the Mustang family. The friends that I have made from attending shows and Mustang events will last a lifetime. It is a special group of people who all have a passion for Mustangs. Honestly, that’s what attracted me to the STANG Magazine family. Dan’s commitment, dedication, and his passion towards

the Ford Mustang. But it is more than that. Dan likes to have a good time and makes sure that everyone around him is having a good time as well. That’s what makes being part of this family so special!

Dark Shadow was purchased back in 2009 as a stock GT Convertible. I don’t like to be like all of the others, so I had to make sure that my car stood out from the

DAN’S COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, AND HIS PASSION TOWARDS THE FORD MUSTANG. BUT IT IS MORE THAN THAT. DAN LIKES TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND MAKES SURE THAT EVERYONE AROUND HIM IS HAVING A GOOD TIME AS WELL.

EMBER–1966 COUPE

SOMETHING ABOUT THE BEAUTY, POWER, AND TRADITION THAT STIRS UP EXCITEMENT.

I have always had a love for Mustangs for as long as I can remember. Something about the beauty, power, and tradition that stirs up excitement. My father and I have attended car shows together since I was a kid. My favorite of course was Street Rod Nationals when they would come to town. They had so many beautiful Mustangs.

My father and I have made many memories since I have owned this car. From car shows, to parades, to just spending time together cleaning and working on it. I now have children of my own. I can see the same excitement in their eyes that I had when I was little. I am looking forward to passing on the tradition

PHOTO CRED: HANNAH LAWRENCE

REXANNE LABARRE

HAUNTER–2016 GT

I’ve always loved cars since I was a kid. I used to go to car shows, local truck pulls, and power events with my mother. My grandfather owned a Fox Body that he used to pick my sister and I up in. The Mustang that got me into showing/cruises was my 2006 Mustang. I ended up joining a local car club with it, Venom Outlaws, and meeting a lot of awesome people. I traded up and bought my current 2016 Mustang “Haunter” and have had it for almost four years now. I’ve been slowly building my car for road courses, but also to run the ¼ mile drag strip. Eventually, my plan

is to add more horsepower. Racing is something I love to do. We did our first track night this year at Pocono Raceway and had a blast. The car is named after one of my favorite Pokemon, Haunter. She’s come a long way since I got it and I can’t wait to see where it goes in the future.

PHOTO CRED: REXANNE LABARRE CLARUS MULTIMEDIA

BRIAN RENNER

HAVOC II–2020 GT/CS

SO I HAD THE IDEA TO SELL EVERYTHING AND BUY A MUSTANG THAT I COULD DRIVE LONG DISTANCES TO THESE EVENTS...

Meet Havoc II, a 2020 Mustang GT California Special.

This was a total unexpected idea that evolved at 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals from not wanting to spend $1000+ on gas on towing the Foxbody to Mustangs At Daytona. So I had the idea to sell everything and buy

a Mustang that I could drive long distances to these events and a more fuel efficient truck for everyday use.

It is really amazing the lengths we go to keep our passions alive and this was a great decision. Taking Havoc II to Mustangs At Daytona was awesome and I really look forward to traveling to future events and enjoying this Mustang even more. The time that I spent with the STANG and Locked & Loaded family was beyond fun. So now Havoc II is born and ready to adventure!

At this point, Havoc II is pretty much stock. The resonator was deleted and replaced with a custom built H Pipe.

BRIAN RENNER

HAVOC II–2020 GT/CS

I also added tinted tail lights, a blacked out front pony emblem, rear side window color matched scoops, and replaced the original rear deck panel with a plain one with a 5.0 coyote badge. I also added SVE SP2 wheels 19x10 in the front with Nitto NT 555 G2 285/35/19 and 19x11 in the rear with Nitto NT 555 G2 305/35/19. I have a few more things planned for her but it doesn’t happen overnight.

PHOTO CRED: BRIAN RENNER

JEFF INGRAM

MYPENNY–2009 SUPERCHARGED GT

MYPENNY IS A TRIBUTE CAR TO MY LATE WIFE PENNY LYNN INGRAM.

MyPenny is a tribute car to my late wife Penny Lynn Ingram. She passed away December 10, 2017 at the age of 51 from a long and hard battle with stage 4 colon cancer. Penny was the love of my life, my soul mate, and best friend and is very sorely missed every day that goes by. This Mustang was the last item we had purchased together before she passed away, however she never got to see it or ride in it as it arrived shortly after she passed. The V6 Mustang has gone through many upgrades since its arrival. The color “Electric Pink” that is on the car now shows her personality in life and was her favorite color as well. The first thing to happen was I put in the 4.6 L V8 and supercharged it. With a tune and a run on the dyno,

MyPenny is now pushing just over 600 hp with 570 to the rear wheels. The drive shaft was upgraded as was the rear differential to handle the increased hp. I also added Ride Tech air suspension, Wilwood brakes, line lock, exhaust cutouts, and a custom exhaust. The interior is filled with carbon fiber and personal touches to add to the look and feel of the car.

MyPenny gets lots of track time, loves doing burnouts, and Autocrossing events and cruises with a cancer patient in the passenger seat most of the time. If you happen to see us out on the road or at an event in your area come over and say hi. Let me tell you all about The Pennies for Penny Foundation.

PHOTO CRED: JEFF INGRAM

THE THRILL

JEREMY SMITH

THE THRILL–2021 SHELBY GT500

THE SOUNDS OF THE CAR ARE UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE I’VE HEARD. THAT IN ITSELF IS THE BIGGEST DRAW AND WHERE THE ADDICTION BEGAN.

This is my 2021 Shelby GT 500 Mustang. This car is perfect just how it is. The mods list is short and simple with just a JLT CAI, 5% tint all the way around, 35% tint on the windshield.

The sounds of the car are unlike anything else I’ve heard. That in itself is the biggest draw and where the addiction began. The new modified DCT shifts better than any manual transmission will ever accomplish. The power of the car makes this Shelby the most thrilling ride I’ve ever owned.

PHOTO CRED: AMANDA RATHBONE - MINGO’S PHOTOGRAPHY

IN THE “HEADLIGHTS"

SEMA 2022 – LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

EVEN THOUGH FORD AND SOME OTHER MAJOR MANUFACTURERS HAVE DECIDED TO NOT ATTEND SEMA THIS YEAR, WE WILL BE THERE TO COVER THE EVENT, ENJOY THE VEGAS NIGHT LIFE, AND HAVE YET ANOTHER CRAZY ASS STANG ADVENTURE.

Every year STANG Magazine gets to attend SEMA in Las Vegas, Nevada for the world’s greatest auto event. This is the event of the year and it is not open to the general public. On display are hundreds of custom vehicles, new technologies, and the

world’s greatest ideas from auto manufacturers, engineers, and product designers. It is the largest showcase of talent on the planet and it is a teaser of what is to be released to the public later in the year.

Even though Ford and some other major manufacturers have decided to not attend SEMA this year, we will be there to cover the event, enjoy the Vegas night life, and have yet another crazy ass STANG adventure. This year, we will have the most STANG staff in attendance to date and have been blessed to represent our other magazine Locked & Loaded for the first time ever on the SEMA holy grounds. For our staff attending for the first time, this will

be the best experience of their lives because they have no idea what to expect. The sights, sounds, smells, and overall event is total mind blowing stimulation!

RAMEY

PHOTO CRED: DANIEL

JUST LEAN INTO IT A LITTLE MORE.

In the past few episodes of Just The Tip, we’ve been looking at the effect of lowering your Pony and the potential effects of handling, and required adjustments to the suspension. The information mostly pertained to general concepts of lowering a vehicle with focus on the rear of the car. In the next two episodes, lets get into the fun stuff – the front suspension. The stuff that makes your car turn and does the heavy lifting of your suspension/steering system. When the body of the car is lowered onto the suspension, it changes the geometry of the front end suspension due to a reduced length of spring or strut that connects the upper part

“JUST THE TIP

of the car to the lower (suspension) part of the car. This affects Caster, Camber and Tow. All three of these components being in proper alignment is crucial to the handling and performance of your vehicle. When your Camber is out, it’s going to wear the tires unevenly on the inside/outside and not make optimal contact with the asphalt. When your Tow is out, you’ll have one side of the car trying to steer the car left, while the other side is trying to steer it right while you’re holding the steering wheel dead center. When you Caster is out, each bump you hit or corner you take is not pushing the strut up directly under the car, but rather pushing forward or backwards, affecting your stability at high speeds and straight-line tracking. Once you make the leap to lower your ride, make sure you get a full four wheel alignment to insure that all of you critical steering components are aligned to give you optimal performance and longevity.