Pre-Runner Ranger Part 4 Steering Upgrades

(NARRATOR)>> TODAY ELIZA AND JEREMY ARE GETTING THE STEERING INSTALLED ON OUR PRERUNNER RANGER, AND THEY'RE TYING THE CAB TO THE ROLL CAGE WITH CUSTOM MADE GUSSETS. THEN THEY'RE HEADING OUT TO HELP A FRIEND GET HIS FARM TRUCK RUNNING BETTER. IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE ON XOR.

(JEREMY)>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE RIGHT THERE!

(ELIZA)>> YEAH!

(JEREMY)>> HEY GUYS, WELCOME TO XOR. NOW WITH THE RACE SUSPENSION INSTALLED IN OUR PRERUNNER RANGER THERE'S ONE MORE THING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS WHOLE KIT, AND THAT'S STEERING CAUSE WE'RE DEFINITELY GONNA NEED HELP STEERING THESE 35 INCH TALL TIRES. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE RUNNING THIS KIT ON A STOCK RANGER WELL IT'LL BOLT DIRECTLY IN, BUT SINCE WE'VE GOT A BIG NASTY COYOTE SITTING IN BETWEEN OUR FRAME RAILS WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SNAKE OUR STEERING AROUND IT, AND THAT ALL STARTS WITH SOME VERY SPECIFIC UJOINTS AND A WHOLE LOT OF DOUBLE "D" STEERING SHAFT.

WE PICKED UP A REMANUFACTURED STEERING RACK FROM ROCK AUTO BUT WE USED ALL THE STOCK HARDWARE TO PUT IT ON.

[ drill spinning ]

(JEREMY)>> THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS REMOVE THE INNER TIE ROD END WITH A REALLY, REALLY BIG WRENCH.

A LITTLE BIT OF PERMATEX WILL HELP SECURE THE BOLT THAT WILL HOLD DOWN THE STEERING BRACKET SUPPLIED BY LSK.

TO GET THE MOST ARTICULATION OUT OF OUR STEERING WE'LL INSTALL THIS BRACKET WITH THE BOLT RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE GROUND. OUR TIE ROD BAR IS SUPPLIED WITH THE HEIM JOINTS, MISALIGNMENT SHIMS, AND ALL THE GRADE EIGHT HARDWARE. AND JUST SNUG THE JAMB NUTS CAUSE YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO HAVE THIS ALIGNED WHEN YOU'RE ALL DONE. WELL NOW THAT THE RACK IS INSTALLED WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET FROM THIS POINT UP INTO THE CAB. WELL WE WENT TO SUMMIT RACING DOT COM AND PICKED UP ONE OF THEIR UJOINTS THAT FITS THE STOCK FORD RACK, AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IS DOUBLE "D" STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA USE TO GET FROM HERE ALL THE WAY UP IN THE CAB.

START WITH THAT ONE. WE'LL PUT A LITTLE PIECE IN HERE. SOMEWHERE AROUND FOUR INCHES TO START. LET'S PUT THIS LITTLE PIECE IN HERE SO WE CAN GET AROUND THE MOTOR MOUNT. THEN WE'LL START TRAVELING UP TOWARDS THE FIREWALL. AND I'M GONNA BE USING A ROD END TO SECURE THIS SHORT SECTION OF SHAFT. NOW WE'RE DOING THAT BECAUSE I'M USING MORE THAN ONE UJOINT TO GET FROM THE STEERING RACK ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE CAB. OUR LAST PIECE OF DOUBLE "D" SHAFT WILL NEED TO BE CUT TO ABOUT 14 INCHES. SO NOW THAT WE'RE HEADING UP TOWARDS THE FIREWALL WE'RE GONNA DO ONE BIG SAFETY STEP HERE. I'M ACTUALLY GONNA INSTALL THE STEERING SHAFT IN AND TIGHTEN THE SET SCREW DOWN. NOW WHAT THAT'S GONNA DO IS PUT A MARK ON THE SHAFT ITSELF. THEN WE'LL TAKE IT ALL OUT AND I'M ACTUALLY GONNA DRILL RIGHT WHERE THAT MARK LANDED ON THE SHAFT. PUT A LITTLE BEVEL IN THERE, THAT WAY IT STAYS IN PLACE.

A CENTER PUNCH WILL NOT ONLY CENTER YOUR DRILL BIT, IT WILL HELP KEEP IT FROM SLIDING OFF THE ROUNDED PART OF THIS SHAFT. NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO VERY DEEP. SOMETHING AROUND AN EIGHTH OF AN INCH WILL ALLOW THE SET SCREW TO JUST BITE A LITTLE BIT BETTER. NOW WITH OUR STEERING MOCKED UP TO THIS POINT WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE FINISH THE ROLL CAGE CAUSE OUR DASH IS ACTUALLY GONNA BECOME PART OF THE ROLL CAGE, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE TO FINISH THAT WITH OUR STEERING WHEEL.

(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, WE'RE TYING THE ROLL CAGE TO OUR RANGER'S CAB, AND LATER WE'RE HAVING SOME FUN DOWN ON THE FARM.

(ELIZA)>> REALLY?

(ELIZA)>> HEY GUYS, WELCOME BACK TO XOR. WITH OUR ROLL CAGE COMPLETELY WELDED UP AND GUSSETED IT IS NOW TIME TO TIE THE ROLL CAGE TO THE CAB ITSELF, AND WE'RE GONNA DO THAT WITH APILLAR GUSSETS, AND WE'RE GONNA START OFF WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CARDBOARD.

THAT SHOULD WORK. WITH MY PIECE OF 16 GAUGE SHEET METAL ROUGHLY CUT, I'LL POSITION IT TO DETERMINE WHERE I WANT MY DIMPLE DYES TO GO.

I MEASURED FOR THE EXPOSED PART OF THE GUSSET SO THAT I COULD CENTER AND EVENLY SPACE THE DYES.

ALL RIGHT, SO WE'VE GOT OUR...

...THREE QUARTERS OF INCH CIRCLE HERE. ONE INCH HERE, AND ONE AND NINESIXTEENTHS HERE. LET'S GO DRILL THESE OUT.

FIRST CUT IS WITH OUR THREE QUARTER INCH HOLE SAW.

THEN MOVING ON UP TO OUR ONE INCH HOLE SAW. USING A PIECE OF WOOD UNDER YOUR CUT SECURES THE PIECE OF FLAT STOCK, PROTECTS YOUR DRILL PRESS SPACE, MAKES FOR A CLEAN CUT, AND INCREASES THE LONGEVITY OF YOUR BIT. AND OUR LAST CUT IS WITH OUR ONE AND NINESIXTEENTHS HOLE SAW BIT.

SHEET METAL IS INHERENTLY FLIMSY. SO HERE'S A REASON WHY I USE DIMPLE DYES. THEY'RE A GREAT WAY TO CREATE STRENGTH AND THEY EVEN REDUCE THE WEIGHT IN OUR GUSSETS. NOW HERE'S THE REASON WHY WE ARE USING THESE GUSSETS IN OUR PRERUNNER. THEY TIE OUR ROLL CAGE TO THE CAB. THIS CREATES RIGIDITY AND PREVENTS THE ROLL CAGE AND CAB FROM MOVING INDEPENDENTLY DURING THE ABUSE OF RUNNING ACROSS THE DESERT AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE.

LAST ONE! THEY WILL ALSO ACT AS A CRUMPLE ZONE IN CASE THINGS GET OUT OF HAND AND WE COME TO A VIOLENT STOP RUBBER UP.

OH YEAH, LOOK AT THAT, PRETTY!

I'M JUMPING AROUND WHILE TACKING THIS PIECE IN PLACE SO I CAN CONTROL THE GUSSET'S EXACT PLACEMENT ON THE APILLAR. I'M USING LOCKING PLIERS WITH A "U" SHAPED JAW TO CLOSE ANY GAPS AND CUSTOM FIT THE GUSSET TO THE ROLL CAGE. THEY CLAMP AROUND THE TUBING OF THE CAGE WHILE THE FLAT PART OF THE JAW KEEPS THE SHEET METAL WHERE I WANT IT. THE SPACE BETWEEN THE JAWS GIVES ME ROOM TO WELD. ALL RIGHT, WITH THE FRONT SIDE OF THE GUSSET DONE I'M GONNA MAKE A DUPLICATE THAT'S GONNA GO ON THE INNER SIDE. THEN AFTER THAT IT'S JUST GETTING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DONE. SO THE NEXT TIME OUR PRERUNNER THE ROLL CAGE WILL BE ALMOST COMPLETE.

(JEREMY)>> FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING YOUR TRUCK INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, OR IF WHEN YOU DO GET IT INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE YOU HEAR NOISES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH YOUR TRUCK, WELL IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR A NEW TRANSFER CASE. WITH THEIR REMANUFACTURED TRANSFER CASES POWERTRAIN PRODUCTS TAKES CARE OF ALL THE COMMON ISSUES, LIKE BEARING FAILURE, WORN FORKS, STRETCHED CHAINS, AND BROKEN REAR RETAINER RINGS. THEIR TRANSFER CASES ARE SPIN TESTED TO ENSURE SHIFTABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY, AND POWERTRAIN PRODUCTS BACKS THEM WITH A THREE YEAR NATIONWIDE UNLIMITED MILEAGE PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY.

(NARRATOR)>> WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL HELP DAVID AND HIS SIDE KICK MISSY WITH THEIR FARM TRUCK, STAY TUNED.

(ELIZA)>> HEY GUYS, WE ARE OUT OF THE SHOP AND BACK ON THE ROAD, AND HEADED OVER TO A VIEWER'S HOUSE.

(JEREMY)>> THAT'S RIGHT, WE'RE BACK IN THE BIG NISSAN NV VAN AND IT'S PACKED FULL OF TOOLS AND PARTS FOR ANOTHER DRIVEWAY RESCUE.

(ELIZA)>> YEP, AND WE'RE HEADED OVER TO DAVID'S HOUSE TO HELP HIM WORK ON HIS FARM TRUCK.

(JEREMY)>> WOO HOO, THAT'S A GOOD ONE RIGHT THERE.

(ELIZA)>> YEAH!

(JEREMY)>> DAVID AND HIS FAMILY HAVE LIVED ON THIS ROAD AND FARMED THIS LAND IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOR MANY GENERATIONS.

(ELIZA)>> JUST AS IMPORTANT AS A TRACTOR IS ON THE FARM SO IS A FARM TRUCK, AND DAVID'S IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF ONE.

(JEREMY)>> WITH HIS CONSTANT COMPANION AND FARM HAND RIDING ALONG, MISSY, THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP DOG IS ALWAYS READY TO GO TO WORK. DAVID HAS AN UNLIMITED LIST OF CHORES TO GET DONE FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET.

(ELIZA)>> ONE CHORE THAT KEEPS DAVID BUSY IS MAINTAINING AND CLEARING THE FENCE LINE OF OLD TREES AND BRANCHES, MAKING MORE THAN ONE CHAINSAW A CONSTANT PASSENGER.

(DAVID)>> RIGHT NOW THERE IS THREE CHAINSAWS IN THE FLOORBOARD, A TANK OF GAS FOR THE CHAINSAWS, OIL FOR THE BARS OF THE CHAINSAWS, AND NO TELLING HOW MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF WRENCHES ON THE DASH.

(JEREMY)>> NOW THIS TRUCK IS PRETTY VERSATILE. IT ACTUALLY SERVED AS A PAINTING STUDIO FOR DAVID'S WIFE.

(DAVID)>> IT IS AN ART STUDIO. MY WIFE, SHE WAS REDOING A WINDMILL IN THE FRONT YARD OF THE HOUSE, AND THAT'S WHERE SHE PAINTED IT, ON THE HOOD ON THE TRUCK. NOT THAT THE TRUCK DIDN'T NEED A LITTLE PAINT TO ADD TO THE HOOD, YOU KNOW?

(ELIZA)>> OUTSIDE OF SOME ARTISTIC OVERSPRAY DAVID'S 1980 F-150 UNFORTUNATELY GETS LITTLE ATTENTION WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER TO MISSY. AS LONG AS SHE CAN RIDE WHEREVER THEY'RE GOING.

(JEREMY)>> SO TO KEEP MISSY FROM HAVING TO WALK WE CALLED OUR BUDDIES AT ROCK AUTO DOT COM AND ORDERED A WHOLE BUNCH OF MUCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND GOT STARTED TEARING DOWN, AS DAVID CALLS IT, "OLD RED". WELL NOW THAT WE GOT ALL THE STUFF OFF THE ENGINE HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA REPLACE. WE'RE GONNA PUT NEW PLUG WIRES IN, NEW PLUGS, NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR. WE'RE ALSO GONNA BE REPLACING THE COIL, AND THE OLD CARBURETOR WAS ACTUALLY LEAKING OUT OF THE ACCELERATOR PUMP. WELL INSTEAD OF JUST REPLACING THE PARTS IN THAT WE WENT TO ROCK AUTO DOT COM, PICKED UP A BRAND NEW REMANUFACTURED CARBURETOR AND WE'RE JUST GONNA SET THIS RIGHT IN PLACE.

(ELIZA)>> I'M JUST HERE TO PLAY WITH MISSY. JUST KIDDING. WE'VE GOT QUITE A BIT OF WORK TO DO. WE'VE GOT NEW SHOCKS, SOME LIGHTING, CHROME, AND SOME NEW WHEELS AND TIRES. READY, YOU WANT IT? GO!

(JEREMY)>> IT ALL STARTS WITH A GOOD CLEANING OF THE INTAKE, FOLLOWED BY A BASE GASKET.

AND THE EGR PLATE.

ONE MORE BASE GASKET AND THE CARBURETOR ITSELF.

BE CAREFUL TIGHTENING THE CARBURETOR DOWN CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO DISTORT THE ACTUAL BASE OF THE CARBURETOR, AND THEN HOOK UP THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE ALL IMPORTANT THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS.

FUEL HOSE.

(ELIZA)>> DAVID'S SPARK PLUGS HAD COVERED EVERY INCH OF GROUND ON THIS FARM. SO WE SENT THEM OUT TO PASTURE AND ADDED A NEW SET SPORTING A LITTLE ANTISEIZE.

(JEREMY)>> WITH THE PLUGS IN PLACE WE ADDED A NEW COIL.

FOLLOWED BY THE DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR AND A NEW CAP.

AND A SET OF NEW PLUG WIRES.

ALL RIGHT ELIZA, FIRE IT UP! [ engine starts and idles ]

(JEREMY)>> THAT'LL WORK, SHUT IT OFF.

(ELIZA)>> ALL RIGHT!

(JEREMY)>> PERFECT!

(ELIZA)>> OUT BACK I'M STARTING WITH BRAND NEW COIL OVERS.

AND THEN MOVING UP FRONT WITH NEW HEAVY DUTY REPLACEMENT SHOCKS.

HERE WE GO!

THERE WE GO! WHEN IT COMES TIME TO CHANGING THE TIRES ON YOUR RIDE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF OPTIONS, AND KNOWING WHAT YOU'RE GONNA BE USING YOUR TIRES FOR IS VERY IMPORTANT. GENERAL'S GRABBER ATX IS A GREAT OPTION. THE GRABBER ATX WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE A MORE COMFORTABLE AND QUIET RIDE. IT FEATURES A LARGE FOOT PRINT FOR LONG TREAD LIFE. ITS ROBUST DESIGN OFFERS GRIP IN DIRT, SNOW, AND ALL LOOSE SURFACES. THEIR AGGRESSIVE ALL TERRAIN TIRE PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL OFF ROAD CAPABILITY AND DURABILITY. SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A TIRE THAT'S BUILT FOR ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS CHECK OUT GENERAL'S GRABBER ATX.

(NARRATOR)>> AFTER THE BREAK IT'S MORE HORSING AROUND ON THE FARM, STICK AROUND.

(JEREMY)>> HEY GUYS, WELCOME BACK TO THE DRIVEWAY RESCUE OF DAVID'S FARM TRUCK.

(ELIZA)>> DAVID'S FRONT BUMPER HAS SEEN ITS LAST SUNRISE ON THE FARM. SO WE'RE BRINGING SOME NEW SHINE TO THE TRUCK.

(JEREMY)>> OH! NOW THIS IS JUST A FARM TRUCK. SO WE'RE NOT GONNA GET CARRIED AWAY INSTALLING THE ACTUAL CARRIAGE BOLTS IN THE BUMPER. WE JUST USED GRADE EIGHT HARDWARE FROM INDUSTRIAL DEPOT.

(ELIZA)>> AND MISSY WAS ON SITE AND KEEPING AN EYE ON HER TRUCK. OH MY GOD YOU'RE SO CUTE!

(JEREMY)>> NOW WE'RE GONNA ADD ONE PIECE THAT PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED TO GO ON, BUT WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THE TRUCK LOOK GOOD. SO HERE WE GO.

NOT MUCH LEFT OF EVERYTHING HERE BUT... [ drill spinning ]

(JEREMY)>> HEY, GOT IT.

THAT MAKES THAT TRUCK LOOK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS.

(ELIZA)>> ONE UPGRADE WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE TO DAVID'S TRUCK WAS LED LIGHTING, AND THAT'S CAUSE IT GETS REALLY DARK OUT HERE IN THE COUNTRY.

(JEREMY)>> AND TO MAKE IT EASY FOR DAVID TO SEE ON THE FARM WE FABBED UP A BRACKET AND PUT THIS SWITCH RIGHT NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

(ELIZA)>> TURN IT ON!

WOO, BRIGHT!

(JEREMY)>> IF YOU REMEMBER, WHEN WE STARTED ON DAVID'S TRUCK NONE OF THE TIRES WERE THE SAME SIZE AND NONE OF THE TIRES HAD THE SAME TREAD PATTERN.

(ELIZA)>> SO WE HAD THESE 32'S LYING AROUND THE SHOP AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE GONNA DO WITH THEM. SO WE DECIDED WE'RE GONNA MAKE THESE AN UPGRADE.

REALLY?

(JEREMY)>> AH, ELIZA COME ON!

WELL DAVID WITH THAT LAST REPAIR LOOKS LIKE YOUR TRUCK'S ALL DONE, AND WE SURE DO HOPE IT GIVES YOU MANY MORE YEARS ON THE FARM.

(DAVID)>> I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE PARTS AND THE TIME YOU SPENT ON THE TRUCK.

(ELIZA)>> WHAT'S LEFT TO DO?

(DAVID)>> I GUESS WE BETTER GET THIS FENCE POST PUT UP.

(ELIZA)>> LET'S DO IT.

(JEREMY)>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO THIS.

(ELIZA)>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN ON TODAY'S SHOW VISIT US AT POWERNATION TV DOT COM.

(JEREMY)>> ALL RIGHT!

SO IF YOU GUYS ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT AND YOU JUST CAN'T SEE VERY WELL OR IF YOU JUST LIFTED YOUR TRUCK IT MIGHT BE TIME TO ADJUST YOUR HEADLIGHTS. WELL WE'RE GONNA SHOW YOU A COUPLE OF TRICKS TO GET THESE BABIES SHINNING IN THE PERFECT DIRECTION.

(ELIZA)>> AND THAT STARTS WITH MAKING SURE THAT YOUR TIRES ARE INFLATED PROPERLY.

(JEREMY)>> THEN PULL YOUR TRUCK UP TO ABOUT SIX INCHES AWAY FROM EITHER YOUR GARAGE DOOR OR A WALL. NOW WE'RE GONNA MARK THE CENTER OF THE HEADLIGHTS WHEN IT'S JUST A COUPLE OF INCHES AWAY FROM THE WALL. THEN WE'LL BACK IT UP.

(ELIZA)>> THEN MEASURE OFF 25 FEET FROM THE WALL.

(JEREMY)>> THEN PULL YOUR TRUCK UP TO THAT LINE. ALL RIGHT KEEP COMING, KEEP COMING, KEEP COMING, RIGHT THERE. NOW AS YOU CAN SEE AS WE BACK THE TRUCK UP THE 25 FOOT DISTANCE THE ERROR OF OUR HEADLIGHTS IS MORE EXTREME. THIS ONE'S, WELL THAT'S PRETTY CLOSE. THAT ONE, WELL THAT'S JUST KIND OF OFF IN LEFT FIELD. SO WE'LL GO BACK AND ADJUST THIS ONE UP, OVER, AND BRING THIS ONE OVER JUST A LITTLE BIT. NOW WE'RE GONNA SPEED UP THE VIDEO TO SHOW YOU JUST WHAT'S HAPPENING BECAUSE A LOT OF TURNS ONLY MAKES A LITTLE BIT OF ADJUSTMENT AND THIS COULD TAKE SOME TIME, AND THERE ARE TWO ADJUSTMENTS. ONE FOR UP AND DOWN AND ONE FOR LEFT AND RIGHT.

NOW THAT SEEMS TO WORK PERFECTLY FOR THIS SIZE TRUCK. NOW FOR YOU GUYS THAT HAVE LIFTED TRUCKS YOU CAN'T EXACTLY MARK THE CENTER OF YOUR HEADLIGHT ON THE WALL CAUSE IT'S TOO HIGH TO BEGIN WITH. SO THE GENERAL RULE OF THUMB IS TO MARK ABOUT FOUR FEET UP ON THE WALL. THEN GO AHEAD AND BACK YOUR TRUCK UP 25 FEET AND START ALL YOUR MEASUREMENTS FROM THERE.

AND HERE'S A LITTLE TIP. NOW AS A COMMON COURTESY A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVE THEIR DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT OVER AND DOWN. THEY DO THAT SO YOU DON'T BLIND THE GUY IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. NOW MAKE SURE AND CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL DMV. THEY MAY HAVE THEIR OWN REGULATIONS ON HOW TO ADJUST YOUR HEADLIGHTS. NOW SOME TRUCKS ACTUALLY HAVE A LOAD LEVELING SWITCH. SO IF YOU PUT A TRAILER ON THE BACK OF YOUR TRUCK AND IT SQUATS IT'S GONNA PUT YOUR HEADLIGHTS UP IN THE AIR. WELL THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A SWITCH INSIDE THE TRUCK THAT YOU CAN TURN THAT'LL PUT YOUR HEADLIGHTS STRAIGHT AGAIN. HIT IT ELIZA. YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOWER YOUR HEADLIGHTS ENOUGH SO YOU CAN SEE BUT KEEP IN MIND EVERYBODY THAT'S COMING AT YOU.