Parts Used In This Episode
4 Wheel Parts
35 X 12.50R15 Pro Comp Xtreme Mud Terrain Tires
4 Wheel Parts
Rock Crawler Series 52 Steel Wheels
ATK Performance Engines
Remanufactured Short Block 350 Assembly
LMC Truck
Molded Industrial Polyvinyl Floor Mat Set
Matco Tools
1/2 Ton Floor Style Transmission Jack
Monster Transmission and Performance
Monster In A Box Rebuild Kit
PRP Seats
Custom Suspension High Back Front Bucket Seats
PRP Seats
Custom Suspension Rear Bench Seat with Cupholders
Video Transcript
(ANNOUNCER)>> MILLIONS ARE
STILL POUNDING AMERICA'S HIGHWAYS, BUT JUST HOW
MANY ARE EQUIPPED FOR THIS KIND OF TERRAIN? TODAY ON XTREME 4X4, OUR FULL
SIZE BLAZER GOES TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH A BEEFIER
MOTOR AND FULL ROLL CAGE. PLUS PART TWO OF OUR
LOW DOLLAR WHEELER.
(IAN)>> NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE BROUGHT A FULL SIZE IFS LIFTED BLAZER INTO THE SHOP AND HELPED IT DITCH ITS MINI VAN ATTITUDE AND TURN IT BACK INTO A TRUCK BY PERFORMING A SOLID AXLE SWAP ON THE RIG. NOW WE WENT AHEAD AND BROUGHT THE SAME TRUCK BACK IN THE SHOP NOT TOO LONG AGO TO GET RID OF ITS LIFTED STREET TRUCK STATUS AND BUILD IT INTO SOMETHING THAT COULD HANDLE A LITTLE BIT OF HARDCORE WHEELING. WE THREW SOME BODY PROTECTION AT IT, UPGRADED THE SUSPENSION BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND FINISHED IT OFF WITH SOME LOCKERS AND CHROMOLY SHAFTS. WELL NOW THE TRUCK IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR ITS FINAL DOSE OF THRASHING. SEE THERE'S STILL SOME STUFF WE WANT TO DO TO THIS TRUCK. 200,000 MILES ON THE SMALL BLOCK UNDERNEATH THE HOOD LEAVES IT DEFINITELY UNDERPOWERED, AND WHEN YOU'RE WHEELING A FULL SIZE RIG, YOU NEED ALL THE POWER YOU CAN MUSTER TO GET TO THE TOP OF THOSE HILLS. SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THE ENGINE. WE'LL UPGRADE THE TRANSFER CASE, AND THEN WE'LL FINISH OUT TODAY WITH THE ULTIMATE MUST HAVE OFF ROAD ACCESSORY, AND THAT IS A FULL ROLL CAGE.
A QUESTION THAT COMES UP A LOT FROM YOU GUYS IS WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REBUILD YOUR MOTOR AND ADD SOME PERFORMANCE GOODIES WHEN IT'S LIVING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF YOUR DAILY DRIVER TRUCK? WELL HONESTLY IT'S BEST NOT TO TOUCH THE MOTOR THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN THE TRUCK BECAUSE YOUR TRUCK IS GOING TO BE DOWN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AS YOU REBUILD IT. YOU PULLED THIS MOTOR OUT NOW, IT'D TAKE YOU ABOUT A WEEKEND TO DROP IT OFF AT A MACHINE SHOP, PICK IT UP A WEEK LATER, PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER. AND THEN IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE ANOTHER WEEK BEFORE YOU GET IT ACTUALLY BACK RUNNING. THAT'S THREE WEEKS WITHOUT THE TRUCK THAT YOU'RE DRIVING EVERYDAY. THE BETTER OPTION IS TO GO AHEAD AND GET ANOTHER MOTOR. SWING BY A JUNKYARD AND GET THE SAME MOTOR THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. TEAR IT DOWN, REBUILD IT, GET IT ALL READY TO GO IN. THAT WAY ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ONE WEEKEND TAKE THE OLD MOTOR OUT, STUFF THE REBUILT MOTOR IN, AND THEN YOU CAN SELL YOUR OLD MOTOR AND RECOUP SOME OF THAT MONEY. BUT THERE IS ONE OTHER OPTION, AND THAT'S TO GET A MOTOR IN A CRATE. AND WITH THAT SCENARIO YOU HAVE A FEW CHOICES. YOU CAN GET A FULL ON 100 PERCENT ASSEMBLED CRATE MOTOR THAT'S READY TO DROP UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF YOUR TRUCK, A LONG BLOCK THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CYLINDER HEADS. YOU'RE USUALLY JUST MISSING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. OR YOU CAN GET WHAT WE HAVE HERE. NOW THIS IS A SHORT BLOCK FROM ATK ENGINE SUPPLY. IT'S A MACHINED BLOCK WITH NEW PISTONS. THE RODS HAVE BEEN BALANCED WITH A BRAND NEW CRANK SHAFT THAT'S BEEN FULLY ASSEMBLED AND IT'S READY TO ACCEPT EITHER PARTS OFF THE ENGINE YOU PULLED OUT OF YOUR TRUCK, OR A BUNCH OF AFTERMARKET GOODIES LIKE WE'RE GONNA DO HERE. NOW THE NICE THING ABOUT USING THIS SHORT BLOCK IS IF YOU INVESTIGATE IT A LITTLE BIT, SOMETIMES IT ENDS BEING LESS MONEY. IF WE'D TAKEN THE MOTOR OUT OF OUR BLAZER, DROPPED IT OFF AT A MACHINE SHOP, AND HAD ALL THE WORK DONE, WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT BACK INCLUDING PARTS FOR AROUND $1,200 TO $1,300 DOLLARS. THIS SHORT BLOCK FROM ATK COMES IN AT ABOUT $1,500 BUCKS, AND THERE'S ONE EXTRA KICKER TO THAT. IT COMES WITH A TWO YEAR UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY. SO ONCE WE HAVE IT ALL PUT TOGETHER AND INSTALLED IN OUR BLAZER, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING HAPPENING. AND IF IT DOES, WE'LL GET A NEW MOTOR. TO UPGRADE THIS SHORT BLOCK, WE'RE GOING TO INSTALL A COMPLETE EDELBROCK ETEC 50 STATE LEGAL POWER PACKAGE. THE CAM, LIFTERS, CYLINDER HEADS, AND TUBULAR EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE MATCHED TO MAKE THE MOST POWER, YET STILL PASS STRICT EMISSION REQUIREMENTS. A MUST IF YOU PLAN TO DRIVE YOUR TRUCK ON THE ROAD. THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS HAVE INCREASED VALVE SIZES ON BOTH THE INTAKE AND THE EXHAUST, UPGRADED VALVE SPRINGS, AND THE ENLARGED INTAKE PORTS MATCHED PERFECTLY WITH THE ALUMINUM PERFORMER TBI INTAKE. AND THE TUBULAR EXHAUST HEADERS WILL REPLACE THE RESTRICTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. NOW NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF CRATE ENGINE YOU PLAN TO SWAP INTO YOUR TRUCK, PLAN TO REUSE SOME PARTS OFF OF YOUR ORIGINAL MOTOR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO KEEP THE TRUCK STREET LEGAL LIKE WE ARE. WE HAVE TO MOVE ALL THE SENSORS OVER AS WELL AS THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION UNIT ONTO THE NEW INTAKE. NOW SOME PARTS WE'RE USING JUST TO SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY. WE'RE GONNA REUSE THE STOCK PUSH RODS AS WELL AS THE STOCK ROCKER ARMS BECAUSE WE ARE WELL WITHIN THE OPERATING LIMITS OF THOSE STOCK PARTS WITH THIS ENGINE. AND SO FAR WE'VE ONLY GOT $4,000 INVESTED IN A BRAND NEW MOTOR. SO THROWING A LITTLE BIT EXTRA MONEY AT IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS A GOOD IDEA. GO AHEAD, PICK YOURSELF UP A NEW WATER PUMP, NEW STARTER, NEW ALTERNATOR, ALL THE STUFF THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY WEAR OUT AFTER YOU PUT A FEW MILES ON YOUR TRUCK. NOW JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA REBUILD THE ENGINE DOESN'T MEAN EVERYTHING IS GARBAGE. IF YOU'RE GONNA BE PUTTING A SIMILAR MOTOR BACK UNDER THE HOOD LIKE WE ARE, YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU UNPLUG. DON'T CUT ANYTHING, JUST DISCONNECT IT AND SET IT ASIDE.
AFTER OUR SOLID AXLE SWAP, WE PUT A FEW MILES ON THIS RIG, AND THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE 200,000 PLUS MILE SMALL BLOCK UNDER THE HOOD IS DEFINITELY WORN OUT. WE HAD TROUBLE PUSHING THIS TRUCK UP THE HILL ABOVE 70 MILES AN HOUR. THIS PACKAGE HAS BEEN TESTED BY EDELBROCK AND PRODUCED ROUGHLY 400 HORSEPOWER AND 440 POUND FEET OF TORQUE AT THE FLYWHEEL WHEN DYNO TESTED.
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, YOU'LL NEED THIS IF YOU'RE GONNA DO THIS, STAY TUNED!
(IAN)>> WE HAVE OUR BLAZER PROJECT BACK IN THE SHOP TODAY TAKING CARE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN AS WE CONVERT THIS RIG OVER FROM A LIFTED STREET TRUCK TO A HARDCORE WHEELER. I GOT THE MOTOR BACK UNDERNEATH THE HOOD BUT NO HOOD OR FENDERS BECAUSE WE STILL WANT TO TIE INTO THESE SHOCK HOOPS WITH THE ROLL CAGE THAT WE'RE GONNA BUILD LATER ON. NOW THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS TO LEAVE THE TRANSMISSION ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR. MAYBE CLEAN IT UP, THROW A COAT A PAINT ON IT. BUT WHEN WE SAW THE VALVE COVERS UNDERNEATH THE ORIGINAL ENGINE, THAT PLAN CHANGED. THIS IS WHAT THE INSIDE OF YOUR ENGINE LOOKS LIKE IF YOU DON'T ROUTINELY CHANGE THE OIL. THE OIL BREAKS DOWN OVER TIME AND THEN COMBINES WITH THE BLOW BY GASES THAT HAPPEN NATURALLY DURING COMBUSTION TO CREATE THIS CARBON BASED SLUDGE. NOW THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT CARBON BASED SLUDGE GETS IN ALL THE OIL GALLERIES. IT CAN JAM UP THE OIL PUMP AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. NOW IN OUR CASE IT REALLY SORT DROVE HOME THE FACT THAT WE DID THE RIGHT THING BY PULLING THIS MOTOR OUT AND REPLACING IT, BUT IT ALSO TELLS US SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THE REST OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. IF THE OIL WAS NEVER CHANGED IN THE MOTOR, CHANCES ARE THEY NEVER SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. AND WITH 200,000 MILES ON IT, FOR OUR SAKE, FULL REBUILD.
NOW THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF OUR BLAZER IS A FOUR L-60-E. NOW THAT IS A FULLY AUTOMATIC FOUR SPEED OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION. AND NOT TOO LONG AGO WE TOOK YOU GUYS STEP BY STEP THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING AN AUTOMATIC VERY SIMILAR TO THIS WHEN WE REBUILT THE 700 RFOUR THAT WE PUT IN OUR SCOUT PROJECT SHOWING YOU ALL THE LITTLE TIPS AND TRICKS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN REBUILDING AN AUTOMATIC. NOW WE'RE GONNA REBUILD THIS ONE THE EXACT SAME. WE'RE GONNA TEAR IT APART AND REPLACE ALL THE COMPONENTS WITH A COMPLETE UPGRADE KIT FROM MONSTER TRANSMISSION. IT'S CALLED THE MONSTER IN A BOX PACKAGE AND IT COMES WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GONNA NEED, HEAVY DUTY COLEEN STEELS, UPGRADED ALTO CLUTCH DISCS, NEW PLANETARY GEAR SETS, HEAVY DUTY SUN GEAR SHELL, AND WE'LL FINISH IT OFF WITH A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND A NICE CHROME PAN. BUT WHEN WE DID THAT SHOW SHOWING YOU GUYS ALL THOSE TIPS AND TRICKS, A LOT OF STUFF CAME UP AFTERWARDS AND IT HAD TO DO WITH NOT REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION BUT PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN AND TAKING IT OUT. AND FOR THAT THERE'S ALSO THREE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF. THE FIRST IS GONNA BE GETTING YOURSELF A DEDICATED TRANSMISSION JACK. NOW THIS IS A HALF TON FLOOR TRANSMISSION JACK FROM MATCO. NOW YOU'VE SEEN US USE THE UNDER HOIST ONCE BEFORE, BUT THIS IS DESIGNED FOR WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR IN YOUR GARAGE AT HOME. WHEN YOU COMPARE IT SIDE BY SIDE WITH A REGULAR JACK, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE DIFFERENCE. THE TRANSMISSION JACK HAS CASTORS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS THAT PIVOT, NOT LIKE A STANDARD JACK WHICH IS FIXED IN THE FRONT. IT IS ALSO ADJUSTABLE TO SET THE ANGLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SITTING AT. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE TRANSMISSION PAD WHERE THE PAN SITS IS VERY WIDE AND INCLUDES THE SAFETY CHAIN TO LOCK THAT TRANSMISSION INTO PLACE CAUSE TIME AND TIME AGAIN YOU'RE GONNA BE LAYING ON YOUR BACK WITH THIS TRANSMISSION SUPPORTED JUST BY THIS JACK AND YOUR HEAD UNDERNEATH IT. SO YOU NEED THE SAFETY OF A DEDICATED TRANSMISSION JACK. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE IS NOT FULLY SEATING THE TORQUE CONVERTER. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION PERFECTLY VERTICAL, LOWER THE CONVERTER ONTO THE INPUT SHAFT AND SPIN IT, AND LISTEN FOR TWO DISTINCT THUDS. IF YOU'RE UNSURE, PUT A STRAIGHT EDGE ACROSS THE BELL HOUSING AND MEASURE TO THE CONVERTER MOUNTING LUG. IT SHOULD BE MORE THAN AN INCH. BEFORE YOU REINSTALL YOUR FRESHLY BUILT TRANSMISSION INTO YOUR TRUCK, YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE COOLER AND THE COOLER LINES. YOU SEE ANY LEFTOVER SEDIMENT CAN BE BUILT UP IN THESE LINES AND EVEN WORN OUT CLUTCH MATERIAL. SO IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO FLUSH THEM OUT. SIMPLY TAKE SOME BRAKE CLEAN AND SPRAY IT DOWN EITHER LINE. AND FOLLOW THAT WITH A BLOW GUN.
(IAN)>> WELCOME BACK TO XTREME WHERE WE'RE CONVERTING OUR EVERYDAY STREET TRUCKS INTO A HARDCORE WHEELER. AND IF YOU DO THAT TO YOUR RIG AT HOME, ONE ITEM THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE IS A GOOD ROLL CAGE. IF YOU CAN'T BUILD IT YOURSELF, HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE DO IT FOR YOU BUT NEVER HIT A TRAIL UNTIL YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY A BUNCH OF TUBING. IF IT'S A FULL SIZE RIG LIKE WE HAVE HERE, YOU'RE GONNA WANT A MINIMUM OF INCH AND THREE QUARTER DOM .120 WALL. IT'S JUST LIKE WASHING YOUR HAIR, BEND, CUT, NOTCH, AND THEN REPEAT. OH YEAH!
PROBABLY THE HARDEST PART ABOUT BUILDING A CAGE INSIDE A CAB LIKE THIS IS DEALING WITH WELDING ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE TUBE. IF YOU RUN IT REALLY CLOSE TO THE HEADLINER LIKE WE ARE HERE, YOU CAN'T GET THE TORCH ON TOP TO GET A GOOD WELD. THERE'S A COUPLE WAYS TO DEAL WITH IT. YOU CAN CUT HOLES IN THE FLOOR AND TRY AND DROP THE CAGE DOWN. BUT WHEN YOU'RE INTEGRATED INTO THE DASH LIKE WE ARE HERE, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. SO OUR PLAN IS SIMPLE. WE'VE GOT THESE TWO SIDES PUT TOGETHER. WE'RE GONNA CUT THE TACKS LOOSE FROM THE FLOOR. WE'LL LAY IT IN, WELD THE TUBE ALL THE WAY AROUND, LET IT COOL, AND THEN PUT A BACK UP INTO PLACE. THAT WAY WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BURNING UP THE HEADLINER AND WE'LL GET A GOOD WELD ON THE BACK SIDE. BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT A GOOD STOPPING POINT BECAUSE WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS CROSSER BAR THAT WILL CONNECT THE TWO HALVES TOGETHER. WE CAN RUN IT STRAIGHT, OR WE CAN PUT A LITTLE BIT OF CURVE IN IT FOR EXTRA HEAD ROOM IF WE NEED IT. BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED THAT EXTRA HEAD ROOM UNTIL WE GET SOME SEATS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT IN BRAND NEW SEATS WHEN YOU BUILD A ROLL CAGE. BUT CONSIDERING ALL THE MONEY YOU THROW AT THE REST OF THE RIG AND THIS IS WHERE YOU SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME WHEN YOU'RE OUT WHEELING, IT IS A GOOD INVESTMENT. SO WE'RE GONNA INSTALL A COMPLETE SET OF PRP SUSPENSION SEATS. IT'S AN ALL STEEL TUBE STRUCTURE WITH PARACHUTE CORD DRAPED IN BETWEEN TO ABSORB THE SHOCK. NOW WE HAD OURS CUSTOM WRAPPED IN THIS BLACK VINYL WITH GREY PIPING AND THIS NICE SUEDE INNER PANEL TO REALLY DRESS UP THE INSIDE OF OUR TRUCK. THE BACK SEAT IS ONE OF THEIR CUSTOM BENCH SEATS. IT LOOKS LIKE TWO DIFFERENT SUSPENSION SEATS, BUT IT'S ONE PIECE WITH AN INTEGRATED CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK FOR THE PASSENGERS TO KEEP THEIR BEVERAGES SAFE WHEN WE'RE OUT ON THE TRAIL. NOW CONSIDERING THE LOOK OF THE CARPET THAT WE PULLED OUT OF THIS TRUCK, WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO REPLACE THAT AS WELL. SO WE CALLED LMC TRUCK AND HAD THEM SEND US ONE OF THEIR DIE CUT FACTORY FIT RUBBER FLOOR KITS. NOW THIS'LL COMPLETELY REPLACE ALL THE CARPET IN OUR TRUCK. AND BECAUSE IT'S A TEXTURED RUBBER MAT INSTEAD OF AN ACTUAL CARPET, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT GETTING RUINED WHEN WE'RE OUT ON THE TRAIL.
(ANNOUNCER)>> OH YEAH, SOUNDS LIKE BARRY WHITE APPROVES. STAY TUNED, IAN'S HOT ON THE IDEA OF A NO COST WAY TO GET LOCKERS INTO YOUR RIG.
(ANNOUNCER)>> XTREME'S LOW DOLLAR WHEELER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FOUR WHEEL PARTS, YOUR TRUCK AND JEEP ACCESSORY SUPERSTORE ONLINE AT FOUR WHEEL PARTS DOT COM.
(IAN)>> NOW YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR LOW DOLLAR WHEELER IS NOT TO BUILD THE MOST XTREME CRAWLER OUT THERE. IT'S TO SHOW YOU GUYS WHAT THE MINIMAL AMOUNT OF MONEY'LL GET YOU WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO GO OUT AND GET A LITTLE BIT OF DIRT ON YOUR TIRES. NOW SO FAR WE'VE GOT $1,000 DOLLARS IN THIS JEEP CHEROKEE, AND THAT GIVES US A USED WINCH MOUNTED UP FRONT AND THE COMPLETE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. BUT BEFORE WE HIT THE TRAIL, WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF TWO THINGS, TIRES AND WHEELS AND A LOCKER. THE REAR AXLE IN THE BACK OF THIS CHEROKEE IS LIKE MOST JEEP SUV'S, AN OPEN DIFFERENTIAL, AND THE EASIEST WAY TO LOCK IT UP AND THE CHEAPEST IS TO WELD IT SOLID. GO AHEAD AND LINE UP THE SPIDERS, AND BURN THEM IN WITH A GOOD, HOT WELD. BUT REMEMBER, BEFORE YOU DO, BE SURE TO REMOVE THE PAN THAT YOU DRAINED THE OIL INTO. YOU COULD START A FIRE. HOLD ON I'VE GOT ANOTHER FIRE. I DON'T THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. I GOT IT, I GOT IT! ONCE THE FIRE'S OUT, CLEAN OFF THE OLD GASKET MATERIAL, RESEAL THE COVER, AND FILL IT UP WITH OIL. LOCKED DIFFERENTIAL, COST ZERO DOLLARS. EVEN WITH A LOCKED AXLE, THE TIRES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR CHEROKEE WILL BE LUCKY TO PULL IT UP A DIRT ROAD, LET ALONE A HARDCORE TRAIL. SO WE'RE GONNA UPGRADE THEM TO SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE. NOW WE GOT A COMPLETE TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGE FROM THE GUYS AT FOUR WHEEL PARTS, AND IT'S A PRO COMP EXTREME MUD TERRAIN TIRE, 33 INCHES TALL, 12.5 INCHES WIDE. IT HAS A NICE AGGRESSIVE TREAD WITH NICE CUTOUTS IN EACH TREAD BLOCK TO ALLOW THEM TO EXPAND WHEN HOT TO ALLOW FOR EASY CLEAN OUT. THEY INSTALLED AND BALANCED THEM ON A SET OF THEIR 15 INCH ROCK CRAWLER STEEL WHEELS. NOW WE CHOSE THE 33 INCH TALL TIRE MAINLY BECAUSE OF OUR BUDGET. SMALLER TIRES LIKE THIS RUN FOR A LITTLE BIT LESS MONEY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGE COMES IN AT JUST OVER $1,200 BUCKS SHIPPED TO OUR DOOR. NOW THAT ALSO SAVES US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO UPGRADE THE AXLES IN OUR CHEROKEE, WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TO STEP UP ALL THE WAY TO A DANA 60. WE CAN UPGRADE TO A GOOD 44 AND STILL GET GOOD GROUND CLEARANCE. NOW THE STEEL WHEEL SAVES US MONEY THE SAME WAY. IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY UP FRONT, BUT ALSO WHEN WE WANT A SET OF FUNCTIONING BEAD LOCKS, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BUY A WELD ON KIT, WELD IT TO THIS STEEL WHEEL, AND WE'LL HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONAL BEAD LOCK RIM. FOR DETAILS ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS USED IN THIS EPISODE, GO TO POWERBLOCK TV DOT COM.
Show Full Transcript
(IAN)>> NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE BROUGHT A FULL SIZE IFS LIFTED BLAZER INTO THE SHOP AND HELPED IT DITCH ITS MINI VAN ATTITUDE AND TURN IT BACK INTO A TRUCK BY PERFORMING A SOLID AXLE SWAP ON THE RIG. NOW WE WENT AHEAD AND BROUGHT THE SAME TRUCK BACK IN THE SHOP NOT TOO LONG AGO TO GET RID OF ITS LIFTED STREET TRUCK STATUS AND BUILD IT INTO SOMETHING THAT COULD HANDLE A LITTLE BIT OF HARDCORE WHEELING. WE THREW SOME BODY PROTECTION AT IT, UPGRADED THE SUSPENSION BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND FINISHED IT OFF WITH SOME LOCKERS AND CHROMOLY SHAFTS. WELL NOW THE TRUCK IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR ITS FINAL DOSE OF THRASHING. SEE THERE'S STILL SOME STUFF WE WANT TO DO TO THIS TRUCK. 200,000 MILES ON THE SMALL BLOCK UNDERNEATH THE HOOD LEAVES IT DEFINITELY UNDERPOWERED, AND WHEN YOU'RE WHEELING A FULL SIZE RIG, YOU NEED ALL THE POWER YOU CAN MUSTER TO GET TO THE TOP OF THOSE HILLS. SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THE ENGINE. WE'LL UPGRADE THE TRANSFER CASE, AND THEN WE'LL FINISH OUT TODAY WITH THE ULTIMATE MUST HAVE OFF ROAD ACCESSORY, AND THAT IS A FULL ROLL CAGE.
A QUESTION THAT COMES UP A LOT FROM YOU GUYS IS WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REBUILD YOUR MOTOR AND ADD SOME PERFORMANCE GOODIES WHEN IT'S LIVING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF YOUR DAILY DRIVER TRUCK? WELL HONESTLY IT'S BEST NOT TO TOUCH THE MOTOR THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN THE TRUCK BECAUSE YOUR TRUCK IS GOING TO BE DOWN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AS YOU REBUILD IT. YOU PULLED THIS MOTOR OUT NOW, IT'D TAKE YOU ABOUT A WEEKEND TO DROP IT OFF AT A MACHINE SHOP, PICK IT UP A WEEK LATER, PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER. AND THEN IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE ANOTHER WEEK BEFORE YOU GET IT ACTUALLY BACK RUNNING. THAT'S THREE WEEKS WITHOUT THE TRUCK THAT YOU'RE DRIVING EVERYDAY. THE BETTER OPTION IS TO GO AHEAD AND GET ANOTHER MOTOR. SWING BY A JUNKYARD AND GET THE SAME MOTOR THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. TEAR IT DOWN, REBUILD IT, GET IT ALL READY TO GO IN. THAT WAY ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ONE WEEKEND TAKE THE OLD MOTOR OUT, STUFF THE REBUILT MOTOR IN, AND THEN YOU CAN SELL YOUR OLD MOTOR AND RECOUP SOME OF THAT MONEY. BUT THERE IS ONE OTHER OPTION, AND THAT'S TO GET A MOTOR IN A CRATE. AND WITH THAT SCENARIO YOU HAVE A FEW CHOICES. YOU CAN GET A FULL ON 100 PERCENT ASSEMBLED CRATE MOTOR THAT'S READY TO DROP UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF YOUR TRUCK, A LONG BLOCK THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CYLINDER HEADS. YOU'RE USUALLY JUST MISSING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. OR YOU CAN GET WHAT WE HAVE HERE. NOW THIS IS A SHORT BLOCK FROM ATK ENGINE SUPPLY. IT'S A MACHINED BLOCK WITH NEW PISTONS. THE RODS HAVE BEEN BALANCED WITH A BRAND NEW CRANK SHAFT THAT'S BEEN FULLY ASSEMBLED AND IT'S READY TO ACCEPT EITHER PARTS OFF THE ENGINE YOU PULLED OUT OF YOUR TRUCK, OR A BUNCH OF AFTERMARKET GOODIES LIKE WE'RE GONNA DO HERE. NOW THE NICE THING ABOUT USING THIS SHORT BLOCK IS IF YOU INVESTIGATE IT A LITTLE BIT, SOMETIMES IT ENDS BEING LESS MONEY. IF WE'D TAKEN THE MOTOR OUT OF OUR BLAZER, DROPPED IT OFF AT A MACHINE SHOP, AND HAD ALL THE WORK DONE, WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT BACK INCLUDING PARTS FOR AROUND $1,200 TO $1,300 DOLLARS. THIS SHORT BLOCK FROM ATK COMES IN AT ABOUT $1,500 BUCKS, AND THERE'S ONE EXTRA KICKER TO THAT. IT COMES WITH A TWO YEAR UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY. SO ONCE WE HAVE IT ALL PUT TOGETHER AND INSTALLED IN OUR BLAZER, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING HAPPENING. AND IF IT DOES, WE'LL GET A NEW MOTOR. TO UPGRADE THIS SHORT BLOCK, WE'RE GOING TO INSTALL A COMPLETE EDELBROCK ETEC 50 STATE LEGAL POWER PACKAGE. THE CAM, LIFTERS, CYLINDER HEADS, AND TUBULAR EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE MATCHED TO MAKE THE MOST POWER, YET STILL PASS STRICT EMISSION REQUIREMENTS. A MUST IF YOU PLAN TO DRIVE YOUR TRUCK ON THE ROAD. THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS HAVE INCREASED VALVE SIZES ON BOTH THE INTAKE AND THE EXHAUST, UPGRADED VALVE SPRINGS, AND THE ENLARGED INTAKE PORTS MATCHED PERFECTLY WITH THE ALUMINUM PERFORMER TBI INTAKE. AND THE TUBULAR EXHAUST HEADERS WILL REPLACE THE RESTRICTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. NOW NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF CRATE ENGINE YOU PLAN TO SWAP INTO YOUR TRUCK, PLAN TO REUSE SOME PARTS OFF OF YOUR ORIGINAL MOTOR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO KEEP THE TRUCK STREET LEGAL LIKE WE ARE. WE HAVE TO MOVE ALL THE SENSORS OVER AS WELL AS THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION UNIT ONTO THE NEW INTAKE. NOW SOME PARTS WE'RE USING JUST TO SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY. WE'RE GONNA REUSE THE STOCK PUSH RODS AS WELL AS THE STOCK ROCKER ARMS BECAUSE WE ARE WELL WITHIN THE OPERATING LIMITS OF THOSE STOCK PARTS WITH THIS ENGINE. AND SO FAR WE'VE ONLY GOT $4,000 INVESTED IN A BRAND NEW MOTOR. SO THROWING A LITTLE BIT EXTRA MONEY AT IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS A GOOD IDEA. GO AHEAD, PICK YOURSELF UP A NEW WATER PUMP, NEW STARTER, NEW ALTERNATOR, ALL THE STUFF THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY WEAR OUT AFTER YOU PUT A FEW MILES ON YOUR TRUCK. NOW JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA REBUILD THE ENGINE DOESN'T MEAN EVERYTHING IS GARBAGE. IF YOU'RE GONNA BE PUTTING A SIMILAR MOTOR BACK UNDER THE HOOD LIKE WE ARE, YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU UNPLUG. DON'T CUT ANYTHING, JUST DISCONNECT IT AND SET IT ASIDE.
AFTER OUR SOLID AXLE SWAP, WE PUT A FEW MILES ON THIS RIG, AND THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE 200,000 PLUS MILE SMALL BLOCK UNDER THE HOOD IS DEFINITELY WORN OUT. WE HAD TROUBLE PUSHING THIS TRUCK UP THE HILL ABOVE 70 MILES AN HOUR. THIS PACKAGE HAS BEEN TESTED BY EDELBROCK AND PRODUCED ROUGHLY 400 HORSEPOWER AND 440 POUND FEET OF TORQUE AT THE FLYWHEEL WHEN DYNO TESTED.
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, YOU'LL NEED THIS IF YOU'RE GONNA DO THIS, STAY TUNED!
(IAN)>> WE HAVE OUR BLAZER PROJECT BACK IN THE SHOP TODAY TAKING CARE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN AS WE CONVERT THIS RIG OVER FROM A LIFTED STREET TRUCK TO A HARDCORE WHEELER. I GOT THE MOTOR BACK UNDERNEATH THE HOOD BUT NO HOOD OR FENDERS BECAUSE WE STILL WANT TO TIE INTO THESE SHOCK HOOPS WITH THE ROLL CAGE THAT WE'RE GONNA BUILD LATER ON. NOW THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS TO LEAVE THE TRANSMISSION ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR. MAYBE CLEAN IT UP, THROW A COAT A PAINT ON IT. BUT WHEN WE SAW THE VALVE COVERS UNDERNEATH THE ORIGINAL ENGINE, THAT PLAN CHANGED. THIS IS WHAT THE INSIDE OF YOUR ENGINE LOOKS LIKE IF YOU DON'T ROUTINELY CHANGE THE OIL. THE OIL BREAKS DOWN OVER TIME AND THEN COMBINES WITH THE BLOW BY GASES THAT HAPPEN NATURALLY DURING COMBUSTION TO CREATE THIS CARBON BASED SLUDGE. NOW THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT CARBON BASED SLUDGE GETS IN ALL THE OIL GALLERIES. IT CAN JAM UP THE OIL PUMP AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. NOW IN OUR CASE IT REALLY SORT DROVE HOME THE FACT THAT WE DID THE RIGHT THING BY PULLING THIS MOTOR OUT AND REPLACING IT, BUT IT ALSO TELLS US SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THE REST OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. IF THE OIL WAS NEVER CHANGED IN THE MOTOR, CHANCES ARE THEY NEVER SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. AND WITH 200,000 MILES ON IT, FOR OUR SAKE, FULL REBUILD.
NOW THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF OUR BLAZER IS A FOUR L-60-E. NOW THAT IS A FULLY AUTOMATIC FOUR SPEED OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION. AND NOT TOO LONG AGO WE TOOK YOU GUYS STEP BY STEP THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING AN AUTOMATIC VERY SIMILAR TO THIS WHEN WE REBUILT THE 700 RFOUR THAT WE PUT IN OUR SCOUT PROJECT SHOWING YOU ALL THE LITTLE TIPS AND TRICKS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN REBUILDING AN AUTOMATIC. NOW WE'RE GONNA REBUILD THIS ONE THE EXACT SAME. WE'RE GONNA TEAR IT APART AND REPLACE ALL THE COMPONENTS WITH A COMPLETE UPGRADE KIT FROM MONSTER TRANSMISSION. IT'S CALLED THE MONSTER IN A BOX PACKAGE AND IT COMES WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GONNA NEED, HEAVY DUTY COLEEN STEELS, UPGRADED ALTO CLUTCH DISCS, NEW PLANETARY GEAR SETS, HEAVY DUTY SUN GEAR SHELL, AND WE'LL FINISH IT OFF WITH A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND A NICE CHROME PAN. BUT WHEN WE DID THAT SHOW SHOWING YOU GUYS ALL THOSE TIPS AND TRICKS, A LOT OF STUFF CAME UP AFTERWARDS AND IT HAD TO DO WITH NOT REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION BUT PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN AND TAKING IT OUT. AND FOR THAT THERE'S ALSO THREE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF. THE FIRST IS GONNA BE GETTING YOURSELF A DEDICATED TRANSMISSION JACK. NOW THIS IS A HALF TON FLOOR TRANSMISSION JACK FROM MATCO. NOW YOU'VE SEEN US USE THE UNDER HOIST ONCE BEFORE, BUT THIS IS DESIGNED FOR WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR IN YOUR GARAGE AT HOME. WHEN YOU COMPARE IT SIDE BY SIDE WITH A REGULAR JACK, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE DIFFERENCE. THE TRANSMISSION JACK HAS CASTORS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS THAT PIVOT, NOT LIKE A STANDARD JACK WHICH IS FIXED IN THE FRONT. IT IS ALSO ADJUSTABLE TO SET THE ANGLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SITTING AT. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE TRANSMISSION PAD WHERE THE PAN SITS IS VERY WIDE AND INCLUDES THE SAFETY CHAIN TO LOCK THAT TRANSMISSION INTO PLACE CAUSE TIME AND TIME AGAIN YOU'RE GONNA BE LAYING ON YOUR BACK WITH THIS TRANSMISSION SUPPORTED JUST BY THIS JACK AND YOUR HEAD UNDERNEATH IT. SO YOU NEED THE SAFETY OF A DEDICATED TRANSMISSION JACK. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE IS NOT FULLY SEATING THE TORQUE CONVERTER. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION PERFECTLY VERTICAL, LOWER THE CONVERTER ONTO THE INPUT SHAFT AND SPIN IT, AND LISTEN FOR TWO DISTINCT THUDS. IF YOU'RE UNSURE, PUT A STRAIGHT EDGE ACROSS THE BELL HOUSING AND MEASURE TO THE CONVERTER MOUNTING LUG. IT SHOULD BE MORE THAN AN INCH. BEFORE YOU REINSTALL YOUR FRESHLY BUILT TRANSMISSION INTO YOUR TRUCK, YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE COOLER AND THE COOLER LINES. YOU SEE ANY LEFTOVER SEDIMENT CAN BE BUILT UP IN THESE LINES AND EVEN WORN OUT CLUTCH MATERIAL. SO IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO FLUSH THEM OUT. SIMPLY TAKE SOME BRAKE CLEAN AND SPRAY IT DOWN EITHER LINE. AND FOLLOW THAT WITH A BLOW GUN.
(IAN)>> WELCOME BACK TO XTREME WHERE WE'RE CONVERTING OUR EVERYDAY STREET TRUCKS INTO A HARDCORE WHEELER. AND IF YOU DO THAT TO YOUR RIG AT HOME, ONE ITEM THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE IS A GOOD ROLL CAGE. IF YOU CAN'T BUILD IT YOURSELF, HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE DO IT FOR YOU BUT NEVER HIT A TRAIL UNTIL YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY A BUNCH OF TUBING. IF IT'S A FULL SIZE RIG LIKE WE HAVE HERE, YOU'RE GONNA WANT A MINIMUM OF INCH AND THREE QUARTER DOM .120 WALL. IT'S JUST LIKE WASHING YOUR HAIR, BEND, CUT, NOTCH, AND THEN REPEAT. OH YEAH!
PROBABLY THE HARDEST PART ABOUT BUILDING A CAGE INSIDE A CAB LIKE THIS IS DEALING WITH WELDING ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE TUBE. IF YOU RUN IT REALLY CLOSE TO THE HEADLINER LIKE WE ARE HERE, YOU CAN'T GET THE TORCH ON TOP TO GET A GOOD WELD. THERE'S A COUPLE WAYS TO DEAL WITH IT. YOU CAN CUT HOLES IN THE FLOOR AND TRY AND DROP THE CAGE DOWN. BUT WHEN YOU'RE INTEGRATED INTO THE DASH LIKE WE ARE HERE, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. SO OUR PLAN IS SIMPLE. WE'VE GOT THESE TWO SIDES PUT TOGETHER. WE'RE GONNA CUT THE TACKS LOOSE FROM THE FLOOR. WE'LL LAY IT IN, WELD THE TUBE ALL THE WAY AROUND, LET IT COOL, AND THEN PUT A BACK UP INTO PLACE. THAT WAY WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BURNING UP THE HEADLINER AND WE'LL GET A GOOD WELD ON THE BACK SIDE. BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT A GOOD STOPPING POINT BECAUSE WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS CROSSER BAR THAT WILL CONNECT THE TWO HALVES TOGETHER. WE CAN RUN IT STRAIGHT, OR WE CAN PUT A LITTLE BIT OF CURVE IN IT FOR EXTRA HEAD ROOM IF WE NEED IT. BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED THAT EXTRA HEAD ROOM UNTIL WE GET SOME SEATS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT IN BRAND NEW SEATS WHEN YOU BUILD A ROLL CAGE. BUT CONSIDERING ALL THE MONEY YOU THROW AT THE REST OF THE RIG AND THIS IS WHERE YOU SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME WHEN YOU'RE OUT WHEELING, IT IS A GOOD INVESTMENT. SO WE'RE GONNA INSTALL A COMPLETE SET OF PRP SUSPENSION SEATS. IT'S AN ALL STEEL TUBE STRUCTURE WITH PARACHUTE CORD DRAPED IN BETWEEN TO ABSORB THE SHOCK. NOW WE HAD OURS CUSTOM WRAPPED IN THIS BLACK VINYL WITH GREY PIPING AND THIS NICE SUEDE INNER PANEL TO REALLY DRESS UP THE INSIDE OF OUR TRUCK. THE BACK SEAT IS ONE OF THEIR CUSTOM BENCH SEATS. IT LOOKS LIKE TWO DIFFERENT SUSPENSION SEATS, BUT IT'S ONE PIECE WITH AN INTEGRATED CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK FOR THE PASSENGERS TO KEEP THEIR BEVERAGES SAFE WHEN WE'RE OUT ON THE TRAIL. NOW CONSIDERING THE LOOK OF THE CARPET THAT WE PULLED OUT OF THIS TRUCK, WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO REPLACE THAT AS WELL. SO WE CALLED LMC TRUCK AND HAD THEM SEND US ONE OF THEIR DIE CUT FACTORY FIT RUBBER FLOOR KITS. NOW THIS'LL COMPLETELY REPLACE ALL THE CARPET IN OUR TRUCK. AND BECAUSE IT'S A TEXTURED RUBBER MAT INSTEAD OF AN ACTUAL CARPET, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT GETTING RUINED WHEN WE'RE OUT ON THE TRAIL.
(ANNOUNCER)>> OH YEAH, SOUNDS LIKE BARRY WHITE APPROVES. STAY TUNED, IAN'S HOT ON THE IDEA OF A NO COST WAY TO GET LOCKERS INTO YOUR RIG.
(ANNOUNCER)>> XTREME'S LOW DOLLAR WHEELER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FOUR WHEEL PARTS, YOUR TRUCK AND JEEP ACCESSORY SUPERSTORE ONLINE AT FOUR WHEEL PARTS DOT COM.
(IAN)>> NOW YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR LOW DOLLAR WHEELER IS NOT TO BUILD THE MOST XTREME CRAWLER OUT THERE. IT'S TO SHOW YOU GUYS WHAT THE MINIMAL AMOUNT OF MONEY'LL GET YOU WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO GO OUT AND GET A LITTLE BIT OF DIRT ON YOUR TIRES. NOW SO FAR WE'VE GOT $1,000 DOLLARS IN THIS JEEP CHEROKEE, AND THAT GIVES US A USED WINCH MOUNTED UP FRONT AND THE COMPLETE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. BUT BEFORE WE HIT THE TRAIL, WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF TWO THINGS, TIRES AND WHEELS AND A LOCKER. THE REAR AXLE IN THE BACK OF THIS CHEROKEE IS LIKE MOST JEEP SUV'S, AN OPEN DIFFERENTIAL, AND THE EASIEST WAY TO LOCK IT UP AND THE CHEAPEST IS TO WELD IT SOLID. GO AHEAD AND LINE UP THE SPIDERS, AND BURN THEM IN WITH A GOOD, HOT WELD. BUT REMEMBER, BEFORE YOU DO, BE SURE TO REMOVE THE PAN THAT YOU DRAINED THE OIL INTO. YOU COULD START A FIRE. HOLD ON I'VE GOT ANOTHER FIRE. I DON'T THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. I GOT IT, I GOT IT! ONCE THE FIRE'S OUT, CLEAN OFF THE OLD GASKET MATERIAL, RESEAL THE COVER, AND FILL IT UP WITH OIL. LOCKED DIFFERENTIAL, COST ZERO DOLLARS. EVEN WITH A LOCKED AXLE, THE TIRES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR CHEROKEE WILL BE LUCKY TO PULL IT UP A DIRT ROAD, LET ALONE A HARDCORE TRAIL. SO WE'RE GONNA UPGRADE THEM TO SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE. NOW WE GOT A COMPLETE TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGE FROM THE GUYS AT FOUR WHEEL PARTS, AND IT'S A PRO COMP EXTREME MUD TERRAIN TIRE, 33 INCHES TALL, 12.5 INCHES WIDE. IT HAS A NICE AGGRESSIVE TREAD WITH NICE CUTOUTS IN EACH TREAD BLOCK TO ALLOW THEM TO EXPAND WHEN HOT TO ALLOW FOR EASY CLEAN OUT. THEY INSTALLED AND BALANCED THEM ON A SET OF THEIR 15 INCH ROCK CRAWLER STEEL WHEELS. NOW WE CHOSE THE 33 INCH TALL TIRE MAINLY BECAUSE OF OUR BUDGET. SMALLER TIRES LIKE THIS RUN FOR A LITTLE BIT LESS MONEY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGE COMES IN AT JUST OVER $1,200 BUCKS SHIPPED TO OUR DOOR. NOW THAT ALSO SAVES US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO UPGRADE THE AXLES IN OUR CHEROKEE, WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TO STEP UP ALL THE WAY TO A DANA 60. WE CAN UPGRADE TO A GOOD 44 AND STILL GET GOOD GROUND CLEARANCE. NOW THE STEEL WHEEL SAVES US MONEY THE SAME WAY. IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY UP FRONT, BUT ALSO WHEN WE WANT A SET OF FUNCTIONING BEAD LOCKS, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BUY A WELD ON KIT, WELD IT TO THIS STEEL WHEEL, AND WE'LL HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONAL BEAD LOCK RIM. FOR DETAILS ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS USED IN THIS EPISODE, GO TO POWERBLOCK TV DOT COM.
