Suspension Overhaul

(NARRATOR)>> IT'S OUR "WORKAHAULER" F-150, AND IT'S BACK TODAY FOR A FOUR INCH LIFT, BIGGER WHEELS AND TIRES, ARMOR, AND MORE. PLUS TIPS ON HOW TO BUY USED. THAT'S ALL TODAY ON TRUCK TECH.

(JEREMY)>> HEY GUYS, WELCOME TO TRUCK TECH. NOW WE KNOW MANY OF YOU USE YOUR PICK UPS FOR MORE THAN JUST A DAILY COMMUTE, AND A HARD DAY'S WORK SOMETIMES MEANS LEAVING THE PAVEMENT FOR THE WOODS, MUD, AND WHATEVER MOTHER NATURE THROWS AT YOU.

(LT)>> TODAY WE HAVE OUR 2010 F-150 BACK UP ON THE LIFT FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF UPGRADES. NOW WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF THE PERFORMANCE AND ADDED SOME TOOL STORAGE AND LIGHTING, BUT WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT GROUND CLEARANCE OR TRACTION. SO TODAY WE'LL GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF.

(JEREMY)>> THAT'S RIGHT, A FOUR INCH SUSPENSION LIFT, BIGGER WHEELS AND TIRES, AND BRAKES WILL TURN THIS FORD INTO A REAL WORK TRUCK.

(LT)>> WELL LET'S GET STARTED BY TEARING THE FRONT END APART.

(JEREMY)>> I'LL GRAB SOME TOOLS.

(LT)>> GET RID OF THESE STREET TIRES. FOR THE TYPE OF LIFT THAT WE HAVE IN MIND THE MAJORITY OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS TO BE REMOVED, STARTING WITH THE TIRES. THE CALIPER IS SECURED OUT OF THE WAY TEMPORARILY SO IT'S NOT HANGING FROM THE BRAKE LINE.

AFTER A LITTLE PERSUASION THE STOCK ROTOR GOES SINCE WE HAVE AN UPGRADE PLANNED ANYWAY. POP OFF THE DUST CAP AND REMOVE THE NUT THAT HOLDS IN THE C/V SHAFT. NEXT THE KNUCKLE HAS TO GO. SO BOTH BALL JOINTS AND THE TIE ROD GET DISCONNECTED BY THE TRUSTY HAMMER.

THE STRUT IS MARKED SO IT CAN BE REINSTALLED IN THE SAME ORIENTATION, AND BY CLIMBING UP INTO THE ENGINE BAY, THE TOP STRUT NUTS CAN BE ZAPPED OFF AND THE STRUT IS REMOVED AND SET ASIDE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS UP NEXT, FOLLOWED BY THE SWAY BAR. THEN THE CROSS MEMBER UNBOLTS AND IT CAN GO IN THE TRASH. BEFORE YOU UNBOLT THE DRIVESHAFT, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO MARK THE ORIENTATION, TIE IT UP OUT OF THE WAY, AND THEN

THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK. WE HAVE THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED ON OUR 2010 F-150, AND MOST OF THOSE PARTS WILL ACTUALLY GET REINSTALLED, BUT WE NEED A WAY TO GET MORE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS AND THE GROUND. SO WITH A GOAL OF RUNNING A 35 INCH TALL TIRE WE CALLED BDS SUSPENSION AND THEY RECOMMENDED THIS FOUR INCH LIFT KIT. NOW YOU ACTUALLY GET TO REUSE YOUR FACTORY STRUTS, AND THE LIFT IS PROVIDED BY THESE SPACERS THAT GO IN BETWEEN THE STRUTS AND THE FRAME RAIL. TO KEEP THE SUSPENSION GEOMETRY IN CHECK CROSS MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED BOTH FRONT AND REAR, AND THEY'RE GONNA RELOCATE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. NOW TO KEEP THE STEERING ANGLES HAPPY NEW DUCTILE IRON KNUCKLES ARE PROVIDED, AND TO KEEP THE C/V ANGLES WHERE THEY SHOULD BE DIFFERENTIAL DROP BRACKETS ALSO COME IN THE KIT. NOW OBVIOUSLY THIS KIT MAKES FOR A VERY COMPLETE INSTALLATION. IT INCLUDES ALL THE SMALL BRACKETS AND HARDWARE THAT YOU'LL NEED, BUT MY FAVORITE PART IS THAT THIS KIT MEETS ALL FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS, AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU IS ALL YOUR FACTORY STABILITY CONTROLS REMAIN UNAFFECTED. NOW THIS IS A FOUR INCH LIFT BUT IF DOWN THE ROAD YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO UPGRADE TO A SIX INCH, WELL IT'S A VERY SIMPLE CONVERSION, AND OUR INSTALLATION STARTS UP FRONT BY CUTTING A FEW PIECES OF METAL.

(JEREMY)>> IN ORDER TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW LOWER CROSS MEMBER SOME OF THIS FACTORY BRACE HAS TO BE TRIMMED, AND ALL THESE STEPS ARE NEATLY LAID OUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS. LT WILL USE A CUTOFF WHEEL TO REMOVE THE EXTRA METAL, BUT A

SAWZALL, TORCH, OR PLASMA CUTTER WORKS JUST AS WELL. WITH THE PIECE REMOVED, WE'LL CHECK THE FITMENT OF THE NEW CROSSMEMBER. THAT'S GOOD, LOOK AT THAT. THEN DRILL A HOLE THROUGH THE FACTORY FRAME FOR THE

NEW DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT.

NEXT WE'LL CLEAN UP ALL OUR CUTS AND STRIPPED THE PAINT FROM THIS AREA OF THE FRAME TO PREPARE THE NEW BRACE THAT NEEDS TO BE WELDED IN. IF YOU DON'T OWN A WELDER YOU CAN LEAVE THIS BRACE OFF UNTIL THE INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE. IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE TO A LOCAL SHOP AND HAVE THEM BURN IT INTO THE FRAME. ONCE IT'S CLEAN AND THE AREA IS SCUFFED, IT CAN BE GIVEN A COAT OF DUPLICOLOR PAINT TO KEEP RUST FROM FORMING.

(LT)>> THE FIRST NEW PARTS TO GO ON ARE THE DIFFERENTIAL DROP BRACKETS, FOLLOWED BY THE DIFF ITSELF. IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A SPARE PAIR OF HANDS TO SAFELY LINE EVERYTHING UP, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S SO HEAVY. SLIDE IN THE BOLTS TO HANG THE DIFF BUT DON'T TIGHTEN ANYTHING UP JUST YET. THE NEW CROSSMEMBERS ARE MADE FROM LASER CUT QUARTER INCH THICK STEEL AND COME IN A TEXTURED BLACK POWDER COAT.

WITH ALL THE FRONT COMPONENTS IN PLACE, THEN YOU CAN TORQUE EVERYTHING TO SPEC.

(JEREMY)>> ALL RIGHT, A GOOD TIP WHEN YOU GET THROUGH TORQUEING DOWN A BOLT IS TAKE A PAINT MARKER AND GO AHEAD AND MARK ACROSS THE NUT OR THE BOLT HEAD DOWN ONTO THE METAL. NOW THIS IS JUST GOOD REFERENCE FOR YOU. AS YOU KEEP ADDING PARTS YOU CAN GO BACK THROUGH AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT BOLTS YOU'VE TIGHTENED DOWN. NOT ONLY THAT, ON DOWN THE ROAD, IF YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE NOTHING'S BACKED OUT YOU CAN GET UNDER HERE AND LOOK, AND IF NONE OF THESE LINES HAVE MOVED THEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE STILL GOOD.

(NARRATOR)>> NEXT WE'LL FINISH UP THE FRONT, THEN GIVE IT A PROPER BRAKE UPGRADE.

(JEREMY)>> WE'RE BACK ON TRUCK TECH, ALMOST FINISHED UP WITH

THE FRONT END SUSPENSION LIFT ON OUR F-150. THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER GOES IN, FOLLOWED BY THE LOWER SKID PLATE THAT PROTECTS THE ALUMINUM

DIFFERENTIAL FROM ROCKS. THE DRIVESHAFT GOES BACK ON WITH THE PROVIDED SPACER AND NEW HARDWARE.

(LT)>> THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS GO BACK ON. GIVE ME JUST A LITTLE PRY BAR ACTION.

(JEREMY)>> RIGHT THERE, YEP!

(LT)>> AND THE NEW CAM BOLT ENSURE WE CAN ALIGN IT TO FACTORY SPEC WHEN IT'S ALL PUT TOGETHER. THE FACTORY STRUT GOES BACK IN WITH THE SPACERS BOLTED UP TOP.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM GOES BACK INTO POSITION, AND WITH

THE WHEEL BEARING SWAPPED OVER TO THE NEW BDS KNUCKLE, IT CAN BE CONNECTED TO THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT AND THE TIE ROD.

THE FACTORY SWAY BAR ATTACHES TO THE NEW DROP BRACKETS, AND

THAT ABOUT COMPLETES THE FRONT END OF OUR NOW FOUR INCH LIFTED F-150.

(JEREMY)>> THAT FOUR INCH LIFT IS DESIGNED TO ACCEPT 35 INCH TALL TIRES ON OUR FORD. NOW BIGGER TIRES MEANS A BRAKE UPGRADE IS IN ORDER. THIS IS EBC BRAKES' STAGE THREE KIT SPECIFICALLY ENGINEERED FOR TRUCKS AND SUVS. IT INCLUDES THESE GD DIMPLED AND SLOTTED ROTORS. IT FEATURES WIDE SLOTS FOR A CLEAN PAD CONTACT AREA AND

EVEN WEAR, AND THE DIMPLES LOWER WEAR TEMPERATURE UP TO 200 DEGREES COOLER THAN FACTORY, AND THIS NEW

NITROTHERM FINISH IS ANTICORROSIVE. NOW BRINGING OUR HALF TON TO A HALT ARE EBC'S 6,000 SERIES GREEN STUFF BRAKE PADS. THEY'LL INCREASE STOPPING POWER UP TO 25 PERCENT, AND HAVE A RED SURFACE COATING FOR EASY, SAFE BREAK IN. THE ROTORS ARE DIRECTIONAL SINCE THE DIMPLE PATTERN AND

SLOTS ARE CUT A SPECIFIC WAY. SO PAY ATTENTION TO THE LABELS. THE SUPPLIED GREASE HELPS KEEP THE PADS FROM STICKING AND SQUEAKING, AND THE STOCK TWO PISTON CALIPERS REMAIN, PROVIDING ADEQUATE BRAKING PRESSURE FOR OUR COOLER RUNNING UPGRADED EBC SETUP.

(LT)>> WE HAVE THE FRONT END OF OUR BDS SUSPENSION LIFT ALL FINISHED UP, AND I HAVE TO SAY IT'S A PRETTY INVOLVED PROCESS, BUT NOTHING YOU COULDN'T KNOCK OUT IN A WEEKEND. NOW IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON TO THE REAR, WHICH BY COMPARISON IS VERY SIMPLE. WE'RE GONNA RETAIN THE FACTORY LEAF SPRINGS, AND ALL WE DO IS ADD A TALLER BLOCK IN BETWEEN THE AXLE AND THE SPRING PACK TO GET US THE CLEARANCE THAT WE NEED, AND WE'LL START BY TAKING OFF THE SHOCKS. [ air ratchet spinning ]

(LT)>> THE FACTORY BLOCK IS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH THIS TALLER ONE. THEN I CAN INSTALL NEW UBOLTS...

...AND TRIM OFF THE EXCESS LENGTH. [ saw cutting metal ]

(LT)>> FOLLOWED BY INSTALLING THE NEW NX TWO NITROGEN SHOCK. WITH THE LIFT KIT INSTALLED IT'S TIME TO TALK TIRES. WE NEED SOMETHING THAT'LL WORK WELL IN THE MUD, ON THE JOB SITE, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE ARE GENERAL GRABBER XTHREES IN A 35-12.5 20. NOW THIS IS A MUD TERRAIN TIRE, AND THESE LARGE OPEN VOIDS WILL HELP KEEP THE TREAD BLOCK CLEAR OF DIRT AND MUD FOR MAXIMUM TRACTION ALL THE TIME. PLUS THEY GIVE YOU EXCELLENT STREET MANNERS. FOR WHEELS WE CHOSE A SET OF ANTHEM OFF ROAD 20 BY NINE AVIATORS IN THE GLOSS BLACK AND MILLED ALUMINUM FINISH. NOW THESE COMPLIMENT THE LOOK OF OUR TRUCK BUT THE BEST PART ABOUT THEM IS THEY'RE 100 PERCENT MADE IN THE UNITED STATES. LET'S GET THESE THINGS ON AND SEE HOW IT LOOKS.

[ air ratchet spinning ]

(JEREMY)>> OH, THIS IS HEAVY! NOPE! MY ARMS DON'T STRETCH OUT WIDE ENOUGH. GET ON THERE!

(LT)>> THERE YOU GO, ALL LOADED UP. [ air ratchet spinning ]

(LT)>> WELL I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THESE WHEELS ON THE TRUCK AND GET IT BACK ON THE GROUND SO WE CAN SEE HOW IT LOOKS WITH ITS NEW STANCE.

(JEREMY)>> AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THIS IS WHAT THE TRUCK LOOKED LIKE BEFORE WE GOT OUR HANDS ON IT, AND HERE'S WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE AFTER.

(LT)>> WELL MAN I HAVE TO SAY I THINK WE NAILED IT. THIS TRUCK DEFINITELY LOOKS A LITTLE BIT MORE INDUSTRIAL, AND IT'LL BE AT HOME ON THE JOB SITE OR OUT IN THE FIELDS.

(JEREMY)>> ABSOLUTELY, I'M REALLY HAPPY WITH STANCE, AND THE WHEEL TIRE COMBINATION WE PICKED OUT GOES REALLY GOOD WITH SOME OF THESE BLACK ACCENTS, AND THE COOL THING ABOUT THIS LIFT, IF YOU WANT TO GO A LITTLE HIGHER THAT'S JUST AN EASY UPGRADE.

(LT)>> YOU KNOW WHAT? WE NOW HAVE A PURPOSE FOR THESE RUNNING BOARDS.

(JEREMY)>> MAN I HAD TO USE THOSE BEFORE WE LIFTED IT, LOOKS GOOD!

(NARRATOR)>> NEXT, A WICKED WINCH FOR OUR "WORKAHAULER" FORD.

(JEREMY)>> WE'RE BACK ON TRUCK TECH.

NOW WE'VE INSTALLED A FEW TRACTOR SUPPLY PARTS ON OUR F-150 WORK TRUCK ALREADY.

WE ALSO GRABBED SOME ADDITIONAL LED LIGHTING AND AN 8,000 POUND WINCH. NOW THESE PARTS WILL HELP OUT ON THE JOB SITE AND OFF ROAD.

THE PROBLEM WE HAVE ARE THE WIMPY FACTORY BUMPERS DON'T REALLY GIVE US MANY MOUNTING OPTIONS FOR LIGHTS OR A WINCH. NOW THE FACTORY BUMPERS, THEY LOOKS PRETTY GOOD, AND WE COULD DRILL HOLES TO MOUNT THESE PARTS BUT LET'S FACE IT, NOT REALLY THE PROPER WAY TO DO IT AND YOU TAKE A CHANCE THAT IT MAY LOOK HACKED UP. SO WE'VE GOT A BETTER SOLUTION.

(LT)>> HAMMERHEAD ARMOR IS KNOWN FOR THEIR HEAVY DUTY TRUCK BUMPERS. SO WE PICKED UP THIS PRERUNNER STYLE FRONT BUMPER THAT FITS 2009 TO '14 F-150'S, AND THIS MEETS ALL OF OUR NEEDS. IT HAS FOUR CUTOUTS SO WE CAN MOUNT SOME OF OUR LED FOG LIGHTS AS WELL AS TABS ON THE PRERUNNER BAR FOR ADDITIONAL LIGHTING. NOW THIS THING IS TOUGH.

IT'S MADE FROM THREESIXTEENTHS INCH THICK STEEL, WHICH IS THE PERFECT BLEND BETWEEN WEIGHT AND STRENGTH. IT ALSO HAS DRING TABS UP FRONT FOR A GOOD TOWING POINT. NOW SPEAKING OF RECOVERY, THIS BUMPER IS WINCH READY, AND THIS TRAY MAKES A PERFECT SPOT TO MOUNT OUR TRAVELER 8,000 POUND ELECTRIC WINCH WITHOUT HAVING TO DO ANY

CUSTOM FABRICATION.

NOW SINCE WE ALREADY REMOVED THE FACTORY FRONT BUMPER, WE'RE GONNA GET STARTED BY INSTALLING THESE BRACKETS.

THE HAMMERHEAD BRACKETS INSTALL WITH THE FACTORY TOW HOOKS. THEN THE WINCH TRAY BOLTS RIGHT INTO PLACE. THE PROVIDED HALF INCH HARDWARE MAKES THIS A VERY SECURE INSTALLATION.

(JEREMY)>> WE GRABBED AN 8,000 POUND TRAVELER WINCH FROM TRACTOR SUPPLY TO FIT THE MOUNT. THIS FEATURES A TOUGH TWO POINT SEVEN HORSEPOWER ELECTRIC MOTOR, AN AUTOMATIC BRAKE, AND 95 FEET OF GALVANIZED CABLE TO GET YOU OUT OF MOST ANY SITUATION. WITH THE WINCH MOUNTED...

(LT)>> UH, I'M MAKING FUNNY NOISE LIKE YOU.

(JEREMY)>> YOU JUST HAVE TO TALK LIKE AN OLD MAN. ...THE BUMPER INSTALLS UP FRONT.

(LT)>> THERE WE GO.

(JEREMY)>> WE NEED TO KEEP ABOUT A HALF INCH GAP BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND BODY WORK...

(LT)>> RIGHT ABOUT THERE I THINK.

(JEREMY)>> ...TO ALLOW FOR FLEXING OFF ROAD.

(LT)>> ALL RIGHT, I'M JUST ABOUT A HALF INCH, WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

(JEREMY)>> I'M ABOUT THE SAME.

(LT)>> PERFECT! NEXT UP WE CAN START FILLING THESE HOLES WITH LIGHTS. WE'RE USING TRAVELER SQUARE LED WORK LIGHTS INSIDE THE BUMPER, AND THEY BOLT UP TO THE SLOTS THAT ARE PROVIDED BY HAMMERHEAD. WE'LL ALSO MOUNT A 21 INCH TRAVELER LED LIGHT BAR ON THE FRONT OF OUR BUMPER THAT HAS A LIGHT

OUTPUT OF 7,200 LUMENS. ALL IN WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 24,100 LUMENS OF LIGHT OUTPUT ON THE FRONT END OF OUR F-150.

(JEREMY)>> OUT BACK WE ALSO DECIDED TO GO WITH A HAMMERHEAD BUMPER. NOWADAYS MOST NEW TRUCKS COME WITH BACKUP SENSORS, AND A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU GO WITH AN AFTERMARKET BUMPER YOU LOSE THAT FEATURE.

YOU EITHER HAVE TO DELETE THE SENSORS OR YOU HAVE WARNING LIGHTS GOING OFF AT YOU IN THE CAB. SO ONE COOL BENEFIT TO THIS BUMPER IS IT ACTUALLY HAS

HOLES READY TO ACCEPT YOUR FACTORY SENSORS. ALSO HOLES FOR THE TAG LIGHTS AND A BUILT IN STEP FOR EASY OF GETTING INTO THE BED. NOT ONLY THAT, YOU ALSO GET TO RETAIN YOUR FACTORY HITCH.

(LT)>> THE BEST PART ABOUT THESE HAMMERHEAD BUMPERS IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY DRILLING. THEY USE THE FACTORY MOUNTING LOCATIONS BOTH FRONT AND REAR. LASTLY WE'LL INSTALL THE LIGHTS.

(NARRATOR)>> NEXT, BACK TO THE FUTURE IN SEARCH OF A STEAL OF A DEAL.

(JEREMY)>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED THE MOST IS, "WHERE DO WE GET THE PROJECTS WE WORK ON?", AND THE ANSWER IS THE SAME PLACE YOU GUYS DO WHEN YOU GO TO BUY A USED TRUCK.

(LT)>> AUCTIONS ARE A GREAT RESOURCE, AND WE EVEN USE ONLINE TOOLS LIKE EBAY OR CRAIGSLIST. HECK, WE'LL EVEN POUND THE PAVEMENT LIKE WE'RE DOING TODAY. NOW WE HEARD AUTO PRO OF NASHVILLE, JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM OUR TECH CENTER, HAD SOME NICE CARS AND TRUCKS ON THEIR LOT. SO WHAT DO YOU SAY WE GO SHOPPING?

(JEREMY)>> LET'S DO IT. THIS IS ALSO A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE YOU BUY, AND IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE MORE THAN JUST KICKING THE TIRES AND GOING FOR A TEST DRIVE. WE'LL TAKE YOU THROUGH OUR PROCESS OF HOW TO BUY A USED TRUCK.

NOW WE FOUND TWO HERE ON THE LOT, A 2002 FORD POWERSTROKE AND A 2003 DURAMAX, BUT WE'LL CHECK THIS FORD OUT FIRST. NOW YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL THIS FORD'S BEEN USED AS A WORK TRUCK. IT'S GOT SOME PAINT PEELING OFF IN A FEW AREAS, QUITE A FEW DENTS, AND MAN THIS TAILGATE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN ABUSED. NOW IT'S PRETTY EASY TO REPLACE A TAILGATE, BUT WITH THE DAMAGE AROUND THE REST OF THE TRUCK AND ALL THE SCRATCHES IT WOULD TAKE A GOOD BIT OF EFFORT TO PAINT THIS THING, AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO LOSE THIS STUFF UP HERE, MAN.

(LT)>> NOW YOU MAY GET SOME FUNNY LOOKS, BUT IF YOU BRING ALONG A FLOOR JACK AND GET PERMISSION FROM THE SALESMAN, YOU CAN JACK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE OFF THE GROUND AND DIAGNOSE ANY POTENTIAL SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, AND THE TEST IS PRETTY SIMPLE. GRAB THE TIRE FRONT AND REAR, AND IF YOU WIGGLE IT AND YOU NOTICE ANY PLAY OR NOISES THEN THERE'S LIKELY A BAD TIE ROD. IF YOU GRAB THE TIRE UP AND DOWN, AND YOU WIGGLE IT, AND THERE'S ANY PLAY, IT'S PROBABLY A BALL JOINT. IF YOU CAN WIGGLE IT IN ALL DIRECTIONS, WELL THAT'S GONNA BE A WHEEL BEARING. THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK USES A SEVEN POINT THREE LITER POWERSTROKE, AND THEY'RE KNOWN TO BE SOME OF THE MORE RELIABLE ENGINES IN THE DIESEL WORLD. THERE ARE GUYS THAT ARE REGULARLY GETTING 500,000

MILES OR MORE OUT OF THESE SEVENTHREES, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR US THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE THE GREATEST

POTENTIAL WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH PERFORMANCE, AND THAT'S BECAUSE THESE SEVEN POINT THREES USE A FORM OF MECHANICAL FUEL INJECTION THAT JUST DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO DELIVER AS MUCH FUEL AS WE NEED FOR A HIGH HORSEPOWER TRUCK. WE REALLY NEED SOMETHING THAT USES COMMON RAIL FUEL INJECTION, AND THAT MEANS WE NEED TO CHECK OUT THAT DURAMAX.

(JEREMY)>> OBVIOUSLY WHEN BUYING A USED TRUCK YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT'S MECHANICALLY SOUND, BUT ONE OF THE FIRST

THINGS I LOOK AT IS PAINT AND BODY.

I WANT TO KNOW IF THE TRUCK HAS EVER BEEN BLENDED OR PAINTED ON. NOW WITH THIS 2003 DURAMAX I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN PAINTED BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT A FACTORY COLOR BACK THEN. NOW ANOTHER WAY TO KNOW IF THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PAINTED ON IS IN THE DOOR JAMB. IF YOU HAVE AN EDGE A QUARTER TO A HALF INCH IN IT MEANS SOMEBODY'S TAPED IT OFF RIGHT THERE AND PAINTED UP TO IT.

THAT'S A DEAD GIVEAWAY. NOW WITH THIS TRUCK THEY'VE DONE A REALLY NICE, CLEAN JOB OF MASKING IT OFF AND IT MAKES ME FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS PAINT JOB, BUT THE ONLY THING THAT CONCERNS ME IS FROM THE BODY LINE DOWN WHERE THEY SPRAYED THIS COLOR MATCHED UNDERCOATING OR BED LINER. YEP, THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF RUST UNDER HERE, BUT DON'T LET THAT SCARE YOU AWAY BECAUSE PARTS READILY AVAILABLE

FOR THIS TRUCK. I THINK WE'LL BE GOOD WITH THIS ONE.

(LT)>> THIS TRUCK CERTAINLY CHECKS ALL OF THE BOXES. IT'S A GOOD, SOLID CANDIDATE FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE DIESEL BUILD. NOW THIS IS A 2003 MODEL YEAR, WHICH MEANS IT USES THE LB SEVEN VERSION OF THE DURAMAX. NOW THERE IS ONE ISSUE THAT YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT WHEN YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR AN LBSEVEN. THE FACTORY FUEL INJECTORS HAVE A VERY HIGH FAILURE RATE. SO HERE'S A SIMPLE TIP THAT'LL GET YOU OUT OF TROUBLE. ( )>> JEREMY GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST DRIVE.

(JEREMY)>> THANKS MAN, SEE YOU IN A FEW. ( )>> OKAY.

(LT)>> WHEN YOU FIRST START UP THE TRUCK YOU WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST. NOW WE SHOULD BE GOOD BECAUSE I DON'T SEE HUGE PLUMES OF SMOKE. IF WE DID THERE'S A CHANCE THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE LIKELY FAILING, BUT THERE IS A MORE SCIENTIFIC WAY TO DETERMINE IF THE INJECTORS ARE GOING OUT. MOST LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS WILL HAVE A SCAN TOOL THAT CAN READ

YOUR TRUCK'S DATA AS PART OF A PREPURCHASE INSPECTION. I HAVE MY LAPTOP AND HP TUNERS VCM SCANNER THAT'LL

READY THE SAME THING. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS A PARAMETER CALLED CYLINDER BALANCING RATE, AND YOU CAN ALMOST THINK OF IT LIKE A FUEL TRIM. THE COMPUTER WILL KEEP TRACK OF HOW MUCH FUEL HAS TO BE ADDED OR SUBTRACTED FROM EACH INDIVIDUAL CYLINDER TO MAKE THE ENGINE RUN SMOOTHLY, AND THE ACCEPTED RANGE AT IDLE IS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE FOUR CUBIC MILLIMETERS OF FUEL, AND ALL OF OUR CYLINDERS ARE WITHIN THE ACCEPTED RANGE,

WHICH MEAN THE INJECTORS ARE HEALTHY AND WE CAN TAKE THIS TRUCK FOR A TEST DRIVE.

WELL RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX THIS TRUCK ACTUALLY RUNS AND DRIVES PRETTY GOOD EVEN THOUGH IT HAS 209,000 MILES ON IT. SO YOU KNOW IT'S TIGHT, IT STEERS GOOD, IT SHIFTS GOOD, AND REALLY NO COMPLAINTS.

(JEREMY)>> AND IT'S NOT A BAD LOOKING TRUCK EITHER.

YOU KNOW, I COULD DO AWAY WITH THE LONG WHEEL BASE. I DON'T TOO MUCH CARE FOR THAT.

(LT)>> WELL YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M HAVING AN IDEA AND I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY ON THE SAME PAGE.

(JEREMY)>> WHAT'S THAT?

(LT)>> YOU KNOW WHAT GM NEVER MADE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE?

(JEREMY)>> I THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA SAY.

(LT)>> THAT WE CAN MAKE, REGULAR CAB,

SHORT BOX DURAMAX.

(JEREMY)>> THAT'D BE A PRETTY COOL TRUCK, FUN TRUCK, MAKE SOME BIG POWER WITH IT.

(LT)>> YEAH, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. LET'S GO MAKE A DEAL.

(JEREMY)>> LET'S DO IT.