Video summary

The Prerunner is Back At The Shop! (New Fab Work & Finding New Problems)

Main summary

Key takeaways

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Video Summary

The video follows a truck owner returning to Mayhem/Daddy Metal Works (later also referenced as “Mejia Metal Works”) to address a series of escalating issues after the truck previously ran in King of the Hammers about 5 months earlier.

Truck Status Leading Into the Shop (Earlier Segment)

The host explains that the truck has been untouched for about 5 months and that work will resume this week with the goal of getting it “ready to rip.”

  • The truck was previously driven to King of the Hammers with an electrical issue, which resulted in near-total disaster—described as almost burning down the entire truck.
  • After that was fixed, the focus shifted to cooling, specifically a fan problem.
  • The build includes major rear-geometry changes and “trophy truck style” link/pivot work, but the main complaint becomes that the front is missing pieces after roughly 6 months, suggesting the truck is mid-rebuild and components were removed.

Main Issue: Cooling and Fan Clearance Problem

The host says the cooling setup failed because the motor and transmission rock on stock mounts, which causes the engine to chew up the fan.

The shop:

  • Installs a new Spal 16-inch fan
  • Plans to improve cooling by adding a radiator shroud

The shroud is also necessary because once it’s installed, it will change the fan’s position relative to the engine. That means the motor also must be made more rigid so it won’t hit the fan again.

Second Shop Visit (About Two Weeks Later): Ford Ranger 5.0 Swap

A “two weeks later” update shifts to a Ford Ranger with a 5.0 swap that had been dropped off earlier to prepare it for desert use.

Cost and “Bad News” (Setup Mismatch)

  • Pickup cost is discussed around $3,050
  • The “bad news” is that an expected power steering pump relocation bracket didn’t fit
  • They initially believed the swap used a 302 from a Bronco, but the mounting/clearance situation doesn’t match assumptions—so the bracket couldn’t be made to work properly.

Root Cause: Engine Mounts Drop the Engine Lower

The shop explains that new AutoFab engine mounts drop the engine significantly (estimated ~1.5 to 2 inches). This causes clearance conflicts, including:

  • The power steering pump colliding with the frame when trying to keep it in a stock-like location
  • Additional components (such as AC/smog-related items) becoming unnecessary because they collide, so they’re removed/avoided

Why They Didn’t Let It Drop Further

They did not allow the engine to drop additional height because it would have required too many additional reworks. To prevent extra lowering beyond AutoFab’s designed position:

  • Machined steel slugs were welded onto the motor mounts

Cooling Improvements Implemented

To restore proper cooling and fitment, the shop makes several changes:

  • The radiator is moved forward roughly ~3/4 inch to nearly 1 inch
    • They compare old and new hole locations, noting it had previously been almost pressed against frame/rods
  • A Champion shroud (direct-fit) is installed
    • New drilling/trimming is needed for shroud mounting points
    • Extensions are added so radiator placement can be controlled and aligned during installation

Drivetrain Mounting Fixes

Because the engine/trans setup changed, the shop had to redo parts of the mounting system:

  • The transmission mount area required significant modification
    • The newer, more rigid configuration didn’t match what was done in December
  • A plate was cut (plasma table) to complete the new mounting surface

Final goals of these changes:

  • Make the motor and trans more rigid (less rocking)
  • Improve airflow/cooling via the shroud + new fan
  • Reduce risk of the fan contacting the engine

Attempting to Load and Clutch Failure During Trailer Loading

The video ends with a tense trailer-loading sequence where the truck cannot load normally.

Key details:

  • They finish enough work to attempt trailer loading, but the drive system behavior is unexpected because:
    • “Missing a pulley, no belt” is noted, changing how power/rotation behaves
  • When trying to move/loading:
    • The truck initially won’t go into first gear
    • The host presses the clutch and finds the clutch pedal has no return, feeling “floppy”
    • They discover a hydraulic leak—described as fluid spraying from a banjo bolt area

They scramble options, including:

  • Attempting to load using starter/grind into gear/stalling
  • Discussion that they may have to get the truck onto the trailer without a functional clutch

The truck remains on the trailer for a while while the leak/issue is addressed at home.

Closing

The host praises the shop crew for getting the radiator/motor/trans cooling to work correctly.

However, they emphasize more problems remain—especially:

  • the clutch/hydraulic leak

They promise to cover it later, then drive to PRP headquarters to film their next video.

Presenters / Sources Mentioned

  • Alan (the fabricator/builder mentioned as working at the shop)
  • Daddy Metal Works / Mayhem Metal Works (shop names referenced during the visits)
  • Mejia Metal Works (credited at the end)
  • PRP headquarters / PRP (mentioned for the next filming location)
  • Young Dolph (referenced by name in a quote/joke)

Original video