DIY Network

Truck Upgrade: Tires, Wheels and Remote-Pressure Sensor From "Weekend Mechanic" episode WKM-310

Our upgrade includes wider tires for better handling, chrome-plated aluminum wheels and transmitter tire-stems that allow the driver to monitor tire pressure and temperature from inside the cab.

In this segment of DIY's Weekend Mechanic, host Bruce Bonebrake upgrades the tires and wheels on a GMC truck, and installs wireless remote pressure/temperature sensors that allow the driver to monitor tire pressure and temperature from inside the cab.

Materials:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), some of the specialty tools that will be needed for the projects in this episode include air chuck, tire gauge and valve tool, wire-strippers and wire cutters, air wrench and safety glasses. An air-compressor and set of pneumatic tools will is optional, but may be very helpful for this project.

DIY Difficulty Rating for the Project: The projects featured in this episode are all fairly straightforward, and should be no problem for experienced automotive do-it-yourselfers. Overall, we gave the projects a difficulty rating of 2 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. It took us about 12 hours to finish this job. Depending on the nature of your upgrades and type of vehicle, your work time could vary. Allow yourself a full weekend to complete these projects properly.

Figure A

Wheels and Tires Upgrade

The wheel and tire upgrade includes wider tires for better handling, chrome-plated aluminum wheels and transmitter tire-stems that allow the driver to monitor tire pressure and temperature from inside the cab.

Normally the wheel upgrade would require installation of a valve stem (figure A, right). However, we opted to install a tire-pressure monitor system that uses specialized valve-stems with a remote sensor (figure A, left). The sensors mount against the inside of each wheel, are curved to match the curvature of the wheels, and each has a foam pad for attaching to the wheel surface. The remote pressure-sensor portion of this upgrade cost around $250.

Following is a summary of the basic steps for installing the new wheels, tires and remote sensing system:

• When installing the tire onto the wheel, place the tire on the side with the shortest step (figure B).

• Simply set the wheel flat on the ground, position the tire opening over the wheel at an angle and press the tire down over the wheel (figure C).

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

• With the bottom bead installed, the tire-pressure-monitor valve-stem can be installed (figure D). Remove the cap and spacer from the monitor unit, push the sensor valve-stem up through the hole in the wheel, install the stem-washer, screw on the spacer and hand-tighten it. Finally, carefully hand-tighten the sensor in position using the appropriate socket wrench.

  Important: Avoid over-tightening the sensors as this could cause air leaks.

• Pump up the tire to about 20 psi (figure E) and check for air leaks.

• Put the valve-core back in place.

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

  Figure F

• You can now fill the tire to the recommended pressure and check the readout on the dash monitor that came with the system. After checking the readout on the monitor, use a regular tire-pressure gauge to verify the pressure reading. We filled our tire to 35 pounds (figure F). If the tire pressure drops below a safe pressure (in our case, the low-pressure limit was 30 pounds) an alarm beep sounds on the dash monitor.

• Repeat the steps to install the sensors on the other three tires.

  Tip: After the new wheels and tires have been installed, it's recommended that you take your vehicle to a tire center to have the wheels professionally balanced and aligned.
  

  
  

• Once all the tires have been mounted on the new wheels, the tires filled and the sensors installed, jack up the vehicle and remove the lug nuts so that you can remove the old wheels and tires. (The lug nuts may be removed in any order.) We used an air-powered wrench to make this job easier (figure G).

  Safety Alert: Always wear hearing and eye protection when using air-powered wrenches.

• Carefully mount the new wheels and tires on the truck (figure H), taking care to avoid scratching the chrome.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

• Secure the wheels in position by tightening down the lug nuts by hand (figure I). Check the manufacturer's instructions for the proper torque specifications for tightening the lug nuts.

• Tip: To protect your new wheels and tires from theft, consider installing locking lug-nuts.

• With the wheels all installed, the final step is to mount the tire-pressure readout monitor inside the cab. We installed ours near the center of the dash (figure J) using the Velcro mount that came with the kit. The power supply simply plugs into the cigarette lighter using a standard adapter.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

Important: Included in this segment are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular vehicle, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of repair-kit you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your kit or replacement parts.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and ear protection, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with power tools. Also wear eye protection any time that you are working beneath a vehicle.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, don't rely solely on a jack to support the weight of a vehicle. When using a jack to access or work beneath a vehicle, always use jack stands for support. Make sure that the jack and stands that you use are rated for the weight and type of your vehicle.

RESOURCES :

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books

Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896