Restoration Blog October 2024: Upgrading a 1941 Fire Truck with Electric Power Steering!

Jay Leno brings new life to his 1941 American LaFrance Fire Truck with a cutting-edge electric power steering upgrade from E Power Steering. This episode showcases the installation process, the benefits of modern power steering on classic vehicles, and why this conversion is a game changer for vintage car enthusiasts. Plus, a sneak peek at the 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre and how protective film helps preserve this luxury masterpiece. Don’t miss out on more restoration tips and behind-the-scenes stories from Jay Leno’s Garage!
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#JayLenosGarage #VintageCars #PowerSteering #CarRestoration #FireTruckRestoration #ElectricSteering #RollsRoyce #ClassicCars #Restoration #AutomotiveEngineering
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A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.

[@allannilsson5319]

I am always looking forward to these restoration blogs. They are a big favorite of mine

[@bcgrittner]

I am a retired firefighter. I think back to the old trucks I drove years ago. Power steering was the stuff of dreams. If you couldn’t handle the truck, you could not be an engineer. The kids on the fire department these really don’t know how good they have it. They never knew the old way of doing things. That old LaFrance truck of Jay’s will probably run forever and Jay’s successors will have a pretty cushy time handling the old fire truck, etc.

[@UberLummox]

Does its steering wheel diameter look a little small to you? Maybe that's one reason it was hard to steer?

[@bcgrittner]

@@UberLummox LaFrance possibly considered the fire crew having heavy gear on and gave the engineer more room under the steering wheel. I have handled trucks where I could barely get my legs under the steering wheel, but the big steering wheel did give me an advantage. Speak of manual steering, I was qualified on Tiller. No power steering on the rear axle. I see that’s starting to change.

[@Rich-q9r]

Many early trucks into the 60s still had Cam n Lever steering as Jays fire truck. 47 Chevy trucks were the first to make the huge upgrade to a recirculating ball steering box which significantly reduce the steering effort and brought a much improved level of safety to the steering system as well

[@jeroen9637]

The guy has his clients truck that he is about to work on on his shirt. That’s pretty cool 😎

[@cucoelmalefico7087]

Did he just call that dude a fluffer??? The poor bloke actually said he wanted to get away.... 😮😅😅😅😂😂😂😂 Leno rules! This was funny AF...

[@Rich-q9r]

I recently spoke with an old friend who did this install on a deuce and having been the first install Id seen up close I had several questions about it regarding the quality and especially the safety aspect. He was as skeptical as I initially but fell in love with the very modern steering feel. The biggest consoling factor is that even if you lose electric power, your steering input still goes right through it. For once this an effective aftermarket assembly the really works! 👌👌

[@sweetwater2128]

my favorite type of Jay Leno episode

[@vahidvahidnia1643]

This is just what I needed to see today. Keep it coming!

[@UberLummox]

Bullsh!t

[@Bass.Player]

Power steering addition worked out perfect... Great solution...

[@elosogonzalez8739]

Armstrong Steering! Keep 'em going. Are you on the move Jay? With all the car haulers, looks like your moving.😊

[@beaubrummelmotorizedbicycles]

That is an amazing upgrade to that fire truck, modern tech applied to a 1941 fire truck, I love it.

[@jessemills3845]

In the 1970s my dad put a HUDSON steering in a 1946, CJ2A Willys jeep. Made steering Almost the same as Power Steering. With no power steering box to worry about!

[@chadspivey9620]

I love the restoration videos...these are awesome Jay....thank you for sharing your collection with us all... I'd love to see your garage...wow...what a car collection and your bikes .. keep the videos coming....

[@CLCIII]

For all the folks that have complained about electric power steering, there is obviously a place for it. As Always, May God Bless you and yours! 😇

[@Bondibites]

Jay Leno Channel Locks!

[@lrich8181]

Rocks!

[@shanew.williams]

Jay's looking fit and trim these days.💪

[@DannebergAcres]

More like old and frail.

[@simes205]

The best video from Jay.

[@jonthebuildingmanager2896]

Keep up the great work Jay! Good health and smooth roads ahead!

[@stevengreco1939]

Great video!

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Great content. More restoration blog!

[@seankettledon1331]

It's a good time to be in the used car market

[@pistonburner6448]

That's fortunate for your mom

[@OldTooly]

Grandma's living room furniture slip covers for the Rolls.

[@MICHAELMEREDITHSR]

THE *FLUFFER*‽ Jay you's a °Funny° °FUNNY° man! 🙏🦉

[@paulyoung181]

A very smart fluffer!

[@Garth2011]

I also like to put a date on parts when they are serviced or replaced as well. Sure does come in handy over time. I'm not sold on those "wrap" ceramic coatings. Probably there is more to understand about them.

[@RDSAlphard]

Recently I've seen increasing case of people picking up Prius' electric power steering from junkyard, and reusing/restomod it on modified cars.

[@paulgar8]

Jay Leno Channelocks LOL!

[@deankay4434]

I have seen several conversations to electric assisted steering and folks have realize there is still a mechanical link to control steering. Yes, a malfunction may require 3 arms to turn the wheel, but I have certain issues. You have to sense speed as more is needed when slow. You heard a word used “Torsion” and a narrowed torsional shaft could twist and someway translates into an electric signal to change the amount of assist. These devices are of various types but commonly a potentiometer (Pot) like a radio volume that tell the controller (computer) how much amperage to give the motor, when to start, how much, when to stop. So several inputs. This means maybe 6 inputs and to keep compact, end up as 7 fingers that wipe across a printed circuit of conductive material. Over time, these wear almost as fast as the driver door hinges. Open circuit or noisy input signal sometimes inconsistent with cause it to simply quit. It can’t operate assisting your steering efforts if one of these signals are lost. The rate of speed can be measured to adjust how fast it helps also. It’s just a lot going on. Service? Not everyone is on top of these but early on, even the manufacturers change the entire unit without having just one part available. The reason sometimes is engineering will test to find the actual root cause of the described failure. They want it left alone and not in 26 pieces. I am not liking certain things as loss of steering plus auto-shut-off/auto-restart. That’s wear on the starter, pinion gear, solenoid contacts and flex plate. And for what, 1.4 gallons of gas per year saved? I don’t like it. Thanks CARB, EPA, DOT and other in-elected government agencies. Leave my vehicle alone!

[@TheHypnotstCollector]

minute 10:35 "Like a 1946 Dodge Power Wagon, you just can't turn 'em". A friend had a 1948 Dodge PW and it is the heaviest steering car/truck I drove. I had a 1957 Mack B20 and it was heavy but his Dodge was much worse. I had a 1959 Corvette, they're a tank, a tuna boat, that's why the steering wheel is 3 feet diameter. And the 235/60 tires didn't help but the Dodge was worse.

[@davegriffith1349]

Can’t wait ! Should be great

[@ronalddevine9587]

A great workout

[@lu544]

It must have been hard to convince these guys to come down and help work on the firetruck lol

[@JosephOlson-ld2td]

American LaFrance Roadster at Houston AutoRama with "T-head side valve" engine. Modular twin cylinder blocks for two, four or six cylinder engines. Crossflow head far better than "L-head" engines > worth Leno show

[@BubbaSmurft]

"...like the fluffer." Look it up folks, I'll wait :)

[@reesilva1]

l never liked jay on tonight show,but i love jay on his car shows,

[@l0I0I0I0]

Where is a good place to get a good royal royce engine on the cheep?

[@jotighe2]

Jay said, "anyone can do this do-it-yourself project." anyone with an 80-yr-old, 30-ton, fire truck, that is.

[@henrikandreasen7455]

The MV 375 may be the most beautifull GT ever made

[@pistonburner6448]

It sure is fine...I mean the other, square version though.

[@57WillysCJ]

That old steering was called armstrong steering for a reason, also the armstrong teeny muscle tester.

[@RandyTheWildHorse]

It's nice the fire truck is much easier to turn.

[@callumbush1]

Interesting

[@robertphillips6296]

Jay Leno Line of Tools?

[@JamesLaumand]

He look like clone robot secrets

[@b2tall239]

83 yrs old, to be exact 😉

[@paulgar8]

I am wondering what Reliable was transporting in the trucks in the background?

[@richknudsen5781]

When u want something delivered on time and safely you call those guys, they are the best.

[@E.T.GARAGE]

👍😎👍

[@BJK1715]

Jay is looking every bit of his 74 yrs .... and then some.😟 I thought he was older.

[@BeardedGeezer]

It's too bad Tremec won't sell their dual-clutch transmissions to individuals.

[@alternativefactory7190]

You mean to tell me Jay doesn't work on his own fire trucks?

[@BangerFleet]

Paint for $60 a quart?!? I just paid $178 for a pint of PPG Concept DCC! (Yes, you can still get DCC where I live)

[@richknudsen5781]

Some colors, like yours, are way more but many are right around $60 a quart.

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

Why do you never get hungry at the beach? Because of all the sandwiches there.

[@miamimo70]

Look after yourself Jay

[@indrayanimotorgarageautomo820]

❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏 respect 🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵

[@dallas6847]

👍👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎😎

[@jamesonpace726]

Putting that name on your channel locks guarantees someone will steal them....

[@dbx1233]

At 13:23. Using that big pair of Channel Locks on that bolt head is a chump move. Use something that is designed for that bolt, like a wrench or a socket. That's such an amateur thing to do. LOL!

[@thomasthornton5737]

😀😀👍👍👍❤❤

[@ml.2770]

You're the fluffer. 😂

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

Anyone else cringe when the guy put his fingers in that giant pair of channel locks?

[@anthonypoirier6744]

I am deeply disappointed in this episode. I know in this amazing facility there are DOZENS of projects and builds going on and only three were covered We did not get any updates on previous projects- Ariel Atom and steam cars etc I long Mr Leno for you to share what cars you're still looking for and the projects that are already here but have not yet taken How's the Indian and sidecar motorcycle that got damaged from the accident. How's your knees and neck? God bless you Mr Leno, Bernard, Jim, Pier, Johnny, George and the rest of the Big Dog Garage Crew It would be nice to see so much more of what daily goes on

[@richknudsen5781]

Call the Waaaaambulance Jay this guy is not happy.

[@anthonypoirier6744]

@@richknudsen5781 God bless you as well 🤗

[@elcheapo5302]

Not sure I'd trust a GM part...

[@MossMini]

This is not a DIY project. Lol

[@djcuda]

I think an all electric line of cars will kill rolls Royce but then again who cross country in a rolls but still all that money for a car with limited range is crazy

[@pistonburner6448]

What? Why would an "all electric range of cars" kill Rolls-Royce?

[@NomenClature-o8s]

I drove one. The Spectre is absolutely amazing.

[@zukacs]

I think it’s even better for them. When all cars have the same skateboard platform under them, rolls will stand out with their builds

[@PRH123]

@@NomenClature-o8sI drive one a loooong time ago. Was completely unimpressed, no different than the GM cars of the time basically, just with wood, and more rattles.

[@NomenClature-o8s]

@@PRH123 Glad you drove one a long time ago. 😂

[@larryw5429]

What is more shocking is there's a person having a business in california!

[@TheFrogmanTV]

California has the 5th largest economy in the world with 4 million small businesses.

[@avsystem3142]

In the habit of making comments that plainly show you don't have a clue about the subject?

[@richknudsen5781]

Jay, are your math skills slipping? Your lovely Fire Truck is 83 years young, not almost 70 or a bit older, 83 years. But who's counting..