Front tire location

I have started pasting small pieces of blue masking tape to
the front of my hood to mark the location of the inside of my
front tires.

Helps me figure where my tires are - something
I sort of guessed at before. I usually could do a decent
job of guessing but the tape improves my 'aim'.

Toy Man

I think I know what your talking about but could you post a picture too?

Thanks!

Had me scratching my head for a moment too, then it clicked.

He has tape on the hood that indicate where the inside edge of the tires are "below" them, so he has a better idea of what the tires pass over. Sorta like those lighted stalks that stick up over the hood on the edge of the bumpers on big rigs, so they can tell how close the corner is in tight turns and such.

Brent

Sorta like those lighted stalks that stick up over the hood on the edge of the bumpers on big rigs

Ohhhhhhh ...see you learn something new every day here.

He has tape on the hood that indicate where the inside edge of the tires are "below" them, so he has a better idea of what the tires pass over.

Brent - you've got it. Thanks for clarifying my post.
I knew what I was describing and just assumed everyone
else could read my mind. <grin>

Originally posted by superjens

Ohhhhhhh ...see you learn something new every day here.

Now, can someone explain the purpose of those stupid orange teardrop shaped lights just behind the top of the windshield on 1-ton trucks? They're called "clearance lights" I think, but I can't comprehend how they would be of any use.
Oh, and why to do the drivers of flatbed tow trucks feel the need to turn on the whirlybirds on top when they're not actually towing a vehicle behind on the lift bar, just on the flatbed? Ah, I digress, may as well ask about the stupid washer nozzle lights that are all the rage too... :D

Brent

The little blue thingies on the front of the hood.

I find the passenger side marker especially helpful.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/860811Wheelmarkertape1.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/453217WheelMmarkerTape2.jpg

Hmm, you could put some of those deer whistles there instead, at least it would look to have some purpose to the casual observer :D

Whoa! That's a T17. How did I miss that? I remember you were going to get one, never saw you post it was on.


Brent

RE: T17 front bumper.

I have had it for several months.
Just never got around to posting about it.

I like it a lot.

When I was a kid we used to just dump some pop cans in the parking lot and drive around 'till we figured out where the wheels are. Tape works too I guess! Toy Man, are you taking into consideration the wheels under compression (or extented), since they arc a bit you'll have to compensate. Then again it's kinda hard to guess where your wheels are vertically so just ignore me. ;)

Me dumb. Me still don't understand what the tape is for :bloated: ?

:help:

I just drive over clumps of snow during the winter to get a feel for where the tires are.

It helps when you're offroad because you want to put tires over the highest points of the trail.
If you can do it without sticking you're head out of the window you'll suffer less damage to your passenger side.;) And it helps to keep your tires on a line you choose without needing a spotter.

Dont know where your front tires are???

User the force :coolguy:

All kidding aside, I have to admit... the Xterra hood ('02 in my case) does seem to make it more difficult to estimate your front "track" than vehichles I've owned in the past with more "flat" hoods. I'm getting used to it though.

-Earl

Originally posted by OffroadX


Oh, and why to do the drivers of flatbed tow trucks feel the need to turn on the whirlybirds on top when they're not actually towing a vehicle behind on the lift bar, just on the flatbed... :D

Brent

ODOT (Ohio Dept. of Transportation) calls for precautionary lights for any type of work done on highways.
Notice highway construction vehicles with yellow lights or even land surveyors.

Even for transport they are still required to use their lights.

I find the lightbar of my ARB is a good reference point for the outside of the tire. From there, just work in.