Ep 4. Big Rig Gig

Shifting Gears season 1 episode 4, titled "Big Rig Gig," is all about the challenge of building a big rig. In this episode, the team at Detroit Speed has been tasked to take an old 1967 Camaro and turn it into a custom-built hauler for a new racing team.

As the episode opens, we meet the team and learn about the challenge they have ahead of them. The racing team they're building the truck for wants something that's both stylish and functional, a truck that can haul not just one car, but two.

The Detroit Speed team gets right to work, starting with an old Kenworth cab and chassis. They have only four weeks to complete the project, which is a very tight timeline given the complexity of the undertaking.

The team members split up to work on different aspects of the truck. Some of them focus on the frame and suspension, while others take care of the bodywork and the interior design. Each step of the way, they face new challenges and setbacks that require creative thinking and problem-solving.

We get to see the team in action as they weld, grind, sand, and paint, all in the service of creating the ultimate big rig. Along the way, we also get to learn about the technical aspects of building a truck like this, including the importance of weight distribution, axle load, and aerodynamics.

As the deadline approaches, tension mounts and the team faces some unexpected challenges that threaten to derail the whole project. However, they stick together and manage to pull off a stunning feat of engineering and design.

In the end, we see the finished rig, complete with a customized trailer for hauling two race cars. The racing team is thrilled with the result, and the Detroit Speed team members are exhausted but proud of what they've accomplished.

Throughout the episode, we get to know the different personalities on the Detroit Speed team, from the quiet-but-effective welder to the boisterous fabricator who loves to crack jokes. We also get a sense of the camaraderie and sense of purpose that drive them to tackle such challenging projects.

"Big Rig Gig" is a fun and engaging episode of Shifting Gears that will appeal to anyone who loves cars, engineering, and design. With its high stakes and tight timeline, it's a thrilling ride from start to finish.