I'd love to see you guys do this again next year, with everything you learned from this year. Spruce the old girl up, figurer out the alternator/electrical issues, generally tighten things down a little better, and who knows what you might achieve
Side quests?? Clearly Heber is the real shop daddy, cleaning up everyone else's messes. He does EVERYTHING in the garage. He deserves much more credit than being called "shop hand".
@@homiefromfl Nah, Adam is the shop daddy because of his experience and ability to stay calm. He's like an emotional anchor for others to hold on to. Heber is more of a shop roadie, and a very good one. Equally important, but a completely different job. To quote Jack Black/Eddie Riggs: "A good roadie knows his whole job is to make someone else look good, keep someone else safe, help someone else do what they were put here to do. A good roadie stays out of the spotlight. If he's doing his job right, you don't even know he's there. Once in a while he might step on stage just to fix a problem, to set something right. But then before you even realize he was there or what he did, he's gone."
Best thing to happen to Donut….Nolan. He’s got passion, emotion and direction. Something Donut may have been lacking to put together in recent times. One of the best videos this channel has ever created!
@@danielfernandezaguirre Watch closely as I and many others object to your statement that he's awful -_- Nolan and the team have been fantastic and you can tell they're really finding their way when it comes to real car stuff and not just top ten lists that the corpos push for to garnish views.
@@danielfernandezaguirreyou are definitely autistic, you have an odd obsession with hating Nolan. I can see all your other comments about him. Very strange.
You should do this annually! Not just one off. Recording your lessons learned and improvements made, talk with other teams. Very exciting to watch Thank you and Heber is the Man!
Every experienced desert racer knows that there are multiple wins to each race. Getting to the start, finishing the route, and no injuries are just a few. Congrats on popping the cherry and not giving up. Side note: Shoutout to Adam for keeping the racers "never give up" mentality even at the lowest lows. Im not discrediting the others by any means, there just wasnt a scene where he was letting anything bring him down!
@@KurtisWilkerson-b1j not even just competing but just fixing cars in general. Love bro's unwavering mentality, that stubbornness to keep going is such inspiration in the car community.
@dodgecharger1026 I mean you're supposed to actually do design work before you get out there to make sure those points are strong enough /before/ it becomes a problem, so it kinda is their fault. Most of the blame lies with the guy who forgot to say "that's not going anywhere" though.
@@LifeInJamblestheir designers are people like Nolan. Guys without specific education and mostly without sand racing experience. So, it's hard to blame them that they don't know nothing😅 😅
@@pasha_karandash I mean fair.. but it's not hard to learn the basics and then just build it beefier than you think you need. You could even just grab some beefy weld-on tie-down points from the hardware store and the beefiest ratchet straps realistic and the amount of unnecessary weight you'd be adding would be insignificant to this vehicle, whereas having spare tires and a more consistent weight distribution would not be insignificant.
I'd say budget, time constraints, shooting other videos, etc all had a role in that. I don't 100% blame them for not testing this thing enough. Also that's not to say after testing other stuff could have gone wrong. I will admit the alternator issue could have been spotted faster though (maybe?).
Everyone needs an Adam in their life. That dude's don't give up attitude on this race is amazing. I wonder if the next build that Donut does will be a support/rescue vehicle for events like this or track days that need more than just a tool box to keep going.
That's absolutely a thing that happens. I've slalomed through several silt beds where we got lucky with the line and others didn't. Feels good every time
The end of the video where Nolan is standing looking out over the water and the sun is setting was beautifully edited everything about that scene was picture perfect. Overall this video was one of the best out of donut yet. Big ups to the whole team for this.
the scenes when adam and justin are passing through all the broken down racers while the intro music from Gladiator plays hits on a whole other level that I didn't expect from a donut video
It's such a huge accomplishment to finish any form of endurance racing, but to finish an off-road race like this is a huge win! Glad we could lend ya Mike for the added help 😉
That's why any desert racer that has done endurance racing, to win, you first have to finish. You guys did an awesome job showing a grass roots effort and how hard it really is and why just finishing the race is a win in itself.
Not enough AMPERAGE. The alternator your trying to use is barely enough to do the job. They make higher output alternators. Add up the current requirements of all electrical items then get one that meets and exceeds that by 30% or more. Remember it will only draw as much current as required by the truck regardless of size of amperage of the alternator while voltage stays at 13.8 to 14. (16 volts on racing batt/alt. Combos) grounds should run from engine to frame as well as electrical grounds.
Ran across this all the time in the car stereo world. People cooking alternators, and not understanding some basic math will cure the issue. Electric fans, fuel pump, lights, Holley computer, comms, all drawing amperage. 2 alternators, 2 batteries, or for stereo guys a monster cap to keep from ruining batteries and alternators. Have to have power to make power
It makes total sense as well. With the upgraded ignition system and electronic cooling fans everything is pulling more current. The voltage would drop when the fans were on due to pulling so much additional amperage for an extended time. Probably doesn't help that the throttle is so inconsistent as well.
This series has been one of my favorites that Donut has made by far. I was always was super excited to watch the new episodes, so much that I watched this final episode in parts so that it lasted longer! Despite all the ups and down I hope y’all run it back next year after fixing up this year’s issues!
Sometimes overbuilding creates more problems like ripping mounts off the frame instead of breaking a suspension component somethings are designed to be a weak link so save the parts that are harder to replace
That’s me!!! 46:08 (I’m the guy with the black donut T-shirt on the left). I was so stocked to met you guys and seeing the Baja Blaster finished the Norra 500
at the end, nolan vibing at the beach, lowkey talking about all the drama that went on with donut and the whole YT car scene, and just like the baja blaster, donut made it thru it. absolutely stellar vibes. glad nolan can heal through this.
Note to self: in future, put welder on following truck. Carry 12 alternators. Carry 4 serpentine belts. Carry extra jack handles and tire spoons for suspension repair
They've said that Low Truck is without a doubt the best vehicle they've ever built, short of maybe Low-Yota (EDIT: I'm second guessing myself. they talked about it in the james may video, but I'm too lazy to go back and check. I THINK it's Low Truck and High-Yota). ALL the other cars have broken and had serious issues and apparently those two just hold their own and do essentially everything they ask of them. The other cars apparently all have their failures and breakdowns and those two just put up numbers. I think they said their FAVORITE is High-Z, tho, because it just absolutely shreds.
This was peak entertainment with the right amount of realism, from actual team work(Hebber doesn't get enough shout outs) to the absolute bizarre risk of finishing the race I was I gotta hand it to the ridiculous immersion this series has kept.
Probably the best shot/produced video from donut. Obviously great content but with only one chance to get the shots and explanations to keep the video going all 'live' was done brilliantly. The whole team did an amazing job.
Nolan you are absolutely crushing it on this channel my dude! When James, Jobe, and Jerry all decided to leave I had a bad feeling about the direction of the channel, but you are proving me wrong over and over again with amazing personalities on camear mixed with great ideas and execution. This and the Mustang Hi-Low series have been some of the best car content Donut has put out maybe ever. I was so sick of top ten lists. This is true car enthusiast content like the Top Gear challenges of yesteryear.
Great job team!! You did Baja right by never giving up no matter all the setbacks. That's the true spirit! Thank you for sharing our sport with your audience and for leaving in my cameo at 39:05!! Can't wait to see y'all down there again and look forward to helping out if I can!
I want to add that with everything that has gone down with Donut and the people who left/stayed, this vid is evidence that the heart and soul of donut is alive and well. This episode is absolutely magical and im glad you guys had a blast.
He feels like he owes his wife something and her wedding. Tobe honest weddings are fuckin lame. Strictly for the women. I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me we are in love. But he mentioned twice(shown) his wife while he was “in a moment” but felt he had to validate his wife and her day while he was just enjoying a moment to himself. He had to leave his presence to talk about his wife’s day.
@@chrisgeorge84or he’s still in the excited stage of being newly married so it’s always on his mind. People tend to find a way to wedge things into conversation when they’re excited about them
Nolan/Donut guys, Seeing those kids almost at the end of the video reminded myself as a kid. I am sure they admired you for that day, sadly we dont have a lot of good role models over here. Thanks for making the trip to Mexico and showing kids another reality of life.
32:53 Watching everyone that's stuck cheer you on as you drove by is what it's all about. It's moments like those that really make me love the car community when we all cheer for eachother's success regardless of our own position. You don't like ricers but a new fan just got his first intro to the car world with his civic? Hell yea! You're a tuner guy but that guy just finished his muscle car build? Hell yea. You're a V8 guy but you see someone proud of their BMW? Hell. Yea! The shared excitement is what it's all about!
Shout out to the editors, y'all really made this feel like such a cinematic experience! When the music cut out at the beginning of the race it felt like watching ground control during take off! Apollo 13 vibes!
This was one of the BEST if not the BEST video I've ever seen! You managed to transfer to us all your emotions, good moments, bad moments and feelings! Well done Donut! Well done Baja Blaster!❤
This was one of the best videos I've seen on UA-cam in awhile. This is on the leaderboard for videos Donut has produced. I'm stoked man, this was really cool that you guys got to have this experience. This is the kind of thing you look back on for the rest of your career.
There is something magical about Baja. Racing, riding, hooning, taco-ing, lounging, relaxing. I love that place and love watching the journey y'all took to get there. Always next year! Tim Morton and NORRA are a class act.
Would love to see a few follow up videos where you fix the issues that were uncovered (like the links and the alternator) and do some upgrades for other places you found it lacking, and then race it again next year!
I've never raced a baja race before, but this is how I imagine it. Long, brutal, a constant battle to keep your rig going. What an epic experience this must have been!
Those shots at around @39:20, especially where the camera person runs and gets in the truck, and they sync the door "thunk" with the music, are absolute art!
I think an important take away from this is that when we push ourselves and put in the work it is still important to and have a little Nolan moment on the edge of the ocean (be it metaphorical or mexican) and appreciate just how far you've come and all that you have achieved to get you that far. And in that moment we should also acknowledge and appreciate all the Hebbers that helped us along the way.
Nit sure they’ll ever even see it, but to whoever scored this thing: HELL if a job!! Really unique music choices for this channel, that perfectly underscores what’s on screen. Top shelf.
Honestly my favorite part of this entire video is seeing all these guys work together and form a lifelong bond and multiple memories within these few days, and seeing how damn hard they worked, how well they worked together, and how supportive they were to each other really does make me jealous of having great friends and great people around. Keep it up guys! You all are what make and keep Donut what it is!!! So damn proud of you all!!!
I’m sure the race vultures ride that trail right behind people for this very reason. people who make 500 bucks a month probably have a side eBay gig with used off road parts on Baja 😂😂
Not sure if it's the case in NORRA, but in SCORE/BITD you're supposed to stamp your vehicle number on your wheels. Sometimes you'll get lucky and race officials/another chase crew will find them first and give them back if you cross paths. More often than not it's law of the sea though.
You guys are really awesome and so fun to watch! I had a blast following this project and seeing this epic race true the desert. That track looked brutal but seeing you imrpovise and repair the truck in the field was so cool. Thanks for all the work you've put into these videos and can't wait to see more of you guys :D
Holy cinema! I was on the edge of my seat this whole video. We can't even imagine the emotions when you guys made it to the finish line! Great work on the truck and the video. Can't wait to see what you guys can accomplish next year!
Congrats to everyone at Donut, desert racing is so much tougher than it seems. I really apreciated Nolan's enthusiasm for this entire venture. Hope to see Baja Blaster back at it and even better next year!
I like to hope this video highlights the new donut pretty well. Towards the end of the video, of course especially the 32:30 mark, it gave me a feeling I've not gotten from a donut video in a long time. Almost felt like an old Top Gear special. Every single one of these guys are rockstars, especially Heber, what a G. But Nolan.. Nolan has something that's difficult to describe. His passion, his camera presence, his genuine emotion. It's the same "something" found in Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. And it's what made them so good, separately and together. I've said it before and I'm even more confident now, Nolan has the potential to be the greatest automotive journalist since motortrend or Clarkson. That's not saying the others aren't also destined for greatness. Mike is a genius problem solver and the vibes captured with Adam and Justin are captivating. Maybe it all can just be attributed to superior level editing, but I think there's more than that. And how can you not live Heber! I think donut can find a new groove after all that's unfolded. Maybe connecting with casual viewers and car enthusiasts alike on an emotional level is that groove. But on a true level, not a 30 second gears&gasoline edit of slowpan shots of JDM cars, something deeper and more passionate. Something Nolan can likely help them find.
when you're constantly pulling high revs then backing off then revving again like that you can use a 5% underdrive pully on the alternator can help keep it alive. they are also ingesting a billion more times dust and grit than they are made to. and 1000 earth connections. put them everywhere! In Australia, we have the Finke Dessert Race, and the guys quite often run a guard just in front of the alternator and incorporate some clean(ish) airflow into it. having learnt from all of the bad and all of the good you can make necessary mods and kick its ass next year. great vid guys. job well done.
You should be running an accessory battery so 2 or even 3 batteries and have an alternator with a higher current amp output to handle all the extra voltage you're pulling. You're over loading the alternators burning them up
128aH Cmax cell, it'll weigh less than 1 AGM or lead acid battery and even if the Alt died during the race, it would keep everything powered for the rest of the race before needing a charge. I think they should of went with a MEchman 320a alt too.
WHAT. A. SERIES! I binged the entire build and this amazing roller coaster of a run and LOVED it! I hope we see the BB in future vids as it a dream truck. Thanks Everyone there at Donut both in front and behind the cameras.
Dam, guys. Something you probably don’t want to hear, going through all that, but AutoZone alternators are known to be junk… They rebuild the alternator, stator, windings, bearings, EVERYTHING, and don’t replace the voltage regulator. Lol THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS WHAT GOES ON THESE! I can’t tell you how many alternators I’ve gone through, same malfunction on rebuilt AutoZone alternators, and had the same problem. I finally smartened up, bought a “NEW” voltage regulator, and installed it on a junkyard OEM alternator, and the alternator was tip top. I’ve cracked open plenty of refurbished AutoZone alternators, everything looks new and great, only to realize they installed the same original voltage regulator. The voltage regulator being the exact component to why it doesn’t work in the first place. I learned that owning a ‘95 VR6 over the last 20+ years…
Good to know. My Jeep has a 61 amp alternator but the brochure says it should only be a 42 amp alternator. AMC used whatever they could get their hands on in those days but assuming the brochure is accurate then my alternator has been replaced, probably not with a factory new one knowing my Jeep's past. That 61 amps barely charges the battery with the lights or heater fan on. A voltage regulator is cheaper than a high-output alternator so I may try that.
Watching Nolan double fist pump when the ranger crossed the finish line made me feel the same emotions i felt watching the passion of everyone who was involved with Donut in the early years. Simultaneously i was also thinking James should be there with his son(Nolan) cheering him on for all his hard work and for how far he has come.
Need to see the blaster take on another race. This was a huge learning experience and I’m sure when you work out the issues, this thing will be a weapon.
Been looking forward to this episode for MONTHS! What a great way to relax on my lunch break! Thank you Donut Media and all the sponsors who poured money into this project, without you all, and all you viewers who click, we never would get to share in an experience most of us will NEVER attend!
Rallying, whatever its form, is a continuous and contradictory sensation throughout the race (even before and after!). I am just a local rally co-driver and I will never tire of these sensations.
LOVE this so much. And I appreciate you guys aren't acting like you're professionals and nothing breaks and everything is perfect. Maybe get the WRXs set up for ice racing!
You have content for the next year now. 1 year of prep videos for the next baja! Please and thank you. Y'all did a great job! Also a visit to the shop would be cool. xD
What an awesome challenge! Racing a $500 Ranger for 500 miles offroad is truly an adventure! It's amazing to see how such an affordable vehicle can still hold up to the demands of rough terrain with the right modifications and determination. The excitement and thrill of pushing the limits of both the vehicle and the drivers are so inspiring. Can’t wait to see how the Ranger performs as the race progresses - this is definitely a ride worth watching! Keep up the great work and good luck with the rest of the journey! 🌟
@@mrblock2013 Yeah, I really don't like how they talk about the 500$ all the time when barely anything is left of the original truck. Especially because they really don't have to try to be humble - even though they poured a lot of money into it, it still took a lot of time, sweat and blood to get it where it is. I'd rather see them focusing on that instead.
"Its one thing to know how to bolt aftermarket parts to your car, it is another thing entirely to understand how they all work together" - Frank Krueger.
ALT issues: Perm solution, swap up to a JT Alt 300a, run the single wire directly back to the battery via 0/1 gauge wire. Run the electrical including the ECU from a box off that. Keep the alternator on its own without anything else coming off it. This will isolate the charge circuit AND the 300a will more than power your whole system no issues. ((*note this is the same setup i use in a sound off show car that pulls nearly 10,000w)
I said they should of went with a Mechman 320a Alt and a 128aH Cmaxx, that way if the Alt does die during the race, the Lithium would allow them to finish the whole race before needing a charge...it would also weigh less than the battery they had in it to begin with.
@@Raymo2u The issue being Lithium batterys and offroad don't mix well. They get unhappy at being shook around hard and jarred in quick rapid actions. Also had some Mechman fail in the past, never had a JT go bad.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I'd love to see you guys do this again next year, with everything you learned from this year. Spruce the old girl up, figurer out the alternator/electrical issues, generally tighten things down a little better, and who knows what you might achieve
Get adam on the wheel and the guy that actually reads the notes
Nothing in particular also. They wouldn't learn how to drive sand races, wouldn't rebuild this pale of crappy fancy shit. So, forget it😊
Me too I'll be waiting for next year
@@shorty______ SO TRUE, OMG SO TRUE.
@@pasha_karandash this ''crappy fancy shit'' is more expensive than your whole house 😂
20 minutes in and I just gotta say Hebber the real MVP for going on all the side quests to find parts
With a smile too! He’s not a host but it’s been a treat to see him on camera the few times he got to
Side quests?? Clearly Heber is the real shop daddy, cleaning up everyone else's messes. He does EVERYTHING in the garage. He deserves much more credit than being called "shop hand".
@@homiefromfl Nah, Adam is the shop daddy because of his experience and ability to stay calm. He's like an emotional anchor for others to hold on to.
Heber is more of a shop roadie, and a very good one. Equally important, but a completely different job.
To quote Jack Black/Eddie Riggs:
"A good roadie knows his whole job is to make someone else look good, keep someone else safe, help someone else do what they were put here to do. A good roadie stays out of the spotlight. If he's doing his job right, you don't even know he's there. Once in a while he might step on stage just to fix a problem, to set something right. But then before you even realize he was there or what he did, he's gone."
Heber is an awesome teammate!
hebber to host
Shoutout to Nolan’s dad for keeping everyone updated in the UA-cam livestream chat during the race
Thank you Nathan!
Is there a recording of the Livestream? I didn't even know they did one.
@@ericcartman1168 it wasn't a Donut one. Just NORRA's livestream of the event.
@@ericcartman1168 Might be one on the Norra 500 youtube channel. It wasn't a donut broadcast
James is Nolan's dad's
Best thing to happen to Donut….Nolan.
He’s got passion, emotion and direction. Something Donut may have been lacking to put together in recent times. One of the best videos this channel has ever created!
Nolan been carrying donut since James left
nah hes awful
@@danielfernandezaguirre Watch closely as I and many others object to your statement that he's awful -_- Nolan and the team have been fantastic and you can tell they're really finding their way when it comes to real car stuff and not just top ten lists that the corpos push for to garnish views.
@@danielfernandezaguirreyou are definitely autistic, you have an odd obsession with hating Nolan. I can see all your other comments about him. Very strange.
@danielfernandezaguirre he's still awkward in general but I think that's part of his charm. I appreciate a personality that isn't turned up to 11
You should do this annually! Not just one off. Recording your lessons learned and improvements made, talk with other teams. Very exciting to watch Thank you and Heber is the Man!
Every experienced desert racer knows that there are multiple wins to each race. Getting to the start, finishing the route, and no injuries are just a few. Congrats on popping the cherry and not giving up. Side note: Shoutout to Adam for keeping the racers "never give up" mentality even at the lowest lows. Im not discrediting the others by any means, there just wasnt a scene where he was letting anything bring him down!
For sure, Adam's attitude was absolutely a needed boost. "Get back in the truck we'll fix it" is something every competitor needs to hear sometimes.
It really shows that he comes from a competitive automotive background.
@@TheNis240sx 100%
@@KurtisWilkerson-b1j not even just competing but just fixing cars in general. Love bro's unwavering mentality, that stubbornness to keep going is such inspiration in the car community.
whose job was it to say "that's not going anywhere" after snapping the straps over the spares? Because they failed you!
A bracket broke not really their fault
@dodgecharger1026 I mean you're supposed to actually do design work before you get out there to make sure those points are strong enough /before/ it becomes a problem, so it kinda is their fault.
Most of the blame lies with the guy who forgot to say "that's not going anywhere" though.
@@LifeInJamblestheir designers are people like Nolan. Guys without specific education and mostly without sand racing experience. So, it's hard to blame them that they don't know nothing😅 😅
@@pasha_karandashI mean, tires, securley grasp it.
@@pasha_karandash I mean fair.. but it's not hard to learn the basics and then just build it beefier than you think you need. You could even just grab some beefy weld-on tie-down points from the hardware store and the beefiest ratchet straps realistic and the amount of unnecessary weight you'd be adding would be insignificant to this vehicle, whereas having spare tires and a more consistent weight distribution would not be insignificant.
A good reminder that it doesn't matter how much you put into your setup. If you don't endurance test your rig, it will punish you.
I mean it survived Justin when they were building it
I'd say budget, time constraints, shooting other videos, etc all had a role in that. I don't 100% blame them for not testing this thing enough. Also that's not to say after testing other stuff could have gone wrong. I will admit the alternator issue could have been spotted faster though (maybe?).
It's almost like this is their first time
@@gagewoods5767I’d like to see all these arm chair quarterbacks, engineers, and mechanics do better 😂
@@drewski5730 if half those people had the money and time, theyd suprise you.
Everyone needs an Adam in their life. That dude's don't give up attitude on this race is amazing.
I wonder if the next build that Donut does will be a support/rescue vehicle for events like this or track days that need more than just a tool box to keep going.
This. Shop daddy Adam is the Og
32:54 It was absolutely crazy to see 5 vehicles stuck in that sand and you guys sailing through them. That was a beautiful moment.
That's absolutely a thing that happens. I've slalomed through several silt beds where we got lucky with the line and others didn't. Feels good every time
That was so sick. They must have passed 10 cars there
in the middle of a very intense race "you ever watched spongebob?"- Nolan
Cracked me up man
You ever watch keystone cops?
Lowkey my fav part hahaha. FLOOR IT!
A porn bot stole your comment and got pushed further up the comment list than you. D:
I watched it so much i knew the reference he was going to make before he described it 😂😂
The end of the video where Nolan is standing looking out over the water and the sun is setting was beautifully edited everything about that scene was picture perfect. Overall this video was one of the best out of donut yet. Big ups to the whole team for this.
other than the jump cut in audio from the music to his voice... Which was jarring as fuck.
Also, Baja is beautiful, I wanna go there now.
the scenes when adam and justin are passing through all the broken down racers while the intro music from Gladiator plays hits on a whole other level that I didn't expect from a donut video
Hey, What is the song name ? Thank you !!!!
That was one of the best parts👍
The whole way that section was shot is like something we would’ve seen during Top Gear on their specials
dude! yes it does. my favorite part of the whole video :)
for real though wth happened at 33:00? just stuck? collisions?
It's such a huge accomplishment to finish any form of endurance racing, but to finish an off-road race like this is a huge win! Glad we could lend ya Mike for the added help 😉
That's why any desert racer that has done endurance racing, to win, you first have to finish. You guys did an awesome job showing a grass roots effort and how hard it really is and why just finishing the race is a win in itself.
„to finish first, first you have to finish“ 👊🏼
Dude they didn’t Finnish, they skipped heaps of it.
As a long time Baja vet with multiple Baja 1000 wins under my belt, I'd love to come help you guys for the next race.
Take me with you please
Id help with the Chase and or Pit Stops
I will hold your toolbox sir!
give me a truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They'd need Elka to win this kinda race!
Not enough AMPERAGE. The alternator your trying to use is barely enough to do the job. They make higher output alternators. Add up the current requirements of all electrical items then get one that meets and exceeds that by 30% or more. Remember it will only draw as much current as required by the truck regardless of size of amperage of the alternator while voltage stays at 13.8 to 14. (16 volts on racing batt/alt. Combos) grounds should run from engine to frame as well as electrical grounds.
It blows my mind that this wasnt just done for piece of mind. This is an endurance race for Gods sake
Need the Cadillac alternator upgrade, did it in my 4Runner!
Ran across this all the time in the car stereo world.
People cooking alternators, and not understanding some basic math will cure the issue.
Electric fans, fuel pump, lights, Holley computer, comms, all drawing amperage. 2 alternators, 2 batteries, or for stereo guys a monster cap to keep from ruining batteries and alternators.
Have to have power to make power
It makes total sense as well. With the upgraded ignition system and electronic cooling fans everything is pulling more current. The voltage would drop when the fans were on due to pulling so much additional amperage for an extended time. Probably doesn't help that the throttle is so inconsistent as well.
@ryurc3033 same Lol. Nobody upping alt capacity using deep cycles or doing the big 3 and then wondering why stuff stops working
Easily one of the top 3 videos donut has ever made. Hope there is a season two of this adventure.
Would absolutely watch this again next year with them trying to learn from their mistakes and apply it to a better run
@@ther3aper561 They have almost a whole good truck to go with, so better luck 2025!
Heber carried so hard and the smile on his face never left even for a minute.
This series has been one of my favorites that Donut has made by far. I was always was super excited to watch the new episodes, so much that I watched this final episode in parts so that it lasted longer! Despite all the ups and down I hope y’all run it back next year after fixing up this year’s issues!
Adam is an absolute beast of a driver man. Him passing people while taking it easier on the truck was insane to me.
So what do we learn? Thicker tubes, more reinforcement overall. And most importantly: Testing everything for a duration longer than 15 minutes.
Sometimes overbuilding creates more problems like ripping mounts off the frame instead of breaking a suspension component somethings are designed to be a weak link so save the parts that are harder to replace
also probably better to use steel instead of aluminium on stress points, its heavier but much much more durable under continuous stress.
@@silver7788 Let's be honest.. I think with 450 HP, weight isn't really an issue anymore.
I disagree. Thicker tubes would have led to broken joints or mounting points. Just bring spare tubes :-)
MORE TIRE SPOONS!
That’s me!!! 46:08 (I’m the guy with the black donut T-shirt on the left). I was so stocked to met you guys and seeing the Baja Blaster finished the Norra 500
at the end, nolan vibing at the beach, lowkey talking about all the drama that went on with donut and the whole YT car scene, and just like the baja blaster, donut made it thru it. absolutely stellar vibes. glad nolan can heal through this.
Note to self: in future, put welder on following truck. Carry 12 alternators. Carry 4 serpentine belts. Carry extra jack handles and tire spoons for suspension repair
Remember to flick the spare tire straps while stating, "these aren't going anywhere".
That just sounds like landrover ownership
And sign up with Mag7
Chasing the NORRA the racer with low truck is all you need to know about Hi-Lo
😂
Did you miss how Hi-truck was doing parts runs as well this video? Hi-Truck gets used all the time in the background of videos
Lo truck is undefeated
@@KuRsAwow there's a good possibility I ignored that piece of information for the sake of making a joke. Jury is still out.
They've said that Low Truck is without a doubt the best vehicle they've ever built, short of maybe Low-Yota (EDIT: I'm second guessing myself. they talked about it in the james may video, but I'm too lazy to go back and check. I THINK it's Low Truck and High-Yota). ALL the other cars have broken and had serious issues and apparently those two just hold their own and do essentially everything they ask of them. The other cars apparently all have their failures and breakdowns and those two just put up numbers. I think they said their FAVORITE is High-Z, tho, because it just absolutely shreds.
LETS GOO. This has been my favorite donut series yet. Y'all need to do 24 hours of lemons next!
They absolutely freaking should! They have plenty of lemons to race with 😂
man, I watched that for the first time this year and that is some seriously cool stuff. would love for them to bring a car.
If they did that with a geo metro, I'd cream myself
lol my first lemons race we also went through 3 alternators, broke our fuel tank, and had our own issues
The did the Gambler 500 before. 24 hour of lemons would make a great series
This was peak entertainment with the right amount of realism, from actual team work(Hebber doesn't get enough shout outs) to the absolute bizarre risk of finishing the race I was I gotta hand it to the ridiculous immersion this series has kept.
Probably the best shot/produced video from donut. Obviously great content but with only one chance to get the shots and explanations to keep the video going all 'live' was done brilliantly. The whole team did an amazing job.
Nolan you are absolutely crushing it on this channel my dude! When James, Jobe, and Jerry all decided to leave I had a bad feeling about the direction of the channel, but you are proving me wrong over and over again with amazing personalities on camear mixed with great ideas and execution. This and the Mustang Hi-Low series have been some of the best car content Donut has put out maybe ever. I was so sick of top ten lists. This is true car enthusiast content like the Top Gear challenges of yesteryear.
Heber is always good to have around, love that guy!
Yeah dudes excitement is really contagious
Great job team!! You did Baja right by never giving up no matter all the setbacks. That's the true spirit! Thank you for sharing our sport with your audience and for leaving in my cameo at 39:05!! Can't wait to see y'all down there again and look forward to helping out if I can!
mag 7 are total bad asses for what they do. that's so cool.
Nolan's gonna have a heat attack from all the stress of running this channel.
As long as he doesn't start mainlining NOS drinks like James did he should be fine
@@SoFarFromCrust I think James had a few more problems than just too much caffeine.
@@SoFarFromCrust dude literally started a top 10 channel 💀
FINALLY I NEEDED THIS EPISODE
I want to add that with everything that has gone down with Donut and the people who left/stayed, this vid is evidence that the heart and soul of donut is alive and well. This episode is absolutely magical and im glad you guys had a blast.
Seeing the Jack there w no spares is comical 😆
And no jack handle…. Or tire iron!! 🤦🏽♂️
🏁👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽🫡
43:20 Nolan is the protagonist in this ensemble cast car show. Wholesome main character energy.
I got reflective as well during that part. Kudos to Nolan. 💪🏾❤️
He feels like he owes his wife something and her wedding. Tobe honest weddings are fuckin lame. Strictly for the women. I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me we are in love. But he mentioned twice(shown) his wife while he was “in a moment” but felt he had to validate his wife and her day while he was just enjoying a moment to himself. He had to leave his presence to talk about his wife’s day.
@@chrisgeorge84or he’s still in the excited stage of being newly married so it’s always on his mind. People tend to find a way to wedge things into conversation when they’re excited about them
@@Tjspycorp possible
@@Tjspycorp what does “newly married”mean? Did they just start loving each other?
Nolan. Release the 4 hour cut. For xmas, please. You know it's the right thing to do
That tire ad was A+ haha
Would you say it was fire?
Hell Yeah! @@eurosonly
"We got a water slide!"
Extremely rarely will I willingly watch an ad but that was cute I appreciate the effort they put into it.
Nolan/Donut guys, Seeing those kids almost at the end of the video reminded myself as a kid. I am sure they admired you for that day, sadly we dont have a lot of good role models over here. Thanks for making the trip to Mexico and showing kids another reality of life.
The tires falling off was so funny
And just knowing that there was nothing you could do.
It's kinda sad to lose not only unique tyres, but also a good rims :(
As soon as I seen ratchet straps on the tires i knew they will loose the spare tires
Embarrassing you mean
I died a little inside when that happened
It doesn’t matter if everyone already left the finish, seeing how pumped Nolan was when it crossed was worth it
I think that made it even better. It was more personal. intimate, even.
32:53 Watching everyone that's stuck cheer you on as you drove by is what it's all about. It's moments like those that really make me love the car community when we all cheer for eachother's success regardless of our own position.
You don't like ricers but a new fan just got his first intro to the car world with his civic? Hell yea! You're a tuner guy but that guy just finished his muscle car build? Hell yea. You're a V8 guy but you see someone proud of their BMW? Hell. Yea! The shared excitement is what it's all about!
This was so sick, I'm glad I was able to see it in person both days!
how was it!?!?!
Hell yeah for Nolan getting married, congrats dude!
Jack handle tube in the broken radius arm was a stroke of pure brilliance. Hats off.
Real rally spirit
Shout out to the editors, y'all really made this feel like such a cinematic experience! When the music cut out at the beginning of the race it felt like watching ground control during take off! Apollo 13 vibes!
This was one of the BEST if not the BEST video I've ever seen! You managed to transfer to us all your emotions, good moments, bad moments and feelings! Well done Donut! Well done Baja Blaster!❤
The end gives serious top gear vibes in the best way possible
Nolan mate, that moment enjoying the waves, we are all there with you buddy. It's all gonna be ok. Donut will be fine. You are making it work mate.
This was one of the best videos I've seen on UA-cam in awhile. This is on the leaderboard for videos Donut has produced. I'm stoked man, this was really cool that you guys got to have this experience. This is the kind of thing you look back on for the rest of your career.
32:46 that take was so cool! passing all those stuck trucks with that song in the background
Hey someone knows the song name ? THANK YOU !!!!
what are the people on the road showing with hands?
Love how they put that together. The hard cut to the alternator failing again was a nice touch too
Haha sounds like Dune ❤
There is something magical about Baja. Racing, riding, hooning, taco-ing, lounging, relaxing. I love that place and love watching the journey y'all took to get there. Always next year! Tim Morton and NORRA are a class act.
Would love to see a few follow up videos where you fix the issues that were uncovered (like the links and the alternator) and do some upgrades for other places you found it lacking, and then race it again next year!
I've never raced a baja race before, but this is how I imagine it. Long, brutal, a constant battle to keep your rig going. What an epic experience this must have been!
And this is the baby brother, stages make you be on time, on the big ones they also have checkpoints but they give you more time.
Those shots at around @39:20, especially where the camera person runs and gets in the truck, and they sync the door "thunk" with the music, are absolute art!
I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s absolute art. The music is just cooler than other stuff they have on their videos.
@@youuui idk man, he nailed the downbeat, absolute art to me
What song is playing during this?
@@kloww47 cushy - rizz
@@engriezer hey dude can you tell what song was playing @32:00, I searched it on shazam it shows medicinia en el desitro which doesn't exsist
Nolans speech on the beach had me crying literal tears, goddamm guys what an adventure.
Yeah that hit me too
I think an important take away from this is that when we push ourselves and put in the work it is still important to and have a little Nolan moment on the edge of the ocean (be it metaphorical or mexican) and appreciate just how far you've come and all that you have achieved to get you that far.
And in that moment we should also acknowledge and appreciate all the Hebbers that helped us along the way.
Nit sure they’ll ever even see it, but to whoever scored this thing: HELL if a job!! Really unique music choices for this channel, that perfectly underscores what’s on screen. Top shelf.
6:50 WE GOT A WATERSLIDEEEEE
That’s awesome🤣
the spongebob bit killed me
Adam getting soooo hyped on that first fire is one of my all-time favorite Donut moments
it's the most relatable to me cause that's exactly how I react when I have to kick start my bike for the first time after a while
Nolan saw the sunset and knew James was proud
Honestly my favorite part of this entire video is seeing all these guys work together and form a lifelong bond and multiple memories within these few days, and seeing how damn hard they worked, how well they worked together, and how supportive they were to each other really does make me jealous of having great friends and great people around. Keep it up guys! You all are what make and keep Donut what it is!!! So damn proud of you all!!!
29:51 "It's violence in a box" has to be the Baja rallying quote of all time.
So finders keepers on those tires?
Yep
I’m sure the race vultures ride that trail right behind people for this very reason. people who make 500 bucks a month probably have a side eBay gig with used off road parts on Baja 😂😂
Not sure if it's the case in NORRA, but in SCORE/BITD you're supposed to stamp your vehicle number on your wheels. Sometimes you'll get lucky and race officials/another chase crew will find them first and give them back if you cross paths. More often than not it's law of the sea though.
Nolan's joyous, maniacal laughter during that first test drive, will always bring me joy
You guys are really awesome and so fun to watch! I had a blast following this project and seeing this epic race true the desert. That track looked brutal but seeing you imrpovise and repair the truck in the field was so cool. Thanks for all the work you've put into these videos and can't wait to see more of you guys :D
Noooooo!!!! I almost cried when the 2 CUSTOM SPARE TIRES fell off.
Holy cinema! I was on the edge of my seat this whole video. We can't even imagine the emotions when you guys made it to the finish line! Great work on the truck and the video. Can't wait to see what you guys can accomplish next year!
Congrats to everyone at Donut, desert racing is so much tougher than it seems. I really apreciated Nolan's enthusiasm for this entire venture. Hope to see Baja Blaster back at it and even better next year!
I know! That was so ominous and credit to the editor for making it feel like such an emotional roller coaster.
I like to hope this video highlights the new donut pretty well. Towards the end of the video, of course especially the 32:30 mark, it gave me a feeling I've not gotten from a donut video in a long time. Almost felt like an old Top Gear special. Every single one of these guys are rockstars, especially Heber, what a G. But Nolan.. Nolan has something that's difficult to describe. His passion, his camera presence, his genuine emotion. It's the same "something" found in Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. And it's what made them so good, separately and together. I've said it before and I'm even more confident now, Nolan has the potential to be the greatest automotive journalist since motortrend or Clarkson. That's not saying the others aren't also destined for greatness. Mike is a genius problem solver and the vibes captured with Adam and Justin are captivating. Maybe it all can just be attributed to superior level editing, but I think there's more than that. And how can you not live Heber! I think donut can find a new groove after all that's unfolded. Maybe connecting with casual viewers and car enthusiasts alike on an emotional level is that groove. But on a true level, not a 30 second gears&gasoline edit of slowpan shots of JDM cars, something deeper and more passionate. Something Nolan can likely help them find.
This was an awesome series would love to see another series fixing the baja blasters flaws and gearing up for another race
25:07 Shop Daddy with his Independence Day speech moment. Amazing stuff
when you're constantly pulling high revs then backing off then revving again like that you can use a 5% underdrive pully on the alternator can help keep it alive. they are also ingesting a billion more times dust and grit than they are made to. and 1000 earth connections. put them everywhere! In Australia, we have the Finke Dessert Race, and the guys quite often run a guard just in front of the alternator and incorporate some clean(ish) airflow into it. having learnt from all of the bad and all of the good you can make necessary mods and kick its ass next year. great vid guys. job well done.
You should be running an accessory battery so 2 or even 3 batteries and have an alternator with a higher current amp output to handle all the extra voltage you're pulling. You're over loading the alternators burning them up
That's what I'm thinking they need a higher output alternator by like an extra 100 or so
128aH Cmax cell, it'll weigh less than 1 AGM or lead acid battery and even if the Alt died during the race, it would keep everything powered for the rest of the race before needing a charge. I think they should of went with a MEchman 320a alt too.
They need dual altonators and dual batteries
Work out the kinks on this truck and keep going with the Baja blaster. Best donut video so far.
WHAT. A. SERIES! I binged the entire build and this amazing roller coaster of a run and LOVED it! I hope we see the BB in future vids as it a dream truck. Thanks Everyone there at Donut both in front and behind the cameras.
This was worth all the months of build videos, one of the most amazing automotive videos to be found on youtube.
Dam, guys. Something you probably don’t want to hear, going through all that, but AutoZone alternators are known to be junk…
They rebuild the alternator, stator, windings, bearings, EVERYTHING, and don’t replace the voltage regulator. Lol
THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS WHAT GOES ON THESE!
I can’t tell you how many alternators I’ve gone through, same malfunction on rebuilt AutoZone alternators, and had the same problem.
I finally smartened up, bought a “NEW” voltage regulator, and installed it on a junkyard OEM alternator, and the alternator was tip top. I’ve cracked open plenty of refurbished AutoZone alternators, everything looks new and great, only to realize they installed the same original voltage regulator. The voltage regulator being the exact component to why it doesn’t work in the first place.
I learned that owning a ‘95 VR6 over the last 20+ years…
Good to know. My Jeep has a 61 amp alternator but the brochure says it should only be a 42 amp alternator. AMC used whatever they could get their hands on in those days but assuming the brochure is accurate then my alternator has been replaced, probably not with a factory new one knowing my Jeep's past. That 61 amps barely charges the battery with the lights or heater fan on. A voltage regulator is cheaper than a high-output alternator so I may try that.
Good info, but most certainly NOT the issue here.
I had an autozone voltage regulator light on fire once 💀
This video is amazing! I can't stop watching!
Watching Nolan double fist pump when the ranger crossed the finish line made me feel the same emotions i felt watching the passion of everyone who was involved with Donut in the early years. Simultaneously i was also thinking James should be there with his son(Nolan) cheering him on for all his hard work and for how far he has come.
who ever your editor/director is, this episode rocks! it plays out like a movie
Need to see the blaster take on another race. This was a huge learning experience and I’m sure when you work out the issues, this thing will be a weapon.
In demolition derby with Sandro on the wheel 😂
Been looking forward to this episode for MONTHS! What a great way to relax on my lunch break! Thank you Donut Media and all the sponsors who poured money into this project, without you all, and all you viewers who click, we never would get to share in an experience most of us will NEVER attend!
Me sitting on my couch getting emotional watching this one! Well done boys!
Rallying, whatever its form, is a continuous and contradictory sensation throughout the race (even before and after!).
I am just a local rally co-driver and I will never tire of these sensations.
LOVE this so much. And I appreciate you guys aren't acting like you're professionals and nothing breaks and everything is perfect. Maybe get the WRXs set up for ice racing!
You have content for the next year now. 1 year of prep videos for the next baja! Please and thank you. Y'all did a great job! Also a visit to the shop would be cool. xD
What a moment with nolan toward the end there, all around great video guys
Despite the chaos of Donut lately - this is the content we want to see. Continue with this and you'll have a long future ahead of you!
Explaining a SpongeBob episode while ripping through a desert race is a wild concept
What an awesome challenge! Racing a $500 Ranger for 500 miles offroad is truly an adventure! It's amazing to see how such an affordable vehicle can still hold up to the demands of rough terrain with the right modifications and determination. The excitement and thrill of pushing the limits of both the vehicle and the drivers are so inspiring. Can’t wait to see how the Ranger performs as the race progresses - this is definitely a ride worth watching! Keep up the great work and good luck with the rest of the journey! 🌟
$500 Ranger with about $100k in modifications lol!
@@mrblock2013 Yeah, I really don't like how they talk about the 500$ all the time when barely anything is left of the original truck.
Especially because they really don't have to try to be humble - even though they poured a lot of money into it, it still took a lot of time, sweat and blood to get it where it is.
I'd rather see them focusing on that instead.
This is 100% a ChatGPT generated comment.
This is probably one of the best episodes EVER. Had my adrenaline going the whole time!
Dawg… every friend group needs at least one Nolan. He’s the best.
That was excellent! I hope you work on the truck more and try again next year! Perhaps more desert races too?
"Its one thing to know how to bolt aftermarket parts to your car, it is another thing entirely to understand how they all work together" - Frank Krueger.
ALT issues: Perm solution, swap up to a JT Alt 300a, run the single wire directly back to the battery via 0/1 gauge wire. Run the electrical including the ECU from a box off that. Keep the alternator on its own without anything else coming off it.
This will isolate the charge circuit AND the 300a will more than power your whole system no issues. ((*note this is the same setup i use in a sound off show car that pulls nearly 10,000w)
I said they should of went with a Mechman 320a Alt and a 128aH Cmaxx, that way if the Alt does die during the race, the Lithium would allow them to finish the whole race before needing a charge...it would also weigh less than the battery they had in it to begin with.
@@Raymo2u The issue being Lithium batterys and offroad don't mix well. They get unhappy at being shook around hard and jarred in quick rapid actions.
Also had some Mechman fail in the past, never had a JT go bad.
Honestly, the best episode on Donut. Well worth the wait! Great job, y'all. I hope this isn't the last we see of the blaster, though!