If you have already invested on your vehicle of choice and wants to ride in it comfortably with the assurance that you are also protected, then getting lift kits is the answer.

Getting your vehicle the appropriate lift kit is a wise choice in order to have ground clearance that will enable a smooth, comfortable and safe ride. There are different types of lift kits available in the market. The two most popular kinds are the body lifts kits and suspension lift kits.

1. Suspension lift kits – is composed of a system of springs that can be used to make your car higher than its original height. It works by suspending the body, frame, engine and powertrain of the vehicle above its wheels.

2. Body lift kits – instead of springs, this type has a system of blocks to make the car higher and works by suspending the car’s body above its frame.

The main purpose of installing these performance accessories is to reduce the impact on a car when driving by uneven, bumpy roads. While having a suspension lift kit is very much recommended for people who seek optimum performance of their cars, body lift kits are recommended for those who are budget conscious because these types of implements are quite cost-effective compared to the former type.

Nowadays, it has become a trend for an owner to install lift kits if he wants a classier and brawnier look for his vehicle. The springs used in the suspension types are comprised of air springs, torsion bars, coil springs and leaf springs.

On most automobiles, the front wheels are separately suspended, while in others, it is the rear wheels. If any of this conditions are present in a vehicle, then it would mean that either its front or rear axle has finished or done away with.

The most prominent feature of a suspension lift kit is the hydraulic shock absorbers which is usually used in holding down the springs and avoid them from shaking up the vehicle too much after a crash or collision.

If you plan to install them on your vehicle, the package also comprise of a comprehensive system of various mechanical data. Such system helps you in positioning the body of your car accurately according to the wheels during braking, steering and accelerating.

Whether you want a muscular or sturdier look for your vehicle, improve its performance, or increase its ability to tow big loads, installing either body or suspension lift kits is the ultimate answer. You will find all types of such performance accessories on the market. They are highly in demand in the present world of automobile fanatics.

Even people who use of their cars for going to and from work prefer having them installed. Off-road driving enthusiasts are the most viable market for this sort of performance implements, though.

Different types of lifts are available to suit different makes and models of vehicles. There are specific lift kits for popular vehicle brands like Ford, Hummer, Jeep, Mazda, Chevy and Nissan. If you are going to buy lift kits, avoid striking a deal with shady or unknown dealers.

Remember to buy them only from recognized companies or authorized dealers/suppliers. Fabtech suspension lifts and Eibach lift kits are among those very well known in making quality stuff. Certified companies, dealers or suppliers always make sure that every lift kit package is guaranteed.

Aside from their great looks, style and music, the Beatles are also known for their collection of sweet cars. AskMen.com listed some of Beatles’ head-turning street machines.

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There’s no need for us to use this space to tell you about the Beatles. These four men from Liverpool have been a worldwide cultural institution for over 40 years. To this day, nothing has been able match the Beatles’ body of work, cultural impact or their lasting legacy. Trying to encapsulate what made them so great in 100 words or less is impossible; lucky for us you already know what makes Paul, Ringo, George and John so special.

While the Beatles may be known and loved for a great many things, only a select few — car guys, mainly — know that the Beatles have always liked to ride in style. These men have owned some great machines, and we sure as hell aren’t talking about the Yellow Submarine. Click on ahead to see our top 10 favorite Beatles’ rides.

No.10 – Paul McCartney Edition Lexus RX400h

The cute Beatle is as known today for his activist work as he is for is musical output. However, perhaps it is his music that makes his activist work seem that much more important. Anyway, a few years back, Macca teamed up with Lexus to create a one-off custom RX400h. Designed to commemorate Lexus giving money to McCartney to tour, this hybrid soft-roader boasted a custom wood grain paint job inspired by the ex-Beatle’s 1962 Hofner Bass. This one of a kind ride also came with a reissue of the 1962 Hofner Bass, a VOX amplifier and a collection of McCartney’s music. The vehicle was auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Adopt-A-Minefield charity.

No.9 – George Harrsion’s Aston Martin DB5

Who knew that the “quiet” Beatle was a massive petrol-head? George Harrison was an avid car nut who was privileged enough to own some of the world’s most desirable automobiles. We could do an entire top 10 list based on George’s car collection alone. The first Harrison-mobile we got our minds set on is his classic 1964 Aston Martin DB5. Harrison took delivery of his silver DB5 in 1965, and likely spent his time with the car enjoying its niceties including the Connolly leather interior, Motorola radio and power antenna. This Aston traveled to a museum in Tokyo, then Germany, before being sold at a public auction in England for almost half a million dollars.

No.8 – Ringo Starr’s Radford Mini de Ville

Ringo Starr bought a very clean two-tone Radford Mini de Ville from Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein on June 15, 1967. Radford Minis were custom cars built by Harold Radford Coachbuilders, LTD, from 1963 to 1971. Radford transformed standard Minis into luxury vehicles, adding things like leather seating surfaces, wood trim, revised gauges, Rolls-Royce-inspired two-tone paint schemes, and other luxuries. Ringo’s particular Mini was a hatchback, and it is said that he transported his drums in this tiny machine. This car didn’t stay with Ringo for long; he sold it after just two years.

No.7 – George Harrison’s Light Car Company Rocket

The Light Car Company’s Rocket is not a well-known vehicle. It was an F1-inspired street-legal car, powered by a 1,000cc Yamaha motorcycle engine that is the spiritual successor to extreme lightweight machines like the Ariel Atom. Oh yes, we should also mention that it was designed by famed Formula 1 car designer Gordon Murray, and built by former racing driver Chris Craft. Harrison was one of the many celebrities who owned and loved this early hyper car.

No.6 - Paul McCartney’s Lexus LS600h L

Paul McCartney’s Lexus LS600hL is the eco car that caused a ruckus as it was flown from Japan to England just for Sir Paul. The car should have been shipped by conventional means, but Toyota thought it would be a good idea to fly just the one car to McCartney. Obviously, this method of transport was incredibly wasteful of fuel, kind of negating the point of buying a hybrid in the first place. It is said that Macca was “horrified” by the whole ordeal.

No.5 - Ringo Starr’s Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 AMG

Forget Thomas the Train, the sweetest ride owned by the former Mr. Conductor is the blacked-out 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E sedan tuned by AMG. It looks badass, but it packs only a tuned 2.3-liter four-banger under the hood. Though weak by today’s standards, this motor was able to rocket the car to a top speed of over 130 mph. This is definitely the toughest-looking car of the bunch, and it’s definitely one of our personal favorites. You can currently see this ride at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Germany.

No.4 – George Harrison’s McLaren F1

Designed by renowned Formula 1 car designer Gordan Murray, the McLaren F1 is one of the most exclusive cars in the world. It was, for a while, the world’s fastest production car, cost over $1 million new, and only 100 were built. George Harrison owned one of these limited-edition machines; chassis No. 25, to be exact. Harrison’s McLaren F1 is painted Dark Purple Pearl, though many people confuse it for the aubergine (eggplant)-colored chassis No. 16 car. Though it was rumored Eric Clapton wanted to buy this car, it remains within the Harrison family.

No.3 – The Beatles’ 1965 Austin Princess Limo

Everywhere the Beatles went at the height of Beatlmania, their ‘65 Austin Princess went with them. Used as their personal limousine, there wasn’t anything particularly extraordinary about the vehicle, just that it was and is synonymously “Beatles” through and through. After the Beatles’ ownership, a man named Rod Pitman, in Portland, Oregon  took possession of the vehicle and proceeded to “lose” it somewhere in Arizona. That was nearly 23 years ago. The search is on to help Rod find his lost Beatles’ ride — and if you want to help the search head to

No.2 – George Harrison’s Mini Cooper from Magical Mystery Tour

While car guys will likely drool over Harrison’s DB5, McLaren F1 or Rocket, most Beatles fans would want to get their hands on his old Mini Cooper. But this isn’t just any Mini, Harrison owned the psychedelic Mini made famous in the Beatles’ film Magical Mystery Tour. BMW-owned MINI built a one-off modern interpretation of Harrison’s classic magical and mysterious Mini Cooper. It was auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Material World Charitable Foundation.

No.1 – John Lennon’s Rolls-Royce

Lennon bought his Rolls-Royce Phantom V new in 1965. Lennon modified the Rolls heavily, adding things like a fridge and a rear bench that could turn into a bed. Lennon also had the entire car painted matte black — odd in 1965, currently all the rage at shows like SEMA. The story goes that while filming “Sgt. Pepper,” Lennon grew bored of the flat-black color scheme and gave it the psychedelic paint scheme it still has today. Though thought of as an eyesore in the ‘60s, it eventually fetched almost $2.3 million at an auction in 1985. It now resides in Canada and does the North American museum circuit.

Afraid your car may interest thieves? Not really secure if your car is safe from being stolen? Then, make sure that your choice of car is not among this list of most loved cars by thieves according to Forbes.com:

Here are the top 5 cars thieves love most:

1. 1994 Honda Accord

–55,170 total Accords stolen nationwide

–Most stolen vehicle in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington

–Second-most stolen vehicle in Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin

–Third-most stolen vehicle in Louisiana and Oklahoma

2. 1995 Honda Civic

–48,073 total Civics stolen nationwide

–Most stolen vehicle in Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Utah,

–Second-most stolen vehicle in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Washington

–Third-most stolen vehicle in Arizona, Maryland, Rhode Island and Texas

3. 1989 Toyota Camry

–26,245 total Camrys stolen nationwide

–Most stolen vehicle in Kentucky

–Third-most stolen vehicle in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington

4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup

–17,416 total F-150s stolen nationwide

–Most stolen vehicle in Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia

–Second-most stolen vehicle in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas

–Third-most stolen vehicle in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and New Mexico

5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup

–17,405 total Rams stolen nationwide

–Most stolen vehicle in Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming

–Second-most stolen vehicle in Oklahoma

–Third-most stolen vehicle in Kansas and Montana

Here are the top 10 pickup trucks featured on a movie. This feature article is from pickuptrucks.com:

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It wouldn’t be summer without blockbuster movies, and it wouldn’t be a blockbuster movie without a featured car or truck. Already well into this summer’s movie season, here’s our list of the Top 10 Movie Pickup Trucks.

10. 1986, ‘89 and ‘91 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually, “Lethal Weapon,” “Lethal Weapon 2″ and “Lethal Weapon 3″
Notable features: Can pull down houses under construction
This three-quarter-ton, heavy-duty rig (a new model year in each movie) is driven by detective Martin Riggs, a comically reckless homicide cop played by Mel Gibson. With its giant profile and dual rear wheels, the truck didn’t have any special powers or neat tricks, except that it helped boost sales of big trucks to guys who wanted to pretend they were comically reckless homicide cops like Mel Gibson.

9. 1995 Dodge Ram 2500, “Twister”
Notable features: Self-healing, evades flying cows, V-10 power
True story — Ford and Chrysler vied for the opportunity to show off their latest pickup trucks in “Twister,” but Chrysler won after its PR firm leveraged a personal relationship with the movie’s producers.
The Dodge Ram in the film is known for its uncanny ability to suffer fatal damage in one scene but continue to haul its tornado chasers and their gear in the next. Who needs an unlimited powertrain warranty if your truck can do that?

8. 1978 Chevrolet K10 Cheyenne, “Red Dawn”
Notable features: Runs on urea, kind of
When the Soviets, Cubans and Nicaraguans invade the United States in passenger jets, which vehicle is going to save you and your friends? A red-blooded Chevy pickup truck, of course. Patrick Swayze pilots this short-wheelbase K10 through the backroads of Colorado as he and his high-school buddies take on the entire Red Army. Wolverines!

7. 2003 Toyota Tundra, “Terminator 3″
Notable features: Built as tough as the legendary Top Gear Toyota HiLux, turns into a convertible – the hard way
The way this pickup was driven around the streets of Los Angeles, you’d think Shia LaBeouf was behind the wheel (what, too soon?). The SR5 Tundra in “T3″ proves nearly as indestructible as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character. Toyota even sold special edition “Terminator 3″ Tundras for people who couldn’t get enough of the truck on screen. It was perhaps the best product placement of all time: If Toyota doesn’t get a truck right the first time (or second or third), like a cybernetic organism, they’ll be back.

6. 1963 Jeep Gladiator J20, “Tremors”
Notable features: Actually reached production, unlike the recent Gladiator Concept
Once upon a time, mighty, full-size Jeep pickups called Gladiators roamed the earth. They could drive almost anywhere and carry almost any load. If giant, intelligent worms with a fondness for human flesh got in the way, they helped crush the subterranean monsters before they could touch your sweetheart. Compared to modern Jeeps, like the Compass and Patriot, what hero wouldn’t want a Jeep Gladiator?

5. Mater, “Cars”
Notable features: Talks, has prominent front teeth
Inspired by a 1951 International boom truck, with a few GM pickup design cues from the same era mixed in, this anthropomorphic work truck runs “Tow Mater Towing and Salvage” in the rural desert town of Radiator Springs on Route 66. During his off hours, Mater (“Like tuh-mater, but without the ‘tuh’”) likes to go tractor-tipping (“Tractors is so dumb”) and hone his skills driving backward (“Ain’t no need to watch where I’m goin’; just need to know where I’ve been”). If we were stuck in Radiator Springs, we’d want Mater to be our best friend, too.

4. 1972 Ford F-100, “Mad Max 2 – The Road Warrior”
Notable features: Wraparound, boat-style windshield, bed-mounted four-bolt crossbow-launcher, non-Ford-SVT-endorsed cobras painted on the doors
In post-apocalyptic Australia, where oil is hoarded or hunted at any cost, shoulder-pad-wearing marauders deep in the Outback use this weaponized F-100 to try to steal gasoline from Max Rockatansky and his allies. Then he gets mad!
With fuel prices near all-time highs and pickup sales falling harder than the bodies in this flick, will Ford nostalgically refer to the “Mad Max” F-100 if it resurrects the badge for its rumored 2011 EcoBoost-powered midsize pickup? Um, no.

3. 1986 Ford F-350 (aka Bigfoot No. 7), “Road House”
Notable features: Six-foot-tall tires, weighs 28,000 pounds, takes more than one parking spot – you gotta problem with that?
We wish we could take credit for this quote, from agonybooth.com: “What makes ‘Road House’ such a great movie? The answer is easy: It’s quite simply the most implausible film ever made. Compared to ‘Road House,’ ‘Star Wars’ is a documentary. This is a movie that expects you to believe a man can be famous the world over for being a bouncer (played by Patrick Swayze, with a mullet). This is a movie that wants you to believe a small-town crime lord can afford a Bigfoot 4×4 monster truck, and that he’ll actually use it to intimidate local businesses.”
Oh man, we miss the 1980s.

2. Ironhide, 2007 GMC Topkick C4500, “Transformers”
Notable features: Weapons specialist, can imitate Clint Eastwood
Aside from Optimus Prime, is any Autobot cooler than Ironhide? He’s got cannons for arms, for crying out loud! Can summer movie characters get any better than that? Let’s just hope that now that diesel fuel costs 20 percent more than regular unleaded, his robotic pals don’t trade him in for a hybrid in the next movie.

1. 1985 Toyota Pickup SR5, “Back to the Future”
Notable features: In 1985, nothing was cooler
This is the truck many of us still dream about – the one we were supposed to drive when we got our license. Even if we could have a DeLorean-based time machine, alter the course of history and stop nuclear terrorists, we’d still want to park this black 4×4 in our garage — freshly waxed by Biff Tannen, of course.

We all know that owning a car is an investment that is quite heavy on our wallets during its lifetime. It is important to make sure that the car you are going to buy is not that costly.

Here is an article from Yahoo! Finance that can be a great help for us:

Research is the key. Every additional piece of information you have increases the likelihood that you will negotiate a fair price, lock in the best financing available and drive away in a car or truck you can afford. The emphasis here is on “afford.” Affordability involves much more than down payment and monthly installments. It encompasses other costs such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs and depreciation. You must factor these costs into your annual vehicle-ownership budget as well as into that magical dollar amount you feel you can afford monthly.

All of these factors, of course, may vary depending on the way you use and maintain your car.

Edmunds.com, a leading automotive Web site, features an interactive tool it calls its True Cost to Own calculator, which computes an estimated total five-year cost and the cost per mile based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Here are the 10 cars that top Edmunds’ current list of the most frugal cars to own and operate:

Hyundai Accent GS:

Starting price: $10,690
5-year total cost: $25,958
Cost per mile: 35 cents

As basic transportation, the Accent GS three-door isn’t so basic. Its 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The interior is relatively roomy and comes with power accessories and air conditioning.

Nissan Versa Base

Starting price: $10,710
5-year total cost: $27,196
Cost per mile: 36 cents

Nissan Versa: A sedan for the frugal, Versa’s stingy fuel consumption earns it an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A five-speed manual transmission ushers the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine’s 107 horsepower to the front wheels. Its relatively roomy back seat is a major attraction in this segment; otherwise, its cabin is devoid of frills.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

Starting price: $12,685
5-year total cost: $28,360
Cost per mile: 38 cents

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS: Chevy beefed up the Aveo’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder for 2009 and it now produces 107 horsepower. EPA estimated fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Among its short list of standard features is a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Starting price: $13,994
5-year total cost: $28,965
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Suzuki SX4 Sedan: A number of trim levels let consumers increase content in smallish dollar increments. In its base form, though, the SX4 offers full-power accessories and a tilt steering wheel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway earned by a 143-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine.

Pontiac G3

Starting price: $15,055
5-year total cost: $29,049
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac G3: Compared to the first four entries on this list, the G3 is positively loaded with standard equipment. Air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt steering wheel are all standard. A 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission earns it an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Mazda3 iSport

Starting price: $15,360
5-year total cost: $29,271
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Mazda3 iSport: Six airbags, anti-lock brakes and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack are all standard in this sedan. A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine collaborates with a five-speed manual transmission to earn EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Honda Fit

Starting price: $15,460
5-year total cost: $29,420
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Honda Fit: Nicely appointed, even the base Fit has air conditioning, full-power accessories and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Its performance is on par with this group and is provided by a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy is among the best with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

Pontiac Vibe

Starting price: $16,735
5-year total cost: $29,512
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac Vibe: Fraternal twin to the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe in its base form is fairly Spartan. It does come with a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Power arrives via a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is acceptable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Toyota Yaris

Starting price: $12,955
5-year total cost: $29,595
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Toyota Yaris: You have to step up a trim level to get an audio system, but the base Yaris three-door hatchback does have air conditioning and a tilt steering column. Its power comes from a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, its outstanding fuel economy earned it a spot on our list of top 10 fuel misers.

Nissan Sentra

Starting price: $16,070
5-year total cost: $29,623
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Nissan Sentra: With the most standard equipment of any entry on this list, the Sentra sedan comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. Its 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower. Its EPA rating is 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Of course, all of the internal parts of a vehicle need attention, but one that needs the owner’s full attention often is its air intake system. The air intake of every automobile is tuned and built with care in order for the vehicle to function with maximum power and efficiency.

The air intake system is part of an automobile’s internal combustion engine system, functioning as an air pump of powerful force. An automobile’s air intake system functions by increasing the air velocity until it is able to travel into the vehicle’s combustion chamber. Simultaneously, it minimizes the restriction of flow and turbulence. The air intake tests the airflow on a car’s flow bench during the stage of port design.

For cars with superchargers or turbochargers, which as pressurized air intake system, this important automobile part can be tweaked extensively in order to continuously improve the whole car’s performance. Nowadays, modern cars have a modern air intake system composed of three significant parts:

? Air filter

? Mass flow sensor

? Throttle body

A silencer is also installed in the recent car models so that the noise entering the cabin can be reduced. The silencer makes sure that the airflow is hindered and turbulence is created to reduce total engine power. As such, those who appreciate performance in their vehicles, usually removes the silencer.

Air intakes are usually designed with varying specific length in order for air to vibrate and become available at certain frequencies. The length of the air intake helps in the airflow unto the vehicle’s combustion chamber. The automotive aftermarket industry is presently marketing larger vehicle throttle bodies and bigger air filters in order to decrease the airflow restriction. This changes the air intake’s pattern in order to gain a little increase in the torque or power.

There are some other things regarding a vehicle’s air intake system that every owner must be aware about. One of these significant things concerns the process of having the air and fuels that need to burn penetrate the car’s cylinders. For car engines that are equipped with a carburetor, the air filter serves as the main passageway of the air towards the carburetor where it blends with the fuel. The blended air and fuel then pass through the intake manifold and drawn towards the cylinders.

The system’s most innovative part, the Air Temperature Sensor makes sure that carburetor icing does not occur since this may cause the car’s engine to stall and then die out. It also makes sure that vaporization of fuel into an air stream occurs. It can also be useful to gauge the air’s temperature and allows access of cool air in the air horn or heated air to be piped in from the vehicle’s exhaust manifold. A flap can be opened or closed to do this.

In order to properly measure the incoming air that would be appropriate for the fuel mixture of an idle car, an emission analyzer may be used. Still, the incoming air cannot really be actually measured and the proper fuel mixture cannot be attained during higher speeds.

Some vehicles use fuel injection in order to draw in air through the air intake. Typically, the fuel injection is a long plastic tube transcending up to where the air filter is placed.

Other very important parts of the air intake system are the Throttle Position Sensor or TPS and Cold Start Valve.

Now you have at least a grain of idea about how an air intake system does its thing and how air goes into the engine of your vehicle. Knowing this will greatly decrease ignorance concerning intake matters. For more information, it is recommended to browse through your vehicle’s owner’s manual, frequently before trying to tweak anything.

Here’s an article about trail guide from jpmagazine.com. It provides some vital do-it-yourself trail repairs that you need to know when planning to do an off-road trip. These simple fixes are useful especially when you are caught in tight spot and no one is around to help you.

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Top Five Fixes You Need To Know
The Trail Repairs You Need To Know
By John Cappa

Are you the guy who blocks the trail and stands next to your broken Jeepscratching your head, waiting for someone to fix it for you? In our minds, a true off-road enthusiast is not only measured by the capability of their Jeep or driving skill, but also by their ingenuity and ability to solve a problem when something inevitably goes wrong and a Jeep needs to be limped off the trail. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a $100,000 shop-built buggy or $100 rust bucket, these are the top five trail repairs you need to know.

U-joint
Second only to tire damage, U-joint or U-joint related hardware failure is near the top of the list for the most common trail failure. If you have no clue how to swap out a U-joint with minimal tools you best learn what’s involved and carry spares. A metal plate or a solid bumper makes for a good workstation. A heavy hammer and a short section of steel tubing or an old socket can be used to tap the old U-joint caps out and the new ones in. It’s also a good idea to carry the related U-joint U-bolts or straps and hardware needed for your Jeep. A spare yoke or two isn’t a bad idea either. Ultimately you should try to use the same sized U-joints throughout your front and rear driveshafts. That way you only need to carry one spare with hardware.
Tools Required: Common hand tools, flat steel or aluminum plate, short section of 3/4-inch diameter heavy-wall tubing, and the correct spare U-joint.

Tie Rod/Draglink Sleeve
Very few Jeeps came with admirable tie rods. Older model Jeeps are the worst. Fortunately, if you came prepared you are already carrying the perfect trail repair for a bent tie rod or draglink. All it takes is a Hi-Lift Jack handle. You’ll need to straighten out the bend as best you can using a winch, bottle jack or man power but be careful not to snap it in half or screw up the threads on the ends. Once you’ve got the tie rod somewhat straight you can remove one of the tie rod ends and slip the Hi-Lift handle on over. Then reinstall the tie rod and be on your way.
Tools Required: Common hand tools, Hi-Lift Jack, and a little creativity to straighten the bent link.

Reseat Bead
If you’ve never unseated a tire bead while diving off-road it’s very likely you’re running too much air in your tires to make proper traction. Typically the tire can be reseated while the wheel is still on the Jeep. Jack up the rig and remove the weight from the unseated and deflated tire. Remove any debris or mud from the bead area of the tire and wheel. Lubricate the bead surfaces with water or whatever liquid you have on hand. Then have a buddy add air while you pull the bead to seal on the wheel. Sometimes it’s necessary to use a ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire to get a good seal started. But once the tire starts filling, immediately remove the strap before pressure builds and there is too much tension on the strap. Once the tire pops back onto the bead, air it up (or down) to the proper trail pressure and be on your way. Or you could simply forgo all this drama and get a set of beadlock wheels.
Tools Required: Air source, ratchet strap, water or other liquid.

Chain Lashing
A short length of chain and a few bolts can do wonders in keeping you mobile on the trail. Broken motor mounts can be wrapped and bolted, steering boxes with broken or severely-cracked mounts can be lashed back onto frames, and even broken leaf springs can be cinched back together. Yep, it’s butch but it gets the job done when you don’t have a welder or scrap metal to make a proper trail repair. The ‘76-’86 CJ and early FSJ guys in your group are likely steering box chaining candidates and nearly every Jeep has motor mounts that are suspect, especially on the driver side. Wrap the component in question and use a Grade 5 or Grade 8 bolt through the links to pull the chain tight. Once you are moving again, check it frequently and adjust as needed to make sure the chain stays tight.
Tools Required: Common hand tools, 2-foot length 1/4- or 5/16-inch chain, 3-4-inch-long bolts that fit through the chain links.

Tire Plugs
Hopefully you’re not the kind of person who sits in your car on the side of the road waiting for AAA when you get a flat tire. Truth is if you’re driving off-road you should carry a fullsize spare tire and you should have the tools and know-how to install it. But sometimes the tire really only needs a plug or two and a source for adding a few pounds of air to get you back rolling down the trail. Look for a complete plug kit like this one from Powertank (PN KIT-8132) that comes with everything you need to plug a tire, stitch a torn sidewall and more.
Tools Required: Tire plug kit, and air source.

info and images from jpmagazine.com

Posted in Tips Tagged: do-it-yourself vehicle repairs, off-road fixes, trail repairs ]]> http://anythingonwheels.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/top-five-off-road-trail-repairs/feed/ 6 auto enthusiasts u-joint-repair tie-rod-repair reseat-bead-repair chain-lashing-repair tire-plugs-repair http://anythingonwheels.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/americas-best-loved-cars/ http://anythingonwheels.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/americas-best-loved-cars/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:59:24 +0000 Auto Enthusiasts http://anythingonwheels.wordpress.com/?p=711 ]]>

What’s your most loved car? What is the car you have been dreaming of the most and have adored ever since you had it?

Here is a survey of J.D Powers America’s best loved cars of all time. This is from an article by Peter Valdes-Dapena of CNN Money. You might just find your own very much loved automobile in here.

2009 Smart ForTwo

J.D. Power’s latest car owner satisfaction survey includes some good news for Chrysler Group and Hyundai.

Chrysler hasn’t done well in these sorts of surveys in recent years, but this time the new Dodge Challenger beat out its competitors as the most-favored mid-size sporty car. (Also worth noting: The Dodge brand, overall, earned above average scores in this survey after posting the largest one-year improvement of any car brand.) And Hyundai, not known as a luxury brand beat out higher-priced mid-sized luxury cars from BMW and Jaguar.

The market research company surveyed 80,000 new car buyers after 90 days of ownership asking them to rate as many 90 different features of their vehicles as well as their overall satisfaction. The J.D. Power APEAL survey — it stands for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout — provides a measure of just how much new car buyers like their cars and why. Here’s a look at how the competition shook out.

Sub-compact Car: Smart ForTwo

2nd place: Scion xD

3rd place: Honda Fit

The ForTwo’s main selling point is its tiny size and its tiny fuel costs. About as long as most mid-size cars are wide, the ForTwo is a breeze to park on congested city streets.

The tiny two-seater beat out roomier cars like the Scion xD and Honda Fit. While it may not be the most practical choice for a lot of people, the ForTwo delivers what its buyers are looking for, said David Sargent, vice president for automotive research at J.D. Power.

Compact Car: Mini Cooper

2nd place: Volkswagen Jetta

3rd place: Mitsubishi Lancer

J.D. Power’s APEAL tends to favor cars with a strong emotional attraction. Cars like the Mini Cooper certainly apply.

The Mini’s quirky retro design carries over into an interior that features a speedometer the size of a pie mounted between the seats. Engineers at parent company BMW also gave the Mini ultra-responsive handling to match the eye-catching design.

“Owners really do find it fun to drive,” said J.D. Power’s David Sargent.

Compact Sporty Car: Volkswagen GTI

The GTI was the only car to score above average in this category. It’s basically a sport-tuned, performance version of the Volkswagen Golf economy car. VW pits it against Japanese compacts like the Honda Civic Si.

Besides driving enjoyment, the GTI scored very well for interior quality. That’s always a strong point for VW.

Compact Luxury Sport: Mercedes-Benz SLK-class

2nd place: Nissan Z

The sleek little SLK, with its folding hard top, borrows its arrow-nosed look from Mercedes’ far more expensive SL cars. Besides the design, the SLK offers its buyers a fun drive and nice little comforts like an optional “air scarf” that blows warm air around occupants’ heads to make top-down driving on cold days more tolerable.

Among owners, the SLK scored particularly well for its high-quality feel.

Entry Luxury: Volkswagen CC

2nd place: Cadillac CTS

3rd place: Audi A4/5

With the CC, Volkswagen takes the Passat up a couple of notches. Besides its dramatic swooping body lines, the interior also gets high-contrast two-tone treatment.

An optional 280-horsepower engine and 6-speed transmission add a dose of power to the car’s responsive driving character.

Despite its low-slung roof design, owners really love the roomy interior of the CC. It also scored well for storage space and fuel economy.

Mid-size Sport: Dodge Challenger

2009 Dodge Challenger

A big win for the Chrysler Group, the Challenger beat the long-time favorite Ford Mustang as well as the Mitsubishi Eclipse in this category. In fact, it was the only car in its category to score above average.

The Challenger scored well for its interior as well for its performance. The fact that the Challenger is an all-new model also helps, said J.D. Power’s David Sargent. New models, particularly ones that attract a lot of attention, tend to do well in this survey.

At the time this survey was done, the Chevrolet Camaro had not yet been released, so we’ll have to wait until next year to see if the Challenger can hold on to its title.

Mid-size Luxury: Hyundai Genesis

2nd place: Jaguar XF

3rd place: BMW 5-series

You can almost hear the champagne corks popping at Hyundai headquarters. The economy-minded brand’s move into the luxury segment beat entries from Jaguar and BMW in this survey.

The Genesis scored very well for its features, roominess and comfort, but the car’s low price, relative to its rivals, was probably a factor.

“People feel that they’re getting a pretty good deal here,” said David Sargent of J.D. Power.

Large Luxury: Mercedes-Benz S-class

2nd place: Lexus LS

Mercedes-Benz has this category locked up. The S-class has won here each of the past three years.

“This is one vehicle that really hit the mark,” said J.D. Power’s David Sargent.

The S-class offers a long list of optional features, including massaging seats in the front and back, infra-red night-vision cameras and cruise control that automatically maintains a following distance at any speed. Of course, there’s also the car’s refined and powerful performance.

Mid-size Car: Volkswagen Passat

2nd place: Mazda6

3rd place: Honda Accord

It’s hard to find a Volkswagen car that didn’t top its category in this survey. Two versions of this car, the other being the CC, outscored competitors.

As always for VW, interior quality and fuel economy were high points.

Large Car: Nissan Maxima

2nd place: Pontiac G8

3rd place: Toyota Avalon

The redesigned Maxima scored big points for its interior. Owners also love the audio systems, seating and visibility.

It is one of the most celebrated GM brand cars, but its dealerships are said to be closed by 2010. I’m referring to Pontiac. This car with bright red arrowhead emblem is an Amercian pride, and deserves a tribute. So, here is a list of top five Pontiac cars compiled by CarAndDriver.com.

1958 Bonneville
A child of the Atomic Age, the ’58 Bonneville brought real engineering substance (fuel injection, air suspension, four-speed automatic) along with its spacecraft looks. The first in a long line of advanced and powerful Pontiacs, the Bonneville presaged the brand’s muscular cars of the ’60s.

1964 GTO
Often credited as the original muscle car, the GTO turned a plebeian Le Mans coupe into a fire-breathing street racer with a 325- or 348-hp 389-cubic-inch V-8. Sales took off, and Pontiac became a brand offering affordable performance. We pitted a Pontiac GTO against a Ferrari GTO, a test that helped put this magazine on the map.

1977 Firebird Trans Am
By the late ’70s, the Trans Am’s top engine was an emissions-choked 6.6-liter V-8 making a paltry 200 horsepower. The 3830-pound car could get to 60 mph in a sad 9.3 seconds. But those were the mere realities; in its starring role in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit, a black-and-gold Trans Am had as much star power as Burt Reynolds and may have helped him seal the deal with Loni Anderson.

1987 Bonneville SE
Arguably Pontiac’s last competitive and desirable sedan (until the G8) and the division’s last C/D 10Best winner, the Bonneville SE built upon the lessons learned from the sporty but ugly 6000STE. Its 150-hp V-6 may not look like much 22 years later, but its class-leading handling, refinement, value, and styling were good enough to draw comparisons with the far pricier and slick Audi 5000 of the late ’80s.

2008 G8 GXP
Just as Pontiac is about to be decapitated by the reaper, the division builds the G8 GXP, a sedan that offers performance similar to a BMW M5’s at half the price. Built in Australia, the GXP combines BMW-like road manners with a 415-hp small-block V-8 borrowed from the Corvette, at a price that starts at $40,060. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph takes a scant 4.7 seconds, with the quarter-mile falling in 13.3 seconds at 109 mph. Please, GM, a car this good shouldn’t die out. How about making it into a Chevy Impala SS?

info and pictures from caranddriver.com

One of the best features that Jeeps have is being able to customize them with various Jeep tops. This is a standard feature, especially for Jeep Wranglers.  Having the ability to customize the tops of a Jeep is a great feature especially when taking into consideration the changes of the season.

Manufacturers of the best tops for Jeeps certainly have the ample knowledge how to maximize this versatile feature in a vehicle.  They have produced many types of Jeep tops that would suit varying seasonal conditions and varying driving purposes.

It could really get quite confusing to determine what is the best option or style since there is quite a wide range available today. Bestop, one of the leading manufacturers of Jeep tops in the industry, for example has quite a lot of options and styles. Choosing among these different styles and options may really consume quite a lot of time, not yet considering the time you have to consider on windows and doors for the Jeep.

In order to make customization of your Jeep top and your shopping for the best kind of top, easier, we have come up with an article that narrates an overview of the different styles of tops for Jeep along with its pros and cons. This is an from an article by Billy Han entitled Jeep Tops – An Overview at http://ezinearticles.com/?id=890933

Here are the different types of Jeep tops and their Pros and Cons:

Hard Tops

Hard tops offer superior insulation and protection, and give your vehicle the appearance of a standard vehicle or SUV. They give your Jeep a rugged and complete look and feel, are often equipped with popular vehicle features like power windows, rear window defrosters, and dome lights.

•    Pros: Tough and rugged protection; heavily insulated for colder weather; packed with great features; available in a single piece model, or a 2-piece model with a removable front section.

•    Cons: Can sometimes be more difficult to install without a hoist; hard to store without a custom storage cart of some kind.

Standard Soft Tops

Jeep soft tops are where the versatility really kicks in, with a wide availability of soft tops and accompanying Jeep parts. These sleek and stylish Jeep tops offer plush comfort, are easy to install, and sometimes offer inventive features like rollback sunroofs or replaceable skins for customizable color and material.

•    Pros: Sleek, plush comfort in a variety of fits and materials; easy to install or remove; aftermarket versions equipped with great features like rollback sunroofs, exchangeable skins, and more.

•    Cons: Not as much insulation in cold weather; road noise more prevalent than with Jeep hard tops.

Half top-style Soft tops

Half top-style Jeep soft tops are designed to encase the cockpit to prevent wind and other elements from entering. Half tops can be achieved in two ways: purchasing a bikini top, windscreen, and deck cover combination or an all-in-one half-top unit (all-in-one units are only available from Bestop).

•    Pros: A trimmed-down version of Jeep soft tops; uniquely stylish; features like fold-back sunroofs and zip-down rear windows complete the package; easy to install and remove.

•    Cons: No space to tote cargo or install rear seats.

If this advice would be any help, then please make sure that you determine your level of personal comfort because it is the key to choosing the best tops for your Jeep.  You might also like to consider purchasing different styles and options and then just change them according to the season.

In the end, how well you would like to have your Jeep customized depends on your personal taste and budget of course.