Choosing the Right Windshield Wiper Blades

October 31st, 2008 by Justin

If you are a 4×4 enthusiast, you are probably driving in extreme trails filled with plenty of dust, puddles of mud and water. One of the most important tools at your disposal are your wiper blades. While we usually think first of our tires and engine as extremely important aspects of our vehicle, these small, relatively cheap blades make sure you can see where you are going and are indispensable. If you are hitting the trails in your Jeep, SUV or truck here are some tips on buying the right wiper blades for your windshield.

If your blades are squeaking or stuttering and leaving blotches of water or dirt on your windshield you surely will need a new pair of wiper blades. Since each vehicle is different, first check your manual to find the size of the wiper blades that fit your vehicle best. If you don’t have that information, you can remove the wiper blade and take it to the store to match it.

There are a wide variety of windshield wiper blades available in large auto part stores. First are the plain rubber blades that are made for economical use, secondly there are sheaths that are created for better performance. Many of these high performance blades are suitable for 4×4 enthusiasts since they protect against harsh weather conditions and some even stick better to the windshield at higher speeds. It should also be noted that if you live in the hotter or sunnier climates in the states, you are better off with windshield wiper blades that offer top rated UV protection. This will stop your blades from rotting out and drying easily. For those that live in colder climates with lots of snow you should look to purchase blades made for these conditions.

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Tips on Buying a Trailer

October 31st, 2008 by Justin

One of the joys of owning a Truck or SUV is the option of also towing a trailer. While a car can in some cases pull a trailer, you are more than likely to rip off the bumper than pull anything of considerable weight. If you own a truck or SUV and would like to tow your dirtbikes, boat, ATV’s, lawn equipment, etc here are some tips on choosing the best trailer that your money can buy.

One of the first things that you should do is to figure out how much your maximum towing load is. This information is usually found in your owners manual. If your maximum towing load is 5,000 pounds, you should note that this load includes both the object that you will be towing along with the trailer. It should be noted that even though your vehicle is stated as capable of pulling a certain maximum load, you shouldn’t push your luck if you don’t have to- always tow less than the maximum. Besides your vehicle having a maximum towing load, your trailer will also have a maximum that it can carry, so pay attention.

Choose between Trailer designs. Depending on what you would like to tow will determine the type of trailer design you require. For towing small equipment such as lawn equipment or a dirtbike, you will find that a single axle trailer will do fine. For towing large items such as boats, you will need a double axle trailer.

Choose a hitch. Make sure you have the right hitch on your vehicle for the trailer you are towing. For instance, you can tow a small trailer with a bumper hitch, but for larger towing, such as a boat, you will usually need a large hitch with a 5th wheel called a gooseneck hitch.

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Apply Vinyl Decals to Your 4×4 Truck

October 31st, 2008 by Justin

If you are looking for a great way to customize your 4×4 Jeep, truck or SUV, one of the best methods is to apply vinyl decals. Over the last decade vinyl decals have become very popular. There are a whole host of reasons for this popularity, but most 4×4 enthusiasts find it easy and affordable to apply vinyl decals to their vehicle, giving it a great custom look and getting your 4×4 noticed pretty quickly. Vinyl decals are very easy to apply and while you don’t require any expensive tools or expertise, you do need to know a few things. Here are some tips on applying vinyl decals.

First off, when applying vinyl decals choose which method to apply the vinyl to your vehicle. There are two methods, the first is called the dry method and that is the method that this article will talk about, however there is another method that is used frequently- the wet method- which yields good results also.

The Dry method is pretty simple and straightforward. First, purchase your vinyl decal for your vehicle. It can pretty much be any size, any shape or any design you like as long as it fits in the area you would like to place it. Vinyl decals come with a paper backing that first needs to be removed before applying, however before doing so make sure you prep your 4×4. Wash your car thoroughly and make sure it is dry when ready to apply the vinyl decal. You don’t want any dust, dirt or wax on your vehicle when applying the vinyl. Even a spec of dirt will show up-making the decal unsmooth.

Once your 4×4 is spotless remove the paper backing from the decal and begin applying the edge of the decal to your vehicle. For those that have shaky hands or don’t have any patience at all- it is best to hire a professional- it only takes a few minutes and shouldn’t cost you that much. As you are applying the decal, make sure that there are no air bubbles underneath the vinyl- gently use a plastic widget to remove any air bubbles that may be trapped beneath the vinyl. It should be noted that once the vinyl sticks to the vehicle it is very difficult to adjust. You may want to use the wet method that allows you to adjust the vinyl better once applied. Once the vinyl decal is totally applied, smooth out completely. If you are applying it to a corner use a hair dryer to gently stretch the vinyl. You should now be done.

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More Tips on Buying Oversized Tires for Your 4×4

October 31st, 2008 by Justin

One of the great things about owning a truck, SUV or Jeep is that you have the option of supersizing your vehicle. The easiest and most effective way to supersize your vehicle is with oversized tires. Oversized tires are a great way to add lots of height to your vehicle that will not only give it great stature, but make your vehicle an authentic 4×4. It’s true when you talk to 4×4 enthusiasts that no accessory puts a bigger smile on your face than oversized tires. Here are some tips on picking the best oversized tires for your vehicle.

There are two main types of oversized tires. The first are off road tires and they are engineered primarily for off roading in the trails. And while they are made for off road use they can also be used for the road. The other type of tires are highway oversized tires. And while these tires are perfect for road use, don’t try to use them in the trails, you will most definitely get stuck.

When choosing oversized tires make sure to measure your fender wells first. Some vehicles are not made to accommodate huge oversized tires. However, if you really want oversized tires and your vehicle can’t accommodate them, you always have the option of trimming the wheel arches- if you decide this option, make sure you hire a professional to take on the job.

Another good tip to remember when purchasing oversized tires is that when you buy tires for your 4×4, make sure you also purchase an oversized spare. Since all 4 tires will be huge, an average spare- just won’t cut the mustard. And remember, when it comes to tires- bigger is not always better, too big can be unsafe, so make sure you talk with your tire’s sales expert on the biggest you can go safely.

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Land Rover LRX

October 30th, 2008 by Justin

Land Rover has been creating top quality luxury vehicles for decades and while their vehicles offer luxury and quality, they are usually not the greenest available. Recently, Land Rover created a concept car to change this reality about the company. The LRX is what they created to ensure a full size 4×4 luxury vehicle that not only offers plenty of performance, but is quite green. The Land Rover LRX comes as a hybrid diesel and it’s engine is also able to run on a variety of bio-diesel fuels.

LRX Tech Specs
The LRX is definitely a start in moving towards a greener automobile. This vehicle is reportedly able to get 50 miles to the gallon with its hybrid diesel. While it only has a 2.0 liter engine, it should be noted that it offers an ingenious way to save energy. It uses the electric engine solely when the vehicle is traveling speeds under 20 mph and uses both the diesel engine and electric engine for higher speeds. In addition, the vehicle itself, while filled with luxuries and nice styling has a much smaller footprint. Currently, the LRX is shorter than the Freelander 2 by about 5.9 inches and lower to the ground by about 8 inches, however this smaller footprint makes the vehicle much lighter and much better at fuel efficiency. Everything regarding the LRX has been constructed to enable fuel efficiency and lower Co2 emissions. Even the glass is made from a lightweight polycarbonate –reducing weight.

The LRX Interior
Inside the LRX are quite a few nice environmentally friendly touches. For instance, the headliner and doors offer a nice suede material that is actually made from 100% recyclable plastic bottles, the leather is vegetable-tanned and the electronics are intuitive and of course includes an iPod docking station. While this vehicle is still a concept vehicle, expect to see many of these innovations in future Land Rovers.

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