If you own a pickup truck or SUV chances are your vehicle looks quite a bit different than from the day that you bought it home from the dealership. Im not talking about wear and tear, scratches or dings, or any other thing that may have happened to it over the course of time. Rather, I am suggesting that you have customized it to look the way you want it to look. Lets take a peek at some popular accessories on the market for pickups as well as for SUVs.
There are literally hundreds of after market parts and accessories available for trucks and SUVs. The following list is an alphabetical example [well, almost] of add-ons for your consideration:
Air Filter Reusable air filters are growing in popularity as motorists see both the performance and environmental benefits of using one.
Bed Mats Scratches and stains are a thing of the past with a properly installed bed mat on any pickup truck.
Car Bras Also known as hood protectors, many truck and SUV owners are opting for this important accessory to keep their vehicles free from flying debris as well as to give their vehicle a custom look.
Dog Box Even poochie needs his place. Especially a great idea for protecting your GMC Yukon from pet hair and dander.
Engine Module Looking for more power? An engine module will allow your truck or SUV to obtain higher horsepower and acceleration.
Fender Flares Going for a custom look? If so, fender flares are the way to go and they offer additional coverage for the fender area too.
Grille Guard Especially helpful if you have to round up cattle or want to offer extra special protection to your front end.
Hitch Great for towing!
Intake Tube More air for your engine, means more power.
Jumper Cables You never know
Knock Sensor Not really an accessory, but listed because I needed a K to complete the example.
Liquid Tank When you just have to keep it all cool
Mud Flaps A cool as well as useful accessory to keep your wheels looking great.
Nerf Bars Tubular free form bumpers beat out stock bumpers every time.
Overhead Storage Hey, you have to store your firearms somewhere, dont you?
Performance Chip A great way to crank out more horsepower and thrust.
Q Not much use for this letter, is there?
Running Boards Sometimes you need something more than a pole vault to enter your 4 x 4.
Seat Covers Custom fitted seat covers can protect your seats from rips, tears, and stains.
Tailgate Door Remove the door and go with the net. Keeps everything in its place.
Umbrella Youll need one to get from your truck to your home.
Vent Visor Keeps the water from drenching you while exiting your GMC Suburban.
Winch You just never know when youll get stuck
X+Y+Z – Okay, close enough. They dont name hurricanes with these letters, so why should accessories be any different?
If you were to fully accessorize your truck or SUV with all of these parts you would pay thousands of pounds for the privilege. Your vehicle would also look overdone too! Of course, it would be better for you to be selective and choose those accessories that mean the most to you. Shop an online wholesaler of automobile parts and accessories for the best prices too.
Somebody once asked me why I was so fascinated with muscle cars. You know, its hard for an outsider looking in to understand why we muscle car lovers are so fanatical about our cars. Until theyve been behind the wheel of a newly restored 66 Pontiac GTO, they just havent a clue.
Why is it that we can browse through muscle car advertisements for hours on end? Why do we have to go to every muscle car show that comes near our town? Why do we drive out of our way to see some of the hottest muscle cars around? Why do we seemingly pour all of our extra money into our muscle cars?
Some people think a passion for muscle cars comes from peer pressure a need to impress other people per se. As a muscle car enthusiast I can honestly say thats not it, at least not for me. My interest in muscle cars dates way back to before I was ever concerned about what anybody thought. I have always found muscle cars to be fascinating and exciting.
First, muscle cars are original. Those who collect or restore muscle cars put their heart and soul into their hobby which makes every muscle car truly unique. Second, muscle cars are powerful. Theres nothing that gets the adrenaline pumping quite like sitting behind the wheel of a classic, high-performance muscle car. Third, when you take a classic car, restore it and muscle it up, you really have something to be proud of. Its a lot like an artistic ability for me like taking a blank canvas and creating an incredible piece of art out of it.
One thing is for certain, regardless of the reason a muscle car devotee is interested in muscle cars, we all seem to talk the same talk and walk the same walk. Dealing with muscle cars is an incredible social outlet. Whether we collect, restore, show, or race our muscle cars, it doesnt matter. Were all on the same wavelength and we truly enjoy looking at and chatting about muscle cars.
Some enthusiasts have specific lines of muscle cars that they are interested in, while others are just crazy about muscle cars in general. Some like imports, others like exports, and most all muscle car enthusiasts have a strong interest in classics. We can look at them, talk about them, drive them, or just work on them. Muscle cars give us something to look forward to, something fun to invest our time and money into, and the muscle car hobby keeps us out of trouble for the most part.
Bucket trucks are mainly used in heavy industries and one can spot them along the roadsides without much trouble. For instance, you can see people doing work at heights or repairing telephone connections on poles or fixing something at heights. If this is so then you have seen a bucket truck. Bucket truck is used to lift workers to places at heights.
These trucks come in a number of shapes and sizes just to make-work easy. Bucket trucks are used in many different purposes but the most common is power lineman. With the use of these types of additional equipments, they can complete work in less time. Bucket trucks are very safe for people who work at severe heights.
The design given to the bucket truck includes a storage bin, which is capable of holding tools, instruments and material required by the worker. To provide extra stability some bucket trucks are specifically designed with single or double arm outrigger jacks. Some designs are operated by the auxiliary engine, which is placed on the back section of the bucket truck, while some of them powered by actual truck engine.
One must keep in mind that the bucket truck makes work easier, comfortable, and safe and it is easy to operate but still it is heavy equipment that requires a proper handling. It requires a very minimum maintenance.
Bucket trucks come under OSHA standard guidelines, which must be followed for the safety. Here are some important guidelines how to use a bucket truck conveniently:
The bucket truck can be constructed of fiberglass, reinforced plastic, metal, or wood. The truck should be used to elevate employees to any job site located above ground.
Controls must be clearly and visibly marked and defined by function.
Bucket trucks may be modified for use other than the intended use but only if the manufacturer or equal authority receives approval to the modification in writing.
Load and distribution should always be checked to make sure they fall within the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The brakes must be set.
Bucket trucks should not be driven if employees are there in the bucket.
Controls should be tested every day prior to the bucket truck being used.
The lower controls should not be operated without the permission of the employee in the bucket expect in the case of an emergency.
Any employee operating the bucket truck must wear appropriate protective gear at all times including safety boots, safety goggles, gloves, a hardhat, etc. to protect from falling objects.
For the business owners, the key to safety is training. If one will operate the bucket truck using OSHA guidelines, this piece of heavy equipment can provide yearlong support with minimum maintenance expenditure.
The Details of Detailing the Interior of Antique Cars and Trucks
Your antique car or truck is a treasure. A treasured possession of history, class, and performance of bygone days. While you can never go back in time, you want to do all you can to preserve the aura and the dignity of antique cars and trucks. Detailing or cleaning and preserving them as close to their original state as possible, is the owner’s dream.
Care should be taken in every step of the restoration process to ensure all original materials are treated only with products designed not to have a negative effect on the material’s future quality and durability.
One especially delicate area is the interior of your antique. Whether the seats are plastic, cloth, or leather, they must be treated with care to ensure pliability so as not to occur future damage. The cleaning products used must be chosen with care. Today’s technology offers many excellent solutions to the dilemma of cleaning without incurring damage to these aged materials.
Selecting products that clean and protect in one step saves you time and insures your interior has constant protection. Again, it is important to choose products that won’t damage the interior’s materials with repeated use. You may want to consider these types of cleaners for seats, dashboards, and rubber moldings found in the interior of your vehicle. Note that any form of abrasive cleaner, no matter how miniscule the abrasiveness, with repeated use, will begin to deteriorate the surface being cleaned.
It is not unusual to have one specific stain in the interior of a classic car or truck that seems almost impossible to remove without damaging the area. Again, be cautious not to use abrasive cleaners. Remember the interior of your antique car or truck has weathered many years. The materials have become worn, and are fragile simply by time. A spot remover designed to remove the stain without harsh chemicals is most likely your best solution. Proceed slowly and repeat the process gently if necessary to completely remove the stain. One or more treatments may be necessary for extremely stubborn stains. Harsh scrubbing and rubbing will only damage the material. Let the cleaner do the work.
Once you have completed the restoration process and your antique car or truck is in tip-top condition, you want to make sure you do everything you can to protect it and your investment in it. The restoration process most likely took time, effort, and money. Now you want to make sure your vehicle remains in good shape.
At this point, it is very important to store the vehicle in a climate-controlled environment. Extreme heat, cold, and moisture should be avoided if possible. Whenever the vehicle is taken out for show, or a drive, you should make sure to properly clean it whenever you are done. All that really should be necessary concerning cleaning and protection will be light maintenance. A good wipe down with a chamois cloth will most likely do the trick. Chamois cloths are excellent to absorb moisture, clean dust and grime, and polish the surface.
Your antique car or truck has survived many years. A true display of elegance. A few simple steps will keep it looking great for years to come.
Road rage has become a way of life, both on and off the track. And more and more, in cities across America, people are acting out their frustrations on our roadways with dangerous results. It’s bad for professional and everyday drivers alike.
In a new study sponsored by the Affinion Group and its AutoVantage automobile membership club, drivers from 20 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. were surveyed to learn more about consumer views on road rage.
“This new study focuses on important attitudes and habits of drivers on the open road nationwide,” said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. “This groundbreaking research is an important tool to help educate and influence safer driving habits throughout the United States.”
The study showed the cities with the worst road rage were Miami, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles and Boston. Most courteous cities were Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta.
When asked the major causes of road rage in the survey, the most frequent theme was people being in a hurry, running late, being impatient andor speeding, with stress, frustration and bad moods also contributing.
Behaviors by other drivers that cause stress for commuters, and that can lead to road rage, include driving too fast (57 percent observe this happening every day), tailgating (50 percent see this every day) and cutting over without notice (44 percent see this every day).
Commuters reported that other drivers frequently talk on their cell phones (98 percent observe this at least once a week), run red lights (59 percent observe this at least once a week) and slam on the brakes (54 percent see this happening at least once a week).
As a reaction to rude or bad driving by others, people surveyed reported that they honked their horn at the offending driver (40 percent), cursed at the other driver (32 percent), waved their fist or arms (9 percent), made an obscene gesture (8 percent) or called the police to report the driver (5 percent).
Overall, 30 percent said they see drivers doing other things like putting on makeup, shaving or reading while driving. Los Angeles (43 percent) emerged as the city where this is most likely to be seen, while Seattle (18 percent) emerged as the place where this behavior is least likely.
Bobby Hamilton, a spokesman for AutoVantage, was the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion after achieving four career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victories. He founded Bobby Hamilton Racing, which owns and operates three trucks in the NASCAR Circuit.
The most courteous cities are Minneapolis, Nashville and St. Louis. Least courteous: Miami, Phoenix and New York.
Hamilton
