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OEM is Always Better

I’ve been doing my own mechanic work on my Ford for many years and throughout those years I have learned one valuable lesson; Never us anything other than OEM Ford parts!  Most other “Ford parts” are made in China or Taiwan and won’t last nearly as long.  If it doesn’t have an OEM number on it, might as well throw it in the trash.

When I first started replacing parts on my truck I used just about anything I could find that was the cheapest.  After a few years, I realized the only parts that were now wearing out were the ones that I replaces most recent!  I then talked to a buddy of mine that works at a Fort Worth Ford dealer and he just started laughing at me.  He told me it served me right for not calling him sooner.  There is a reason dealers only use genuine parts - all the rest are junk!  Since then he has guided me in the right direction on what and where to get my parts. So long story short; after spending a few hundred bucks on parts that don’t belong even in a lawn mower, I learned to cough up a little extra to insure that I only need to replace it once!

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Truck Air Horns for Truck Drivers

“Beep, beep” is for little, puny cars. When you sound the horn in your truck, you want people to take notice. You want them to be startled. You want the loud blast only truck air horns can give you. After all, what will make a car get out of your way faster than an earsplitting air horn?

How Do They Work?
An air horn is composed of a pressurized air source coupled to a horn. A valve allows the device to be turned on and off.

What are They Made From?

The trumpets, which emit the sound, can be made from plastic for durability. Companies, like Hella and Wolo make high-quality plastic air horns. Other air horns are made from two metal chrome plating, which looks amazing on the top of the truck!

How are They Installed?

Well, you can order an air horn from the Internet and install it yourself. There are many premium air horn kits available online that come with warranties and comprehensive instructions. They can be installed easily, and all of the hardware is typically included. Or, you can simply go to a body shop and have a professional install the accessory for you. Quick and easy!

Chrome accessories like air horns are not for the everyday driver. These hardcore truck accessories separate the car driver from the truck driver.

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Find The Right Truck Tool Box

If you have just bought a truck and like to keep your tools near then you may want to consider the investment in a truck tool box. Somewhere you will keep your tools and store your supplies for the work that you have to do. You will need a way to organize your tools and to keep them safe. You may even need to consider getting ladder racks to add onto your truck as well in order complete the package that you have for the tools that you use. However before you even consider adding on any of these items you will probably want to install a bed liner into the back of your truck in order to protect the paint on the inside of the bed of your truck.

Consider all of the options that you have when you are going to add any of these accessories on your truck. Look at all of the different things that you can add or change when you are doing modifications to your truck. Consider all of the items you can add and determine which are the most useful and which will make the most difference aesthetically. Decide on what you want to add and not what someone else does.

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3 Ways to Add Value to Your Car

We’ve all heard people say that as soon as you drive a car off the lot, it loses its value. Traditionally, cars have been viewed as poor investments. You’re rarely able to get anywhere near the amount of money you put into them.

But there are some things you can do to add value to your car. Here are 3 tips for improving your car’s worth.

  • 1. Keep it Clean- Yes, this tip sounds silly, but it’s true. Simply washing and detailing your car on a regular basis will help it maintain its maximum value. A detailed interior and exterior cleaning will prevent stains and corrosion. A little maintenance goes a long way.
  • 2. Add Useful Accessories- Another thing you can do to increase your car’s value is to add useful accessories to it. By adding Toyota accessories that improve the usability of your automobile, you enhance its worth. Just make sure you’re adding genuine Toyota parts to your car, not cheap imitations.
  • 3. Follow the Maintenance Plan- Beyond adding Toyota auto parts, you also need to follow the recommended vehicle maintenance plan. This includes routine oil changes, rotating your tires, changing old filters, replacing worn out parts, and getting an engine tune-up.

  All of these tips will help you get the most out of your auto investment.

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Shopping for a New Car

I’ve had my current SUV about seven years, and it’s about time that I replaced it.  It has well over 100,000 miles on it, and although it runs just fine, it’s starting to make these strange noises that magically cease to happen whenever I take it into the dealership to get looked it.  The mileage is getting worse and worse, and the A/C has this swampy smell.

I really would like another SUV, apologies to the green movement.  However, I would like something with as little impact on the environment (and my pocketbook) as possible.  I’ve been looking at car magazines, reading about the hybrids, but I still have my hesitations, so this weekend, I’ll be perusing the car dealerships, taking a bunch of different cars for a ride.  Anyone have any good ideas on an SUV that might work for me?

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Japanese Cars Rock

I live in Asia and Japanese cars rock. They look good, they’re fast, and they’re reliable.

In Asia, Japanese cars are everywhere although there are a handful of American and European cars.  This may be because Japanese cars are less expensive compared to their Western counterparts.

Mitsubishi Lancers are among the most popular here in Southeast Asia.  I particularly love Mitsubishi sedans because it feels and fits just right for my family.  I have owned a lancer for some time now and through the years, it has remained durable.  This may be because I know how to care for cars and I am very choosy with buying Mitsubishi parts. I can see how others might not share this enthusiasm if they don’t know how to care for their cars like I do.

My wife bought a Suzuki Vitara last year as a gift.  I loved my wife’s choice.  With 185 horsepower and anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution, this car is really something to brag about.  I am currently looking for additional genuine Suzuki parts to further add beauty and functionality to this baby.

Our next project would be a Ford pickup and we are saving for it.  I guess it would cool driving a Ford car in Asian streets because there aren’t many of them around.  But we need to look for a Ford center in our area so we will not have a problem looking for Ford parts. I want to be able to get them if I need them.

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Simple Ways to Customize your Truck

When you buy a truck, you buy it because you love it. When you drive a truck, you want the whole world to know that this truck is your truck. How can you do that? The best way is to customize the truck.

Most of us can’t afford to make major changes to customize our vehicles but what we can afford to do is to add simple accessories that customize the truck without costing a lot of money.

Here is a look at some of the simplest (and most cost-effective) ways to customize your truck:

  • Hood ornaments. These really define the theme of the truck and show off your personality and yet they don’t cost a lot of money to purchase or install.
  • Bed mats. These are great because they serve the purpose of protecting the bed of your truck but also add some customized style to the vehicle.
  • Piaa lights. You can add fog lights to the truck that also give it a sense of your own unique tastes and preferences in terms of truck lighting.
  • Bumper stickers. If you’re really broke then you may just want to skip the usual truck customizing accessories and go for personalizing the vehicle with bumper stickers.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to make your truck truly your own.

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Orlando and Fort Lauderdale Rental Cars Your Choices are Endless Part 2

If you are visiting the Orlando and Fort Lauderdale areas, there is one thing you should keep in mind: Renting a car is necessary if you want to see everything these great cities have to offer. Thankfully, there are many professional car rental Fort Lauderdale and Orlando agencies that have many quality cars to choose from.

A midsize car, also known as the “family car,” is the ideal automobile to choose when you need extra space for luggage and family members. With decent gas mileage and plenty of leg room, the midsize car is a popular favorite. The Volkswagen Jetta is a good example of a midsize vehicle.

Your next choice is everyone’s favorite: the convertible. Thanks to Florida’s sunny weather, the convertible is a habitual favorite when it comes to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale rental cars.  Picture this: You in a stylish Chrysler Seabring speeding down the A1A with your sunglasses on, hair blowing in the breeze and taking in the beaches, the people, and the overall atmosphere of vacation. Although a little more expensive than some of your other options, the convertible is a vehicle worth the splurge.

And, that’s not it folks! We have two more cars to choose from. Continue reading Part 3 to discover your other Fort Lauderdale and Orlando airport car rental options.

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Making Big Money

My old job as a mechanic just didn’t work out. It turns out that as people drive less because of these ridiculous gas prices, they also need fewer oil changes and their vehicles break down less. So I was forced to find a new job.

I found one on Craigslist that sounded pretty good, and ended up getting the job. It is installing satellite TV at people’s homes. The hours are fairly flexible, and the money is really good. It’s kind of like being self employed because I am an independent contractor. It is also nice not to have a boss looking over my shoulder or breathing down my neck.

Fortunately I had most of the tools I needed since I was a mechanic. I did however need to buy a few things I didn’t have like specialty tools for crimping wires and stuff like ladders and the equipment to “fish” the wires through walls. And because of the ladders, I had to buy ladder racks for my truck. Then there was the issue that ladder racks don’t work with truck bed covers, so I had to look into truck boxes so I could lock up my tools. But it is all worth it because I’m making more money now than I ever have before.

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The Garage Dilemma

 In my town, city people must give up the idea of a garage, especially an attached garage, as the majority of neighborhoods allow only one parking space on a street. Multiple garages are a rarity within many areas, save for the most expensive older neighbors, and one usually finds only detached garages there. But in the suburbs, a 2 to 3 car garage is standard. This tends to negate city arguments about taking someone’s parking space, or saving one’s spot with a folding chair. Yes, they really do save spaces with folding chairs in my neighborhood! 

My husband thinks nothing of driving a couple of miles to get a gallon of milk, but would never deal with on street parking. As a city GIRL, I just accept that it’s impossible to keep my automobile dry in winter and protected in the summer. It’s one more difference between car owners, although it doesn’t necessarily mean that cars kept outside are loved less. It simply means that not everyone can live in an area that has room to house cars as well as people.
 
It’s hard to debate that garaged automobiles are often safer than their outdoor counterparts, but I wouldn’t agree that they’re always in better condition! 
 

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