Nissan not shuttering Leaf EV battery plants, at least not yet By

The big news on the electric vehicle front today is that Nissan is considering slowing down EV battery production in the US and UK and source all of Nissan's big packs come from Japan.

This incredible Mercedes V12 sculpture is built from bone, wood and fossils

We've seen some impressive automotive replicas, but this one definitely takes the prize as the most unique yet.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle

You may have packed James Bond's cars with plenty of killer tech (get it?), but the 1967 Toyota 2000GT you see above has got it's own bad boy secrets.

Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport

The Ford Mondeo range of cars offers the best in style, appearance and performance on the roads without compromising on quality or safety.

Corvette Z06 tops Motor Trend list of shortest-stopping vehicles

Any modern performance car worth buying puts just as much emphasis on stopping as it does on going

Sunday, December 28, 2008

All Season Tires

All season truck tires usually have no business going off-road, as their composition and tread designs are not built to handle beatings from off-road conditions. They do, however, provide long-lasting tread that excels on wet or dry paved roads and offers tremendous longevity. Most stock vehicles come equipped with all season tires. For vehicle enthusiasts adding larger truck tires just for show, all-season truck tires are likely the most efficient way to go. Granted, you won't get that aggressive look that's quite popular as of late, but that may be a small price to pay for truck tires that will last you tens of thousands of miles longer than more aggressive truck tires.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Choosing the Right Type of Tires

Before plunging headfirst into the sea of offroad tires trucks and coming out with the meanest, most intimidating monsters you can find, you have to at least know what type of monsters will best suit your offroad tires needs. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What type of off-road activities will you be doing the most? How much on-road and off-road driving will you do? What qualities in particular are you most concerned with -- durability, performance, traction, appearance, or ride quality? How much are you willing to spend? Taking some time to consider these important questions can help to narrow down what type of off-road tires are best for you.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Sizing Tire

Tire sizing can be a tricky thing, mostly because the size of offroad tires you have in mind is dependent upon a number of factors. The most obvious question is first whether your vehicle is capable of handling the size of off-road tires that you want, and if not, what modifications do you need to make in order for the offroad tires to fit? Unfortunately, there aren't any universal, all-authoritative guides available to simplify the process, since customization and modification is vehicle-specific. Your best bet for getting a better idea of your vehicle's specifications is to contact the manufacturer. This will give you a general sense for what your vehicle is capable of so that you don't exceed its limits, or that you have the right parts installed in case you do. In terms of choosing the right lift kit, accessories, and knowing what modifications to make, factory service manuals, off-road magazines, internet message boards, manufacturer's guides, and a number of other resources are available to assist you.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

2010 Mustang

With the recent release of the 2010 Mustang, ushering in a totally new generation of Ponies, interest in this classic muscle car has never been higher. No matter what version of the Mustang you have, you've probably been bitten by the customization bug. Whether you just got your first Mustang, or have been a proud owner of one of these great cars for longer than you can remember, AmericanMuscle can fulfill all your Mustang modding dreams.

And the best place to start your customization adventures is with a set of brand new Mustang rims. Our monstrous variety of Mustang wheels means you can pick out ones that perfectly highlight your tires, your body kit and help to tie the overall design of your personalized 'stang together.image1image2
But rims are only a good start. Keep going and you might find that your stock Mustang hood needs an upgrade. And if you navigate over to AmericanMuscle, you also *might* find some of the highest-quality, aggressively-styled aftermarket hoods available on the Internet. It's one of the first parts of your car that people are going to see, but only for a minute while you blow by them, so leave them with something to talk about.

Moving to the interior of the car, floor mats are an especially easy modification to make, and one that really lets your particular Mustang stand out from the rest of the crowd and their dull, factory accessories. We carry mats for GTs, Cobras, Bullitts, Mach 1s, for both coupes and convertibles and in several colors and styles. And best of all, these mats are all made of the same durable, attractive material that will last as long as your pony does.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Audi R8 V10

Audi is cranking up the juice on its flagship R8 sports car with the introduction of the Audi R8
V10 5.2 FSI quattro, which got an early reveal on the web today. The Audi R8 shares some less visible bits with its corporate cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo, but until now the Lambo's V10 engine has remained exclusive to the Italian side of the family. The Audi R8 V10 will be the street going version of the Audi R8 LMS that debuted a couple of weeks ago at the Essen Motor Show in Germany.

It's 5.2L V10 is rated at 525 horsepower and 390.91 lb-ft of torque in European spec form. Those numbers fall a bit shy of the latest Lambo Gallardo LP560-4 even with the same displacement, which ensures that the Lambo can still command a price premium over the German machine. The U.S. version of the Audi R8 V10 should remain pretty close to these numbers. That will be enough to push the 0-62 sprint under four seconds to 3.9 seconds. Unfortunately, the R8 is still saddled with the same craptastic 6-speed R-tronic as the only alternative to its proper manual gearbox.

The Audi R8 V10 now also inches closer to the magical 200 mph mark with a terminal velocity of 196 mph. The Audi R8 V10 version gets a new set of all-LED headlights for both high and low beams and the scoops on the side blades now bulge out to suck in the extra air needed to feed and cool the larger engine and new design wheels and tires. A new rear diffuser also helps keep the rear end planted where a set of twin oval tailpipes replace the quad exhausts on the standard model. The R8 V10 will be available in Germany starting next spring with a base price of EUR 142,400 (approx $180,000) and will make its official debut in January at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. This car now should hang with some serious motorcycles now.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Case for Radial Off-Road Tires

Although Bias off-road tires are ideal for the extreme off-road enthusiast, this is not to suggest that radial off-road tires aren't effective on harsh terrain. On the contrary, the latest radial truck tires perform quite well in off-road situations, and are designed with versatility in mind to produce better road handling characteristics, even at high speeds. While radial offroad tires may not provide the same traction or performance as a set of low air pressure bias offroad tires, their longevity, handling, and smooth ride on paved roads makes up for it. Radials are perfect for the weekend off-road enthusiasts who see a lot of driving time on paved roads.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Bias Truck Tires versus Radial Off-Road Tires

Any driver will tell you that radial truck tires have innumerable advantages over bias ply truck tires. In fact, the tire industry has almost completely abandoned manufacturing bias truck tires, save for a few exceptions. Yet despite that bias truck tires come attached with a number of disadvantages, they still have their advantages when it comes to offroad conditions.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Are You Ready for Taller Off-road Truck Tires?

Buying a set of taller off-road tires for your 4x4 is like making a marriage work; it involves sometimes drastic changes, sacrifices, and commitment, along with constant care and maintenance. On the other hand, at least you won't have to remember anniversaries.

The first thing to keep in mind is that upgrading to taller truck tires means upgrading a number of other truck parts in your vehicle as well. Additional inches of vehicle clearance are needed for the truck tires to fit without rubbing against the vehicle fenders. Truck parts like a suspension lift, body lift, or a combination of both can provide those additional inches. For off-road purposes, a suspension lift is preferable for the increase in wheel travel ability, whereas a body lift simply allows for the fitment of larger offroad tires without any offroad performance enhancements.

Larger truck tires also mean that your vehicle will be working harder to tote additional weight, which can result in significant strain to your axles and shocks, and also alters the gear ratio set by the manufacturer.

To compensate for these changes, new ring and pinion gears and performance shocks (many complete lift kits typically include shocks) are strongly recommended. To counteract the additional weight and loss in performance, custom intakes, exhausts, computer chips, or any other performance-enhancing truck parts are also advised.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Off-Road Truck Tires - The Truth

Whether you're sand-racing, rock-crawling, mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activities conceivable, it's important to understand precisely why you need a set of off-road truck tires.

A common misconception with regard to offroad tires is that you need them for improved traction on rugged terrain, and naturally, the general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction. While such an assumption makes sense, it is not entirely accurate. True, the right off-road tires can provide some additional traction in off-road conditions, but there are better, more efficient ways to improve traction than simply bulking up the rubber.

If traction is your primary concern, trucks parts like a traction differential (locker) with stock offroad tires are more beneficial for your rig than just adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroad tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably a smart idea before anything else.

A locker or other 4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessive boldness, causing you to get caught in some real jams and then you̢۪ll wish that you opted for the winch instead. The point is larger off-road tires are meant first and foremost for the purpose of raising the height and ground clearance of your rig to enable steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain.

Simply put, when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles.

Not to downplay the traction aspect of offroad tires, as a set of mud terrain bias offroad tires will most definitely perform better in the mud than a set of all-season radials.

Rather, improved traction is more of a secondary function that still bears importance, but should not the sole consideration when it comes to buying truck tires, as there are far better truck parts available for meeting that goal.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Best Tops for Every Jeep, Trucks and SUV Owners

Did you know that Jeeps, 4x4s and trucks have always been known for their abilities off-road? And they are also popular with its endurance. It is the reason why vehicle owners put much effort in putting accessories and modifying their rides to make it more appealing compare to the others.


Now, Jeeps are widely open, jeep enthusiast look for the most suitable tops for their vehicles. It is another way to jazz up your rugged vehicle and a sure way to protect you and your passengers against accident. These best tops vehicle make can be used and installed for jeep, truck and SUV's. Whatever weather you may encounter on the road, you are assured that your top got you covered.


Do what you think is the most affordable and most practical modification in your rig. Doing an overhaul in your exterior by adding a top that will give you an eye-catching vehicle and a more comfortable ride is one good tip. It is not only your protection from inevitable weather and corrosion. It will also prevent your vehicle's rig from unwanted damages due to pollution, air pressure and other elements.


Forget old stuff, out of style Jeeps or trucks behind. Now is the time to jazz it up, make a good modification and put a magic touch on it. Put a bestop vehicle make and other accessories that will not only provide style and elegance, but also various benefits on your rig's functionality.


A lot of reliable online and offline parts and accessories stores are out there. Be sure to find the right tops that will exactly fit to your type of vehicle and those that are easy to assemble and maintain.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Off-Road Tires for Beginners Choice

Selecting the Right Offroad Tires: Do you want to buy new offroad tires? So, you better read on cause this is for you. If you want to grab the biggest, most wicked-looking off-road tires available, there are lots of things you should consider before having any.



Reality about Off-Road Truck Tires: Whether you’re on sand-racing, rock-crawling, mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activities you belong right now, it’s important to understand precisely why you need a set of off-road truck tires. A common misconception with regard to offroad tires is that you need them for improved traction on rugged terrain, and naturally, the general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction. While such an assumption makes sense, it is not entirely accurate. True, the right offroad tire can provide some additional traction in off-road conditions, but there are better, more efficient ways to improve traction than simply bulking up the rubber. If traction is your primary concern, trucks parts like a traction differential (locker) with stock offroad tires is more beneficial for your rig than just adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroad tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably a smart idea before anything else. A locker or other 4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessive boldness, causing you to get caught in some real jams and then you’ll wish that you opted for the winch instead. The point is larger offroad tires are meant first and foremost for the purpose of raising the height and ground clearance of your rig to enable steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain. Simply put, when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles. Not to downplay the traction aspect of offroad tires, as a set of mud terrain bias offroad tires will most definitely perform better in the mud than a set of all-season radials. Rather, improved traction is more of a secondary function that still bears importance, but should not the sole consideration when it comes to buying truck tires, as there are far better truck parts available for meeting that goal.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Different Uses of a Body Lift Kit

Private vehicle owners nowadays give extra effort in making the necessary modification to their vehicles just to maximize its performance. Body Lift Kit is one of the mostly needed vehicle kits for today. It doesn’t only trim up your vehicles for larger tires but it also gives them a brand new rugged look.

You can spend some money on performance shocks or simple brackets to increase the height and jazz up the look of you rig. You can also ditch the stock springs and shocks to have a set of adjustable airbags; but the best addition you can make to your vehicle is through a body lift.

Small as they may be, these kits can make a big difference to your vehicles when used. Just like over say, “small but terrible”. Those who owned 4x4’s, trucks and SUV’s are likely the ones to install such performance parts from reliable sources like Body Lift Kit Net. Rising the vehicle’s body provide better ground clearance which they really need especially when they take their rigs for off road driving and adventures.

Lift kits aid drivers in their usual problems on jagged and uneven roads. They allow the installation of larger tires that do not only give your auto a more muscular look but also provide better weight support for big vehicles. Small and ordinary tires may not be able to handle a rough terrain that is why it’s important that you have these kits to give room for off road tires.

Although a body kit is installed for best performance, it also comes with potential side effects. This vehicle handles differently from an ordinary vehicle in driving conditions which may occur on streets, highways and off road. The steering, braking and handling raised vehicle will differ from standard passenger cars and trucks. If larger tires are installed the speedometer will read lower than the vehicles actual speed. Unnecessary sudden maneuvers, unexpected stops, sharp turns and other abrupt driving conditions could cause loss of vehicle control. You can roll over or encounter other accident that could result in serious injury or death to driver and passengers. That is why safety measures like reduced speed, seatbelts and careful driving should always be observed.

There is an abundant online lift kit shops in the web like Body Lift Kit Net. With just one click, you may readily purchase top of the line performance products of a particular brand and type.


Truck Bed Covers | Best Top | Bumpers

Saturday, August 23, 2008

What Truck Lifts can do to your Trucks?




Truck enthusiasts define Truck Lifts as an automobile system that is composed of springs that’s used to raise a vehicle. The process involves suspending the body, frame and power train of the truck's wheel. That could make your truck look good.

Most truck drivers want their truck to be lifted because it lessens the jarring of the automobile while some just simply want to improve the look of their truck. After all, truck lift kits have become tremendously popular among people who wish to give their automobiles a unique or beefy look. Truck enthusiasts definitely want to make heads turn. They monster-size their rigs with a beefy truck lift kit for imposing style and impressive handling.

Truck lifts is very necessary if you’re planning on taking your vehicle off-roading. By suspending your truck, you gain additional clearance from the ground, which protects the underside of your vehicle from bulging rocks, sharp inclines, and foreign objects in the road. If you have ever bottomed out, either off-roading or heading up a steep driveway, you know from that disconcerting scraping sound that hitting the ground is bad for your automobile. Accelerated automobile wheels keep a close contact with the road surface; thus making your driving safer and an enjoyable one at all times.

With the perfect lift kit, you're free to tackle even the toughest trails. Each truck lift kit at Truck Lifts Direct is built for your vehicle and includes all the parts you need.

Suspension upgrades gain you clearance for bigger tires, control for adverse terrain, and stronger parts to handle the abuse of real-world off-roading. Unfortunately, lift kits are also complicated systems, so be careful and it must be well engineered for safety and performance. With this, you need to find truck lift kits that are easy to install. Another thing would be that you have to keep in mind when searching for the perfect truck lift kits are the ups and downs of the change in ride height.

For instance, adding a lift kit and larger than stock wheels and tires can affect the vehicle's tow hitch. You may now need a new rear bumper because of the change in ride height. Also, in some extreme cases, the trailer tongue can't even reach the hitch. With long trailers, such as a four-horse stock trailer or a boat trailer, you may be able to mate trailer and hitch, but the trailer angle from front to back could be enough to cause the trailer to scrape the rear end on the road.

With these factors to consider, all you need to do is to search online shops for the perfect lifts for your truck! These sites are just a click away! Doing so would be extremely easy. Just remember lift kits are also complicated systems, so be careful and it must be well engineered for safety and performance.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Different Uses of a Body Lift Kit

Private vehicle owners nowadays give extra effort in making the necessary modification to their vehicles just to maximize its performance. Body Lift Kit is one of the mostly needed vehicle kits for today. It doesn’t only trim up your vehicles for larger tires but it also gives them a brand new rugged look.

You can spend some money on performance shocks or simple brackets to increase the height and jazz up the look of you rig. You can also ditch the stock springs and shocks to have a set of adjustable airbags; but the best addition you can make to your vehicle is through a body lift.

Small as they may be, these kits can make a big difference to your vehicles when used. Just like over say, “small but terrible”. Those who owned 4x4’s, trucks and SUV’s are likely the ones to install such performance parts from reliable sources like Body Lift Kit Net. Rising the vehicle’s body provide better ground clearance which they really need especially when they take their rigs for off road driving and adventures.

Lift kits aid drivers in their usual problems on jagged and uneven roads. They allow the installation of larger tires that do not only give your auto a more muscular look but also provide better weight support for big vehicles. Small and ordinary tires may not be able to handle a rough terrain that is why it’s important that you have these kits to give room for off road tires.

Although a body kit is installed for best performance, it also comes with potential side effects. This vehicle handles differently from an ordinary vehicle in driving conditions which may occur on streets, highways and off road. The steering, braking and handling raised vehicle will differ from standard passenger cars and trucks. If larger tires are installed the speedometer will read lower than the vehicles actual speed. Unnecessary sudden maneuvers, unexpected stops, sharp turns and other abrupt driving conditions could cause loss of vehicle control. You can roll over or encounter other accident that could result in serious injury or death to driver and passengers. That is why safety measures like reduced speed, seatbelts and careful driving should always be observed.

There is an abundant online lift kit shops in the web like Body Lift Kit Net. With just one click, you may readily purchase top of the line performance products of a particular brand and type.


Resource Box:


Truck Lift Kits and other auto parts and accessories Truck Bed Covers, Bumpers for everyone.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Sample Fender Flares

4X fender flares were made by the famous brand of WARN. This type of fender flare is best for all types of truck and vehicles that has larger tires and custom wheels. What's great about this type of flare it can be mounted inside the fender well using the unique styled screws together with heavy-duty 3M adhesive tape, these flares are also sealed to the fender rim. Using the durable construction of this fender flare, it keeps off moisture, dirt and also helps in having rust. The hardwearing materials used in this device is Warn's exclusive armor guard which is a high impact ABS co-laminate. It is actually the number one material to get maximum flexibility and durability for your rig.

Fender Flares

Warn 30210 4X Front Fender Flares

Fender Flare
Putco Stainless Steel Fender Trim

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Body Lift

A body lift is a common and cheap method to run larger tires on a vehicle. It involves installing a puck where the body mounts to the frame in order to increase the clearance between tires and the body. This is often used to allow the placement of a larger motor for an engine swap. It is considered by many to be inferior to a well built suspension lift. The downfall to installing pucks for spacing is that over time the rubber in the puck tends to deteriorate. This causes the body to sag, and will eventually become unsafe. While the controversy continues about body lifts versus suspension lifts, a properly installed aftermarket body lift kit can give the desired effect just as safely as a suspension lift.

Complete source: Wiki



Ford Body Lifts:


Body lifts are 3" tall unless noted.