Even though you're not changing...
Even though you're not changing the track width by replacing the knuckle, it's still a good idea to determine the best backspacing before ordering your new wheels. An easy way to measure is by putting the original wheel against a flat wall and measure from the center (inner mounting surface) of the wheel. Then using a long ruler or a straight flat piece of material, determine how many inches your wheel is spaced from the back lip of the rim to the center. This will give you a good idea of how far your new aftermarket wheels may stick out and also guide you when determining a new tire size. A lot of the time the more you can keep the tire inside of the fenderwell the bigger the tire you can fit onto the vehicle.
We know choosing the right...
We know choosing the right tire can be a real pain and inevitably when there is something gained, there is something lost. We had to really think about what was the right tire for our Dodge. We knew that we'd be towing and of course we'd be throwing this thing in the dirt, but what about our commute? A 60-mile roundtrip is pretty much the norm for us here at the 'zine and California roads aren't the best in the world. After much deliberation we decided on Goodyear's new Wrangler with Silent Armor technology in the 285/70/17 variety. The tread design offers an aggressive enough pattern to get through the trail, but gives a smoother ride with almost zero road noise.
For wheels we went with 17x8...
For wheels we went with 17x8 7005 Cast-Blast Pro Comp Xtreme Alloys with 4.5 inches of backspacing. The lightweight material and black finish are both big pluses as indicated by our custom bling meter we keep on the dash of our ride.
We all know that one of the...
We all know that one of the best parts about owning a truck is being able to toss all of your junk into the bed. But what about the stuff that's too dirty for the cab, but too important to be left uncovered. We run into this situation a lot and have found that one of the best solutions is a bedcover. One of the easiest and best bang-for-your-buck covers on the market is the snap-down cover from Stylin' Concepts. The four bedrails and clamps install in just a few minutes and don't require any drilling or master technician's certificate to install.
Total installation of the...
Total installation of the cover took less than 30 minutes and it all snapped into place. Another great feature of the cover is the ability to quickly and easily remove the two tension bars and cover to gain full access to the bed.
We know you're excited about...
We know you're excited about all your new goodies, but don't forget to save your original parts and pieces. This will keep you from spending unnecessary dough getting your truck back to stock, and will have the dealer impressed at how well you've maintained your stock equipment!
Getting into your truck after a hard day of work can really put a beating on your seats. Although we're fans of using old towels and T-shirts to keep the seats fresh, there's just something about nice seat covers that keeps the truck looking sharp. One of the biggest names in seat covers is Wet Okole. With seemingly endless color combinations and themes, these waterproof seat covers often look better than what comes from the factory. When applying the covers, make sure to heat them in the sun before sliding them on. We found that after a few days of sitting on them you'll need to resecure some of the Velcro once the material has settled in. Stop trashing your floor mats! Also, a dead giveaway of a "well used" vehicle can be seen by the stories from your dirty floor. A cheap and quick way to protect your interior is a set of drop-in mats available at most auto parts stores across the country.