All you need to know about pick-up trucks

by: suwan k

Although diesel prices have shot up to about Bt23 per litre, cars with diesel engines are still more popular than their petrol-driven counterparts due to their durability and functionality in varying weather conditions. This is thanks to the lack of a high-powered ignition system.    In Thailand, diesel-powered pickups will enjoy continued popularity for decades to come. Motorists, especially in the provinces, need vehicles that can tackle varying road conditions and carry lots of cargo and people. Thus we see pickups being modified for many purposes and hence classified into several vehicle categories.    I'm interested car in the Mitsubishi Strada. I want to know whether it is a good choice for driving to work as well as driving back to my hometown that is about 400 km from Bangkok once a month. On the way back I need to carry lots of OTOP products weighing about 500-700 kg.    You should have mentioned whether you are interested in the 2.5 or the 2.8-litre engine. Anyway, I recommend the 2.9-litre 4M40 engine because the fuel economy is about the same as the 2.5-litre, but it’s more durable. It also uses a chain-type timing belt, which lasts much longer than the belt type so you don’t have to worry about replacing the timing belt. The body and suspension is similar.    If you are not in a hurry to get the Strada, I strongly suggest you wait another one to two months for the new Mitsubishi Triton pickup which will be available with 2.5-litre direct injection, 2.5-litre common-rail and 3.2-litre 4M41 DOHC 16-valve common-rail engines. The design has been totally revamped.    So if you can, it’s much better to wait and see how the new truck is. You can get the information from test drives in your preferred newspaper and then make the decision.    I have a 1993 Mitsubishi Champ that has covered 130,000 km but its condition is very good. I would like to sell this car. How much would I get?    You won’t get more than Bt75,000 to Bt80,000 if you sell it to a used car or truck dealer, but the condition must be really good. If you are patient and sell to a direct buyer, then you can raise the price up to Bt120,000. If the potential buyer bargains for Bt100,000 you should sell it. If the body is good with no rust, it is a nice car because parts are cheap and the engine is very economical.    After buying the truck I want to install a roof over the bed. Which is better – the fibreglass Carryboy or steel Sammitr?    Fibreglass roofs are light and look better thanks to a moulding process. There are several brands in the market that are very popular. Steel roofs are stronger and can help reduce damage if the truck overturns. The shade of the paint also matches the body and stays good for a long time compared to fibreglass roofs. The extra weight may result in increased fuel consumption, but it is so small you can't measure it. Another advantage of steel roofs is that you can mount a roof rack on top. However, when parked under direct sunlight, the roof gets very hot and if you have an extra air-conditioner at the rear, it will be forced to work harder than with a fiberglass roof.    About the author: Suwan K. is a manager of car online info - car online , car online info website devoted to the used truck - car sale or news and information on Internet.

All About Wheels: Guide In Buying Replacement Auto Wheels

by: Tracy Dawson

As cars became more advanced, auto users likewise continuously increased their consciousness on how their cars should look and perform. There’s simply no particular vehicle that can suffice all of a users’ ever-changing needs and wants; thus, one does a lot of things to improve his car and make it more enjoyable to drive and ride. One of the things auto users frequently do to improve their vehicle’s looks and performance is to change the wheels of the car. The wheel or the rim particularly refers to the metal ring on which the tire is attached but it also refers to both the rim and the tire as a whole. The wheels are among the most essential parts in the car since they are the ones that make your vehicle move. They “interact” with the road and thus greatly affect your car’s handling and ride quality. Replacing the wheels is easier now and your choices are much greater as well. Stores like Auto Parts Corner provide great variety of OEM-quality auto parts including Ford wheels, GMC wheels, Mazda wheels, and BMW wheels. What’s more exciting is that you can purchase these products online. Aside from getting excellent choices, you get to save time, money and your efforts as well in purchasing replacement wheels for your car. You can expect amazing Auto Parts Wholesale deals from stores like this as well since more and more auto parts stores online are offering different kinds of replacement and aftermarket parts for almost all makes and models at great discount prices. Purchasing replacement wheels and other auto parts may be a lot easier now however you still have to be wise and meticulous enough in selecting the sources of the parts you’re going to install on your vehicle. Thousands of stores online may be offering the same deals on numerous kinds of Ford parts, BMW parts, Chevrolet parts, Toyota parts and other most sought after replacement automotive parts but you can never be so sure of their products’ quality. It’s better to get auto parts from trusted sources like Auto Parts Corner. Likewise, you must be particular about the dimensions of the wheels you are purchasing. You must be very careful in choosing the right replacement wheels for your car so as not to compromise safety and your riding comfort. Although you want to enhance your car’s appearance, the way the wheel looks should not be your basis in choosing it over a more durable and high quality wheel. Here are some auto terms related to auto wheels. Understanding these can be of great help in making the right choices on the kind of wheels you need to purchase in lieu of the original equipment. Wheel Diameter. This refers to diameter of the metal ring, on which the bead of the tire rests. This is usually indicated on the wheels itself in inches. If you don’t find it on the wheel, know the size of the tires mounted on it. To achieve more athletic look, wheels with larger diameter matched with low profile tires are usually used as replacement for the stock wheels. Wheel width. This is the distance between the vertical edges of the rim where the tire bead seats. Ideally, the wheel width must be the same as the width of the tread of the tire (circumference of the outside surface of the tire). Wheel balancing. This procedure is done with the wheels off the car. This ensures that the weight of the wheels is distributed evenly around the axle. Wheel offset. This refers to the distance between the mounting surface of the wheel to the car (particularly the attachment surface of the disc at the wheel hub) and the center of the rim. This is crucial to the proper positioning of the tires. About the author: Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine. http://www.autopartscorner.com