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March 2005 New 4x4 Truck Parts

Below is an enthusiast article written by the automotive experts at Four Wheeler. More power for Chevy Duramax, torque converters for Ford transmissions, differential covers for Dodge Rams, and more cool parts for your 4x4 truck!

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LEARN WHY

IntelliChoice Value Rating

The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.

One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.

What is a good car value?

A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.

But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?

For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.

This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)

Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.

Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.

So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.

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Article From Four Wheeler Magazine

March 2005 New 4x4 Truck Parts

What's New / Article provided by: Four Wheeler Magazine

MORE JUICE FOR THE 'MAX

Edge Products offers the new Juice with Attitude system for '04 LLY-series 6.6L Duramax diesels. The new system, which was re-engineered to accommodate the LLY's new injectors and turbocharger, is said to install in under an hour and provide as much as 240 lb-ft of added torque. The system also provides engine information, such as engine temp, boost, and throttle and load percentages, and can also display 0-60mph and quarter-mile times. Information: Edge Products, 888/360-3343, www.edgeproducts.com.

SNUG-FITTING TOP FOR CHEVY SHORTBEDS

Snugtop offers the Super Sport fiberglass cap for '04 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab shortbeds. Besides adding aesthetic appeal, the cap enhances cargo security with Snugtop's Rotary Latch locking system, which can also be locked from the inside for camping purposes. The cap also features a built-in drain channel, and is paint-matched to OE colors using DuPont's ChromaPremier process. Information: Snugtop, www.snugtop.com.

NEW FROM THE Q

Quaker State has added a new line of synthetic and synth-blend motor oils, simply known as Q. The oils are said to feature a new heat-activated technology designed to reduce friction and maximize power. Among the new Qs are 4x4 and SUV Synthetic Blend, engineered for hard-working 4x4s; High-RPM Synthetic Blend, for high-revving four-cylinders or turbocharged V-8s; and Q Racing, designed for precision-tuned racing engines. The 4x4 and SUV blend is available in 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosities. Information: www.quakerstate.com or consult your local retailer.

NITROUS TC FOR FORD TRANNIES

B&M offers a new torque converter for owners of nitrous-fed Fords. The Nitrous HoleShot converter uses anti-balloon plates on the impeller and cover, enabling better harnessing of engine power at launch. Furnace-brazed impellers and turbines provide extra strength, and all components are balanced and pressure-tested. Applications are available for '80-'92 AODs, '70-'82 C4s, and all C6s. Information: B&M Racing, 818/882-6422, www.bmracing.com.

JEEP TJ BODY CLAMZ FROM KIILBY ENTERPRISES

Kilby Enterprises came up with a simple bolt-on solution for the ever-present problem associated with Jeep body mounts. Vulnerable to damage by rocky terrain, body mounts typically show trail abuse before rock sliders do. These bolt-on Body Clamz are designed to sandwich the body mount between two laser-cut formed pieces of 3/16-inch HRPO steel. Once installed, the Body Clamz provide deflective angles before and after each mounting bracket. The encapsulating design ensures the factory body mounts are protected from damage while preventing fatigue. Available in a set of six, Body Clamz come in a satin black powdercoat. Information: Kilby Enterprises 818/565-5945, www.kilbyenterprises.com.

REMOTE-RESERVOIR RANCHO 9000s

Rancho now offers its award-winning RS 9000X shock in a long-travel, remote-reservoir design, called Pro Series. The shocks feature a remote reservoir for better cooling and more consistent performance, and the extended-length Pro versions are offered in 13- to 15-inch travel applications. The nine-way adjustable shocks can be mounted in any position, and can be tuned by hand at the shock or remotely controlled with the RS 99701 remote kit. Applications are available for a variety of Ford, GM, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. Information: Rancho Suspension, www.gorancho.com.

NEW F-150 SUSPENSION KITs

Superlift now offers two suspension kits for '04-and-later Ford F-150s. One kit, which levels the front using urethane spacers that mount atop the OE coilover struts, provides 2 1/2 inches of lift and clears most LT305/33-inch tires. The 4- to 5-inch kit relocates the front OE struts to maintain stock ride quality, and the rear is leveled with 2 1/2-inch tapered blocks; the system is said to clear 35-inch tires. New cast ductile-iron steering knuckles are included, and Bilstein-sourced Superide SS shocks are an available option. Information: Superlift Suspension Systems, 800/551-4955, www.superlift.com.

BRAND-NEW TOYO DONUTS

Toyo has released a new light-truck tire, the Open Country H/T. The new OE-replacement rubber has been computer-designed to minimize road noise, and is said to maintain quiet road manners throughout its lifespan. Multi-Wave sipes and angled tread blocks are said to enhance performance in wet and snowy conditions. Construction is two-ply radial with two steel belts. Over 30 P- and LT-metric sizes will be offered to fit 15- to 18-inch-diameter wheels, with load ratings as high as E for 1-ton pickup applications. Information: Toyo, 888/442-8696, www.toyo.com.

BEEFY RAM DIFF COVERS

PML announces a new line of extra-capacity diff covers for '03 AAM/Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 rearends. The cover, which features oil fill, level check, magnetic drain plug, and an undrilled boss for a temp sensor, holds 0.8 quart more lube than stock, which helps to reduce operating temperatures. The diff covers, which are made from thick-wall sand-cast aluminum, come in cast aluminum, black powdercoat, or polished finishes. A matching cover for the front diff is also offered. Information: DML, 310/671-4345, www.yourcovers.com.