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I bought a Corvette for my anniversary. But it wasn’t a happy experience…

My girlfriend Michelle and I were due to celebrate our 3rdanniversary and I wanted to do something really special. I didn’t just want to get some standard gift that showed no thought, but rather something that she would really like and that came from the heart. I thought about it for a long time, going over every possibility, but still couldn’t come up with anything.

Finally I asked my friend Tim for his advice and he hit upon the perfect present: a kitten! Michelle has a real soft spot for animals. She is a lifetime member of PETA, a vegan and she is routinely involved with violent anti-fur protests at fashion shows. She’s even nice to Jimbo, my pet boa constrictor…(foreshadowing…) A kitten would be just the thing.

So I went to the pet store and searched through cage after cage until I found a pitiful hairball that would melt even a heart of stone. I fed it and put ribbon around its neck and put it in a box. I made sure that I cut sufficient airholes to prevent suffocation.

Michelle was due at 5pm and it was 4:30. I looked at the shaking box and said to myself, “you done good.”  When Michelle walked in, I wordlessly handed her the mewing box. She opened it and cried for joy.

“I love it!” she shouted. She hugged me and said she was going upstairs to change for our dinner out.

Feeling well pleased with myself, I performed a jaunty dance on my way back to the living room. Then I stopped in shock. Jimbo, my snake, was in the room and there was a suspicious bulge in his midsection.

“No!” I screamed to the heavens. In desperation I tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver but Jimbo would have none of it. He merely belched and looked bored with the proceedings.

 I had to do something quick.

I tossed Jimbo aside and flew out the front door. Tim would have the answer! I ran across the street and over to his house and banged on his door. When he heard the situation he looked grave.

“There’s only one thing to do man,” he said, “A real relationship is built upon a firm foundation of honesty. You have to bite the bullet and tell her the truth.”

“Never!” I screamed and I knocked Tim out. I leapt into his nearby yellow Corvette and floored the gas.

In about 20 seconds I reached the pet store and begged them for a look-alike kitty. Luckily, they happened to have my kitten’s identical twin in stock, and I was soon off again racing back home. I made it back just in time, Michelle was just finishing getting dressed.

I quickly tied Jimbo in a knot and threw him in the garbage can to hide the evidence.
Just as Michelle emerged I flung the kitten into the gift box with a powerful overhand throw.

“Hey baby,” I said innocently.

Michelle’s eyes widened in surprise. She was looking past me, out of the front window into the driveway, where a certain yellow sports car was still idling…

“I don’t believe it!” she yelled. “You bought me a new Corvette!”

I groaned. This was going to be very tricky…

I guess I’ll have to cash in my life savings and buy the Corvette from Tim. But at least the car will come with some great K & N parts and a couple good AFE Air Filters.

Want a distinct height advantage over your buddy’s truck? Planning to off-road as a means of getting around growing traffic congestion in your area? Want to make it harder for fat chicks, old ladies and pesky midgets to get into your rig? If any of these sound like your battle plan, you need a lift kit, son. We’ll help you sort it out.

If your rig is still riding around at stock height, you need a lift—and fast. See, modern trucks are pretty much made for sporting a big set of rubber right off the assembly line. With the original donut size barely filling your wheel wells, your truck looks like an elephant standing on a stool. So, to fit the big tires that make your rig look right, you need more clearance, and that’s exactly what a lift kit gives you. In short, your rig plus a lift kit plus big tires and wheels equals awesome.

Okay, so you’re saying that the idea’s great, but you’re probably wondering how a lift kit gets it done without busting under pressure or causing other problems, the way your neighbor’s homemade job did. A true lift kit modifies your truck’s suspension in any number of ways, depending on your factory gear. If you have leaf springs in the rear, count on some add-a-leaf inserts to the pack. Coil springs, in front or rear, are usually replaced by taller springs, thick spring seat spacers or both. Torsion bar suspensions usually substitute longer bars or tuned torsion keys. Plus, you may end up with new control arms, a-arms and steering components that relate your new height to the stock handling feel.

Now that you know how a lift kit works, let’s look at the bigger boys making these badass toys. This should make picking the parts of your project a bit easier. We’ll start with one of the most recognizable names in lift kits: Skyjacker. Contrary to what you might think, the guys at Skyjacker aren’t into hijacking planes at extreme heights. Rather, they make great lift kits with all-around capability. They’re tough off-road, smooth on-road, and look clean everywhere. Next up is Rancho, a brand with plenty of cred in the truck world. Rancho is the off-road suspension arm of the same automotive giant that makes Monroe shocks, only Rancho parts are like Monroes on some kind of injectable substance pro athletes don’t even know about yet. And then there’s Trailmaster, a company that takes a careful approach to the design of each kit. You’ll be grateful later when you’re not pulling a defective part out of a cheapo lift kit and sending it back. Also, Trailmaster’s shocks have quite a reputation.

Once you pick a kit from one of these choice brands, be sure to grab a pro installer for this job. You don’t want your cousin’s shaky 10-beer hands and rusty tools handling the fate of your rig’s stability. As soon as the kit’s in place, you’ll be cruising any terrain, sitting level (most lift kits get rid of the factory rear rake), and lookin’ mean. Parking barriers will provide the same resistance as a Twinkie. No hill or bump will ever high-center your rig. Nobody will want you to help them move (lifting a fridge an extra 6”-10” higher is a no-go). And, when traffic grinds to a stifled clog, you can make your own lane. In other words, you’ve been living too long without a lift kit already.

Browse brands like Skyjacker lift kits, Rancho lift kits and Trailmaster lift kits to give your rig the right stance and leave your friends in low places.

You love your car just the way it is. But a great car can always be made better, especially with the right choice of accessories.

Cars often come equipped with various upgrades and accessories straight from the factory. But often owners look at their stock vehicle and begin to think to themselves: why can’t I upgrade this vehicle? Well you can! There are a huge number of minor upgrades that can be made to any car to increase comfort and appearance. And though the accessories may not explicitly increase the value of the car, but the perception of the vehicle may change after the upgrade, and the car may sell for more (if up for sale).
One great add-on to consider is as wood dash kit. A dash kit can add a great sense of style to an ordinary vehicle. Though most dash kits are not actually wood, with the proper installation against the existing dash, an impressive wood grain look can be conveyed. Many dash kits have individual sticker-like components which can be applied directly to the existing dash. A careful application can totally transform the look and feel of a vehicle’s interior.
Another great add on are car seat covers, which are one of the easiest accessories to add to a car. Styles range from fluffy, expensive sheepskin to form fitting waterproof covers, perfect to throw a wetsuit on. Certain types of car seat covers can also be used to protect the vehicle’s interior from damage and stains caused by pets.
The exterior of the car cannot be ignored. Even the coolest model vehicle will be ignored unless buffed and waxed to a glossy shine. There is a huge variety in washing and cleaning supplies ranging from waxes and glazes.
Some manufacturers who make exterior products have a range of products for the interior as well. Grime and buildup are common especially in ‘high traffic’ areas if the vehicle. Upholstery, glass surfaces, window seals, door seal. A proper leather cleaner should also be employed for the maximum clean. It is also important to find the best possible wiping materials, whether wiping towels, microwipes, or chamois cloths. You know that old stained, grimy cloth you keep in the trunk of your car? Before using it, think twice! You may inadvertently scratch your surface.
Other car cleaners which are less often considered are engine compartment and tire cleaners. The average engine and tires are extremely filthy, and they are often ignored by the average motorist who is usually more concerned about exterior shine. The outside of a vehicle may be glossy, but the engine surface gets dirty very quickly and should not be neglected. Expensive tire cleaners for example, can contain a variety of ingredients which make them sound more like health and beauty products. These ingredients include cocoa butter, avocado oil, clove oil and coconut oil. The main benefit is the restoration of many of the natural oils found in rubber—oils which prevent drying out an leave the tire looking naturally shiny. Engine cleaners can be diluted or used directly to remove grime and oil buildup. These cleaners too contain such exotic ingredients such as lemon rind oil and grapefruit rind oil.
With such choice, available, the true car enthusiast has no excuse to not invest in quality interior accessories.

Make sure you check out dash kits,seat covers and Zymol

You love your car just the way it is. But a great car can always be made better, especially with the right choice of accessories.

Cars often come equipped with various upgrades and accessories straight from the factory. But often owners look at their stock vehicle and begin to think to themselves: why can’t I upgrade this vehicle? Well you can! There are a huge number of minor upgrades that can be made to any car to increase comfort and appearance. And though the accessories may not explicitly increase the value of the car, but the perception of the vehicle may change after the upgrade, and the car may sell for more (if up for sale).
One great add-on to consider is as wood dash kit. A dash kit can add a great sense of style to an ordinary vehicle. Though most dash kits are not actually wood, with the proper installation against the existing dash, an impressive wood grain look can be conveyed. Many dash kits have individual sticker-like components which can be applied directly to the existing dash. A careful application can totally transform the look and feel of a vehicle’s interior.
Another great add on are car seat covers, which are one of the easiest accessories to add to a car. Styles range from fluffy, expensive sheepskin to form fitting waterproof covers, perfect to throw a wetsuit on. Certain types of car seat covers can also be used to protect the vehicle’s interior from damage and stains caused by pets.
The exterior of the car cannot be ignored. Even the coolest model vehicle will be ignored unless buffed and waxed to a glossy shine. There is a huge variety in washing and cleaning supplies ranging from waxes and glazes.
Some manufacturers who make exterior products have a range of products for the interior as well. Grime and buildup are common especially in ‘high traffic’ areas if the vehicle. Upholstery, glass surfaces, window seals, door seal. A proper leather cleaner should also be employed for the maximum clean. It is also important to find the best possible wiping materials, whether wiping towels, microwipes, or chamois cloths. You know that old stained, grimy cloth you keep in the trunk of your car? Before using it, think twice! You may inadvertently scratch your surface.
Other car cleaners which are less often considered are engine compartment and tire cleaners. The average engine and tires are extremely filthy, and they are often ignored by the average motorist who is usually more concerned about exterior shine. The outside of a vehicle may be glossy, but the engine surface gets dirty very quickly and should not be neglected. Expensive tire cleaners for example, can contain a variety of ingredients which make them sound more like health and beauty products. These ingredients include cocoa butter, avocado oil, clove oil and coconut oil. The main benefit is the restoration of many of the natural oils found in rubber—oils which prevent drying out an leave the tire looking naturally shiny. Engine cleaners can be diluted or used directly to remove grime and oil buildup. These cleaners too contain such exotic ingredients such as lemon rind oil and grapefruit rind oil.
With such choice, available, the true car enthusiast has no excuse to not invest in quality interior accessories.

Make sure you check out dash kits,seat covers and Zymol

You love your car just the way it is. But a great car can always be made better, especially with the right choice of accessories.

Cars often come equipped with various upgrades and accessories straight from the factory. But often owners look at their stock vehicle and begin to think to themselves: why can’t I upgrade this vehicle? Well you can! There are a huge number of minor upgrades that can be made to any car to increase comfort and appearance. And though the accessories may not explicitly increase the value of the car, but the perception of the vehicle may change after the upgrade, and the car may sell for more (if up for sale).
One great add-on to consider is as wood dash kit. A dash kit can add a great sense of style to an ordinary vehicle. Though most dash kits are not actually wood, with the proper installation against the existing dash, an impressive wood grain look can be conveyed. Many dash kits have individual sticker-like components which can be applied directly to the existing dash. A careful application can totally transform the look and feel of a vehicle’s interior.
Another great add on are car seat covers, which are one of the easiest accessories to add to a car. Styles range from fluffy, expensive sheepskin to form fitting waterproof covers, perfect to throw a wetsuit on. Certain types of car seat covers can also be used to protect the vehicle’s interior from damage and stains caused by pets.
The exterior of the car cannot be ignored. Even the coolest model vehicle will be ignored unless buffed and waxed to a glossy shine. There is a huge variety in washing and cleaning supplies ranging from waxes and glazes.
Some manufacturers who make exterior products have a range of products for the interior as well. Grime and buildup are common especially in ‘high traffic’ areas if the vehicle. Upholstery, glass surfaces, window seals, door seal. A proper leather cleaner should also be employed for the maximum clean. It is also important to find the best possible wiping materials, whether wiping towels, microwipes, or chamois cloths. You know that old stained, grimy cloth you keep in the trunk of your car? Before using it, think twice! You may inadvertently scratch your surface.
Other car cleaners which are less often considered are engine compartment and tire cleaners. The average engine and tires are extremely filthy, and they are often ignored by the average motorist who is usually more concerned about exterior shine. The outside of a vehicle may be glossy, but the engine surface gets dirty very quickly and should not be neglected. Expensive tire cleaners for example, can contain a variety of ingredients which make them sound more like health and beauty products. These ingredients include cocoa butter, avocado oil, clove oil and coconut oil. The main benefit is the restoration of many of the natural oils found in rubber—oils which prevent drying out an leave the tire looking naturally shiny. Engine cleaners can be diluted or used directly to remove grime and oil buildup. These cleaners too contain such exotic ingredients such as lemon rind oil and grapefruit rind oil.
With such choice, available, the true car enthusiast has no excuse to not invest in quality interior accessories.

Make sure you check out dash kits,seat covers and Zymol

You love your car just the way it is. But a great car can always be made better, especially with the right choice of accessories.

Cars often come equipped with various upgrades and accessories straight from the factory. But often owners look at their stock vehicle and begin to think to themselves: why can’t I upgrade this vehicle? Well you can! There are a huge number of minor upgrades that can be made to any car to increase comfort and appearance. And though the accessories may not explicitly increase the value of the car, but the perception of the vehicle may change after the upgrade, and the car may sell for more (if up for sale).
One great add-on to consider is as wood dash kit. A dash kit can add a great sense of style to an ordinary vehicle. Though most dash kits are not actually wood, with the proper installation against the existing dash, an impressive wood grain look can be conveyed. Many dash kits have individual sticker-like components which can be applied directly to the existing dash. A careful application can totally transform the look and feel of a vehicle’s interior.
Another great add on are car seat covers, which are one of the easiest accessories to add to a car. Styles range from fluffy, expensive sheepskin to form fitting waterproof covers, perfect to throw a wetsuit on. Certain types of car seat covers can also be used to protect the vehicle’s interior from damage and stains caused by pets.
The exterior of the car cannot be ignored. Even the coolest model vehicle will be ignored unless buffed and waxed to a glossy shine. There is a huge variety in washing and cleaning supplies ranging from waxes and glazes.
Some manufacturers who make exterior products have a range of products for the interior as well. Grime and buildup are common especially in ‘high traffic’ areas if the vehicle. Upholstery, glass surfaces, window seals, door seal. A proper leather cleaner should also be employed for the maximum clean. It is also important to find the best possible wiping materials, whether wiping towels, microwipes, or chamois cloths. You know that old stained, grimy cloth you keep in the trunk of your car? Before using it, think twice! You may inadvertently scratch your surface.
Other car cleaners which are less often considered are engine compartment and tire cleaners. The average engine and tires are extremely filthy, and they are often ignored by the average motorist who is usually more concerned about exterior shine. The outside of a vehicle may be glossy, but the engine surface gets dirty very quickly and should not be neglected. Expensive tire cleaners for example, can contain a variety of ingredients which make them sound more like health and beauty products. These ingredients include cocoa butter, avocado oil, clove oil and coconut oil. The main benefit is the restoration of many of the natural oils found in rubber—oils which prevent drying out an leave the tire looking naturally shiny. Engine cleaners can be diluted or used directly to remove grime and oil buildup. These cleaners too contain such exotic ingredients such as lemon rind oil and grapefruit rind oil.
With such choice, available, the true car enthusiast has no excuse to not invest in quality interior accessories.

Make sure you check out dash kits,seat covers and Zymol

This is the tale of young Phillip Thorpe, a small boy with a big idea…

Phillip Thorpe grew up in a small house in a small town in the small state of Rhode Island.  He had two brothers, two sisters, two cats, two dogs, two fish, and one thing on his mind… 

For as long has he could remember, life for Phillip could only be described as small. He didn’t play sports.  He didn’t do magic tricks.  He definitely didn’t have a girlfriend.  Actually, Phillip didn’t do much of anything.  He cruised through life under the radar—and that’s how he preferred it.  When it came to picking teams for dodge ball, there was the overly obese kid who got picked last and then there was Phillip; not even last pick, not even a pick at all.  In fact, if you went through the family photo album you wouldn’t find a single clear image of him—just cropped heads, obstructing arms and blurred faces. 

On summer breaks, Phillip would go for weeks without leaving his room.  And the whole time everyone was always too busy with their own lives to wonder, “Where is Phillip Thorpe?”  Little did they know, Phillip was diligently working on his special project—spending hours upon hours in the garage.

Since Phillip’s family was broken into pairs, every group had their own space.  Phillip’s two brothers, Tim and Tom, had their own room with bunks beds and everything from basketballs to BB guns. Tara and Tonya had a pink and yellow room, daintily decorated with dolls and daisies.  Even the cats and dogs had a section in the basement for their little litter boxes and puppy pads.

Life in the Thorpe household was loud—a little too much noise for that small house.  Phillip was usually surrounded by screaming siblings, barking dogs, and yelling parents so even if he did want to say something, no one would hear him. 

Birthdays came and went and Phillip awkwardly grew into his teenage years.  But what was he always doing in that garage?  Behind that paint-chipped, partly smashed dilapidated old garage door was Phillip’s workshop.  Harold Thorpe, Phillip’s father, was a mechanic—and a packrat.  He would bring home flawed spare parts and pieces that weren’t fit for customers and throw them in the garage.  And these parts became Phillip’s toys.  He would connect mufflers to steering wheels and mirrors to bumpers.  A lot of his creations looked like something you would, and should, find in a dumpster. 

But one day Phillip started making his own muffler—piecing together the biggest pipes he could find because Phillip knew one thing from having a mechanic as a father; the bigger the muffler, the louder the sound. 

The time had finally come.  Phillip turned seventeen.  He could drive.  He could escape his house of lunatics. He could have freedom.  But on the day of his seventeenth birthday, there was no cake, no candles, no presents—there was nothing.  His family had forgotten once again.  “Surely they will remember my 17th birthday,” Phillip thought.  But he was wrong, they didn’t.

That night, when everyone had gone to bed, Phillip took the keys for his dad’s car and went to the garage.  He pulled out his tools—saws and screwdrivers—and went to work on putting his muffler on his unsuspecting father’s car.  He finally finished are 3am.  Covered in grease and sweat, Phillip stepped back and marveled at his creation.  He now knew what he had to do.  Phillip slid those keys into the ignition and with a flick of the wrist a loud roar of the engine rung through the night.  “Wow,” he muttered, the only word that had left his mouth in years.  He revved the engine, filling the air with a deafening growl.  At this point, every light in the Thorpe’s house lit up.  One by one, his whole family poured out onto the front lawn to see what all the commotion was.  Phillip had done it.  He had created the loudest muffler known to man.  And boy did it feel good.  This was the first time the family saw Phillip smile, ever.

Phillip turned his head towards his parents, winked his left eye, and peeled off into the night; leaving that small town without ever glancing in the rearview mirror.

What became of young Phillip you ask? He currently owns a company called Injen that sells Mufflers—and still has that smile on his face. –Mike Rosania

Shelling out $75 to fill my truck is about as much fun as getting kicked in the crotch.  Luckily, I have discovered a few fuel saver tips to keep that hard-earned cash in my wallet.

The key to cutting down your gas bill isn’t driving less. It’s getting better gas mileage when you are driving. And the really astonishing thing: You can actually get better performance at the same time.
There are several changes you can make to improve your gas mileage. Some of these modifications have to do with aerodynamics. Other changes have to do with your engine and exhaust system. And still others have to do with your tires.

Let’s start on the outside, with aerodynamics. Automakers spend a lot of time in the wind tunnel testing vehicles to improve their coefficient of drag–i.e., to lessen their wind resistance. That’s because it takes power to push something big like a car or truck through the air. It literally has to push aside all the air that’s in front of it as it moves down the road.

If you’re like me and dive a pick up truck, you typically can make the biggest gains when it comes to aerodynamics. That’s because air flows into a pickup’s bed and runs smack into the tailgate, causing a lot of resistance. To reduce wind resistance, you can drive around with your tailgate down, as some people do. Or you can remove your solid metal tailgate and replace it with a tailgate net, so the air can flow right on through. An air gate operates under the same principle, but it’s made from metal tubing or mesh, instead of vinyl netting. Another option is to install a tonneau cover or a truck cap. Not only do these products smooth the airflow over your bed, they also can provide lots of secure storage space.

I wouldn’t waste my money on spoilers and ground effects kits. Although these products originally were designed to improve aerodynamics on race cars, many will make your vehicle look racy rather than reducing wind resistance.
Your tires are another story. Smaller, narrower tires wouldn’t be as safe because they produce less friction against the pavement and determine how much control you have when it’s time to steer or brake. However, if your tires are running low on air, they’re pulling money out of your pocket. That’s because tires that are underinflated reduce fuel economy–and they also wear out faster.

Also, if you make your engine more efficient, it will produce more power and get better gas mileage at the same time. Here’s how it works: An engine that burns 90 percent of the air and fuel mixture is much more efficient than one that burns 60 percent. It therefore will make more power from the same amount of fuel–because what isn’t burned in the combustion process becomes waste and gets sent out your tailpipe. So, a more efficient engine is not only more powerful, it gets better fuel economy.

One way you can make an engine more efficient is to improve the spark to your engine, so it burns the air and fuel mixture better. You also can make a motor more efficient by reducing internal friction, so it doesn’t have to work as hard. One way to reduce friction within an engine is to run a high-quality–or synthetic–motor oil.

High-quality oil control products, like a good oil pan and a windage tray, also make an engine’s life easier. That’s because the crankshaft at the bottom of your engine is spinning incredibly fast. It sits right above the oil pan, which is where oil returns to after it has lubricated your engine. If the oil keeps splashing back up onto the crankshaft, it’s harder for the crankshaft to turn. It’s kind of like taking a walk on the beach: It’s pretty easy to walk on the wet sand at the edge of the water, but if you try to walk through the water, it takes a lot more energy. Any time you can conserve your engine’s energy, it takes less fuel to power your vehicle.

Lots of other performance products can improve an engine’s performance and fuel economy, too, including a high-flow intake system and a free-flowing exhaust. It’s easy to understand why improvements to the intake system help: If you’ve ever tried drinking a really thick milkshake through a straw, you know how hard it can be to pull that fluid through an opening that’s too restrictive. Your engine may be feeling the same way about incoming air.Exhaust system changes work pretty much the same way: If your engine is trying to force its spent gases out through an opening that’s too small, it’s wasting energy. Plus, if there’s too much backpressure, some exhaust may remain inside your engine, which means there isn’t as much room for fresh air and fuel to be burned, so you’re making less power.

A number of modifications can improve your fuel economy. I recommend starting with a louvered 5th wheel tail gate. And if you have big tires, add aftermarket fender flares from Bushwacker. You could get a ticket if your wheels protrude out of your wheel well. –Mike Rosania

As with any new product, I like to see if it will withstand the test of time. Many new products come and go, creating hype and quickly fading a few months later, never to be heard from again.  Are truck tents a good idea?

Do you enjoy the outdoors, but aren’t as earthy crunchy as you used to be? Did your girlfriend kick you out for the night?  Whatever the case, turn your vehicle into comfortable sleeping quarters with a truck tent.

When I first heard about truck tents I remember thinking, “What a great idea!” Too bad I don’t have a truck.  Luckily, there are tents built for every type of vehicle. Now you don’t need a camper to go camping. 

Truck tents are made specifically for pick up trucks.  But how can a tent accommodate both an F350 and a Ranger?  The tents come in different sizes so they are custom designed for each truck.  These tents sit in the actual truck bed.  I found that the biggest advantage of these tents is you don’t have to deal with dirt, sand, and other elements getting in your tent. 

There aren’t any doormats to wipe your feet on when you’re camping.  I can’t stand tracking dirt into my house and I certainly don’t want mud in my sleeping bag.  My girlfriend isn’t a fan of dirty living areas either.  So if you’re trying to convince a chick to go camping, this may be your winning argument.

Ever been camping, enjoying a picturesque day, when all of a sudden those evil unexpected rain clouds roll in? No need to worry with a truck tent. With your bed elevated, you won’t wake up in a puddle and won’t get your tent dirty.  I love the outdoors, but even I hate dealing with muddy gear.

They also make tents that work with your SUV or Minivan. In my opinion, these aren’t as beneficial as the truck tents.  SUV tents sit on the ground like a regular tent.  Although they provide less protection from nature, they allow you to access and utilize your vehicle’s interior with out leaving the tent. 

Nowadays, every vehicle comes with a great sound system.  Some are even equipped with DVD players and video game systems.  Minivan tents sit behind the vehicle and attach to your open trunk area, fusing the tent space with your vehicle’s interior, which can then serve as a bedroom or an extra cargo area.  Unexpected rain doesn’t have to ruin your day.  Pop in a CD and enjoy quality tunes while you stay dry.

They even make tents for hatchbacks!  With recent popularity of such cars as the Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and the Mazda 3 hatchbacks have really made a comeback. I don’t know how long it will last, but at least companies are including them in their accessory design.  These tents work along the same lines as the SUV tent, converting your vehicles cargo area into a massive storage space or an exclusive sleeping area.

Heck, you can even hunt from a truck tent.  One company makes a camouflage tent so you can discreetly blend into the surrounding environment.  Wow. You don’t even need to leave you car to go hunting now.  What will they think of next?

Overall, I think truck tents are a good product.  If you have ever been to a K.O.A campground, you know it camping isn’t as exciting as you once thought.  I don’t consider having a pool, game room, and another camper ten feet away camping.  You will encounter lot of people are just looking to get away to the “outdoors” for a weekend. 

If you’ve never seen Truck Tents, I really recommend at least checking them out. If you’re worried about it taking up space, don’t fret. Mine fits right in my Dee Zee tool box. – Mike Rosania

Sure, auto deflectors may not be a strong as a Star Wars-grade shield founded on potent imperial technology. But, they can push aside most of the things that come flying at your ride. Where’s the breaking point? Follow us as we test it out with some common household items.

We’ve equipped my 88 CRX with bug deflectors for the hood line, and vent visors for the windows now. Each is made from what appears to be thick, hardened plastic molded specifically for this vehicle. We torqued the installation bolts pretty tight on the hood piece, and pressed hard on the mounting tape for the window sections. Now we’re ready for battle.

First up: some bugs. Is there a bug that might break a bug deflector? Maybe in Texas or something like that, but we’ll test the deflectors against a barrage of small ones instead. That requires a dusk drive through any field near my Central Valley home, where the gnats can block the sun during the spring, until the first 90° day causes their fragile bodies to vaporize. A quick run around the local hay field turns the once smoke-colored deflectors speckled black—the gut bag explosions even have a glitter effect. But, the forces of bug infestations have failed to pierce this armor. We’ll use this as the control of our experiment.

Next up: rocks. From about 60 feet away, we fired rocks at the deflectors, varying in size from tiny pebbles to some of my mom’s decorative garden stones. The first round of pebbles failed to faze the bug deflector, which fared much better than my paint above and below the hood section. Surprisingly, the medium rocks bounced off the deflector without leaving cracks…in the deflector, anyway. My Honda logo is toast. We finally compromised the deflector’s defensive powers with a larger rock, sized 7 pounds. It took the right corner completely off, but the paint ended up unblemished.

Impressive so far, but it’s time to really put these shields to the test with something far more likely to actually happen on I-5. We did the only thing we could think of: grab our water balloon launcher and some driving range golf balls. Firing from about 100 feet away, we completely busted the bug shield in half. This was on our fifth fire; the other four skimmed off the hood and pitted my windshield, blasted the side-view, knocked my rearview glue loose, and the last one came flying off the front bumper and right back at us.

Then, it was time for some all-out destruction. So we followed the lead of something else that happens all the time on freeways here, and grabbed all the rotted lumber we could find on the side yard. With my buddy Beetle driving his S-10 in front of us on a county road, Mench laid flat down in the bed, chucking boards and plywood pieces at random intervals about three car lengths ahead of us. I managed to dodge the first two, and the remaining pieces of the deflector bounced the first plywood scrap, but the muddy 2×4 he threw third left only a few circles of plastic and the bolts attached to my hood. The deflector was dead.

The results of our test were pretty clear: destroying stuff for no good reason kicks ass. And, for the most part, a deflector will get ravaged pretty easily, but it’s better than having your hood get ravaged instead. Why, you ask, would we wreck a set of perfectly good deflectors and abuse such a hot tuner car? We hate rice rockets, our Grandma gave me the deflectors as though it’s what I really wanted for my birthday, and things suck in the Central Valley during Spring Break when you can’t afford to go anywhere except Waterworld.

Bug deflectors are bound to fail you when they get hit, and we still have no clue what a vent visor is for. - David S. Brooks