Gadonet | Do-It-Yourself Articles

The Dune Buggy or Sand Rail?

Sand rails are also known as dune buggies by some enthusiasts, but in reality both names mean the same thing, a custom vehicle that can take on sand and dirt where regular vehicles cannot.

A dune buggy can fall under a wide range of categories that come in many sizes and shapes. In many ways they can look like an oversized go cart, a larger frame with a motor mounted in the rear. They offer two variations in traction, two wheel drive or four wheel drive.

Back in the 1960’s a design came along that revolutionized the industry. The Meyers Manx. Made out of fiberglass and sporting a swooping design with its big front round headlights, the Manx became a popular off road machine. The body would drop onto a VW beetle frame and bolt right up. With a little effort in assembly you could have a dune buggy that would go in the dirt or drive on the street. When people would say dune buggy, they would often say, “oh you have a Meyers Manx.”

In today’s world dune buggies can still be a simple off road machine like the Meyers Manx. Most dune buggies will consist of a frame, roll cage, seats and a motor. They can be assembled by using different parts, various motors and some even come turbo charged for a quicker response through the sand dunes.

Simplified dune buggies are fine for some of the enthusiasts out there, but then you have the more elaborate custom built dune buggy that has all the bells and whistles. They can be outfitted with roofs, GPS, seat heaters, high output V8 motors, seating for 4 people and custom body work. These type of dune buggies can start at $60,000.00 and go well over $100,000.00.

With the help of the internet you can search for a manufacturer that can meet your off road expectations.

Is it Possible to Tow Trailers of Different Heights With the Same Hitch?

Many truck owners who want to tow a trailer have little foresight. They purchase the type of hitch they think will be most compatible with their truck and trailer and either install it or have it installed. Sadly, those same owners often purchase a second trailer later on. This may be a trailer that carries wave runners, it may be a horse trailer, or it may even be a dump-bed trailer. Because the height of trailers can vary, some find that their current hitch, while compatible with one trailer, is not height compatible with others.

It is possible to find hitch receivers that will fit the height requirement of each trailer that you decide to pull. A better solution to this problem, however, is an adjustable or drop hitch. By purchasing this type of hitch, many truck owners find that they are able to have an all-in-one hitch instead of needing to own one for each trailer they intend to pull.

There are many variations when it comes to this type of hitch. Some adjustable hitches have a range of 4inches of drop to 5 inches of rise while others have a larger range spanning a 10 inch drop and an 11 inch rise. Perhaps investing in a hitch with a larger height range will insure that no matter what you choose to tow, your hitch will never let you down.

Knowing Your Heater System

The propane and natural heating systems will burn much cleaner than an oil fuel system. There are much less of a chance of your gas furnace having system breakdowns over the oil fuel heating system, usually the only problems that come up with a gas furnace are electrical, the pilot light or the thermocouple. The thermocouple, reset button, gas valve and pilot light controls are usually housed in the front of the furnace. To be able to check the pilot light on your furnace there is usually an access door at the front of the heater. Some doors will have a small round viewing hole through the door so you can see that the pilot light is lit.

If you need to access the pilot burner, unlatch the door and it should drop down for a clear view of the pilot, thermocouple, reset button, gas valve and burner assembly. Some furnaces will also have a removable panel that covers the burner and pilot. The other component in your heating system you should be familiar with is where the gas shut off valve is located. If you ever smell gas around the heater, turn the valve off and leave a door open for ventilation. You will want to report the gas leak right away to the proper authorities. Now that you know where the basic components are located on your heater it also important to know when to have your heater serviced. Your heater should be serviced once a year by a licensed professional. This will keep your heater running efficiently and extend its life longer.

The 4 Basic Parts In Your Car’s AC System

The air conditioning system in your car has four basic parts, a compressor that is driven by the cars engine, two heat exchangers, the condenser and the evaporator. Then there is the refrigerant that flows through the system.

Here is how the system works. The Freon is compressed, then flows through the condenser where it will be cooled into a liquid then passed through the drier / receiver to remove any moisture. When the Freon goes through the expansion valve the high pressure liquid turns into a vapor and comes out cold as it goes through the evaporator.

Common problems with automotive air conditioners:

There is no air coming out the vents:
1) Defective air conditioner relay
2) Loose or broken connection in wiring
3) Blown A/C fuse
4) Low pressure switch is bad
5) Fan resistor pack if bad

The air conditioner blows warm air out:
1) The actuator for the electronic blend door is not working
2) The air conditioner has a leak in the system
3) Compressor clutch not engaging

Water collects on the interior floor when the air conditioner is on:
The drain hose for the evaporator has come off or disconnected
The evaporator drain hose is blocked. Remove and clear blockage

Air conditioner has a bad smell when on:
The drain hose to the evaporator is restricted or blocked allowing condensation
to build up around the drainage tray and evaporator. Clear the drain hose where it exits the car.

Add Power And Torque To Your Cummins Common Rail Motor

RV parts for diesel motor homes are widely available across the internet. If you are searching for a way to give your Cummins common rail engine in your motor home a boost of horsepower then we have found the answer for you in this article. This module is designed to work with Cummins common rail motors that were manufactured in 2006 until 2014. This module is proven to work with the latest emissions systems without causing limp and regeneration issues by introducing extra soot. The Ultra Power Module is capable of improving your fuel economy, horse power and torque by a simple plug and play module. The performance added to the motor is done by altering the motor’s fuel injection duration and timing. The manufactures of the Ultra Power module have engineered this unit with extreme precautions so that all safety engine measures stay in place.

The Ultra Power Module is a simple plug and play device that has a complete wiring harness that will plug right into your factory style connectors without any modifications or damage to the OEM parts. The added bonus to this module is that it will not increase the exhaust gas temperature of your motor.

Here is a list of what you can expect from the Ultra Power Module

Up to 10% fuel economy gains
Increased torque and horse power
Easy plug and play installation
Will not leave a footprint on the vehicle ECU
Comes with a three year warranty
Works within safe transmission and engine limits
Better throttle response and smoother shifting

The Ultra Power Module comes with 16 different adjustable positions so you can find that ultimate setting for power and economy. This RV part for your Cummins motor is a must for extra horse power and fuel economy.

When Is It Necessary To Change The Oil In My Car?

It is recommended to have your car’s oil and filter changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months whatever happens first. To be sure of the exact time an oil change should occur for your car it is best to refer to the owners manual as each car is different and may have a slightly different schedule. Usually your owner’s manual will list a oil change for severe and normal conditions. Most drivers would probably think they fall under the normal driving condition category, but many daily drivers will fall under the severe driving conditions. If you are driving your car in extreme hot or cold temperatures, driving under 10 miles a day, driving in stop and go traffic, long periods of idling, hauling heavy loads or towing a trailer you have just classified your driving condition to severe.

If you are truly driving you car under normal conditions then you probably could get away with changing your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. But as I mentioned it is always best to refer to your automotive manual that came with the car. For the rest of us, if you find yourself driving your car under one or more of the severe conditions listed then it is best to follow the every 3,000 miles or 3 month rule. Is it necessary to have my air filter changed each time my oil gets changed? Air filters are usually good for about 20,000 to 25,000 miles depending on your driving condition. If you are operating your vehicle in a dusty environment then you will want to change your filter more frequently. Refer to your owners manual for when it is best to change your air filter, but every time you get your oil changed is not necessary.

Lost your car’s owners manual? Check out http://auto.manualsonline.com to find it!

Maintaining And Servicing Your Air Conditioner

Summer is here and before those hot days set in it is time to have your annual checkup on your air conditioning unit. If you ignore the yearly inspection and cleaning, your A/C system will have a better chance of breaking down, stop working entirely or even worse, need replacement. The biggest problem that occurs in your air conditioning system is dirt. Dirt in your system will lower its efficiency to cool air, use more electricity than is required and wear parts at a faster rate. Another important service tip is to have the system lubricated and check the belt to see if it needs adjusting. Whatever type of air conditioning unit you have, you do not want to wait until those hot summers days are here and your A/C unit does not want to come on.

When your air conditioner is adjusted properly and clean it will save you money and extend the life of your system. A typical annual A/C service usually cost around $100.00 to perform which is much cheaper than having to replace it with a new air conditioner because of lack of maintenance and service. So do not wait until the hot weather hits and you are without a working air conditioner, have your A/C unit checked out and serviced to keep it running efficiently through the hot days approaching us.

Basic Car Brake Maintenance

If you have basic mechanic skills then doing your own brake inspection will not be as hard as it sounds (Unless you want a professional to do it. Find a local repair shop by searching online for something like Brake Repair San Diego) Your car brakes are made up of 5 main components. It consist of the master brake cylinder, calipers, rotors, brake drums (mainly in older vehicles) brake pads and brake lines.

The braking system in your car operates hydraulically which means that is uses brake fluid to transfer the pushing of your foot on the pedal to the brakes on your wheel. So here is the first thing you want to inspect, the master cylinder. The master brake cylinder is attached to the firewall underneath the hood of your car. Here you can inspect brake fluid levels and check if there is any dirt built up around the master cylinder.

Next you will want to inspect the brake calipers, pads and rotors. These 3 components work together to make sure your car stops. You will want to inspect them for signs of damage or wear. In order to properly inspect these three components it is best to remove the wheel so a full inspection can be made. If you can see that there is only 1/8 inch of pad left on the brakes, then it is time to get them replaced before real damage is done to your braking system. If your brake pads get to the point where they are worn they will usually make a squealing noise to let you know it is time to have your brakes replaced.

When having your brakes worked on it is important to find a qualified automotive technician. Make sure they are using quality or OEM brake replacement parts to guarantee your braking system will last. Many companies can be found in your area by doing an internet search. For example typing in will bring up many automotive repair shops that offer this type of work.