Rancho RS5000, RS9000XL, and RSX Shocks Reviewed

By Steffen Jameson

Rancho shocks are popular upgrades and there are several choices available so it's pretty common to hear customers ask about the difference between the Rancho RS 5000, RS9000XL and RSX shocks. They're all reputable products, yet each is built for different uses and driving experiences. The Rancho RS line of shocks are geared toward the Jeep, truck, and SUV markets especially if the vehicle will be used in off-road conditions.

Rancho RS5000 is the entry-level shock absorber. The RS5000 shock is often installed as a better-than-factory replacement for vehicles with worn out shocks or upgraded suspensions. This shock is also recommended for consumers on a budget. The RS 5000 is designed to provide comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to mild off-road. The result of this is a ride quality that's often bumpier than what the factory shocks provided because firm shocks are ideal for off-road driving and this comes at the sacrifice of some street comfort.

The Rancho RSX shock is an upgrade from the RS5000. The RSX is unique in that it incorporates an automatic "impact-sensing" reflex valve. This valve automatically opens and closes depending on how quickly or slowly the piston is forced in or out. This provides a broader range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to aggressive off-road.

The greatest aspect of the RSX is that each shock is engineered specifically for the vehicle for which it will be installed. This provides optimal performance in concert with the vehicle's weight. The Rancho RSX has a downside in that it's not available for heavy-duty (HD) and super-duty (SD) trucks and larger SUVs (not at this time, anyway). This isn't to say that the RSX can't handle heavy off-road use, because it can. It just can't handle the extreme weight of certain full-size vehicles.

The RS9000XL is a step up from the RSX. The RS9000XL features a manually-tuned valve system that allows the driver complete control of the softness or firmness of the piston movement. This provides the broadest range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to extreme off-road. Ride quality can be set soft for highway driving, medium for city/urban driving, and firm for off-road driving and even towing.

There are nine possible settings so a quality ride can be had by even the pickiest drivers (or their passengers). In addition to manual tuning, an auxiliary RS999705 remote control unit is available that allows the shocks to be adjusted at the touch of a button while the vehicle is parked or in motion. The RS9000XL was designed with today's bigger trucks in mind so in addition to the typical 2-1/8" and 2-3/8" body diameters found on most shocks, the RS9000XL is also available with a 2-3/4" body for select full-size applications.

When selecting the best Rancho shocks for your needs, you'll have to consider your budget and what kind of driving they'll be used for. As expected, RS5000 cost the least, RSX cost approximately 40-50% more, and RS9000XL cost approximately 40-50% more than that. If you're looking to save money or merely replace your old, worn out shocks, the RS5000's will work adequately. If you're still on a budget, but want a ride superior to what an RS5000 offers, then the RSX is recommended. If budget is not an issue, or if you want the best shock available without getting into the "hard-core" off-road shocks, then I recommend the RS9000XL (and the myRIDE wireless remote)! - 21393

About the Author:

If you're looking to buy the RS999705 wireless remote, we recommend you look no further than MY4BY OFF ROAD. They have the largest selection of Rancho quickLIFT shocks and Rancho RS9000XL shocks available online with incredibly competitive prices as well as fast, same-day shipping on orders placed from their website.

Michigan's No Fault Auto Insurance Is A Little Different

By Ryan Morelli

There are some things about Michigan auto insurance that you might not be familiar with if you've only registered cars in other areas in the US. This insurance is legally required in this state, and made up of three major segments. These are residual liability for bodily injury and property damage to others, personal injury insurance and property protection insurance. When registering a car in Michigan, it's important to be able to prove you possess this insurance, since driving without it is illegal.

Michigan's no fault insurance policies provide for full reimbursement of medical costs, and for the money you lose from being injured, up to a three year period. As of 2007, that amount was up to a little over four thousand, five hundred dollars. People who are killed in an accident and have Michigan auto insurance will be paid up to that amount every month for three years, based on the earnings of the person who has died.

When someone is hurt in an accident and can't provide basic family services like housework or maintenance, another twenty dollars per day is available for hiring others to perform these duties. Michigan no fault insurance coverage can be synchronized to an existing disability or health policy to cut premium costs, as long as that policy doesn't come from Medicaid or Medicare. The synchronized policy then becomes the primary payer, and your auto insurance covers only what remains.

Users of Michigan no fault insurance who damage personal property like buildings and fences can have their insurance company pay up to a million dollars for that damage, as well as damage which has been done to correctly parked cars.

The no fault law in Michigan is also useful for protecting people covered by Michigan auto insurance from lawsuits, though there are situations where you can still be sued. If you caused an accident where someone else was seriously hurt or killed, you were involved in an accident with an out of state car, or your accident occurred outside of Michigan, you may still be sued.

You could also be sued for up to five hundred dollars worth of damage to another vehicle if you were more than fifty percent at fault in causing the accident. However, when you're sued or otherwise legally responsible for damages, you'll receive payment up to your coverage limits from your Michigan no fault auto insurance.

There's a minimum requirement of twenty thousand dollars worth of coverage for property damage and bodily injury coverage to handle situations where a person is injured or killed in an accident. For accidents where several people are injured or killed, up to forty thousand dollars of coverage is required. To cover property damage that happens outside of Michigan, you'll need to have up to ten thousand dollars of Michigan auto insurance coverage. Just remember that if the court awards more than this, you'll be responsible for the excess you need to pay.

So what doesn't Michigan no fault insurance cover? Collision insurance, which covers repairs to your car, is not required. Comprehensive insurance is also not mandated by law, and covers damage to your car if it is stolen, or damaged by fire, flood, animals, vandalism, or falling objects. If you are hit by an uninsured motorist and have not voluntarily purchased coverage for this, you will also not be covered by regular Michigan auto insurance. - 21393

About the Author:

If you are thinking of buying online auto insurance, discover how to get dirt cheap auto insurance for Michigan Auto Insurance.

Is it Possible to Find a Rental Cars History?

By Amy Nutt

Most car rental companies normally keep their late-model cars for rent for one to two years after being in service. When the cars are retired from service, they will normally be sold at an auction, through a dealer, or directly from the rental company. When buying a rental car, one can usually get a real good deal. However, like any other vehicle you are interested in buying, it is important to find out the rental car history.

There are a number of benefits to purchasing a rental car. There can be good financing deals, affordable prices, easy access to company maintenance records, factory warranties may still be valid, and there are a variety of makes and models. Many of these companies inspect and maintain their vehicles regularly. and keep them clean and in good mechanical condition. With the many benefits, potential buyers have to consider that the vehicle has been driven by multiple owners so the car may have been mistreated, the vehicle may have high mileage, and there may be some damage.

Before purchasing a rental car you should protect yourself by acquiring a report on the history of the car. You can normally find pot about the history of the car by checking the title. You can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles request a title report giving. You will receive a history of the cars ownership from the date of its first purchase.

You can also find out a rental cars history by acquiring a CarFax report. Each year, CarFax is accessed by millions of people. Vehicle history reports are available for all used cars and light trucks model year from 1981 and later. Once you enter the VIN number, a report is made available about the car from a database of more than 6 billion records. Report is instantly generated from our database of over six billion records. CarFax obtains its data from over 20,000 information sources. This includes: vehicle auctions, fire and police departments, every U.S. and Canadian provincial motor vehicle agencies, plus, collision repair facilities, fleet management and rental agenciesetc.

Vehicle history reports include:

- Odometer readings Normal mileage for a rental is 20,000 - 30,000 miles. - Registration and Title information - Vehicle use (rental, lease, etc.) - Previous owners - Recall repair history. - Accident history, (exterior damage, flood, accident indicators, such as airbag deployments) - State emissions inspection results - Service records - Service Records:

Many companies sell cars out of their rental fleet. It's always best to have a rental car inspected by a mechanic before buying. For more information, contact your local car rental company. Buying a rental vehicle through Budget rental car sales can save you money, and you can own a vehicle with relatively low mileage and possibly some remaining warranty. Be a smart consumer before you buy and think of your rental car purchase as a large purchase, so put in the due diligence first. Reputable car rental companies generally conduct regular maintenance on their vehicles and replace them after only eight to 12 months. - 21393

About the Author:

Canadian owned and operated - Discount car and trucks rental offers a wide variety of vehicle choices for all your car rental and truck rentals requirements with locations from coast to coast.

The Importance Of Truck Bed Covers

By Richard B. Butterfield

People might tell you truck bed covers are a waste of money, but you shouldn't listen to them. In fact, there are many advantages to having them put on your truck, not least of which the extra value it will provide. They really don't cost as much as you think, and in the end, they more than pay for themselves in savings.

When it comes to price, you'll want to look for something that is neither too cheap nor too expensive. You want to be sure you're getting the quality that comes with something higher end, but also keep from going so high end that you spend a lot of money on something that doesn't really provide enough to be worth it.

Cleaning the truck bed can make for a lot of work, but you'll see this reduced greatly if you get a cover to put on it. It speeds up the whole process so that you can get on to other things. Your only concern will be in making sure you get the right cleaning products, not ones that might cause damage to the cover itself.

Though you can pick either a hard-top or soft-top cover, you'll probably want to spend the extra money and go for the former, because they provide the most security. You have to be on edge if you're carrying something that could be very valuable, but now you can lock it up so there's no fear of it being stolen.

The idea of the money you'll save has already been mentioned, but it is the biggest motivation for getting the cover in the first place. At some point, you're going to want to resell the truck, and you'll want it to look as good as possible. The cover will keep the bed looking as good as if you'd just bought it.

Yet another thing you can get might surprise you - a lot of money saved on gas. The cover has a streamlining effect when it comes to your bed. This means that air won't hold you back as much as you drive and you'll get maximum miles per gallon. You could even save as much as ten or fifteen percent when you fill up.

Your cover will likely have a one year warranty, which will be enough in most cases. Investigate wherever you can, especially online, to figure out where you're going to get the best deals. With all the benefits you'll get, it's worth it no matter what you need to pay, both as a short term and long term investment. - 21393

About the Author:

Before you purchase folding truck bed covers go to the retractable truck bed covers guide for more advice and information.

A Rebuilt Engine Can Rebuild Your Car

By Daniel Klee

Smoke rising from any engine can cause a frantic panic. When the motors fried beyond repair, you find yourself at a crossroads wondering what to do next. Is it time to buy a new car? Should you throw this car away?

It all depends on the quality of the car. Chances are, however, if the vehicle is better than your average beater, it's a keeper. It's hard to find a good used car you can rely on, especially for under $1,000.

Yet you can get a rebuilt engine for less than $1,000, sometimes as low as $700 or less. That may still be a chunk of change, but it's cheaper than a new car.

This doesn't have to be the death of the car. Since the Internet has grown, it's easy to find a cheap rebuilt engine that's still very reliable. In fact, most sites offer guarantees to back up their engines, as well as provide a well-documented history so you know what the engine has been through.

Always ask to speak to a sale representative. Just because it's online doesn't mean you shouldn't start a conversation. Experienced leaders in this industry know the motor trade inside and out.

Engines can be complicated. Models differ as well as years. One car might require a V8 engine, another a V6. Some motors have turbo. Other cars have diesel motors. Always make sure you are getting the motor you need when you need it.

Also make sure you can get a price quoted up front. They shouldn't be playing any games. Since the Internet is a buyer's market., it's always best to price compare so you can get the best deal possible.

Shop and compare. Scrutinize the prices on a variety of sites. You just might save yourself a considerable chunk of change. - 21393

About the Author:

The author is a skilled mechanic who realizes the benefits of putting a rebuilt engine into your vehicle and has created various articles relating to choosing the right engine for your vehicle.