Alright i was thinking and maybe there is a thread out there similar to this out there already but for a conversational topic.

When it comes to your truck or any vehicle; what makes you decide between doing the bare minimum of what you have to or actually going that extra step to not only repair but to also improve it.

what are your opinions?
What are specific things you look for that say make you say "it is" or "it isn't worth putting money into"
Perhaps are there basic improvements you do to every vehicle you acquire such as cold air intakes, plug wires, ect.
Anything and everything that weighs your choice.

hope its a good topic
jay

 

I think you need to be more specific at what your looking to improve/repair.

 

im just saying in general.

 

I think it depends on the person, what they want from there vehicle, if they will keep it for a while and what repair it is.

 

It depends on the person, x2.

Me I do this, anything mechanical when replacing the part step up if there is an upgrade part.
If you have heard on a site, that more than one person is having a problem with a particular part and you need to replace it too, look for a better one.
Always replace with a major name brand parts, always specify to use name brand part if you are having the work done for you and double check the part after the work is completed.

Just me...

 

I decide based on cost for the most part.

For example,
On my 6.0l diesel a flawed part is the oil cooler, a factory replacement is about $250. But Bulletproof diesel makes a remote oil cooler that fixes the problem, the problem with it is that it costs $1900. As nice as the BPD kit is I just can't drop $1900 on an oil cooler.....

 

^ Agreed... if it's not much more money to upgrade then I go for it.

 

I don't change things for the fun of it, but I'll usually upgrade when opportunity comes.

Battery dying, time for an Optima.

Tires worn out, go bigger.

Tailpipe rusting out, SS catback.

That's my justification. Now if that tailpipe would just rust out...

 

I usually like upgrading ****...but not repairing ****. So if I can..I upgrade it before it needs repaired. But if it needs repaired, it gets repaired THEN maybe upgraded.


My point is...$$$$$ = truck

 

If it breaks, replacing it with OEM wont make it last any longer the second time.

If its weak and needs or might need to go, upgrade it.

Money spent doing it right the first time, is better then money wasted trying to "Patch it"

any MPG add on is a must, and comfort thing is a must, and any reasonable performance thing is a must. But i wont put drilled rotors on my ranger because thats a waste. productive, sensible, improvements only. Ill replace parts that are worn on my truck before i have a failure. If my battery even begins to get weak, ill have a new one in there. Truck has never let me down, and i feel if i keep up with it, it never will.

 

I chose to buy new skids instead of banging the hell outta them. It was easier and these are better/stronger.

My AC needs to be fixed, I'll get around to it. It doesn't bother me but the GF has asked when im fixing it.

 

I think the guys stated it fairly well above.

A good example from me:

My current + battery terminal (they are kinda small and flimsy) isnt holding on very tight. Its tight enough to stay on there, but I think the threads are slightly stripped for the bolt that tightens the clamp down.

Instead of replacing it with a similar terminal, replaced both of them with bigger, heavy duty terminals.

 

For me it's cost vs effectiveness vs is it really worth it.

 

This pretty much.







If my truck needs fixing or I see it needing fixing in the near future, I'll generally research it. For example, right now I know I'll be in need of an alternator in the near future. My 95a stock 130k alternator is bound to be on her last legs especially seeing what she's putting out at idle with headlights and heater fan on. I plan to upgrade to an Explorer 130a alt at minimum. But presently pondering the thought of a rebuild done by myself with 100w MORE output than the Expo for half the price.

When I had a bearing go out on me which forced me to purchase new rotors, I upped the rotor size to the 03+ size rotors. Superlift knuckles allowed me to do that, so why not!?

Some items, I've upgraded in the past when they needed it, but I've grown to making the truck more driver friendly. I need trans work done, so she'll say goodbye to her Stage II clutch and hello to a stock LUK replacement.


In the end, it kinda depends on the part and my budget at the time, with consideration to possible gains/$$$.

 

Well for my baby, I tend to improve/modify AS I repair.

For the beater, I usually do the bare minimum but maintain it as much as possible (grease, oil changes, etc)

 

I'll call you on this one. The factory brakes on my Ranger aren't fantastic, and going to 33s has me questioning it's braking capacity. It still stops, but when I need a panic stop it's just not impressive.

When it's time for new brake parts (or maybe sooner!) I'll be upgrading the front rotors and pads for something that offers more performance.

 

I milk it along until I don't feel comfortable with the issue anymore, then it gets repaired correctly with quality parts. Having 2 trucks helps too.

 

sometimes it depends on weather upgrading will keep me from having to do it again, such as ball joints. i will pay more for a greaseable ball joint because as long as i grease it, chances are im not ever going to have to replace it again. and id rather not do a ball joint replacement more than once on a vehicle in its lifetime. ive bought better u-joints, just because its a paint to do them & i dont want to have to do that again either. batteries? as long as it has the right cca for the engine, i'll put the cheapest one in i can find. important stuff like brakes i go with a good brand, maybe not top of the line, but not the bargain 16.00 pads either.

 

drilled and slotted rotors don't improve braking capacity. if you do a lot of heavy towing, which you dont, then maybe, or if you race acutocross or something. but you actually have less surface area touching the pad.

 

Well I did not pay any extra for my improvement when I was rebuilding my engine I took a rotozip with the 12" flex tool and polished my upper and lower intake manifold. The welds from the factory looked like **** man air has got to flow better now!

 

Apology's for resurrecting an old thread but I'm almost in the same predicament with my Ranger. Addin wanting a new stereo to match the Bose in my wife new Malibu and maybe upgrading the Alternator is wise.

what did you decide?

 

Upgrade Vs. Replace

The battle we fight with everything we own. Back to the Ranger. I check the review on the upgraded part on youtube. If the upgrade is full of claims. I want to see it in use on youtube by a person that doesn't benifit from my purchase. If I see the benefits and science can back it up. Ok I will do the upgrade. If science and claims are outlandish. Forget the upgraded part. Also. At the time can I afford the upgraded part?

If the cost of the upgraded part is minimal to the factory one. I will upgrade it.

Something I don't upgrade to is LED over light bulbs. The light bulbs last and can dim without worry. The LED's you must get the right kind to DIM. If it comes to off road lights. Does the price in my own opinion match the gain. Also. Do I need that or is it crazy in my opinion.

MPG claims. I watch a dino test on it on youtube. The tests on there are great. If gain is minimal I say no. If it makes the truck sound better And I can afford it I will. If the install is easy is weighed here as well.

Other things I put into thaught. Is the part I'm replacing the original to the truck? If so I lean more to the same part. If the part has been replaced. Then I go to cost and claims. Then backed up by youtube. I also ask questions in here. I always want to learn more.

I hold in one hand science and facts and the other cost at the time.

Hope to have helped.