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Now that winter’s run its course; it’s time to get your Jeep in tip-top shape for spring. Are you ready for daily joy rides or weekend trail rides in your beloved rig? Whether you spend most of your time on- or off-road, five of the top Jeep upgrades suit all budgets and interests.

Related: Best Snow Tires for Trucks

The 5 Jeep Upgrades for Spring

1. Upgrading Rims & Tires

Rims and tires give your Jeep its distinctive look and enhance its performance. If you’re an off-roader, there’s nothing like a set of aggressive-looking tires to help you gain traction and control on all kinds of terrains. When it comes to choosing the right Jeep wheels and tires for your model, bear in mind the following features:

• Correct tread depth
• Rubber studs
• Structural design
• Well-reinforced flanks

As you can imagine, the prices of rims and tires vary wildly, depending upon materials, design, add-ons, and brand, such as BF Goodrich. Browse tire buying guides for help in making your purchasing decision, and don’t forget to ask your local Jeep store experts for assistance.

2. Off-Roading Suspension

Shock absorbers are an excellent upgrade for your Jeep, especially when you spend lots of time off-road. If you’ve let your current shock absorbers take a beating, it may be time to check out some aftermarket shocks that can offer your vehicle more protection and a much-needed boost to navigate rocky terrain.

Generally, shock absorber kits run from around $100 to more than $1,000. Look for brands such as Bilstein, Daystar, ReadyLift and Skyjacker.

3. Roll Cages & Components

A good roll cage keeps a Jeep from collapsing on itself if it turns over. If you take your Jeep off-roading and you like to step up your driving game regularly, a roll cage may be an excellent investment for you.

Depending on the model and brand you choose, a roll cage kit can run from hundreds to more than a thousand dollars. Famous brands such as Bestop, Poison Spyder, Smittybilt, and Warrior manufacture a variety of kits to fit your Jeep.

4. Lift Kits

A lift kit raises your Jeep’s height and provides extra clearance when you’re off-roading. Jeep Wrangler lift kits allow you to clear obstacles in your way and avoid the high costs associated with undercarriage and body damage.

Lift kits generally provide from one to five inches or more of clearance. Trusted brands such as Alloy USA, Fabtech, Mopar, and Rancho make a variety of kits.

5. Brake Rotors and Pads

When you feel your Jeep juddering when slowing to a stop or hear squealing noises, it may be time to replace your brake pads and rotors.

Whether you buy rotors and pads separately or in one handy kit, you can expect to pay out from $50 to hundreds of dollars. Choose products from Alloy USA, Power Stop, TRQ Performance, and XtremeStop.

Have these five Jeep upgrades captured your interest? If so, check out your local Jeep or 4×4 center for many more ideas on how to upgrade your rig. Additionally, browse Jeep Gladiator aftermarket parts and accessories for even more ideas.

Problems regarding Active Fuel Management aren’t very uncommon regardless of it being designed to be helpful. This technology was made to increase mileage but has gone to show cons that may outweigh the pros in many cases. 

This leads to today’s main concern: is active fuel management bad? The answer may vary from case to case, but let’s look at everything you need to know about it to conclude whether you should get it installed. So, without any further ado, let’s jump right into our discussion.

What is Active Fuel Management?

Commonly known as AFM, Active Fuel Management is a technology that was made to increase the fuel mileage of engines. When installed in your vehicle, this piece of tech will turn off half the cylinders of your engine. So, your V8 engine will turn into V4 when the AFM is installed and activated. In this way, you will get better fuel mileage but with less power. 

The mechanism of AFM is a bit complex, and it’s not our primary concern today. So, let’s head on to discussing whether it is good or bad.

Is Active Fuel Management Bad?

As we have said before, issues with AFM are very commonly seen, which is why a lot of people often deactivate AFM with the help of a range active fuel management disable device. Regardless of the promise of improved fuel mileage that the AFM makes, it doesn’t seem to be that effective in practical usage. 

Read more: How to Disable Active Fuel Management System: A Complete Discussion!

If you’re one of those people whose AFM works without any complications, then you will be saving a good amount of money by reducing the amount of fuel usage and can get up to 7% increased mileage. However, keep in mind that this isn’t always the case, so tread at your own risk.

Common Problems with AFM 

There are quite a few issues that people face when they have AFM activated. We have written out some of the most common ones below:

1. Excessive Consumption of Oil

Although AFM is supposed to improve fuel mileage, it can result in the excessive consumption of fuel. As you may know, when too much oil is being consumed, there are many problems you may face. The parts of your engine may start to wear and tear, which will ultimately damage your engine, and the repair cost will certainly be harsh on your wallet. 

In some extreme cases, you may even be left with a complete engine failure if your AFM is consuming way too much oil. 

2. Reduces Power

When AFM is activated, half of the engine cylinders will be shut off, so obviously, the power you will be getting will be much lower. Suppose you have a V8 engine. Once the AFM system is activated, the engine will work like a smaller V4 engine. This may not bother regular drivers much, but car enthusiasts will certainly have a problem with it. 

3. Increased Chances of Lifter Failure 

The AFM system functions by turning on and off the valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM). While you’re driving, the AFM may cause the VLOM to be activated and deactivated thousands of times. Because of oil pressure or control problems due to the AFM, the lifter may fail, which is likely to do a great deal of damage. 

Due to a lifter failure, many parts such as the rocker arms and valves may be broken, and overall your engine will be damaged. It is also very risky to drive with a failed lifter. Your vehicle may jerk when accelerating and may even suddenly stall in the middle of the road. 

Can You Delete or Disable AFM?

Luckily, for those of you who have cars that come equipped with AFM, it can be deleted or disabled. You can do either of the two things, but disabling it is much easier. You can use an AFM disabler to disable it. Just plug it into the OBD-II port, and you don’t have to worry about the rest.

It is also possible to disable AFM with the help of a tuning device which may be more effective, but it is also more complicated to use than an AFM disabler.

Wrapping up

From reading this article, the answer to the question is Active Fuel Management is bad is quite evident. The answer is yes, it is bad. The improved fuel mileage that the AFM system may provide you with is not worth risking your whole engine and lifters.

Moreover, the AFM may cause complications that can put your safety at stake, which is bigger than any reason why you may want to buy it!

Buying auto spare parts online should never be done in haste. As car sales soar, so does the demand for genuine spare parts with optimum performance. If you receive a fake product with minor flaws or lacks essential features, your money and time spent on this investment are all in vain. 

You can trust a genuine online vehicle parts supplier like Rolan to provide quality goods at affordable rates and fast delivery. It thus becomes critical to make an online purchase after devoting considerable effort to relevant research. However, for additional quality reassurance, check the following considerations.

Online Buying Considerations

When you are an informed consumer, you eliminate the risk of being duped online. Dealing with a reputed entity provides you with a fitment guarantee and puts your mind at ease. Suggested here are five essential aspects to assess before finalizing your spare part online purchase: 

Conduct a Due Diligence on the Potential Seller

Verifying the potential seller’s credentials is a must to sift out entities primarily interested in looting you. Entering into an online association with a company of repute that has a commendable track record and user-friendly website is in your interest. 

Genuine distributors only seek your minimal address details needed to complete your delivery after placing the online order. They even direct you to a secure gateway to process your payment after confirming your purchase. You can refer to customer reviews posted online for further input on the seller in question.

Undertake a Comparative Price Evaluation 

Surfing through several vendor sites offering the exact part you need helps you compare online prices instead of falling for the first tempting deal. An online auto spare part marketplace provides a welcome opportunity to compare prices and assess your final purchase expenses.

Even the delivery cost of spare parts is considerable given that auto parts are massive and their volumetric weight is significant. Vendors invest in quality protective packaging to ensure the parts reach you intact, thus, retaining their functionality. This packaging cost also adds to your overall spare part investment. 

Verify the Part’s Genuineness

Closely examining the product details enumerated online and cross-checking with the corresponding inputs on the original equipment manufacturer’s website helps you assess the part’s genuineness. 

You can gauge the part’s compatibility with your automobile from the product description. Stay clear of heavily discounted parts as that could imply the distributor is palming off existing and worthless stock.

Confirm Warranty Cover and Return Policy Terms

A genuine spare part invariably has a warranty provision that entitles you to return and exchange a faulty product within the stipulated time frame. Preferably invest only in a part that offers a guarantee and read through the seller’s return policy to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions therein.

Check for Tracking Mechanism and Installation Services

Once the vendor dispatches the part you buy, a user-friendly tracking system helps you track the progress of your awaited package. At the outset, seek details on their shipping procedure and if the seller also assists with installing the spare part. This helps establish reasonable expectations from the start.  

Trust the largest online supplier of vehicular parts who assures you of a simple return policy, excellent shipping costs, and purchase conveniences.

Installing a new intake manifold gasket is a great way to improve the performance of your Chevy 350. However, at the same time, installing a new intake manifold gasket can be a daunting task. In this article, we will show you how to remove and install the intake manifold gasket on a Chevy 350 engine.

Step-by-Step: How To Remove And Install Intake Manifold Gasket Chevy 350

Step 1: Remove the Air Cleaner

If your Chevy 350 has an air cleaner, it will need to be removed in order to replace the intake manifold gasket. To do this, first, remove the screws that secure the air cleaner to the intake manifold. Once the air cleaner is removed, use a screwdriver to pry off the intake manifold from the engine block. Be careful not to damage the engine block while removing the manifold.

Step 2: Disconnect the Fuel Lines

There are a few ways to disconnect the fuel lines. The most common is to use a fuel line disconnect tool. This is a small, hand-held device that has a claw-like grip on one end and a cut-off wheel on the other. You use the wheel to slice through the fuel line, then use the grip to pull it out of the fuel pump.

Another way to disconnect the fuel lines is to use a fuel line wrench. This is a tool with a ratchet handle and a long, thin bolt that you use to twist the fuel line off of the fuel pump.

Step 3: Disconnect the Vacuum Lines

If you have a 4.3L or 5.3L engine, you will need to remove the intake manifold gasket. To do this, you will need to disconnect the vacuum lines.

Step 4: Disconnect the Spark Plugs

If you have a Chevy 350, you’ll need to remove the intake manifold gasket in order to replace the spark plugs. To do this, you’ll first need to disconnect the spark plugs. Here’s how:

Step 5: Remove the Intake Manifold

Removing the intake manifold gasket is the last step in repairing or replacing your Chevy 350’s air intake system. To do so, you’ll need to remove the four bolts that secure the manifold to the engine block. Once it’s free, you can remove the gasket and replace it with a new one.

Step 6: Install the New Intake Manifold Gasket

The sixth step of the DIY Chevy 350 intake manifold removal and installation is to install the new intake manifold gasket. Make sure that the old gasket is completely removed before installing the new one. Once the new gasket is in place, torque it to the specified value and then reinstall the intake manifold.

Step 7: Reinstall the Intake Manifold

If you have replaced the intake manifold on your Chevy 350, you will now need to reinstall it. The first step is to remove the old manifold. This is done by removing the four screws that hold it in place and then pulling it out. Once it is out, you can start reinstalling the new one.

Video Review: How To Remove And Install Intake Manifold Gasket Chevy 350

Wrapping up

Installing a new intake manifold gasket can be a challenging task, but we have delved deeper to come up with this guide so that it can be done in a few simple steps. By following this guide, you will be able to complete the task with ease.

Thanks a lot for reading out. If you come up with any query, let us know on the comment box. Take Care!