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Even with a transit bag, throw a small quilt or sleeping bag or even an old blanket over the top to keep the sun off it while parked. Be sure you don't block the vents. A full fridge is easier to keep cold than a partially filled one. Once a full unit is cold, it tends to stay that way, so I...

If you run dual batteries without an isolator, then you have doubled your capacity but you still have no backup in the event of failure. Seems that only solves half the problem.

I spoke with Odyssey a few weeks ago about chargers (again). Their new line was supposed to be out in October, but they are behind schedule. The first batch of the new chargers will be for their smaller batteries, and the charger for the 2150 won't be out until sometime in the spring. The big...

I think Lifeline is local. Call them and then call Ctek, but don't be surprised if the battery manufacturer gives you different advice than the charger manufacturer. Based on the relatively light weight of the Lifeline 31, I think their specs may be a little optimistic. Optima also has a new...

Some of the GM gassers already have the second battery box, empty. All you need is a hold-down and some cable to make a functional dual battery setup. My GMC came with a 105 amp factory alternator, and then I replaced it with a high-amp aftermarket alternator that failed and burned up my...

You'll have a lot less than that when the tire is flat.

If your truck has the extra battery tray in front (my K1500 Vortec came with an extra tray, apparently because they used the same body for diesels in that era), the easiest solution would be to stick another battery in there that matches your primary battery, and connect them with something like...

Real world experience, as of yesterday. Rolling down a soft dirt two-track at under 5mph, the right front wheel of my Dodge 2500 fell into a hole. Truck was resting on the front axle and skid plate, with the wheel and tire hanging in mid-air, about three feet above anything solid. Locked up...

I have an '05 PW, bought new. Best truck I have ever owned.

The Northstar 31M is the only battery in the Tundra (for now), until I can figure out where to stuff another battery. My Dodge has an Odyssey 31M as its primary battery (starting, winching, OBA, lights), but it also has a pair of Optima 34M dual purpose as house batteries for the fridge, and...

Back around June the regional Northstar rep told me that Sears had changed their contract for AGMs from Odyssey to Northstar, and that Northstars would start appearing "soon." My local Sears store had no big Odysseys in stock but told me there might be a few left in other stores. That same...

Option code is G80, but that covers both lockers and limited slip diffs. In the half-ton trucks it will generally be an automatic locker, and in the big half-ton SUVs (Tahoe, Escalade, Yukon, Suburban) it will generally be a limited slip. I have both (one truck and one SUV), and both have...

True. I was thinking about the 3" and 4" straps that I carry. Wider straps will do less damage, but you are correct.

I knew he was just poking the Expo Bear.

I feel appropriately chastised and apologize profusely. I must also confess that I don't like ABS, or hill descent control, or stability control, or traction control, or computerized torque distribution, or TPMS, or lane departure warning, or GPS, or auto-dimming headlights, or any number of...

Not always. Depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Two sets of gears is an expensive proposition. Too many variables in this discussion to state flatly that gears are the solution. No clear mission statement and objective from OP. Need to focus on what's important and work back from...

The 4.0 can develop a surprising amount of power with minimal modifications.

I think he was differentiating between jerk/recovery straps and tow straps. A tow strap will distribute the load over the tree's surface, while a rope of any kind is likely to cut into the bark and probably damage the cambium layer. Recovery straps are kinetic and will not damage the tree, but...

Since we are being curmudgeonly, I'll chip in. I don't even like voltage sensing relays. I don't like automatic switching. My two house batteries are set up on a Blue Sea rotary switch with "Off, 1, 2, Both" settings. When I have the shore charger connected (Ctek 7200 for the Optimas), I can...

Programmers change the ECM parameters to modify the performance characteristics, even with a manual trans. Depending on the programmer, you can run tunes for economy or power. You can set to run on 87, 89, 91, 93 octane, depending on your preference for cost and power. You can set for max...