Since their invention, vehicles have offered us a versatile tool, an ability to live further from societal needs, and freedom to experience this world throughout our lives. What are your earliest memories of a car or ute? I vividly remember my father’s work trucks. I was able to climb in and around them and the fascinating tooling. As a young boy, I was interested in all this newness, what it was used for or how it worked.
Can you imagine how many silly questions I asked? I came to appreciate what I called “new eyes”. This is really the childlike inquisitive nature and humility to ask questions and not pretend like you know everything. What is this? What does it do? Why and how does it do that? Questions like these show that our cup is empty and we are thirsty for understanding.
From an inquisitive boy to a writer of Department of Defence aircraft maintenance courses and manuals for building yachts was a long journey. Now I have an innate ability to repair and improve anything that flies, sails, or drives. The only time another mechanic touches my vehicles is due to my lack of specialised tooling. As you know, today’s ute is not your father’s work truck.
A computerised throttle controller can reduce fuel consumption and increase power when it is needed. The study of fluid dynamics and computer modelling has provided us with a tuned exhaust that can offer even more power, torque, and economy. Likewise, the advancement of materials science gives us tyre options for long life, strong grip, and a smooth ride.
What are some changes or upgrades you would like to make? The market tells me most people are looking for greater fuel economy and power. In my youth, those two desires were diametrically opposed. You could choose power or economy. With new electronic control units (ECU), you can tune your motor for both.
Cold air intake is another term on many lips. My ute has a snorkel, so I can put a river between civilization and myself and not have to swim home. The other end of your car also gets a lot of attention in the tuned exhaust, which I mentioned. Exhaust changes make existing airflow smoother or more restricted for engine backpressure, but that is a deeper topic we will not delve into.
There is no end to ride or interior comfort, creating aftermarket parts. Suspension changes will alter the stiffness and response time to motorway or off-road trail quality. Adjustable coil-over suspension allows you to tune your ride for comfort on your way to work all week, then switch to something more aggressive for play time, without changing parts.
In my opinion, other than attentiveness behind the wheel, the biggest safety upgrade you can install is improved braking. Larger brake disks and/or more powerful brake callipers will bring you to a halt and avoid many little driving messes, as well as the big ones. This makes me wonder if the roads would be safer with automated or driverless cars, which never take their focus off the road. What are your thoughts?
Security concerns have ballooned recently, and people are looking for ways to disguise or lock down their car or ute from the prying eyes of people with thievery on their minds. My father never had to lock his work trucks. They were loaded with tooling and wiring. Today, they could be plundered in minutes.Strong, lightweight, lockable canopies come with a spectrum of capabilities, making silent or simple entry impossible.
All these upgrades or changes fall under the concern of the Department of Transport. Vehicle standards and modifications are regulated, and if you go too far, heavy fines and seizure can result. There are some modifications that require an authorised person to install them. Improper or unauthorised installation can compromise your safety and that of those around you.
There is a code for everything, and as you study new parts, study thestandards and modification code to protect yourself, passengers, vehicle, and bank account. The highest penalties are up to $10,000. I hope this grabbed your attention. Drive safely and operate a safe machine on our roadways.