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Originally Posted by smirkley  All to often adding performance parts imo, just exposes a weakness that has to be addressed. |
What you see as a weakness, I look on as a compromise made by the factory to please as many potential customers as possible.
Problems arise when people haphazardly slap on the latest trendy gizmos, without bothering to do any homework on how it will effect their ride.
Something I call the "everybody's doing it" approach. I admit I've suffered this malady on more occasions than I care to admit. Hopefully I know better now.
If you do the homework and select the right parts, you can achieve the goal you're are looking for. Maybe just as good as a Roush or Shelby.
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Originally Posted by smirkily I like the SVT concept, quiet understated look, packaged with a well engineered performance driveline and suspension. |
While some "SVT" vehicles are nice. With many all you get for your money are badges and graphics.
Or you pay top dollar for something hundreds or thousands of others have.
If you can get one at all. If you're satisfied with that, fine. I'm not. I much prefer building my own.
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Originally Posted by smirkley My Ranger?, almost completely stock. And when it is time for a replacement part, quite often I turn to stock parts as opposed to aftermarket except in cases where it enhances without the chance of reduced longevity. |
My Ranger has been "enhanced" by the changes I made. IMO I've added pieces that make driving it more enjoyable for me. I like the way it looks.
I like the audio system I had and I'm sure I'll be even happier with the new system. Especially after the sound deadening quiets down the cab. A
major issue for me.
While I was very happy with the ride and especially the handling with the 2"-3" drop I had. I foolishly let someone talk me into trying a 4"-5" drop.
While that might be OK for some, that are more interested in looks than function, I didn't care for it at all. So I put the truck back to the stock suspension.
Which I'm also unhappy with. As soon as I finish the interior and a few other things, I plan to bag my Ranger. As for "without the chance of reduced longevity" is concerned.
Just what sort of "longevity" are you looking for? Over the last 50 years I've modified many autos. Of that bunch I have kept 4 that were run for well over 125,000 miles.
One for 215,000.
After they were modified. Again if you chose the right combination of parts, there should be no problem with reduced longevity.
If anything some aftermarket parts will far outlast OEM because again compromise and price are not the same issue for aftermarket manufactures as it is for the automakers.
I'm talking about well made, name brand, parts here. Not the J.C. Whitney knock offs. I've tried those and while they have their place, I keep coming back to the old saying.
"You get what you pay for."