Welcome to the NEW & IMPROVED LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, & Motorcycle News!

September 1st Marks the First Day of Our New Format Here At LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News

Register Now to Make Sure You Don't Miss ANY of The Great New Features Starting Today!

You can register via email or RSS feed. We're compatible with all readers including Google Reader, which we recommend.  LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News is now available via your smart phone! Our mobile site is now optimized for most mobile operating systems including tablets.

We decided that the official end of Summer would be the official start of the new and improved features being implemented here at LDJ Auto News!  We're excited about our new format and we're sure you'll enjoy all the great information that passes through our doors.  

Here's An Overview Of Our Newest Features

• You'll enjoy a host of new guest bloggers.  Each week, we'll have at least one new guest article from some of the most interesting and influential people in the auto industry. 

www.caruserreviews.com

• New car, truck, and motorcycle reviews from some of the best review sites on the Internet to help you find your new car, truck, or motorcycle.  We do the research so you don't have to.  From pricing to accessory packages, you'll love our new review section.

• New automotive product and accessory information.  Here you'll find information on the latest, greatest car, truck, and, motorcycle parts, accessories, and even clothing and gear.  Our bloggers will research and review the best products and find the best places to buy them.  We'll be updating our affiliate lists so you'll be able to find those products at the lowest prices possible right here in this blog.

• Live "chat" with one of our professional technicians here at LDJ Auto Body & Mechanical!  We're excited about this great new feature.  People will be able to chat live with Larry Blackan, Dee Blackman, Rich Downs, and more.  Information for the "do-it-yourself" project owner straight from the pros who do it for a living.  Get tips on choosing paint and materials for your project vehicle. Tips on bodywork, tools, proper procedures and more.  Get recommendations on what accessories are best for your particular application, and just about anything else in the automotive industry.  Live "chat" is active now.  Simply scroll down to the bottom right of the screen and click on "Contact Us" to initiate a live chat conversation.

• Each month we will be featuring a specific job or project.  Each feature project will include start to finish progress reports along with "how-to" articles, detailed pictures and descriptions of the work being done, and instructional videos.  There will also be a "discussion" forum regarding each project so you can ask questions and get exactly the information you need from our professional technicians.

• We will continue to provide you with a list of the best suppliers for ALL your automotive and motorcycle parts and accessories.   We strive to make your automotive accessory shopping experience a good one.  We monitor feedback on all of our affiliates and ensure that only the best suppliers with the best prices are listed here.  We'll continue to do our homework so you don't have to.  Our list of automotive specialists continues to grow, so be sure to check out our pages for the best bargains in town!

Next month, we are working on a "classifieds" page to allow our readers the ability to list their cars, truck, motorcycles, and related parts for sale to other readers.  Listing your vehicles and parts is free!  Reach thousands of buyers with similar interests to help you sell your items fast.

We hope you like our new format and we'd love to hear your opinions, good or bad, along with any ideas you might have for what you'd like to see here.  We look forward to seeing all of you here again and meeting all our new subscribers too!

Happy Motoring!

-Larry and Dee Blackman

LDJ Auto Body & Mechanical

Gibsonton, FL

More about → Welcome to the NEW & IMPROVED LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, & Motorcycle News!

Make Sure Your Floor Mats Aren’t Dangerous | AutoMatStore.com

We'd like to thank Don Elfrink of AutoMatStore.com for his contributions here at LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News.  Don's expertise in the auto industry is a welcome addition to our blog.  Don's artlicles will be a regualr addition to our automotive news blog so register now so you don't miss any of his great aricles and information.

Here at AutoMatStore.com we know floor mats play an important role in your vehicle. They protect the carpeting underneath as well as the metal beneath the carpet from water, dirt, debris and odors. Every car should have a good set of car mats.. However, those mats can sometimes pose threats to your safety if installed or used improperly. Consider the situation with Toyota a few years ago – when vehicles began accelerating on their own, the company blamed ill-fitting floor mats and sticking gas pedals. Do your floor mats pose a risk to your safety? Below, you’ll learn more straight from the owner of a company that creates personalized car mats about how you can protect yourself.

1. Check factory mats. Many factory floor mats now come with an eye and hook securement system to prevent the mat from moving forward and affecting the brake or gas pedal. Make sure that the eye (grommet) and the hook are in good condition. The eye will be on the floor mat itself, and the hook will be a plastic piece affixed to the carpeting under the mat. Make sure you keep the hook through the eye at all times to ensure that the mat does not move forward and impede your ability to brake or accelerate.
2. Be ware of the backing. The backing on your floor mats is very important. If you flip that mat over, you should find a rubberized surface with extruded rubber nubs. Those nubs are significant – they’re designed to dig into the carpeting and prevent the mat from sliding forward or backward. If you notice that many of the nubs are missing (they can become brittle and break off over time), it’s time to replace those floor mats with newer options. When selecting new floor mats, opt for a set that has good backing to ensure that the mats stay in place.
3. Check the fit. While you might think that one floor mat size will fit most cars, that’s not really true. While there are “universal” mats out there, it’s better to opt for a set that is made specifically for the vehicle you’re driving. A mat that is too large (for instance, using a truck mat in a compact car) can roll or slide, impeding your ability to brake or accelerate. Floor mats that are too small for your vehicle won’t offer the protection that your carpeting and floorboards need.
4. Don’t simply throw them out. Given the ways that ill-fitting floor mats can affect your safety, you might be tempted to go without them altogether. However, that’s not a wise idea. Floor mats are used for good reasons. They offer important protection for the carpeting underneath your feet. For instance, when you drive, you place your toes and upper portion of your foot on the gas or brake. However, your heel rests on the floor. Over time, this will wear a hole in the carpeting. Floor mats protect your carpet from that demise. Additionally, a good set of floor mats will protect your carpet from dirt and water on your shoes and help keep it in good condition for years to come.
5. Be careful when buying new floor mats. There will come a time when you have to replace your old floor mats. They do wear out over time, and knowing a few important tips will ensure that you get the right quality mats. First, go to www.automatstore.com to discover a quality mat that fits your car – you want to buy a brand that’s recognized for quality. You also want to ensure that the mats are constructed from sturdy material – good quality rubber and carpet are the hallmarks of decent mats. Check the back for grip before you buy, and if you’re buying carpeted mats, make sure you match the interior carpet color of your car.

Floor mats might seem inconsequential, but they’re an essential consideration. With the tips above from Don Elfrink, owner of www.automatstore.com, you should be able to stay safe while protecting the interior of your vehicle.

Don Elfrink is the owner and operator of AutoMatStore, an auto flooring company based out Columbia, Missouri. Before AutoMatStore, Elfrink was the operator of an automotive production site. AutoMatStore focuses on all-weather, logo, carpeted and molded car mat.
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The Art of Custom Car & Motorcycle Maintenance Has a Great NEW Look!

Welcome to "The Art of Custom Car and Motorcycle"' blog's new look.  We are always looking for ways to bring the best and most insteresting content to our readers.  We have reconfigured our blog page to make it easier for our readers to navigate and we've added some neat things too.

It has always been our desire and goal to bring our blog subscribers the best products at the lowest prices.  After careful consideration and lots of price comparisons, we've come up with a list of the best car, truck, and motorcycle parts and accessory suppliers anywhere on the World Wide Web!

LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical's staff of professional technicians has put together the most comprehensive list of parts and accessories that are second to none.  These are the parts that the pros use.  And, they know how to pick them.

From full body kits, ground effects, spoilers, lambo doors and more, LDJ Auto Body's technicians do them all.  "Nothing is worse than trying to fit parts on a vehicle that are poorly made and not up to spec", said Larry Blackman, owner of LDJ.  "Add-on accessories can make or break the look you are going for, not to mention breaking the bank for unnecessary technician time in trying to fit a poorly manufactured part.  Going the extra nine yards to ensure that you purchase high quality parts will actually save you money in the long run.  They fit better, they paint better, and ultimately, they look better."



"Motorcycle parts are no different than car and truck parts", Blackman went on to say. "Quality is everything when you're accessorizing any type of vehicle."

That's why we have gone to great lengths to promote the suppliers that the professionals prefer.  Check out the links in the side-bar for some great deals from the best suppliers in the business. 

We'll also make sure that we keep you informed of any sales or promotions that are going on.  We do the homework so you don't have to.  Enjoy your shopping experience here at "The Art of Custom Car and Motorcycle Maintenance" knowing that you're getting the best.....for less.

Happy Motoring!
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop
www.ldjautobody.com








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Proof That Vehicle Maintenance Provides Longevity to ANY Vehicle.

Well, here it is!  The proof I've been waiting for.  I really hate using the words, "I told you so", but, sometimes, even I have to make exceptions.  And, this morning, while going through my mail, I came across an article that I just had to share with you. 

(photo credit, Rachel Veitch)

You all know I preach about vehicle maintenance all the time.  I know I sometimes sound like a "mother hen" and I bet a lot of you feel sympathy for my kids because you know that owning a vehicle in my presence would be a constant nagging voice asking over and over again, "have you checked your oil recently" or the "by the way, when was the last time you had your brake pads changed"?  AND, you're probably right.  Having a mom and dad who fix cars for a living is a constant barage of maintenance goodies that is never ending.  But, all this "hype" about taking care of your vehicle does pay off!  Take Rachel Veitch, for example.  This 93-year old woman from Florida, just retired her 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente with 576,000 mile on it!  Yup, you read it right and there's no "typo" in that last sentence.  576,000 miles is a lot of miles!  And, she credits the incredible longevity of her car to, you guessed it, preventative maintenance.

According to Veitch, she purchased her car in 1964, for a total of $3,289 dollars.  And, now, 58 years later, she has retired her "chariot", as she put it.  You can read the full article, "93-year-old Florida Woman Retires Her ’64 Mercury after 576,000 Miles on the Road",  which was posted by "FoxNews.com", and written by Eric Pfeiffer.  Now, the only reason Veitch is retiring the vehicle is because she is now legally blind and she feels that it is time for her to stop driving. 

"I am legally blind, so I can no longer drive my lovely Chariot," Veitch told FoxNews.com. "They don't have to take it away, I would not dream of driving that car again." The car itself is fine, but Veitch has macular degeneration in both her eyes, making her legally blind. After running a red light in March, she decided to voluntarily give up the vehicle she's been driving since Lyndon Johnson occupied the White House.

"I have taken it in stride," she said. "I don't have cancer, I don't have Lou Gehrig's disease. I am lucky."

She ran a red light and the 93-year old, who obviously has all her faculties in tact, made the wise decision to hang up her car keys.  We all get old, it's a fact we all have to deal with, and Rachel, I commend you for your decision. 

But, getting back to my "I told you so" comment, "She credits the longevity to a "near-obsessive" approach to the car's maintenance. "I've never been a destructive person and I've just taken care of everything, except my husbands," she told FoxNews."  So, there it is, plain and simple and comming from the mouth of a woman who just appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" for racking up over a half a million miles on her car!  And, the 93-year old Veitch is now offering her car for sale to Jay Leno!  Kudos to you, Rachel, you are not only smart in my eyes for taking care of your car, but you are also a "financial wizard"!  There was no mention of how much Mr. Leno, a huge car afficianado, was willing to pay for the vehicle, but, my guess is, it's more than $3,289 dollars! 

So, here you have it, ladies and gentlemen.  Take care of your car and it will take care of you!  Not only did Rachel Veitch make sure she did her maintenance, but, she also kept record of it.  According to the article, "Even without the world record, Vietch is fond of noting that the car has outlasted three marriages. Mechanically, it's worn through three sets of shocks, 18 batteries and eight mufflers."  Now, that really is commendable!  How many times have I told you that keeping track of your vehicle's maintenace and service will get you top dollar when you go to sell it!  See, "I told you so.....AGAIN!" LOL

So, the moral of this story is....preventative maintenance is important.  Making sure the little things your car needs are taken care of insures that you will get much enjoyment our of your vehicle, and it will give you lot's more years of safe and enjoyable service!  It's just that simple.

Preventative maintenance is not that expensive.  And the money you spend on maintaining your vehicle is definitely less than the money you'd spend repairing major problems that could have been avoided.  So, listen to this "mother hen" and....get out there and change the oil, check your brakes, check the fluids, lube your car, check the tire inflation, and maybe even tune it up!  Ask Rachel Veitch when she gets back from depositing that check from Jay Leno, about what she thinks of preventative maintenance?  I bet she'll agree with me!

And now, to get you started....check out these great deals from Advance Auto Parts.  You'll find some great savings to get you started on all your preventative maintenanace needs.  They have great prices on all your auto parts and accessories.  You can also go to our ONLINE PARTS STORE, to look up all the parts you'll need.  You'll find more great savings and coupons there too!  Remember, April is National Car Care Month!  There's no better time than now to start getting your car ready for the Summer Season.

Happy Motoring (or maintenancing?) Ok, I know, that was really bad! LOL

More about → Proof That Vehicle Maintenance Provides Longevity to ANY Vehicle.

Advance Auto Parts Still Has Lowest Prices On Auto Parts and Accessories!

Advance Auto Parts

The One Day Sale is over, but, you can still take advantage of Advance Auto Parts low, low prices!

April is National Car Care Month! 

To help you find everything you need to get your vehicles ready for Summer, LDJ's Online Store has put everthing you need in one convenient space, to make it easier than ever to do your vehicle parts, maintenance and accessory shopping.
 

Buy direct from Advance Auto Parts and save big money!  As always, LDJ's Online Auto Parts Store offers you "direct to the supplier savings"!  No mark-ups, no middle man.  You get the great prices you deserve and we put it all right here, so you can shop in the comfort of knowing that LDJ Auto has found the absolute, lowest prices and the very best deals out there, to make sure you get the lowest prices on the Internet.

Click on a link to go directly to the Advance Auto Parts Store, or, we've even listed the entire store inventory right here, so you don't even have to leave the page!  Use the promo codes listed and get the most unbelievalbe savings on everything automotive.  Use the search box below to find your parts by name, brand, or category!  It doesn't get any easier than this!  AND, you can order your parts online, and, have them ready for pick-up at your local Advance Auto Parts, so you don't have to wait for them to ship!  That's right!  Order today! Pick up today!  Install today!

Have questions about your parts or accessories? Mobile phone users, simply click on the link here to call and speak directly to one of Advance Auto's friendly AND knowledgeable staff to ensure you get exactly what you need!  Then simply have them get it ready for you to pick up at one of Advance Auto's 3,400 convenient local stores!

So, what are you waiting for?  Start shopping and start saving NOW! 

More about → Advance Auto Parts Still Has Lowest Prices On Auto Parts and Accessories!

Advance Auto Parts Still Has Lowest Prices On Auto Parts and Accessories!

Advance Auto Parts

The One Day Sale is over, but, you can still take advantage of Advance Auto Parts low, low prices!

April is National Car Care Month! 

To help you find everything you need to get your vehicles ready for Summer, LDJ's Online Store has put everthing you need in one convenient space, to make it easier than ever to do your vehicle parts, maintenance and accessory shopping.
 

Buy direct from Advance Auto Parts and save big money!  As always, LDJ's Online Auto Parts Store offers you "direct to the supplier savings"!  No mark-ups, no middle man.  You get the great prices you deserve and we put it all right here, so you can shop in the comfort of knowing that LDJ Auto has found the absolute, lowest prices and the very best deals out there, to make sure you get the lowest prices on the Internet.

Click on a link to go directly to the Advance Auto Parts Store, or, we've even listed the entire store inventory right here, so you don't even have to leave the page!  Use the promo codes listed and get the most unbelievalbe savings on everything automotive.  Use the search box below to find your parts by name, brand, or category!  It doesn't get any easier than this!  AND, you can order your parts online, and, have them ready for pick-up at your local Advance Auto Parts, so you don't have to wait for them to ship!  That's right!  Order today! Pick up today!  Install today!

Have questions about your parts or accessories? Mobile phone users, simply click on the link here to call and speak directly to one of Advance Auto's friendly AND knowledgeable staff to ensure you get exactly what you need!  Then simply have them get it ready for you to pick up at one of Advance Auto's 3,400 convenient local stores!

So, what are you waiting for?  Start shopping and start saving NOW! 

More about → Advance Auto Parts Still Has Lowest Prices On Auto Parts and Accessories!

The "HEART" of Custom Car Maintenance

1964 1/2 Mustang Project...A "Labor" of Love

Every now and then, I come across a story, that not only warms my heart, but, also carries with it, a glimpse of not only "the way things were", but, the way things should still be....

  

A couple of weeks ago, we received a phone call from a man who told me he had 1964 1/2 mustang that he was restoring and had run into a few problems that needed Larry's attention.  He had heard about us from a friend that we had done some work for, and wanted to get some prices on putting new quarter panels on the car.  Now, he already had my full attention, as the "original" 1964 1/2 Mustang is one of my favorite classic vehicles!  As all of our Ford Fans out there know, the era of the Mustang actually made it's debut that year.  And, well, the rest is just classic car history.....

I told him he'd have to bring the car in, as we'd have to see it in order to quote him a price on replacing the quarters and the next weekend, the car arrived at the shop.  As you can see from the pic, the car was in pretty good shape, considering it was manufactured in 1964!  As with most vehicles of it's age, there was some weathering and some light rust, but, for the most part she was in great condition for a vehicle that was almost 50 years old!  The majority of the rust damage was contained in the quarter panels which had several rust holes in the usual places.  Primarily in the lower quarter and around the windows.  Her owner had purchased new, aftermarket quarter panels to replace the originals and wanted a price on cutting off the original quarters and welding on the new ones, a job that my husband, Larry, has done many, many times in his almost 40 years of doing body work.  The man then explained that he and his son were doing the restoration together and that the car, when finished, would become his son's 16th birthday gift.  The owner is also a bodyman and painter and the project was a joint effort of him and his son's and they were trying to put this car together  by August.  He and his son have been working on this project, together, from the beginning.  They had already completely redone the motor, which is a real thing of beauty I might add, and they had all the parts ready for the interior too!  They had well over a year of locating parts, wrenching, wiring and, well, you all know the labor that goes into a restoration like this.  The man, an excellent bodyman, and a great painter too based on the pics he sent us of some of the work he's done, only needed help with the quarter panels as that is a job that requires an expert welder and the expertise of someone who is experienced in doing that particular type of work.  He also knew the job needed to be done properly to ensure the vehicle was safe.  The quarter panel section is one of the hardest panels to replace and requires cutting into the integral structure pieces of the vehicle and there's not a lot of room for error, especially on a vintage vehicle like this one. 

Larry began the job, cutting off and removing the original quarter on the driver's side of the vehicle. As with all 48 yr. old vehicle's, we found some hidden damage. The rust had eaten away the brackets that hold the window regulator and there was more damage to the wheel housing than expected. So he fabricated the bracket for the regulator and began the work of repairing the wheel housing, shown below.

The broken bracket needed repair.

The wheel housing was repaired.

 After re-working the wheel housing and welding the new regulator bracket into place, undercoating was used to ensure the rust would be containted.

The next step was to fit the quarter panel to the vehicle and ensure proper alignment with the car's original lines.  The early Mustang has a beautiful, well defined body line that gives the car it's signature design and also gives the beefy, muscle car that sleek, go fast look that made it one of the best selling vehicles of all time.  Lining up an aftermarket quarter panel to match the lines of the original body requires engineering skill and expertise that comes only with years of experience.  And, once again, Larry's skills paid off as the quarter panels were fitted flawlessly and welded into place.

The quarter is fitted and welded.

Undercoated and ready for the quarter.

Both sides of the vehicle required the same treatment and the driver's side quarter panel went on without a hitch!  As a side note, the aftermarket quarter panels purchased by the owner were KAPA Certified and of very good quality.

You can find great deals on all your aftermarket parts needs at Andy's Auto Sport.  Check out their great deals by clicking on one of the links in this blog. Andy's Auto Sport handles only the highest quality parts and accessories. 

You can find more great deals at Advance Auto Parts! Advance Auto Parts has over 3,400 locations nationwide. You'll always find the best deals on replacement parts and accessories.  Check out their entire inventory at our online store! 

This job was a special job here at LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop because it was special to the people that brought it here.  We take pride in all of the work we do, but, we love to see families working together.  The special bond that comes from helping our kids learn and experience the satisfaction of taking something into their own hands and making something that they will love and cherish for years to come is something that we'd love to see more people experience.  The bond we create with our children and the things we teach them about life are more important now than ever before.  This man and his son will cherish the time they spent together on this project and hopefully, someday, his son will take the time to pass that on.  Today's world is a rough place and we only get one chance to motivate our kids to be the people we want them to grow up to be.  Watching this family work together and seeing the proud look on this kid's face as he saw his dream car getting closer to being finished was priceless. 

I can't wait to see the pictures of this car when it's completed and the owner has promised to send them to us.  We wish them the best of luck and I'll be sure to share those pics with you when we get them!

Working on projects like this one are a great way to spend time with our kids.  Whether you spend time fixing up their first car or just teach them the basics of how to maintain their own vehicle.  The size of the project isn't important.  It's the time spent with our kids that makes the differnce.

Remember, April is National Car Care Month!  Check back soon for some great car care tips here and at our sister blog, LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News! And don't forget to check out the great deals and specials at our Parts and Accessories Store.  You'll find the latest deals and coupons to save lots of money at Advance Auto Parts!  You can check out the best accessories for your truck at our Truck Owner's Only page.

Till next time, happy motoring!

Larry and Dee Blackman

LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop

ldjautobody@yahoo.com

More about → The "HEART" of Custom Car Maintenance

LDJ's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News Announces New Feature Writer / Editor!

I am really excited to tell you all about our new, feature writer! I'd like to introduce you all to Betty Skidmore. Betty is our new feature writer and editor here at The Art of Custom Car and Motorcycle Maintenance AND LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News!

Betty, like the rest of us here, is a big custom car and motorcycle enthusiast. We're happy to have her shed some new light here! She's a great journalist and will be doing weekly articles at both of our blogs, so make sure to sign up for email updates so you don't miss any of her great humor and well researched articles. Our women readers will enjoy her advice on "do-it-yourself" projects that would make any of our men proud! 

I'm going to try and convince Betty to tell you the story of how her ex-husband helped her "choose" the bike he bought for her, but, I know I certainly would never be able to tell it like she does!  I'm sure she'll share that and many more of her great stories with you!  All kidding aside, Betty is a great asset here and we're all very proud to have her on the staff. 

Betty's first article here on cleaning that awful oxydation off your headlights is a great example of some of the things you can look forward to. Toothpaste Betty?? Who would have ever thought!

Make sure to send your comments and suggestions! As always, we love to hear from our readers. Let us know what's on your mind and we'll do our best to accomodate any requests.

Don't forget to check out the latest article at, LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News for some great information on auctions. Spring is a great time to add to your collection of toys and auctions are a fantastic and fun way to find some unbelievable deals!

Also, don't forget to check out our brand new Parts and Accessories Store and our new Truck Owner's Only page! Here you'll find the best deals in auto parts, truck parts, and accessories. We do our homework so you don't have to! We'll post the latest, greatest offers and coupons to help you save on all your auto parts and accessory shopping!

Check back often for the latest news from Betty, Dee, Larry and the crew!  Till next time, we'll leave the light on for ya!

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