Learn from this real time coaching scenario key strategies a person can use to cope with the negativity of infidelity.

The first section presents a summary of the problem and or concerns of the “offended” spouse and what she would truly like to convey to her unfaithful husband.

The article then outlines some goals that help him/her break free from the affair.

The last and important section gets at shifting the focus away from the spouse/partner to him/her self. What is the meaning and power for the “offended” partner or the one attempting to cope with the discovery of infidelity?

After that mental shift (which is NOT easy for someone in the pain and turmoil of perhaps losing one’s spouse, family, and home) I, the coach, offer phrases that he/she can relay to his/her spouse in a way that speaks directly of his/her concern and has the best chance of being heard and getting positive results.

Section #1: The “offended spouse” says:

Even though I know the affair is not my fault, I think about ways I could make myself better. I continue to try and push away the negative and think about what positive has come out of this. Weird thing to say but I can breathe easier knowing that some positive things have come of this. My life is completely different, my husband has decided after 45 days of me finding out and not seeing or speaking to me about anything that he wants a divorce. Needless to say I was absolutely crushed, my family is destroyed or feels that way, we have two children of our own and my nephew who we are guardians for. We have a son who is seven years old and a daughter eighteen months.

All of a sudden, the dream I thought we both were striving to achieve was on pause while he was put on active duty to support the war. Instead I find that he had an affair with a married woman who has four children, he didn’t even cheat right, he told her he was divorced that his wife, whom he still loved left him. I am torn inside in a way that I have never felt before. Most others were shocked by what happened but I knew it was coming and that part is painful. Through this I have found faith to help me through the rough days and family and friends support is always good. I focus on keeping each moment of my life filled with activity.

Section 2: Personal goals suggested:

Continue to work on self improvement goals.

Journal or reflect on your internal dialog. Be aware of the part that has negative thoughts. Try to understand the intent of this part and what this part wants for you.

Continue building your support system (family, friends).

Allow yourself to grieve the loss.

Section 3: What the affair means for the “offended spouse” and what he/she REALLY wants to say to his spouse/partner having the affair:

This seems so sudden. I wonder if you are truly aware of your situation. Looks like you might be buying yourself a bucket of responsibility and perhaps trouble.

I wonder some days why you need to hide (the truth).

What is your situation? Describe your situation. Let it flow. Don’t hold back. Then, ask yourself, “What does this marital mean for ME?” What impact does his/her extramarital affair have on my feelings, thoughts and actions? Then rehearse approaching your spouse/partner with phrases that convey the meaning and impact of the infidelity for YOU.

You’ve heard that wood fencing is great for looks and vinyl picket fencing is great for maintenance. They are both similar on your wallet, with vinyl coming in a bit lower than inexpensive wood. So, how do you choose?

Wood fencing, no matter how well treated, will tend to deteriorate. If it is left in its natural state it will need cleaning and if it’s painted it will need touch ups every few years. If you don’t have a Tom Sawyer gang to whitewash you’ll need to take this into account for the total cost of ownership. Vinyl fencing has a longer maintenance free life. This is especially nice if you’re installing a vinyl picket fence. Pickets make a fence challenging to paint or clean! You have multiple colors to choose from in vinyl. Vinyl fencing can typically be power washed and doesn’t succumb to the elements and insects. There aren’t any termites that have developed a taste for vinyl!

Vinyl fencing installation is also a bit easier than wood fencing installation. Both wood and vinyl fencing can be do it yourself or installed by a contractor. Vinyl fencing is lighter and also smoother. It is straight by design so getting a level installation is easier than when dealing with the natural variations found in wood.

Before installing any fencing make sure you check your local building code. Do you need a permit? Are there any special requirements for fence placement? Are there any underground utilities you need to avoid? Do you want to set the posts is concrete? Once those questions are answered you can proceed to the installation checklist. Do you have the right tool to dig the holes? Do you have a plumb line to ensure a straight fence and a level to ensure that the height is consistent?

Once you start with your vinyl fencing, have a timeline for completion. Good fences make good neighbors and no one likes to live with or next to a constant construction zone. Unless you live in the south, you’ll be installing during the spring to fall time frame (ground is not frozen) so you’ll have longer daylight hours for your work. Try to pick a few days when the weather is pleasant. Digging holes in the pouring rain is difficult and getting a straight / level fence is nearly impossible. Mark your fence outline and the postholes first. Next, dig the postholes and test a few sections for alignment. You’ll want to do this especially if you plan on setting the posts with concrete!

Take pictures along the way. They are a good way to document that you complied with local ordinances and also an easy way to share your home improvement with friends and family out of town. Your new vinyl fencing is an investment, but it will pay off in curb appeal and functionality. You’ll be able to enjoy a fenced yard for yourselves, children and pets and it will be a lovely addition to the neighborhood.

If you travel with a disability, handicap, physical limitation, mobility limitation, or developmental disability, have special needs, or use an electric wheelchair or handicap scooter, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can to make disabled travel easier.

Or if you’re a mature traveler or senior who is a slow walker or just wants a slower pace, becoming more informed about disabled travel services and disability travel resources, will lessen the anxiety that often accompanies disabled travelers.

The following travel tips, resources and information for the disabled will help make trips, tours, holidays and vacations a lot easier for you, or for a child with a disability, whether short-term or long-term.

1. Plan your trip well in advance! Do you need to order extra supplements, medications or renew prescriptions, fix eyeglasses or change prescriptions, get a physical, have dental work done, have your wheelchair fixed or tuned up, etc.?

2. If possible, always book your travel through an agency that specializes in helping people with disabilities. This is important because specialized travel agents and tour operators for the disabled are experienced and can save you some awful headaches.

They offer a lot of good tips and a wide range of services for the handicapped traveler. Among other things, they can arrange for a: wheelchair at the airport, wheelchair accessible hotel room, wheelchair rental, lift-equipped accessible van, full van, minivan, RV, handicap scooter, or any other handicap vehicle.

Travel agents for the disabled can help arrange accessible transportation, help plan the best accessible cruise, give cruise line and cruising tips, arrange travel insurance and take care of special needs.

Agents can check with hotels for: inner and outer door widths to accommodate your wheelchair, ADA-approved handicap bath tubs, grab bars, or for roll-in showers. Just tell them your needs.

Travel agents can help you find cheap airfare, cheap tickets, cheap flights, cheap travel auto insurance, cheap hotels, cheap car rentals, cheap cruises, cheap vacations and cheap travel of all kinds.

3. Besides taking along your travel agent’s phone number, you’ll also want to take with you the phone numbers for the travel agencies that specialize in disabled travel at your destination, in the event you can’t reach your own agent.

These travel agents may know how to solve problems that come up regarding your hotel, car or van rentals, etc., even if you didn’t order your tickets through them.

4. When traveling to another city, check out the local health and medical associations before you go. For example, get the phone numbers for the local MS chapter if you have MS. These organizations can be great resources.

They usually know what museums, restaurants, theaters & other local facilities are wheelchair accessible and where you can get oxygen, emergency supplies or medical assistance. They may be able to help you with any problems that arise.

5. If you plan to rent a handicap scooter, wheelchair, electric wheelchair, handicap van, full van, mini-van, RV or other vehicle in another city, don’t wait until you get there. Make all the arrangements before you leave on your trip.

Make sure you ask any specifics like, are there tie-downs, ramps, or hoists, etc. Check on what van, RV, car or auto insurance you’ll need before you go.

6. Don’t leave anything to chance. If you can, double-check all the arrangements your travel agent makes. Call the airlines, hotels, scooter, wheelchair, car, RV or van rental companies, medical equipment rental companies, etc., and verify the specifics, especially if you’re traveling in a wheelchair or have any other special needs like oxygen.

This is important if you haven’t used the agent before.

7. If you need oxygen or any other special medical equipment, call airlines and suppliers well in advance of your trip. Don’t wait until the last minute. Start calling them as soon as you know you’re going to be traveling or taking a trip.

Then double-check with your travel agent and the airline at least three to four days before your flight.

8. Arrive early at the airport. It’s better to wait around there than miss your plane. This will eliminate some of the pre-trip anxiety you might feel and make for more leisurely travel. This seems like common knowledge but many people still arrive at the gate just in the nick of time.

With all that’s going on in the world today there are many reasons why you want to allow for more time at the airport.

9. In your airplane carry-on bag keep copies of the prescriptions for your medications and eyeglasses, extra eyeglasses, sunglasses, all your medications and supplements, and a list of your doctor, dentist and other health professionals with their addresses, and phone numbers.

Include your doctor’s fax number for prescriptions in case you lose your medications. Keep duplicate copies of these in your luggage and at home by the telephone. Know where your medical records are kept.

10. When you travel, and for any other time too, if you take medications, learn their names and exactly what they’re for if you don’t know. People come into the emergency room all the time and don’t know what medications they’re taking. You might be surprised to find out that most people say ‘a little yellow pill’ or ‘a white capsule’, etc.

Emergency workers need to know what you’re taking so they don’t give you medication that would interact adversely with it, overdose you or somehow interfere with their treatment and your recovery.

11. If you’re traveling by air, tell the flight attendants when you board, of any medical problem you might encounter on your flight. Note the location of the closest restroom before getting seated. Tell the flight attendant if you think you’ll need assistance getting to it during the flight.

You may need or want an aisle seat for easy access to the restrooms. Discuss seating with your travel agent.

12. If you need someone to travel with you, ask your travel agent for ideas or suggestions. Call the local chapters of medical associations and ask if they can recommend a travel assistant or travel companion to help or accompany you.

There are national companies who offer traveling nurses, traveling companions or travel assistants to accompany disabled travelers or people with serious medical issues.

13. Make sure to take with you: any medical cards, Medicare cards, discount cards, car or auto rental discount cards, auto insurance policy numbers and agent’s phone number, passport, airline tickets, etickets, American Express Travelers Cheques, debit cards, credit cards, and drivers license. Photocopy everything.

Keep photocopies in your luggage and at home by the telephone or someplace where someone has access to it in case you need it.

14. Read everything you can about traveling with a disability. Read disabled travel books, access guides, accessible guidebooks, disability travel articles and travel publications for the disabled traveler. Read the personal travel experiences of wheelchair users and others who have traveled with disabilities. Be informed.

These travel tips, information, resources, and services for the disabled should help you, or anyone with a disability, handicap, physical limitation, or who uses a wheelchair, have an easier, more pleasant, anxiety-free, trouble-free trip, tour, holiday or vacation.

The short answer is “They can be”. If you want to know what happy people can do to avoid being hurt in relationships, please read on!

Your mind is made up of two parts; the creative part and the logical part. We’ll call the first part System 1 and the second part System 2.

Here are more detailed descriptions of each system:

System 1: good mood, strong intuition, increased creativity and innovation, gullibility, prone to logical errors

System 2: vigilance, analytical, increased mental effort, sadness, suspicion, and always on guard

Is this an “either/or” situation? Can you have the best of both worlds? Yes, that’s how the human mind is made, to switch between times of threat, concentration, and focus to times of openness, relaxation, and creativity. The problem arises when a person chooses to stay in one system or the other.

For instance, if you’ve been hurt in a relationship, either current or prior, you may hold onto feelings and thoughts that are associated with the pain you felt. Increasingly, your System 2 is engaged and becomes ever vigilant to look for additional ways you’re being hurt, the ease with which you used to interact changes to require more mental and emotional effort, the feeling of sadness of what you have lost in the relationship develops (resentment), and your guard is always on to prevent further hurt. This is damaging to the relationship because it can create a downward spiral of the interaction and cause the other person to engage their System 2, as well. An illustration I use for this is the person you watch from a distance at a restaurant. They complain to the hostess/host and they are short with the waiter/waitress. If they arrived with someone else, even that person is treated abruptly and unkindly. Why do they behave like this? Very simply, they have been hurt and they behave this way to keep everyone away so that they don’t get hurt again.

The opposite can be true, too. If you have been hurt in a relationship and you keep operating in your System 1, you can easily be taken advantage of. The other person keeps doing and saying things that hurt, but your System 1 isn’t thinking logically, is gullible, and it causes you to get creative and in a good mood, believing you’ll find a way to make the relationship better. Many times it doesn’t. And, you get hurt easier and more frequently.

Real happiness is only found when the right balance is struck between System 1 and System 2. Just suppose you could go back to the magical time when you first entered the relationship. Somewhere between there and where you are now is the balance point. In the first few weeks or months of the relationship, your System 1 was in charge. You immediately got in a good mood whenever you saw the person or even just heard their name. You both were creative in your relationship, regularly surprising the other with gifts, phone calls, texts, cards, and the like. You went with your “gut” feel (intuition) much of the time and things you ordinarily wouldn’t or would have done didn’t matter, if it pleased the other person. Consider where you’re at in that relationship now, maybe months or years into it. Many people find it requires more work and energy (System 2) than they are willing to expend to find the same level of excitement and enjoyment, or even close to it.

So, how do you find that balance between System 1 and System 2? Here are 3 steps I have found highly successful when working with my clients:

1. Know your values

These values are what make you who you are. When you know what you value most and respect those, you won’t allow conflict to exist for long. Let the person you’re in a relationship with know what your values are and, unless you choose to change them, never let someone disrespect you by causing a conflict. This allows you to stay in System 1 where you’re happy, creative, intuitive, but no longer gullible because you know your values. Your time in System 2 will be minimized.

2. Know what your mission in life is

Once you know your values, you begin to understand your purpose in life. Here are some areas to consider: How do you want to be of service to those around you? What contributions do you want to make to your family, community, city, state, nation, globally?

3. Based on the first two exercises, now how do you see your future in 6-months, 1-year, 5-years, and beyond? You can now create a solid vision of how your life will become.

When you have the stability of these three components beneath you, you can confidently know when to increase your mental effort and go into System 2 to be critical, logical, focused, vigilant, and even suspicious and avoid the hurts that would come along otherwise. The rest of the time you can thoroughly enjoy life in System 1; being in good moods, letting creativity and innovation thrive, and let your intuition guide you. Is now your time to find that balance?

Purchasing a car requires a lot of prior planning. If as the consumer, you are aware of your budget constraints, and all goes well and you find your dream car in the desired budget, there is no better feeling. But one does not have to give up on your car because of limited financial options. There are many options to explore. Here are just a few of them.

• A personal loan: A personal loan is the cheapest way to buy a car. However, this means having good credit score. If this need is met, then any bank or finance lender will be able to give a loan. Make sure that valuable assets are not secured against this loan. This is an unnecessary risk.

• Cash purchase: Cash purchase is just like it sounds. This is where you pay cash for the purchase. This could be sourced from a personal savings or checking account. This could also be as a result of money received through a settlement or even a retirement account. The advantage here, of course I there would be no debt or accrued interest. A cash purchase is generally the least expensive way to go.

• Personal contract purchase: In this agreement the buyer makes lower monthly payments. However the total cost paid back at the end of the period will be higher than the original cost. Here, as opposed to getting a loan on the entire value of the car, a loan can be borrowed for the face value of the car at the time of purchase Vs face value at the end of period.

• Credit card purchase: Credit card purchase is the safest way to purchase a car. This is because it comes with more security. As long as the payments are met, there will be no issues here.

• Leasing: The last option is to lease the car. The manufacturer is paid a monthly cost for the car inclusive of maintenance costs. A ceiling of mileage usage is decided. At the end of the lease period, the car is returned to the dealer. The ownership remains with the manufacturer. This option only makes sense for short-term requirements.

It is always good to discuss finance options with car dealers and your bank before purchasing a car. Always analyze all the options before arriving at a decision. This way you are armed with the best options available to you based on your specific situation.

People love discovering new places to check out, and this can pertain to everything from shopping to recreation. But when it comes to dining, there are few places that have exploded in popularity than Dripping Springs restaurants. Something about them has made them earn accolades throughout the food and beverage industry, and this popularity doesn’t seem like it will decline anytime soon.

When a city becomes popular, there is always one particular question that comes up – why now and here? Certainly, this isn’t to say that Dripping Springs isn’t ready for and deserving of its “discovery”, but it really does make one wonder why this small town has made such a big mark in the restaurant industry.

It’s first important to know a bit about the town. For starters, the town is located in Hay County, Texas, about 20 miles southwest of Austin. It’s even more striking to know that the entire town only takes up a little over three square miles. Because of its geographic location, Dripping Springs is labeled as the “Gateway to the Hill Country”, though other small towns in the same area feel as though they, too, have a claim to this title.

Given the small size of the town and its seemingly interchangeable characteristics with surrounding towns, why have the restaurants in Dripping Springs made such a big impact? Here are a few reasons:

The Explosion of Austin – Austin is the capital of Texas and is home to the University of Texas. It has a big population, but this population is varied in a big way. As more people find themselves wanting more from life, it’s no surprise that they’ve begun looking beyond the city’s borders. Enter Dripping Springs. Even if one can account for the popularity of Dripping Springs as a byproduct of the popularity of neighboring Austin, the town is blazing its own trail. Even more important is that they are part of the Sustainable Places Project, an ambitious multi-city initiative that seeks to maintain livable places & community goals even as growth takes place. Dripping Springs is looking out for the future of its residents & the region as a whole.

Love of The Texas Hill Country – As the area becomes a haven for distillers, wineries, and other artisans, restaurants in Drippings Springs see these as local, quality ingredients.

Big City Living without Big City Issues – It can be easy to get lost in the crowd when you’re in the big city, even when you make quality food. By having the space to make a mark, restaurants can stand out as beacons in the community.

The Popularity of Artisan Work – Not only are the ingredients local & of great quality, but restaurants owners are able to take their time to craft their food for patrons who want the best.

Rise in Outdoors Enthusiasts – Geographically, those venturing out to explore the Texas Hill Country are able to see that the wild landscapes also have given rise to great places to grab a tremendous meal & refuel for the next adventure.

Farm-to-Table Approach – Restaurants in Dripping Springs know their customers are looking for transparency in their meals, and restaurant owners want the same. When everyone is on the same page, it makes for a wonderful experience.

Dripping Springs restaurants don’t try to do anything fancy to bring in diners. What they do, however, is take the time to make quality meals at great prices for a clientele that understands that good food is an art, one that deserves to be appreciated.

Okay, so you probably aren’t going to be doing flips any time soon, as this requires years of practice, but entering the sport is as simple as finding a bike that’s right for you, getting some gear, finding a place to ride, and driving there.

Finding a Bike That’s Right For You

If you’re just starting out in Motocross, you’re going to want to be practicing proper form, body positioning, and overall riding style. Google “how to ride a dirt bike” for tons of information about that stuff.

Personally, I recommend a used four stroke 250 from Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, or Suzuki. You can head to Craigslist and do a local search to find bikes for sale in your area. These are the easiest motocross bikes to get started on, and you can have a decent one for around two grand.

Getting Your Gear

You’ve got the bike, now you need the gear. Motocross is an inherently dangerous sport, so safety is a big priority. You’re going to want to purchase a helmet, goggles, boots, chest protector, and a riding outfit at minimum. You can find all of these items at a website like www.motosport.com.

The helmet and goggles are your staple safety pieces. They protect your noggin from collisions and your eyes from dirt. These are the first things that you need to buy.

Next up are the boots. A quality pair of boots protect your ankles from breaking and your feet from dirt and rocks. Very important.

Then, a chest protector. These fill protect your torso from blunt objects, like tree branches, rocks, and dirt. These have saved my life plenty of times!

Finally, a riding outfit. A full riding outfit consists of a jersey, pants, and gloves. A riding outfit is specially designed to take the beating that motocross gives you, and besides, who wants to ruin their normal clothes?

Finding A Place To Ride

Go to mxtrackguide.com for a list of tracks by state. This is by far the most effective tool I’ve been able to find for locating motocross tracks. Find one close to you and head out!

You can also ride on private property, or at local sand pits in your area. You have to have connections to find these. I’ve found plenty through word of mouth.

Driving There

So you’ve got the bike, the gear, the place to ride, and now you just need to drive there. Not a problem. If you’ve got a car, just take it down to U-haul and they can install a hitch to it easily. Once you have a hitch installed, you can purchase a hitch motorcycle carrier from a store like harbor freight, and be on your way.

If you have an SUV, you may or may not already have a hitch installed. With an SUV, you can opt for an in-hitch motorcycle carrier, or a small flatbed or rail trailer.

If you have a pickup truck, simply load the bike into the bed. You can also tow a trailer or use an in-hitch motorcycle carrier if you wish.

Your comfort and convenience at a campsite depend mainly on the gear and other essential items that you packed for your trip. But deciding what to bring isn’t always easy. It’s about finding the right balance between bringing all the essentials and not packing too much because most of the time, weight and space is an issue, especially if you’re hiking.

Follow these 5 simple packing tips for camping:

Make a list

Making a list of all the essentials is sure to be of great help when you’re packing for any trip, especially if you’re a camping beginner. To make the list more organized, divide the items into categories such as camping gear, cooking tools, toiletries, personal items and so on.

Tick these items as you pack to make sure you don’t forget anything important. If you have no idea what to pack, there ae plenty of lists online that you can use as reference, then add or subtract items depending on your preference.

Use clear plastic bins

It’s ideal to pack items separately into categories so you save time once you arrive at the campsite. Plastic bins are really useful – it would be easier to find anything you need from the boxes because they’re transparent.

Label each box according to category. Camping gear (tent, tent accessories, sleeping bag, pillows, etc.), clothing ( depending on the season), cooking tools (pans, pots, plates, utensils etc.), dry food (snacks, canned goods etc.) and toiletries (shampoo, soap, sunscreen, insect repellant etc.) are some categories you can start with.

Check the weather forecast

Consider the date of your camping trip – what season it will be in and what weather you are likely to experience. The weather should be your basis of what to pack (especially in clothing and sleeping gear), that’s why it’s paramount that you check the weather forecast ahead.

You don’t want to be bringing tank tops and short sleeves and end up feeling really cold because the weather is rainy!

Plan your meals

Food is one of the most important things to bring to your trip. It will be way less of a hassle if you plan your meals ahead and do the prep work at home beforehand. Be sure to opt for easy to cook meals and to bring extra in case of an emergency.

When packing snacks, remove carton packaging to save space!

Follow the first in, last out rule

When loading your stuff in the car, load the ones that you’ll need immediately last so that they’ll be easily accessible once you arrive at the campsite!

Follow these simple packing tips to have an easier time at camp!

While factory-made motor homes and RVs are popular, you will find plenty of bus conversions for sale in the market. That’s because a section of buyers is partial towards this category, and with good reason. Run-down, old school buses and city buses may not seem like much at first, but you can easily transform them into comfy living spaces. There’s something personal and intimate about owning a bus conversion, customized according to your requirements. Converting these compact rolling homes into a cozy haven is easy, and full-time RV-ers can make their life on the road more comfortable with the following features:

Brighter Interiors

Keep the interiors bright and white. Not only does this lend to a cleaner aesthetics but it also helps to separate your living space from the kitchen easily. Plus, it gives the illusion of more space and uplifts the mood of the passengers.

Useful Changes to the Kitchen Area

Add lots of shelves and cabinets to the kitchen walls for easier storage of food items and goods. You can also install hooks for hanging your towels and cleaning rags. If you’re adding a counter to the kitchen, make sure you fully utilize the available space by installing a dishwasher on the lower half and a gas burner at the top. If there’s more than one counter, you’re free to add other useful appliances like freezers and sinks.

Add More Space for Your Storage Needs

When you plan on living in a converted bus full-time, you can never have enough room for storage. You need to get creative and find new ways to store your stuff. For example, if you have a sofa in the living area, you can convert the armrest into a vertical storage space while the underside offers a horizontal storage space. This is not only an economical solution but also helps to keep your junk out of sight.

The space beneath the sofa seat provides enough room for storing electrical equipment and your batteries.

The more space you save, the more modifications you can make to the interiors of your rig. For example, utilizing the sofa spaces to the max allows you to install a large door in the middle of the bus, which allows fresh air and light into the rig.

Build a Pet-Friendly Workstation

You can set up a workstation at the front of your vehicle. The desk should be decently-sized, enabling you to stand up and work. If you have a pet dog onboard, you can add a kennel below the workstation. This means your pet can keep you company while you do your work.

Focus on the Bathroom

A full-time RV-er will require a spacious bathroom. Add storage to the door for keeping your essentials like toothbrushes, pastes, lotions, and shampoos handy. If you have enough room in the bathroom, install a bathtub and place the shower head right above. Getting ready in the morning will become easier if you place a mirror above the door.

Itching to buy that bus conversion you saw on sale the other day? Go for it! Though not your first choice, but if the life of a full-time RV-er appeals to you, then you’re in for a treat. Bus conversions offer greater flexibility than conventional motor homes, and you can customize the vehicle as per your requirements.

Owning a classic car is often called a labor of love. Anyone that has one knows that the project is never finished. Once the older vehicle is running, other parts often need to be restored. For serious classic car enthusiasts, garages, car lifts and tools are all important elements to restoring older vehicles. Casual mechanics focus on keeping them competitive at car shows or at least the road worthy and fun to drive. Those with auto lifts have an easier time maintaining vehicles that are at least 25 years old. These repairs are unique to older cars and often require the car to be up in the air to access parts that need to be refurbished, repaired or replaced. Some popular projects include rear-end replacement, exhaust system, transmission and the brake system.

Rear-End

Changing out the rear-end of a vehicle affects how it handles and enhances safety. Owners might also relieve wear on other parts by changing the rear differential to another ratio, and may improve fuel mileage performance and speed in the process. Accessing the differential and connected parts can be done with a vehicle on ramps, but it is easier and faster when the mechanic can work on them beneath an auto lift.

Exhaust System

This project involves more than simply replacing dull stainless steel exhaust tips with shiny chrome ones. The exhaust system runs across nearly the entire length of the vehicle. Using a car lift for these projects makes it faster, safer and more comfortable for the weekend warrior. It is especially important to clearly see that all of the replacement pieces are properly bent and don’t interfere with or rub against any other parts.

Brakes

Brake systems are very different today from how they were decades ago. Many owners change the vehicle’s drum brakes to disc brakes to make the car safer. This usually involves changing the proportioning valve which is time consuming and cumbersome without auto lifts, and difficult to do with ramps alone.

Transmission

Transmissions in classic vehicles are a common labor of love. After 100,000 miles, most need to be replaced or rebuilt. With an average of 10,000 miles per year, most classic cars are at or beyond needing a new transmission. With the right tools, an auto lift and a friend to help, this project becomes easier, and will keep the vehicle on the road and out of a junkyard for a long time.