The Benefits of a Lifted Jeep vs a Stock Jeep 

Sometimes I wish I had a jeep. They are cool and if the commercials are correct, they can drive through just about anything. But if I am getting a jeep I think the biggest question I would be asking myself is… Lifted or stock?

Search online and you find a contentious battle between lifted vs stock. Which is better, etc, etc. Well if my opinion matters, which in this household it does, then I would say that lifted is better. Why you ask?

Because of the awesome stuff you can purchase to customize it of course!

Let’s start with the rims. Sure you can with the biggest stock rims you can get, but what if you could go bigger? That would be amazing! You could set yourself up with a nice set of jeep rims that won’t leave you struggling to get over a few pebbles.

Or maybe you want something a little different on that jeep, don’t ya think it would be amazing to have an awesome set of pro comp wheels? I know what you’re thinking. How can some wheels on a lifted jeep be more beneficial than the stock? Just think of the possibilities. Snow, you’re getting through it. Mud, you’re getting through it. Sand, you got this! Now think of everything else? Forest, yup you can cruise through some trails. Mountains, hah, Mount Doom doesn’t even stand a chance.

And don’t think just because you got big tires you won’t need a way to climb in. That’s where truck steps are a handy little addition.  I may not be an evil genius but I know that I would need a way to get into the drivers seat. So definitely add those to my cart.

There is also lights, covers, and more parts you can handle when it comes to customizing your jeep, but first things first, get it lifted.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

 

OEM Buying Guide for Your Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS OEM & Aftermarket Parts

Keeping your bike at peak performance requires attention and consistent maintenance. However, finding the right replacement parts can be stressful. To get the best fit, consult your manufacturer’s guide to identify the correct OEM motorcycle fairings for your Ninja. When looking for the parts to replace, here are some areas to pay close attention to.

Braking System

Brakes are essential. They need to be responsive at a moment’s notice and provide consistent stopping power. Every year, be sure to inspect the components most susceptible to wear

  • Brake pads
  • Rotors
  • Master cylinder
  • Cables
  • Discs

There are plenty of aftermarket options, such as performance brake pads, that have higher resiliency than stock pads.

Tires

When you need traction on wet roads, old tires do not keep up. To keep both wheels on the road, invest in new aftermarket tires. Find tires from leading performance manufacturers like Michelin and Pirelli to add more stability and handling control to your riding experience. Always consult the manufacturer’s guide for the correct OEM specifications before trying new tire dimensions.

Engine Components

Underneath the saddle lay dozens of essential components working in unison. When something fails in the engine, you feel it. Before you crank your bike after the off-season, check your cylinder heads, valves, and exhaust system for signs of wear or leaks. You can find cheap Kawasaki parts online and repair the issues yourself. Always use a reputable distributor that carries certified OEM replacement parts.

Aftermarket Accessories

No bike is complete without flare. Mount aftermarket accessories to improve your riding experience and give unique look to your Ninja. Choose from windshields, saddle bags, decals, fender guards, custom body kits and more. When you want to build the ultimate bike, find the accessories that take to the next level.

Shop online for the best deals in OEM and aftermarket Kawasaki parts and install everything you need to get your bike running at its best.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

When Is It Time To Trust Your Kids With Technology

When you are a parent, it is important that you find the right balance between caring for your kids and giving them space to grow. Today, we can see small kids playing with tablets, mobile phones, and there is a lot of peer pressure out there. You will need to use your own judgment when it comes to when to get your child a mobile phone and computer. You don’t want them to be left behind, but you will also have to ensure they are safe online and offline. Below you will find a few tips to help you decide.

Their Age

The first thing you will have to think about whether or not they are old enough to make the most out of technology. If they only want to use the device for playing games, you might be better off helping them on your home computer or laptop first. You can try to monitor your children’s technology use at home before you trust them with their own device. You can create them their own account where they can install their own games and apps, so you can ensure they are safe and responsible.

How Responsible They Are

It is also important that you check how responsible and streetwise your kids are when it comes to looking after their own things and devices they borrow from you. No matter how careful kids are, you might still need to have the contact details of iFixYouri Smart Device Repair handy, just in case they happen to drop a phone or tablet, or you need to remove malware or other unwanted software.

Staying In Touch

If you would like your kids to stay in touch when they are at a sleepover or a school trip, it might be a good idea to get them a phone. No matter how much pressure they put on you to get the latest model, you should know better. Explain to them that it is expensive to get a phone and a contract, and tell them that as soon as they get a small weekend job or a paper round, they can start saving up. It is better to make them appreciate the value of items at an early age.

Security Features and Parent Control

There are some devices that can simply kill your family life. If you want your kids to stay healthy and exercise, you might want to delay buying a gaming console. It can be very addictive for small kids, not to mention that their posture will suffer. There are some tech gifts you should simply avoid if you don’t want to deal with the negative consequences.

Cost

It is also important that you monitor the cost associated with your child’s technology use. Make sure that you can add a cap to their phone contract or get a pay as you go phone, so you don’t end up with nasty surprises and excessive bills.

Deciding when your child is ready for a phone or tablet is one of the most challenging things a parent needs to do. Use the above tips to make the right choice.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

How to Prepare your Kids for Getting a Dog

Getting a dog can be a very exciting experience. It gives your kids some added responsibility and it also gives them something to care for. If you want to prepare your kids for getting a dog, then there are a few things that you can try and do.

Understand the Dog’s Background

It doesn’t matter where you purchase your dog, or even whether you choose to adopt. You need to know the dog’s history, and you also need to know if they are aggressive around children. At the end of the day, your kids should always come first and by knowing information like this, you can be sure to make the best decision. A lot of people think that they can force an unwilling dog to accept a child, but this should never be the case. It will end up in an almost certain disaster, and it will also put pressure on the family as well.

Treats

Treats are like currency, for canines. They are a fantastic motivator when you use them properly.

If you want to help your kids to understand this, then start by giving your child a couple of treats to hold. When the dog is being well-behaved, or when they do a trick on command, tell your child to give them a treat. This will help your child to bond with your new pet, and it will also help the dog to be more accepting of your kids too. When your child hands out a treat, make sure that they keep their hands flat as this will stop their fingers from being nipped. As time goes on, you can use the treats less and less.

Warning Signs

You should always tell your child to use gentle body language. You also need to tell them to use slow, and deliberate gestures. By doing this, the dog is aware of when they are going to be petted, or stroked and it also helps your child to respect the dog’s feelings too. Of course, you do need to tell the child about the dog’s body language too. They need to listen out for warning growls, and they need to know when to leave the dog alone. If your child does not look out for these signs, then your dog may end up with anxiety or they may even resist having a close relationship with your child. Remember that not all dogs will have been socialized to deal with new people and they might not all act the same way either.

Responsibility

Getting a dog is a fantastic way for you to teach your child responsibility. They need to know when to feed them, when to give them more water and even how to help them to stay healthy. If you want to help your child, then try and assign them certain jobs. This could include filling up your dog’s bowl in the morning or it could even involve letting them out in the yard. Depending on how old your child is, you may not want to let them take the dog out for walks to begin with. The main reason for this is because younger dogs tend to pull on the lead, purely because of how excited they are for their walk. It’s very easy for a child to lose control here, so always insist on holding the lead yourself until the dog calms down a bit.

Health

Looking after a dog isn’t just about giving them food and water. They are essentially becoming a member of the family, so you need to look after their health too. This could involve taking them to the vets and even getting their claws clipped from time to time. You can even use CBD for dogs to help soothe pain and bring balance to your pet’s daily routine. Your child may love giving your dog a treat from time to time and this is great, but they do need to understand that if they do this too often then they could risk harming the dog’s health. Your friends may ask “why does your dog’s breath smell so bad?” and you may even notice that they start to become overweight as well. All of this can be contributed to a poor diet, and if you can teach your child about this then you can help them to understand the needs of the dog you have much more efficiently.

So, getting a dog can be great for the whole family, but it is important that you teach your child how to look after them and how to care for their immediate needs. The sooner you do this, the better experience you will have.