This week I wanted to address an issue that is pretty common among the earlier year H2′s.  If your HUMMER H2 is equipped with an air ride system you may run into, or already have experienced, a failure in the system.  Either the factory compressor goes out or a leak develops.  There are two fixes for this issue.

First option is to fix the problem.  This can be done by locating the problem and replacing the lines or the compressor, which can cost upwards of $1600.

H2 Air Ride System

The second option we have for you is converting the air ride to rear springs and do away with the air ride system altogether.    We offer this package, and it’s a lot more affordable and reliable!

HUMMER H2 Spring Kit

In closing, we offer both repair options here and wanted to shed some light on your options and what some of our customers have done to save some money and avoid future repairs.

-Brad

Without a doubt, one of the most common questions our customers come to us at Teaka for is how to get more power out of their HUMMER H3.  The good news is that we have some great upgrades that are also fairly easy to install!

First, the factory air flow is somewhat restricted on the H3′s and opening that up on both the intake and exhaust side helps out a lot.

This is, without a doubt, a great start to pumping up the horsepower in your H3.  It comes with B&B Stainless Steel Cat Back Exhaust System, and Airaid’s Air Intake Sytem with the Airaid Throttle Body Spacer.  Torque and horsepower will improve with the Throttle Body Spacer by Power Aid. Its helix design atomizes the air thereby providing more and efficient power and even increased fuel economy.  Fancy jargon aside, it jumps your performance up!  The B&B Exhaust is all stainless and produces an aggressive yet mild exhaust note that doesn’t sacrifice the interior noise levels.  Also, it’s a bolt on install!

Next, we recommend the Predator Computer Upgrade. This is a completely tweaked computer that is an easy install for the do-it-yourself’s out there.  We program this to your HUMMER’s VIN# so have that ready when ordering.

Happy HUMMER’ing,

-Brad

Now this is clever. Designer and artist Karolina Sobecka has worked up an interesting project for the World Maker Faire in New York City aimed at making motorists more aware of their carbon emissions. The system is made up of two devices – a cartoon-like cloud that attaches to the vehicle’s exhaust pipe and an iPhone app that monitors the vehicle’s emissions. The more carbon the car spews, the more the cloud changes color so that both the driver and everyone in the nearby vicinity knows exactly how much pollution is being spewed into the atmosphere.

The concept is pretty neat, but we don’t exactly see too many car owners jumping at the chance to stick a massive, absurdly-colored cartoon cloud on the rear of their vehicle. The iPhone app sounds like a pretty fun toy to play around with from time to time, though. Unfortunately, most vehicle owners probably know just how bad their chariot of choice is for the environment – the trick is making them care. Head over to Makezine to have a look at an interview with Sobecka.

[Source: Makezine]

New details and first ‘production’ pics of JLR’s ‘sporty’ SUV

JLR has announced a £30k OR $47k ‘indicative’ starting price for the new Range Rover Evoque, along with a jolly set of pictures showing the car in its final production form.

Available in 4×4 or with front-wheel drive only, the Evoque will also come in a trio of optional trim levels, ranging from a relatively restrained approach called Pure, through a world of leathery luxury – Prestige – to the full bling with 20ins wheels and ‘bolder’ exterior with unique bumpers, sills, grille and tailpipes – Dynamic.

There’s no supercharged V8 of course, but front-drivers can have a new 2-litre, 240hp Si4 petrol engine with turbo and variable valve timing (nee Ford Ecoboost) that’s said to return a 0-60mph time of 7.1secs. Alternatively there are a couple of 2.2-litre turbodiesel options offering 190hp or 150hp.

Inside, you get a Jaguar-style pop-up rotating gear selector for the six-speed auto option, and a touch screen display with dual-view technology. Optional gadgets and gewgaws also include an 825W stereo, automated parallel park-assist, blind spot monitoring and a surround camera system.

Today’s press release also promises ‘dynamic and sporty handling’, courtesy of a chassis that features adaptive MagneRide dampers for ‘a supple controlled ride, tighter body control, flatter handling and sharper responses’.

The Evoque will be unveiled in the metal at the Paris motor show, and deliveries start around the world next summer.  Special thanks to Piston Heads for the article.

The Jeep Wrangler has always been a rough, utilitarian vehicle with a legendary status since its creation in the 1940s. We’re excited to see what The Chrysler Group has in store for the all-new 2011 Jeep Wrangler.

2011 Jeep Wrangler

Jeep continues to refine the successful Wrangler formula by combining its legendary, benchmark capability with an all-new interior that delivers rich styling with significantly upgraded touch surfaces, occupant comfort and versatility, and a premium appearance.

Visually the Wrangler does not get too many changes. The only visible change is the option of a body-colored roof for the top-level Sahara models.

Jeep CEO Mike Manley saying, “The iconic Jeep Wrangler keeps getting better. While retaining unmatched, legendary capability, the 2011 Jeep Wrangler boasts an all-new interior that delivers a host of comfort, convenience and versatility features. In addition, Sahara models now feature a stunning, all-new body-color hard top, for customers looking for a Jeep Wrangler with a more premium appearance.”

View from inside 2011 Jeep Wrangler

Features of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler:

• Heated, power mirrors
• A larger rear window
• Steering wheel controls for operating radio, cruise control & phone
• USB interface
• A 12-volt power outlet
• Lockable center console
• All-new interior
• Premium, body-color, removable hard top

The interior gets upgrades to give the Wrangler a more ‘sophisticated’ look using more durable plastic and other various areas including this plastic flash. The Wrangler also gets upgraded technology with all digital heating and cooling controls and buttons.

“The overall layout is the same, but the materials have been thoroughly modernized”, Car and Driver reported, “The clunky center stack now has a smoother, cleaner layout with chrome-ringed vents and up-to-date climate control knobs.”

Production of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited began earlier this month at the Toledo Assembly Comples in Toldeo, Ohio.

If you are interested in parts & accessories for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler or the Wrangler Unlimited visit TeakaToys.com.

2012 Jeep Pickup

Chrysler plans to launch a Jeep pickup truck based on its much popular Wrangler platform by 2012. During a closed meeting in Orlando, Chrysler Group’s Jeep brand president, Michael Manley, left thousands of dealers awestruck when a pickup based on the Wrangler rode onto the stage right after he finished presenting Jeep’s lineup of vehicles for 2011.

Autoblog, quoting sources from PickupTruck.com, said the light-duty hauler would debut with a design similar to the Jeep Gladiator concept from the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Detroit-based automaker, which is owned by Fiat and the UAW, intends to launch limited editions of its Jeep pickup. The Jeep will be modeled after the hero vehicle in the Call of Duty: Black Ops video game, which is expected to be released by next month.

To get the necessary length, the Jeep would utilize the four-door Wrangler Unlimited’s chassis with the deletion of the two aft doors and the addition of a short truck bed, said Autoblog.

Check out TeakaToys for all of the newest accessories!!!

2012 Jeep Pickup