Setting Up the HTP Invertig® 221 for Stick Mode Welding In this tutorial vlog, Moses Ludel walks through the set up of an AC/DC arc welder. The equipment is an HTP America Invertig® 221 TIG machine with DC stick welding (SMAW) capability. Steps apply to similar SMAW arc welders. See the series of HD video […]

‘How-to’: Stick Arc Welding Introduction & Equipment  SMAW or stick welding can be an inexpensive way to bring welding and fabrication into your shop or garage. A traditional and dependable welding process, AC-DC stick welding can be a smart and affordable place to start. Welcome to the ‘How-to: Welding Class’ sessions on stick/SMAW welding! View […]

We depend on the multipurpose HTP America Invertig® 221 machine for our shop’s TIG and stick welding needs! The HTP America Invertig 221 delivers state-of-the-art inverter technology. Sometimes, big things come in smaller packages—this compact machine runs circles around older transformer equipment! Invertig 221 performance also outstrips the competitors’ inverter machines. (See comparison below.) Modern […]

How-to: Safer TIG Electrodes and the HTP America Tungsten Sharpener   In this HD video how-to, Moses Ludel discusses TIG tungsten electrode types and safer choices. He demonstrates the use of the HTP America Tungsten Sharpener and how to shape optimal tungsten tips for inverter TIG welding of aluminum, carbon steel, alloys, and stainless steel. (Open to […]

New HTP Invertig® 400 AC/DC Commercial Grade Welder HTP America’s Proven Invertig® Technology for Pro Shops! HTP America’s reputation for exceptional TIG/GTAW welding equipment has inspired the new Invertig® 400 professional grade machine. The design features years of proven technology plus the latest advances in TIG and stick welding. This machine satisfies the daily demands […]

The 4WD Mechanix Magazine shop/studio switched to HTP America welding equipment and supplies a dozen years ago. HTP America has continued to grow, supplying welding equipment and supplies ideally suited for serious ‘DIY’ weldors and professional fabrication shops. With uncompromising quality, HTP America delivers the best welding products—at affordable pricing—for 4WD light truck/SUV enthusiasts and […]

Seven Scholarships Totaling $35K Awarded to Women Pursuing Careers in the Trades Press Release, December 4, 2021: MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA (December 3, 2021) –The Jessi Combs Foundation (JCF) is honored to announce the winners of The Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship program for 2021. In total $35,000 worth of scholarships have been awarded to the following […]

QuickJack™ TL Lift Will Raise a Car, SUV or Light Truck in 30 Seconds! In 2015, The QuickJack ™ revolutionized vehicle lifting at home, at the track and at the shop. Improved for home garage, auto repair shop, detailer, mobile service or racetrack use, the new QuickJack™ TL design increases the lifting height and weight […]

2021 SEMA Show Returns to Las Vegas, Nevada! 2021 SEMA Show brought the automotive aftermarket back to Las Vegas, Nevada. Manufacturers, vendors, buyers and hardcore enthusiasts supported the event. A burgeoning aftermarket of new products was evident. 4WD Mechanix Magazine focused on the ever expanding 4×4 light truck and SUV aftermarket, fabrication tools and service […]

Autel® Trainer Demonstrates Advanced Driver Assistance System Calibration at Joe’s Garage… Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology has expanded rapidly in the automotive world. By 2023, over 90% of new vehicles sold will have elements of ADAS. The automotive service community must respond rapidly to these new demands. Traditional tasks like a windshield replacement, four-wheel […]

AAPEX Creates a Real World “Joe’s Garage” Workshop at Las Vegas! For 2021, AAPEX returned to the Las Vegas Sands Convention Center’s Venetian Expo and Caesar Forum. Highlighting the 2021 show was the all new Joe’s Garage. Major equipment, tool and parts manufacturers, automotive service trainers and an enthusiastic global aftermarket supply chain met with […]

Cool Boss™ CB-30L Cooler Improves Productivity Our climate is four seasons, ranging from sub-zero winters to desert summers with temperatures soaring to 106-degrees F. To preserve our camera equipment and work productively during the hot months, we need reliable shop cooling. The optimal, cost-effective cooling solution for high desert is a BendPak® Cool Boss™ CB-30L […]

LT/EcoTec3 4.3L V6 LV3-C Truck Harness (Manual Transmission). The LT1/LT4, and EcoTec3 wiring harnesses are customized to the customer’s specifications. This system has three point point hookups and a ground. Howell Press Release October 2021: Howell EFI Now Offers LT1/LT4 and EcoTec3 Harnesses – Plug and Play Power for Classic Corvettes,Muscle Cars and Trucks Marine City, […]

Eaton Press Release October 2021: Eaton’s Vehicle Group launches aftermarket ELocker® differential for Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT Galesburg, Mich. … Power management company Eaton today announced its Vehicle Group has launched two aftermarket ELocker differentials for the 2018 and newer Jeep® Wrangler JL and 2020 and newer Jeep Gladiator® JT equipped with both […]

Are Readers and Viewers Ready for a Relaunch of the Monthly Magazine? On February 7, 2010, 4WD Mechanix Magazine launched online with its Premiere Issue of the magazine. The format was traditional “print media” layout with a convenient PDF download delivery to readers. The magazine content and delivery drew on nearly three decades of magazine […]

How-to: 4.0L Jeep® Engine Diagnostics and Major Ignition and Fuel Injector Service… At 186,000 miles, our Jeep Cherokee 4.0L engine was due for mechanical diagnostics and a tune-up. This how-to covers our tests of the engine’s mechanical condition followed by performing a complete ignition tune-up and fuel injector cleaning. We upgraded ignition components during the […]

Vlog Series:  Jeep, 4×4 Truck & SUV Engine Oil and Filter Needs! Part 1—Hosted by Moses Ludel In the Part 1 vlog, Moses Ludel talks about the design of engine oils and their history. He shares details on why multi-viscosity oil came into existence and its gains. Learn more about motor oils and the roles oil […]

Vlog Series:  Jeep, 4×4 Truck & SUV Engine Oil and Filter Needs! Part 2—Hosted by Moses Ludel In the Part 2 vlog, Moses Ludel compares synthetic and conventional oils. Is there a cost-effective equivalent to synthetic motor oil? Curious why rear main seals, timing cover seals or valve cover gaskets tend to leak when you switch […]

Vlog Series:  Jeep, 4×4 Truck & SUV Engine Oil and Filter Needs! Part 3—Hosted by Moses Ludel In Part 3, Moses Ludel clarifies viscosity needs and oil change intervals. Wonder why there are so many opinions about motor oil changes and which viscosity oil your engine needs? Hear candid comments—backed by experience!      This four-vlog HD video […]

Vlog Series:  Jeep, 4×4 Truck & SUV Engine Oil and Filter Needs! Part 4—Hosted by Moses Ludel Part 4—Moses Ludel completes the four-vlog series with insights into oil filtration and his filter picks for Jeep and 4×4 truck/SUV engines. Want your engine to last more than two-hundred thousand miles? Watch this HD video!      This four-vlog HD […]

Moses Ludel Vlog: Why Build a 4.6L Jeep Inline Six Stroker Motor? The Jeep inline six stroker motor is a popular topic! In this HD vlog, Moses Ludel shares his many reasons for building a 4.6L Jeep inline six stroker motor. At left is the predecessor to the seven-main bearing 199/232/258 and 4.0L AMC engine […]

HD Vlog: Performance Testing a 4.6L Jeep Inline Six Stroker Motor! Hosted by Moses Ludel  The Jeep inline six stroker motor has been a popular topic! In this HD vlog, hear Moses Ludel describe a Hewes Performance Machine engine that now powers a 1998 Jeep XJ Cherokee. Hear Moses’ comments on this engine build and how the […]

Q&A Vlog:  Choosing a Used Jeep 4×4 for On-Highway and Off-Road Use! In this vlog, Moses Ludel shares his choices for a used on- and off-highway Jeep 4×4. Learn about the assets and downsides of the Wrangler YJ, TJ and JK, the Jeep XJ Cherokee and the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ and WJ models.    […]

Video How-to: Picking the Right Tools to Carry in Your Off-Road 4×4! See how Mark approaches his tool choices and which spare parts make sense for his kind of four-wheeling—which includes the Rubicon Trail, Fordyce and other rugged Sierra challenges.    Trails and challenges have gotten rougher over the years. Today, the properly equipped 4×4 […]

2005 Ram Gets Fluidampr® Harmonic Damper Upgrade Upgrading to a Fluidampr® on the Ram Cummins 5.9L turbodiesel is assurance that the crankshaft will be protected from torsional vibration across the engine’s full rpm range. This is a significant improvement over the OEM damper. Why a Fluidampr®? This proven viscous damper design has an internal “flywheel” […]

MEMA, AASA and CAR Coalition Extoll Victory for Automotive Consumer Rights… 4WD Mechanix Magazine has always supported our right to repair our own vehicles. This includes access to chassis and powertrain data and the right to select replacement parts from a variety of sources. Buying a specific make and model vehicle should not limit or […]

An Autel® MaxiScope Provides Pinpoint Diagnostics… There is no other tool that can diagnose and troubleshoot automotive engines, transmissions, electrical systems and chassis as precisely as a lab scope. While scan tools rely on the vehicle’s computer for data, the lab scope provides valuable image patterns in real time waveforms. The Autel® MP408 MaxiScope is […]