Send Your Work Truck to Daily Driver Rehab
That cherry ride sitting in the garage might be killer, but we all know who the real hero is – your daily driver. Day in and day out, that rig gets you out to work and back home in one piece. So, when was the last time you showed it some TLC?
Sure, the pickup truck is a rugged and capable mode of transportation, but it’s also your sanctuary. The cabin is where you enjoy your morning cup of coffee, or take five to decompress during a long and hectic day. When adventure is on the brain, your workhorse heads up the trail, down the beach, and everywhere in between.
But those miles add up.
Do you find yourself turning up the radio more often? Not to remind yourself how great life is, but to escape those awful rattles and bangs? Then it might be time to breathe some new life into an aging rig. There are plenty of ways to express love for the old girl, but we’ve broken it down into five helpful stages.
Welcome to Daily Driver Rehab.
Stage 1: Deep Clean
Over time, the smells, stains, and clutter of work gear, spare clothing, forgotten papers, empty coffee cups, and used food containers can make your ride downright unbearable. We’re all guilty of treating our truck like a trash can, so we can all likely agree that a deep clean is a great place to start.
Inside
Cleaning up the interior requires more than emptying the clutter. Scrubbing the carpet and seats to remove stains and spills is the only way to banish questionable smells and grime. Keep in mind, this may include removing the seats to access those hard-to-reach places playing haven to crumbs, wrappers, and sticky spare change.
There are plenty of quality go-to brands in this department: Meguiar’s, Mothers, 303, Turtle Wax and Armor All are just the tip of the iceberg. However, if you’re a bit of a noob when it comes to car cleaning, check out Chemical Guys and Adam’s Polishes. Both brands offer a video catalog bursting with how-to content for nearly every product in the lineup.
Outside
Let’s not ignore the exterior. A truck bed coated in a cocktail of sludge, oils, and debris is crying out for attention. And the undercarriage, wearing a layer of gunk mummifying the transmission, brake lines, and more, is sure to inspire terror. So, you’ll want to get into all of those nooks and crannies when you hit it with the pressure washer. (Check out the innovative new attachment from RYOBI in the video below.) To really loosen and remove stubborn deposits, check out this premium degreaser from Dr. Beasley’s.
As for the paint: you know it’s beat up. Chipped from flying rocks on the highway and scuffed from trail branches, you’ve also probably had a few tools make a rough landing. So, you might want to do some touchups if you’re not one for the “road rash” look.
Check out AutomotiveTouchup for paint pens, brushes, and aerosol cans that match the factory layer. We recommend the three-step touchup system. It not only makes a refresh easy, but also enjoyable.
Looking for more great detailing tips? Check out our blog posts on Spring Cleaning and Detailing 101.
Stage 2: Performance Upgrade
In addition to addressing any rattles, bangs, squeaks, and squeals, changing the oil and throwing in a fresh set of plugs can do wonders. Have you considered switching to an oil that is specially formulated for older rides? Valvoline’s High Mileage with MaxLife Technology Motor Oils targets the mechanical ailments associated with 75,000 mile and higher rides, maximizing engine life in the process.
If more exciting performance upgrades are on your mind, a suspension lift is a surefire way to boost ride quality and styling. With quality fit and finish – plus a very reasonable price point – TrailFX lift kits are a great go-to.
Not feasible on a vehicle you use for work? Check out a leveling kit.
Suppliers like Superlift offer quality kits that are easy to install. Even better, they correct the stance of the truck, making it aesthetically pleasing, and allow you to fit a larger set of tires on there if you so choose. (Another worthy upgrade when rehabbing a daily driver.)
Hauling heavy loads and tackling trails is always benefited by adding more power, so get a little more juice out of that powerhouse with a Bully Dog programmer. Pairing a programmer with a CAI is something you can do in just a few minutes and see actual, immediate results.
Don’t forget about that ticking exhaust! You’re robbing yourself of plenty of enjoyment by throwing on the factory aluminized muffler or piping to repair it. Whether you opt for mild or wild, an exhaust from AWE Tuning is sure to increase the amount of pleasure that comes from driving. Not only that, but doing so can also add to the power boosts of a good tune and intake, making that rig even more capable of blazing trails on the weekend.
Stage 3: Wheels and Tires
Tire selection really allows an owner to customize his or her truck for its intended purpose. Obviously, everyone loves the look and persona of an all-terrain – but is it always the best choice? Well, that depends.
Pavement Princess
If your work truck is strictly for work and sees little to no time on the trail, you should run a highway tire. With enhanced on-road traction and comfort, these tires will make less noise when driving on the pavement.
Additionally, highway tires can still handle some light off-road use, making them viable for work trucks that need to reach the occasional job site that is off the beaten path.
Firestone’s best-selling tire – the Destination LE3 – is a great option if you fall in this camp. It features full-depth 3D tire sipes with multiple biting edges that maximize traction, as well as wide circumferential grooves that push water out of the way to allow for optimal control, no matter the highway conditions.
Off-Road Brute
If you find your rig spending an increasing amount of time off the beaten path, it might be time for some all-terrains. These tires have the edge off-road, but there is a small tradeoff in on-road comfort and performance. That isn’t to say that they don’t work just fine for most folks, it’s just a detail to bear in mind during tire selection.
Power-of-choice is certainly on your side in this department. Some of the most popular options include: the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 that cut its teeth in the Baja 1000; the Firestone Destination A/T, which is standard equipment on the Cherokee Trailhawk; and the Yokohama Geolander A/T, which continues to rack up 5-star reviews for its performance both off-road and in snowy weather conditions.
A fresh set of wheels is also a great way to spend hard-earned cash. They can accommodate much larger tires and top off the look you’re chasing. If you don’t have room in the budget, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options when it comes to updating the look of your ride. CCI Wheel skins are an excellent solution because they pop on in seconds, totally transforming the appearance of your truck.
Stage 4: Protect & Serve
Before you throw in the towel, consider making life easier for the next time you have to give this truck a good scrubbing. Prevention is better than cure, eh?
Keep it Clean
Floor liners and seat covers are a fantastic way to keep spills and debris at bay. Rather than letting fluids soak into the seats or carpet, these add-ons contain and repel so you can clean up messes quickly. Brands like WeatherTech, Husky Liners, TigerTough, and 3D MAXpider all offer high-quality interior protection in a variety of styles, at a variety of price points.
Another thing you can do is add a special coating to the vehicle’s undercarriage. Doing so wards off rust and corrosion, effectively prolonging the life of the vehicle. You can opt for professional service for this, but plenty of DIY products on the market make it possible and cheaper for you to tackle it yourself. 3M and Rust-Oleum are the top brands in this department, but you’ll find great product from Penray, Dynatron, and Fluid Film as well.
If Old Man Winter is a familiar foe, swing by our discussion on Winterizing. The snowy season might be wrapping up, but many of the tips work well for year-round protection.
Keep it Strong
Work trucks are sometimes used more like battering rams than vehicles. So, if you want to save face (or grille), you might consider some form of front-end protection. Bull bars, grille guards, and aftermarket bumpers are all great options. Which is appropriate ultimately depends on how brutal your environment is and what look you’re chasing.
Installation of these components may also make it possible for you to add winches and aftermarket lighting. Again, that can be purely for the weekend, but if you find yourself taking side jobs that run you through the wild, these can all ensure you’re ready to get the job done. Brands like Westin, Rugged Ridge, and TrailFX are a great turn-to here, with product catalogs swelling with affordable truck accessories that can literally cover your rig from nose to bed.
Stage 5: Suit Up
If you find yourself sifting through clutter every weekday or rearranging junk to fit more passengers, it’s probably time for a better system.
Under-seat organizers are a great place to start. They essentially turn that vacant space into an organized storage compartment that’ll keep you from going nuts trying to find your safety glasses on the job or elsewhere. Check out this solid contender from Husky Liners.
You can always apply the same principle to the bed of your truck, as well. Small storage systems, like the UnderCover Swing Case, offer a safe and secure space for small tools and accessories. Those seeking something more heavy-duty will find it in a brand like DECKED. The company’s comprehensive in-bed organizers offer maximum cargo storage efficiency, durability, and functionality. (The jealousy factor is a nice touch, as well.)
Tool boxes are a no-brainer, and brands like BetterBuilt, Weather Guard, DeeZee, and TrailFX all have you covered.
If you find your back and knees aging like your truck, consider a sliding platform from BEDSLIDE. Easy to install and easy on the joints, reach what you need safely and easily.
Adding aftermarket components to upfit your daily driver is a tried-and-true way to show that rig she’s still your number one gal. While you can certainly call it quits after a deep clean and tune up, why not indulge in some tailored upgrades? Not everything needs to serve a practical purpose. Heck, a set of aggressive tires or a rumble under your seat doesn’t have to make sense – they just have to bring a grin when you jump in the truck and take the long way home.
