Matthew Skwarczek started blogging in 2015 and focuses his writing on motorcycles and engineering science. A graduate of Northwestern University, where he earned his Master’s in Chemical Engineering, Matthew served as an applications engineer for BASF before joining MotorBiscuit in 2019.
In Matthew’s words, the visceral nature of riding requires you to be in the moment. Combined with his fascination in the analytics surrounding the building and designing of cars and bikes, both modern and classic, you’ll find his voice blends functionality and phenomena. He rides motorcycles and bicycles often, photographing them as well.
Matthew has contributed to Oppositelock and is now an alumnus. He plays Dungeons & Dragons and reads sci-fi and fantasy in his spare time, and appreciates the works of Peter Egan, Sam Smith, Brandon Sanderson, and Alex Goy.
Both the Jeep Gladiator and Ram 1500 are proving to be significant players in the pickup truck market. The Gladiator proves an out-the-box off-roader can also make a good work truck. And the Ram 1500—along with its heavy-duty siblings—have already won awards for serving up both utility and luxury. Now, Car and Driver has named …
The Toyota Tacoma shows up in a lot of ‘most reliable used pickups’ lists, for good reason. This is a truck that’s built for hauling tools, storming off-road, and even rally courses. Certain model years can even reach higher-than-new asking prices. But not every Tacoma is built the same. In fact, according to Car Complaints, …
It’s official: the Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty line is Motor Trend’s 2020 Truck of the Year. In a year marked by Ford’s 1000+ lb-ft diesels, and GMC’s fancy tailgates and carbon-fiber beds, the Ram Heavy Duty line won out. And to repeat, it wasn’t just one Ram HD model that got the nod. From the …
The Ford F-150 may be America’s best-selling truck, but it’s not without its problems. As the most-recalled vehicle sold here, some problems are due to bad design. But considering how pickup trucks are used, some issues crop up for the same reason people get bad knees: age. There are several Ford F-150 problems that only …
Some special-edition Ram 1500 trucks, like the Mossy Oak Edition, are indeed special; some aren’t. One example of the latter is the Ram 1500 Kentucky Derby Edition. It was brought out to commemorate the race’s 144th running, and Ram’s 9th time as the race’s official truck. But this limited-edition isn’t a particularly savvy purchase. Instead …
The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently released its annual “Most Stolen Vehicles” report, and some truck owners may need to look out for thieves. The NICB does reveal that vehicle theft in the US is down overall. But that’s of little comfort to somehow who just had their expensive pride-and-joy jacked. The NICB’s Hot Wheels …
G-Wagen, G-Wagon, G-Class: whatever you call it, there’s a reason Mercedes-Benz’s insanely competent off-roader is so iconic. The SUV has served in militaries, been a Popemobile, climbed 100% grades, and become a 6-wheeled desert-conquering pickup. And it’s that last part that’s curious. Off-road pickups like the F-150 Raptor and AEV Prospector are insanely popular, but …
Diesel trucks are quite different from gasoline ones. That means home mechanics have to keep a few things in mind before wrenching on them. That’s in addition to the other considerations required for pickup truck maintenance. But diesel truck maintenance isn’t terrifyingly-complicated, as long as you keep a few things in mind. Glow plugs, not …
Although gasoline engines in the US are more popular, a diesel truck makes a lot of sense. Diesel trucks can tow and haul more while burning less fuel. Diesel truck engines also last much longer than gasoline ones. And diesel trucks can do all this because of what makes them different from gasoline trucks. Diesel …
For many pickup truck owners, doing their own maintenance isn’t just about saving money: it’s something they enjoy doing. Car owners are much the same. And overall, working on a truck is similar to working on a passenger car. There’s oil to change, tires to rotate, brakes to inspect, and so on. Still, an F-150 …
The Ford F-150 is no stranger to performance mods. The base F-150 Raptor is already a Baja truck for the ‘burbs. Then tuners like Hennessey Performance and Clive Sutton add even more crazy. But drifter, rally racer and Internet icon Ken Block may have beat them all. He and his Hoonigan team recently took production …
When it comes to American icons, the Ford F-150 and Harley-Davidson motorcycles rank pretty high on the recognition factor. So, it should come as no surprise that Ford and H-D have partnered before to make F-150 Harley-Davidson special-edition trucks. Although not truly ‘limited’, from 2002-2012 more than 70,000 H-D-themed F-150s were produced. The latest Harley-Davidson …
The stereotype of many pickup truck buyers is extreme loyalty to their truck of choice. Chevy Silverado people wouldn’t think of owning a Ford F-150, that kind of thing. The crowds of Calvin stickers on rear windows certainly doesn’t help dissuade the concept. Neither do the sales figures of a truck like the Honda Ridgeline, …
There are a number of reasons why the truck or car you put on Craigslist hasn’t sold. You might not have enough photos, or maybe the price is too high. Or, it could be due to one of the most difficult things to get right: the ad. Your post has to be clear and honest; …
Selling a used truck or car isn’t easy. This is especially when posting an ad over the Internet, such as on Craigslist. Your post has to stand out amongst the crowd, which can sometimes include scam artists. But there are several good tips and tricks for making sure you have a good ad for your …
Selling your pickup truck or car is difficult at the best of times. Trying to sell it on a website like Craigslist can be even harder. Scams abound, and potential buyers’ time is limited. But if you’re concerned your post isn’t standing out, we’re here to help. Here are a few ways to improve your …
Selling your truck on your own can be quite a headache. But there are a number of benefits to being your own salesman. And sites like Craigslist provide an easy way for sellers and potential buyers to reach others. But selling on Craigslist comes with its own risks and its own strategies. So, if you …
With Fiat-Chrysler and Peugeot’s parent company PSA Group officially merged, the automotive world is about to get very interesting. For one, it could mean a return to the US for French brands like Peugeot and Citroen, which ducked out decades ago. For another, it could mean more vehicles from Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler could make …
When it comes to pickup truck selection, Europe gets a mixed bag. On the one hand, they get mid-size offerings like the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ram 700, and the US doesn’t. Although, trucks like the F-150 Raptor and Ram Power Wagon aren’t available across the pond. But if we Americans want a Ranger Raptor, …
As the demand for EVs grows, so is the push for ever-increasing range. Modern engineering and design mean EVs no longer trail far behind their fossil-fuel-powered counterparts. Even in the case of the upcoming electric pickups. Even so, many consumers fear getting stranded without a charge. Luckily, Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained has a potential …