20 Great Products Seen At SEMA 2006
LIKE A KID IN A CANDY STORE. That’s just about any motorhead at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. And like a kid in a candy store, you have to make some decisions. In fact, if you don’t make some important decisions before you get to the show you are already behind.
First there are decisions about the show itself like, “what am I going to see in the limited time I have?” The show is huge, the number of booths alone is staggering and that is not to mention the aftermarket products available.
With over 100,000 people trying to catch a glimpse of 10,000 booths and 2,000 vehicles in an area that covers over 2 million sq. ft., it’s a huge undertaking
To make things a bit easier, SEMA organizes the show into categories like: Performance Tires & Wheels, Racing & Performance, Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road.
The first thing we did was to narrow it down a bit by concentrating on trucks and off-road with a little tire and engine performance thrown in.
Even after chopping the show down to a third of the overall size, one can still make the mistake of spending too much time in one place. There are hundreds of stops to make and thousands or new products to see so keep moving!
Here are a few of the new or improved products we saw while moving through the show.
TRUCK FAN
Left: Flex-a-lite says you can recover 27hp, boost your fuel mileage by 6%, increase torque and improve air conditioning performance just by eliminating your stock clutch fan assembly and installing their dual fans for the Cummins ’94 to ’02. The new Dodge Cummins Diesel fan measures 37 1/4” x 20 1/4” x 4 1/4” pulls up to 5500 cubic feet per minute and draws 28-36 amps and features a brushed aluminum shroud with mounting points made specifically for the radiator. The variable speed control module independently operates the fans from 60% to 100% depending on engine temperature and a/c activation. An optional manual switch (Flex-a-lite #31148) allows the electric fan to be turned off through water crossings. Custom brackets make this a quick to install bolt-on installation. Contact www.flex-a-lite.com
SUPER DUTY SUPERLIFT
Right: Superlift’s revolutionary front 4-link upgrade system for current-model Ford Super Duty 4x4s. replaces the factory radius-arm arrangement, which offers several advantages, primarily less caster change as the suspension cycles. This yields more stable steering and handling traits in all terrain types, on-road or off. Available in 4”, 6” and 8” systems.Contact www.superlift.com
UNLIMITED SECURITY
Left: The only Jeep accessory of its kind, the Tuffy Security
Products Unlimited Drawer for the new Jeep Wrangler
Unlimited maximizes lockable storage for valuables, such as
recovery gear, camping gear, and other objects. It installs
easily between the rear seat and tailgate utilizing existing
holes. Each drawer features Tuffy Patented Pry-Guard II
Locking System with an extremely pick resistant 10-tumbler
anti-twist push button lock, two point welded striker, and
hardened steel latch for security.
Contact: www.tuffyproducts.com
JACK STRAP
Right: Energy Suspension is renowned for its polyurethane suspension components but this product addresses a different off-road issue: rattling jack handles. Designed specifically to fit high-lift style jacks, the Jack Strap secures the loose and noisy jack handle with indestructible HYPER-FLEX™ polyurethane. Unique “thru-hole” design allows a secure and flush fit mounting on most vehicle bumpers, beds and rails. It stays on the jack all the time because the design allows the handle to complete its ratcheting cycle. Contact: www.energysuspension.com
FRESH AIR SUPPLY
Left: Warrior now makes front and rear tube doors for 2007 JK Jeep. Complete with hinges that work with the stock attach points, these powdercoat finished doors are available with or without mesh covers. Optional is a latch mechanism, which works with the stock door strike to operate like the standard doors. Contact: www.warriorproducts.com
DYNAMIC TUNER
Right: Designed for the performance enthusiast who wants total control of their vehicle’s programming, the JET Dynamic Spectrum Tuner (DST) is a powerful tuning package. JET’s DST software provides you with the tools needed for precise performance tuning using your laptop or PC. Use of this software will give you the ability to modify virtually every aspect of the vehicle’s programming.
FJ INTAKE
Left: It seems like everyone was making parts for the popular FJ Cruiser including K&N Engineering, which had two versions of their intake fuel injection performance kit (FIPK). The kit is available in both plastic and aluminum. Both employ the stock MAS air and program, are bolt on (usually no drill) and install in about 90 minutes. Contact: www.knfilters.com
AIR APPARENT
Right: Need the ultimate in on-board air power, then install the new Oasis XD4000 heavy duty air compressor and get to work. The XD4000 Forced Air Cooled 12-volt unit is the fastest on-board compressor available, flowing 200psi at 8cfm-or filling a 5- gallon air tank to 150psi in just 54 seconds. It’s sealed, tough, and designed for the harshest off-road conditions. Contact: www.oasismfg.com
TOTALLY TUBULAR
Westin introduces their new Oval Tube Step. Available in a highly polished 304 stainless steel and black powdercoat on E-Coated mild steel for maximum rust protection. It features a contoured end cap, which returns toward the vehicle body for a stylish look. The new steps are equipped with a tougher looking raised step pad that channels water away. Vehicle specific mount kits are sold separately to ensure a perfect fit. Contact: www.westinautomotive.com Contact: http://www.westinautomotive.com
LIFTED FJ
Left: Pro Comp Suspension’s 6” suspension lift system transforms the FJ Cruiser to allow up to 35” tall tires giving ample clearance to overcome challenging obstacles. The Stage II system is available with maximum performance MX2.75c Coil Over front shocks and MX6 Six-Way Adjustable rear shocks. The Stage I system has spacers for the factory struts and ES9000 rear shocks. Extended steering knuckles and rock proof one-piece lower crossmembers install easily and position factory components correctly for optimum performance and durability. The package is completed with longer rear coils combined with extended upper arms and a rear track bar bracket. You can use the factory 17” rims and the recommended tire size “35” x “12.50” on 17”-20” diameter and 8” or 9” wide wheels with up to 4.75” backspacing. Contact www.explorerprocomp.com
QUICKLIFT
Center: Rancho enables enthusiasts to ease into suspension mods with a simple upgrade to accommodate larger tires and wheels plus gain an aggressive, lifted stance at a fraction of the cost of a traditional suspension lift. Rancho QuickLIFT fixed-seat coil-overs replace OE spring-seat shock absorbers. With no drilling, cutting or welding, installation takes under two hours. QuickLIFT provides 1- to 2.5-in. of additional lift and features a nitrogen gas-charged tritube patented mono-flow design. The tuning system allows for remote or manual nine-position adjustability. Contact: www.gorancho.com
BIG BOYS BATTERY
Right: Monster sound systems and diesel engines put a big drain on a vehicle’s battery. That’s why Optima Batteries now offer dual-purpose Group 75/25, Group 31 and 35 YellowTop batteries. YellowTops are designed for extreme use and have deep-cycle characteristics for long life because they use leak-proof, vibration-resistant Spirallcell technology. Contact: www.optimabatteries.com
DUALFORCE WINNER
Left: Warn Industries, the leader in off-road truck performance parts, won the Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product award at the show. The prestigious award was for the company’s newest truck product, the PowerPlant™ Dual Force, a first-of-its-kind vehicle-mounted tool that combines a highperformance air compressor and legendary WARN® winch in a self-contained unit. Typical uses for the PowerPlant Dual Force include airing up a vehicle’s tires, powering air tools, inflating rafts, and vehicle recovery. Contact: www.warn.com
THREE-TAB BAR
KC HiLiTES is synonymous with great off-road lighting. Now they have added a neat hood mount so owners of ’97-06 Jeep TJs can have their KCs and Hi-Lifts in one location. This new bar, which mounts to the factory hood hinges, is designed to hold a Hi-Lift jack or other tools and has three light tabs to hold a brace of KCs. New mirror light mounts are also available. Contact: www.kchilites.com
COLDSHOT POWER
The latest performance secret for more power in diesels is injecting methanol into the intake charge, thus lowering EGT. Painless Performance Products has perfected that with their new Striker ColdShot System that electronically injects a water/methanol mixture into the intake. System includes highpressure 12V pump, 2qt reservoir and on-board controller. Contact: www.painlessperformance.com
COMPLETE COVER
Undercover’s Tool Box Buddy is a tonneau cover designed to go with a 19” to 21” tool box. With an adjustable bulk head, the Tool box Buddy secures and protects everything in your pickup that will not fit inside the tool box. Forget about unloading gear every night and for larger loads the Box Buddy is light weight and easy to remove. Contact: www.undercoverinfo.com
CAT-FORWARD
Left: Everyone knows about cat-back exhausts, but few know JBA Performance Exhaust has a lot of “catforward” offerings — including the new Cat4ward Headers for the ’91-99 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L engines. Cat4ward headers offer more torque and hp; 50-state smog legal; stainless steel mandrel-bent; and easy bolt-on installation. Contact: www.jbaheaders.com
HANDLE-ALL
Hi-Lift is known for their jacks, but now they have a multi-tool that is another must-have in your vehicle. The nifty Handle-All is actually four handy tools in one: Shovel; sledge hammer; axe; and pick-axe. The kit is very compact, the telescoping handle is stout, and the different heads lock securely in place. Contact: www.hi-lift.com
POWERBALL FOR PLASTIC
Mother knows we have lots of plastic parts on our vehicles these days and that’s why Mothers developed their Plastic Polish. Whether it’s your turn signal lenses, center caps, brake lights, convertible top window or the clear plastic gauge cluster cover, Mothers® Plastic Polish will clean, shine and protect the clear stuff with crystal clarity. Chuck Mothers’ PowerBall Mini into a drill and make that detail job even easier. Contact: www.mothers.com
MIGHTY MUFFLER
Off-road adventurers with a vehicle sounding a bit too loud would do well to slip on the new GIBSON Performance Exhaust universal muffler. This oval design, stainless steel muffler measures 4”x9” with either a 13”- or 18” body, and utilizes Gibson’s Patented CFT process- Convergent Flow Technology for optimum performance and a deep powerful exhaust tone. Lifetime warranty, maximum flow. Contact: www.gibsonperformance.com