John Cappa
Former Editor, Four Wheeler
Ever dreamed of walking the entire SEMA Show held every year in Las Vegas? We have too. Even though we have been attending the event for more than a decade and generally walk 8-10 miles of show floor each day, we still feel that there are stones left unturned at the end of the trip. It’s understandable because this is the largest aftermarket automotive show in the world. There is so much stuff to see and so many isles to walk that, no matter how hard you try, you will surely miss something. This year we set out to find our Top 10 favorite 4x4 products -- no small feat considering that almost 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools, and components were brought out for the 2015 SEMA show. Here is what we found in no particular order.
Fullsize Fanboys
American Expedition Vehicles (aev-conversions.com) is well known for having high-end parts and conversions for Jeep Wrangler vehicles. For the past several years, AEV has been teasing us with well-thought-out prototype lifts, fender flares, and other bits that give you the ability to comfortably fit 40-inch tires on Ram heavy-duty trucks. This year, all of the parts came to fruition. The company now has a small lift, flares, a winch bumper, and more.
Drop-In Diesel
Cummins (cumminsengines.com) is dabbling with the idea of offering completely new turn-key crate diesel engines at a competitive price. Right now there are three engines being considered. These include an inline-four cylinder, a 5.0L V-8, and the big 6.7L inline-six. You can help the company decide what should come in the crate kits by going to cumminsengines.com/repower-survey.
Billet Jewel
You probably can’t use it, don’t need it, and can’t afford it for your 4x4, but the Weismann (weismann.net) machined transmission and transfer case are cool enough looking to be considered artwork. We only wish we had some sort of vehicle that could use the advanced shifting.
Bolt-On Bypass
We love high-zoot race technology, and we love it even more when it’s affordable and easy to install on an everyday 4x4. Rubicon Express (rubiconexpress.com) had us mesmerized with the new dual-tube bolt-on bypass shocks for the front and rear of the Jeep JK Wrangler. The company recently pilfered several players from the Toyota TRD staff. We suspect you’ll see a lot more cool mods from the Rubicon Express very soon.
GM IFS Beef
Having trouble keeping the front differential of your ’07-current GM 2500 HD in once piece? Dynatrac (dynatrac.com) now offers the ProRock XD-60-GM-IFS replacement axle assembly for just such an application. It features a massive 10.1-inch ring gear and an ultra-durable nodular iron housing that won’t come apart like the factory cast aluminum when you throw down the torque.
IFS Wrangler
Before you get out the pitchforks and torches, consider that the Amanda Products (amandaproducts.com) Jeep JK Wrangler IFS front suspension module offers 16 inches of wheel travel and features a massive Ford 9-inch center section among other heavy-duty parts. The IRS rear suspension module also has a Ford 9-inch center section and features 14 inches of wheel travel. If you are a go-fastie, this kit might be for you.
Vintage Gold!
Call us kooks, but we love a wheel with a vintage vibe. And for some reason, gold wheels call to us. Put the two together and we are searching the online ads for a vehicle to put them on. American Racing (americanracing.com) recently introduced these oval-hole wheels in machined and black finishes. Now it appears gold is available as well.
Coilversion
BDS (bds-suspension.com) brought out a ’15 GM 2500 project truck with a 3-inch lift coilover conversion system. It features heat-treated 4130 chromoly upper control arms, internally gusseted and boxed lower control arms, 2.5-inch Fox coilovers with DSC adjusters, and Fox 2.0 IFP hydraulic bumpstops.
Long Travel Blue Oval
Pro Comp (procompusa.com) introduced its long-travel A-arm suspension for the current Ford F-150. The kit comes with new upper and lower arms that increase track width by a total of 5 inches. The factory shocks are replaced with huge 2.75-inch shocks with built-in hydraulic bumpstops and new military-wrapped rear leaf springs bring up the rear. Fender extensions are also available to provide needed tire coverage.
Infinite Damping
The King Shocks (kingshocks.com) bolt-on bypass shocks for the ’07 to current Jeep JK Wrangler feature three bypass tubes per shock. Each tube is easily and infinitely adjusted via large knobs that allow you to tune in your suspension ride and performance just how you want it. Other bolt-on shock applications are also available.
