Featured New Products      Oct/Nov '07

TOWING QUICK CONNECT

Need an easy way to wire your vehicle fo towing? Valley, a leader in towing accessories, now offers a nifty way to have both seven-pin round and four-flat connection points at the rear of the vehicle by plugging their new harness directly into the existing vehicle wiring. "Our new combo connectors expand the unit's functionality," said Mike McCann, vice president, electrical products, Valley.  "It allows users to connect to either a traditional style [boat or utility] trailer or a 5th wheel or gooseneck equipped trailer."  The combination harness, which includes mounting bracket, hardware and comprehensive and fully illustrated installation instructions, has applications available for most current model Ford, GM/GMC, Chrysler/Dodge, Isuzu, and Nissan trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles. For more information, contact Valley at 209.368.8881; www.valley.us.com.

F-150 LED CUSTOM LIGHTING UPGRADE

F-150 owners who want to give their new pickup a truly custom look might consider this complete lighting upgrade kit from hella as the first step. The new kit includes a complete styling package, consisting of two “blackout” headlamps, a composite front grille shell assembly fitted with two Hella Rallye 4000 Compact Series Driving Lamps, two LED tail lamps, and a cab-mounted brake light. (The grille, headlamp kit, and taillamps kit are also available separately.) All of the products in the $499 kit are DOT/SAE compliant and are designed for a smooth, flush fit that creates the appearance of a factory option. Hella’s easy-to-install composite grille assembly is available in a choice of Xenon and Halogen versions with new Free-Form lighting technology. The F-150 kit also includes an award winning LED tail lamp kit and a cab-mounted brake light. The LED tail lamps and brake light feature 24 LEDs that perform the stop/turn functions and CELIS light guides that perform the tail lamp and parking lamp function. The LED tail lamps provide an increased margin of safety with a fast, illuminating and high visibility LED brake light function. For more information, visit www.hellausa.com.

SOFT COVER TONNEAU

Here’s an inexpensive way to protect the items in your pickup bed while improving fuel economy. The LeBra Roll-up soft tonneau cover is a customized, top-mounting tonneau that is operated much like a spool.  To access the bed, simply roll the tonneau up and securely fasten it into place with an integrated buckle strap. Cargo is covered by rolling the tonneau out and securing it using a Velcro(tm) fastening system and spring-loaded latches. Made from a leather grain vinyl (cover) and anodized aluminum (rails and bows), the LeBra Roll-Up materials carry a one-year and limited lifetime warranty, respectively. The LeBra Roll-Up is currently available for most Chevrolet/GMC, Dodge and Ford pickups, as well as the Nissan Titan Crew Cab and King Cab, and Toyota Tacoma.  The Roll-Up's rails are rounded and contoured to match the specific shape of the truck bed it is made for, providing a sleek, original equipment look. The cover ships fully assembled to make installation (and operation) a fast and simple 15-minute process. Contact:  www.global-accessories.com/corp/ or 800.736.1610.

WORKING MAN’S BED SHELL

Leading truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. has expanded its Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) aluminum truck cap offerings to include the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. A.R.E.'s DCU is available in four height configurations - 23 inches, 26 inches, 29 inches and 36 inches - with several rear door options.  In addition, truck owners can choose from optional roof racks, various toolbox configurations, a selection of window and door sizes and a polyester fabric liner designed to prevent condensation from collecting on the interior of the cap. "With more than 200 options to consider, Silverado and Sierra owners can tailor the DCU to complement the exact style and utility needs of their truck," said Bryan Baker, director of marketing, A.R.E.  "All of those choices make our DCU perfect for a variety of industries, including construction, forestry, pest control and landscaping." DCUs feature an exterior skin constructed of .35-white aluminum material.  Additionally, DuPont(r) base coat/clear coat paint is available to match the truck's color code for an original equipment look.  The truck cap also comes with Strattec(r) OEM automotive grade lock cylinders in folding T-handles on all doors to protect valuable tools and equipment as well as cam action deadbolt lock rods with a center point lock to provide trouble-free operation.  A.R.E. DCU caps come with a three-year warranty on materials and workmanship. Contact:  800.649.4ARE or visit www.4are.com.

HOT HITCHES

A hitch with the towing electrical connection built inside the receiver?  It’s an innovation that would have others asking, “Why didn’t I think of that?!”  Valley, a towing industry leader for more than 60 years, did. The new Integrated Trailer Wiring™ hitches are inventive and stylish.  Advancements in manufacturing technology have allowed the towing electrical connection to be moved inside the cross tube of the receiver, eliminating the need for unsightly brackets or to drape the harness outside the vehicle where it can be damaged by weather, road debris or dragging bumpers. The new hitches – primarily Class II and Class III rated – are available in both round and square 2” cross tube receiver designs for a wide range of popular pickup trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles.  A harness, supplied with each hitch, plugs directly into the vehicle’s existing tow wiring – then into an OEM-quality 4-Flat or 7-Way connector on the backside of the hitch.  To ensure durable and reliable operation, the connectors are sealed to help prevent dirt and moisture from getting in. Integrated Trailer Wiring hitches and harnesses from Valley are vehicle specific and are packaged in kits. They can be purchased at leading automotive parts and retail stores including Napa Auto, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Carquest Auto Parts and U-Haul locations.  Contact: www.valley.us.com;  800.344.3112.

RACK THOSE RODS

With space for 14 rods, you can carry a whole arsenal safely and out of the way in the Inno First Strike Interior Rod Rack ZR305 ($185). The rigid, stainless steel and aluminum frame can utilize the screw holes in the overhead hand grips of an SUV or special clamps grip to the side windows of a bed shell. Either way the rack is positioned against the roof where rods are kept secure and organized. Special quick-release latches allow easy removal of each rod while the tip sections are cradled in front hooks, tapered from the back of the vehicle to keep tips away from driver and passenger. Several models are available so it’s easy to find the perfect fit for your needs. Contact: www.rv-inno.com or 310.533-9881.

BAD IN BLACK

Want to give your truck or SUV that special look? The new ProComp 7028 Series wheels are a sure way to do just that. These simulated alloy bead-locks are powder-coated black to combine head-turning style, light weight, chrome finish and high offset brake clearance for today's performance trucks and sport utility vehicles. We put them on our Project Deepwoods Tundra just for those reasons. Together Aerospace alloys and State-Of-The-Art "Low-Pressure-Casting" technology provide unsurpassed wheel strength, beauty and value. Features includes: Cast-Blast Black Finish, Simulated Bead Lock Styling, 5 Spoke Design, Lifetime Structural Warranty, Cap Included, and Sizes available: 16x8, 17x8.5, 17x9.5, and 18x9. Contact: www.procomptires.com; 800.553.2840.

TUNDRA BULL BAR

Australian based four-wheel parts manufacturer, is proud to introduce an air-bag compatible Deluxe Bull Bar style winch bumper for the all new, 2007/08 Toyota Tundra. As seen on Off-Road Adventures Magazine’s Project Deepwoods built by Truck Test Digest host Bruce Smith, the new ARB Bull Bar is the finest front-end armor system available. It’s winch ready, too. The strength of it comes from quality steel that has been precision folded to withstand impact. This five fold, upswept wing design is also engineered for improved approach angle, but its unparalleled advantage is in the mounting system. Designed for air bag compatibility, the ARB mounting system allows this aftermarket bumper to work precisely with the manufacture’s safety mechanisms and crush ratings. To accommodate the added weight of the new Toyota Tundra winch bumper, ARB has developed a smoother than standard Old Man Emu suspension system that also offers the benefit of 2.5” of added suspension lift both in the front and rear of the vehicle. Contact: www.arbusa.com; 425.264.1391.

CAMO CLAD

Nothing turns heads more than driving around in a truck covered bumper-to-bumper in camo. Hunters love it. But the newest camo overlays and full-body kits from Camoclad Camo Systems do more than just provide the custom outdoor look. They protect the factory paint beneath. They use the finest 3M graphics vinyl available and offer a full array of patterns from Advantage, Realtree, Mossy Oak and Natural Gear camouflage companies. Do-it-yourself camo kits are available to fit pickups, SUVs and ATVs—oryou can have a Camoclad dealer do the installation for you like we did for Bruce Smith’s Project Deepwoods Tundra. Contact: www.camoclad.com; 800.585.8550.   

RAMP IT UP

When it's time to load-up that ATV, Look to Lund - the brand with more styles and more features. Lund's Folding Aluminum Ramps are lightweight weighing in at just 17 pounds. Convenient in size, they measure in at 14 x 57.25 inches and boast a whopping 1,000 pound distributed load capacity. Storage and transportation doesn't get any easier with folding capabilities and convenient carrying handle. Extruded holes on the ramp's surface offer traction while raised "wheelguider" edges and no-slack safety chain offer peace of mind. Rubber pads on the top tailgate angle will protect your investment from unsightly scratches. Thick aluminum construction means they're built to last. These ramps are also sold through your local Gulf States Toyota dealers. Contact: www.lundlook.com; 888-588-6049.

Seatback Pack

The Smittybilt G.E.A.R. seat cover is a completely new way of looking at storage for you’re truck and SUV needs. Completely user re-configurable via the unique backing straps and ladder webbing. Kit comes complete with seat cover and 7 individual pouches.

 Contact:  Smittybilt, 888.717.5797; www.smittybilt.com

Quiet Hitch

The anti-rattle ball mount built in to Quiet Hitch shank eliminates all movement and subsequent noise between your tow ball and tow vehicle. Utilizes four stainless-steel lifters that expand from within the ball mount to lock it in place in your receiver tube. Operated with a quick release lever, it is fast and easy to use. Great for today’s “cross-over SUVs. Contact: Quiet Hitch,  559.455.9475; www.quiethitch.com

In The Net

A.R.E. continues to expand its truck accessory offerings with the new SuperNet- a flexible cargo net that can be used in the bed of most any pickup truck to secure gear. The SuperNet features an adjustable net configuration that can be modified four different ways to serve the specific needs of any user.  The product can be used in a variety of ways: as a truck bed divider to separate cargo, as a net to secure groceries and camping equipment, or it can be moved to the side of the truck bed to discretely hold gas cans, flashlights and other emergency equipment. Contact: A.R.E., 800.649.4ARE;  www.4are.com.

Hitch Light

This neat innovation is a Ballmount Hitch Light that attaches on the ball mount receiver for extra rear lighting assist. Easy installation and can be used as a temporary or permanent rear light source. It’s very eay to install and saves the day at night. Contact: Pilot Automotive Inc, 626-937-6988; www.pilotautomotive.com

Ford Ram-Air

This isn’t your ordinary cold-air intake—it’s a complete air filter housing with the Banks’ High-Ram® intake that streams cooler air from vehicle front, increasing power & MPG; flows 70 percent more at same restriction; fits all 5.4L F-150s. Contact: Banks Power, 626-969-9600; www.bankspower.com

Diamondback ATV Extension

Have a shortbed pickup and no way to haul that second ATV? Never fear, this extendsion mounts to the heavy duty aluminum DiamondBack HD Truck Cover and allows for fullsize short-bed trucks to haul two ATVs on top of the DiamondBack HD. For more details, contact Diamond Back Truck Covers, 800.935.4002; www.diamondbackcovers.com