#11: iPhone Dyno
The Dash Boss plugs into the OBD port on your ’96-up vehicle and feeds into your iPhone via Bluetooth. You can use the Dash Boss to measure 0-60, ¼-mile, and 60-0 times among other things. Any electronics tweaker or performance enthusiast will enjoy having a Dash Boss.
www.dashboss.com
MSRP: $189.99
#12: Wheelie Green Envy
Call me crazy, I like these green 17x9 Method desert truck beadlocks. Currently they are only offered in machined aluminum but I think the company should offer them in the same color green that some of the race drivers run. For now you would have to have them painted or powder coated yourself.
www.methodracewheels.com
MSRP: $345 (plus paint)
#13: Jack Mate
Many 4x4 enthusiasts have a Hi-Lift Jack. To make that Hi-Lift more useful they’ll appreciate a Rescue 42 JackMate. The JackMate slides over either end of the jack bar and is attached with a quick-release pin. As a top clamp, the JackMate dramatically increases the jacks winching, clamping, and crushing capabilities. As a replacement jack base, the JackMate is engineered to bite into boards or logs to help prevent the jack from sinking in mud, sand, ice, and snow.
www.rescue42.com
MSRP: $44.90
#14: RC Camp 4x4
If you’re looking for a fun camp toy that you can also chase the neighbor kids with, the Traxxas Slash 4x4 is the only way to go. It’s a brushless-motored RC car so it’s really fast. It comes complete with a controller, battery, and charger. The Slash 4x4 looks and drives just like a real Pro-4 short-course race truck, only it’s less expensive, easier to maintain, and a lot smaller.
www.traxxas.com
MSPR: $424.99
#15: Your Last Axles
RCV Performance offers unbreakable axle shafts for almost every common 4x4 front axle. But if you are buying them for me I’ll take the non-unit-bearing Dana 44 front shafts for a ’74-’79 Wagoneer. All of the company’s CV-style shafts come with a “You break it, we replace it!” warranty, and that’s something you don’t see every day on a quality axle part.
www.rcvperformance.com
MSRP: $1285.00
#16: Tool Parking
If you’re shopping for me, I don’t really need the Harbor Freight 13-drawer red roller cabinet (PN 90320), I already own one (if you’re asking though, I wouldn’t mind upgrading to the larger 56-inch version PN 67681). For the price it’s a great rolling tool chest if you need a lot of tool storage space. It regularly goes on sale for several hundred dollars less than the suggested retail price.
www.harborfreight.com
MSRP: $599.99
#17: Budget HID
If you like night wheeling like I do then you need HID off-road lights. They’re way brighter than a typical halogen lamp. And now you don’t have to pay the premium HID price thanks to Rugged Ridge. The 5-inch two-light kit (PN 15205.54) even includes a switch and a wiring harness and will throw plenty of lumens down your path. A 7-inch version is also available.
www.ruggedridgeoffroad.com
MSRP: $376.90
#18: Clean Fire Fighter
HalGuard premium fire extinguishers contain a clean extinguishing agent that rapidly turns into a gas, and quickly attacks fires without leaving any residue to clean up, or any danger of electric shock. The H3R 2.5-pound HG250R extinguisher can easily be mounted in a Jeep. It’s compact, lightweight, easy to use, rechargeable, made in the USA, and it comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Several sizes and colors (including chrome) are also available.
www.h3rperformance.com
MSRP: $131.99
#19: Forever Air
I want an air compressor that lasts. For that you need to look to the oiled pumps. The Craftsman Professional 27-gallon air compressor (PN WLB1982713) delivers 5.8 SCFM at 90 PSI. The oil-lubricated pump is belt-driven by a heavy-duty 1.9hp induction motor and produces up to 150 psi. There is no assembly required and it comes with a 1 year limited warranty.
www.crafstsman.com
MSRP: $529.99
#20: Wide View Welding
If you’re welding on a 4x4 you want a wide field of vision because sometimes you’ll find yourself in tight quarters. The Lincoln Viking 3350 welding helmet features a large 3.74x3.34-inch auto-darkening viewing area. It’s available in several different paint schemes including Black, Patriot, Tribal, Terracuda, Motorhead, and Mojo. Me? I’ll take the simple black or Tribal version.
www.lincolnelectric.com
MSRP: $251.00-$272.00