There are many fascinating things at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show (better known simply as SEMA). Some of those things are nauseating (like slammed, chrome-laden H2s), some are weird (like diamond-encrusted wheels), and some are barely concealed (uh, we'll leave that one alone). The SEMA show is the pimp daddy of all aftermarket shows-bar none. Held annually in dazzling Las Vegas, this show is a mandatory must-do for anyone lucky enough to earn a living in the automotive industry.
Last November was the '06 show, and it stuffed the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo Center (that's over a million square feet!) with almost 2,000 automotive-related exhibitors and more than 2,000 cutting-edge vehicles. Know this: The SEMA show has a ripple effect in the industry that continues the following year because it's a place where manufacturers get to showcase their product and trot out brand-new products (this year, more than 2,000 of them); hence it's where power players come to cut major deals. SEMA isn't just a North American happening either-it's global. This monster event drew attendees from more than 100 countries. SEMA says that more than 100,000 industry leaders and more than 50,000 buyers made the trek to the show.
What follows is our annual roundup of outrageous SEMA rigs.
When Can We Get One?
What it is: '07 Chevy Silverado
Location: General Motors booth
Specifics: It's called the Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Big Red" Silverado, and judging by the crowd it drew, GM needs to produce this truck-right now. It sports a 6.2L V-8 with after-cat exhaust and dual billet tips; 4L65E four-speed automatic transmission; 3.73:1 gears; Baer six-piston front calipers and 15-inch rotors; and Baer two-piston rear calipers and 13-inch rotors. Its aggressive look is due in part to GM-designed front fenders, hood, bumpers, grille, brushguard, box panels, roll panel, lightbar, and side steps, as well as GM custom-designed paint.
By the way...: This truck is built to 'wheel with front and rear Eaton E-Lockers, a Rancho 4-inch suspension lift, and 37-inch tires.
Be A Playa, Foo'
What it is: '07 Cadillac Escalade
Location: Full Throttle Suspension booth
Specifics: If you're lookin' for some street cred in your 'hood, perhaps you need this slightly lifted Escalade. It sports a 15-inch Full Throttle coilover suspension lift with Fox remote-reservoir shocks (duals up front), 22x12 Weld Racing wheels, 37x13.50 Toyo Open Country M/T tires, Tom Wood's 'shafts, AirRaid intake; Gibson exhaust; and a T-Rex grille.
By the way...: You'll need a ladder.
Uncommon Unlimited
What it is: '07 Wrangler Unlimited
Location: Dynatrac booth
Specifics: This good-looking rig sports Rubicon Express' new 4.5-inch long-arm kit including remote-reservoir shocks, front CV driveshaft and rear CV driveshaft conversion kit. A number of AEV products were also integrated into the buildup of this rig, and the list includes its front bumper, steel front skidplate, and hood. The Jeep also boasts Goodyear Wrangler 37x12.50-17 tires, Dynatrac Dana 44 differential covers, a front-mounted Ramsey Patriot 9500 winch with synthetic rope, a rear-mounted Ramsey Comp X6000 winch with synthetic rope, Rubicon Express hawse fairlead and rear winch mount kit, Rubicon Express/JBA after-cat exhaust system, and IPF Sport XS HID lights.
By the way...: Those good-looking wheels are AEV's 17x8 DOT-approved bead locks.
Trail Duo
What it is: '07 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with custom trailer
Location: Skyjacker Suspension booth
Specifics: Skyjacker calls this rig "Project Fantastic 4x4 4 The Family." The Rubicon's list of mods includes a Skyjacker 6-inch suspension with Platinum M9000 Series shocks and Hydro H7000 Series steering stabilizers, 37x13.50R20 Toyo Open Country M/T tires, 10-inch-wide Raceline Renegade 5-star wheels, Warn SDB160 driving lights and 9,500-pound PowerPlant Dual Force HP winch, an Optima Yellow Top battery; Gibson after-cat exhaust, Precision grille, Mopar Performance front and rear bumpers, and a slew of Yakima products.
By the way...: The Tentrax trailer also has a bunch of Yakima products as well as a Diamondback Response Sport mountain bike, Coleman stainless steel ice chest/cooler, and an Xtreme paint and Graphics paint scheme to match the Jeep.
Quick, Hide the Beer
What it is: '07 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Location: Superlift Suspension booth
Specifics: It's called the "Park Patrol" and it sports a slew of upgrades including a 4-inch Superlift suspension, 37x13.50 Toyo Open Country M/T tires, 8.5-inch-wide KMC bead-lock wheels, AEV front bumper and corners, Code 3 Emergency Products emergency lights, Poison Spyder Customs Rocker Knockers, a Warn 9.5Ti winch, Bushwacker flares, MasterCraft seating, H3R Fire Control extinguishers, Power Tank onboard CO2 air tank, and dual Optima batteries.
By the way...: It won a DaimlerChrysler Design Excellence Award
Fabulous FJ
What it is: '06 Toyota FJ Cruiser Soft Top Concept
Location: Toyota booth
Specifics: The first thing that catches your eye about this Heritage Orange/Dark Grey Teflon-trimmed Toyota/ASC-built '06 FJ Cruiser is the new bed and tailgate assembly. But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. This unique rig features a gutsy TRD-supercharged 4.7L i-Force V-8 engine, Old Man Emu 3-inch suspension lift, 18-inch American Racing wheels, 33-inch Mickey Thompson tires, ARB front bumper, Warn winch, foglamps, integrated tool kit and metal jerrycan, The Source 5-pound Max Air Kit CO2 canister, TRD Big Brake Kit, and TRD single outlet exhaust.
By the way...: It has a customized InfiniVu roof with dropping rear window and new quarter windows.
Not So Limited Unlimited
What it is: Jeep Wrangler Limited concept
Location: DaimlerChrysler booth
Specifics: Resting unobtrusively in a corner of the DCX booth was this yummy silver Wrangler. Its understated yet cool visual impact is supported by a locked Dana 44 front axle, locked Dana 60 rear axle, 4-inch suspension lift, 35-inch tires, custom carbon-fiber hood, custom bumpers, and projector headlamps.
By the way...: This beauty is powered by a 4.2L diesel engine.
Open For Business
What it is: Hummer H3 Open Top concept
Location: General Motors booth
Specifics: This sexy H3 rolls on 20-inch Rozzi wheels and 325/50-20 Mickey Thompson Baja Claw tires. Among its special features is Spectra Flair paint, a revised instrument cluster and headliner, special leather-trimmed seats, and a white center-stack and console. It also features 13 genuine Hummer accessories.
By the way...: It features a sliding fabric roof system so you can be one with nature.