Flowmaster Mufflers Typical comment: "Made a noticeable improvement in low-end torque."
In this world of rip-off artists and conmen, we at Four Wheeler feel it's our responsibility to help get the word out about all-star parts, tools, manufacturers and shops that have made our readers smile because of their abilities to provide great parts and service. These include shops that go the extra mile for their customers, whether that means making an item easy to return, or offering mega-amounts of free tech advice. Or maybe it's a part that fits properly, works well and lasts forever. Yep, it's time to give them all a pat on the back for a job well done.
We perform this service each year, asking you, our readers, to vote on your favorites-the products and people you'd recommend to a friend. The system works like this: In our May and June issues we asked you to fill out a simple three-point survey that had you consider which parts, manufacturers and shops you loved. You mentioned the awesome mechanic, the choice winch, the best lockers and lift kits you loved. We tallied the votes, rounded up some quotes and now present you with our, uh, notes. So here they are: The 2002 Reader All-Stars.
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Tractech Detroit Locker Typical comment: "Buy it. Put it in. Don't worry about it break
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BFGoodrich A/T Kos Typical comment: "These were my first purchases for my truck. They h
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Accel Ignition Wires Typical comment: "They are reasonably priced and work well under h
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Explorer Pro Comp Lights Typical comment: "Brightest dual pattern lights I've ever seen.
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ARB Air Lockers Typical comment: "Perfect for the snow and ice."-Appleton, WI
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Teraflex Revolver Shackles Typical comment: "Great product."-Seal Beach, CA
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K&N Air Filter Typical comment: "Good power-adder."-Redding, CA
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Warn M8274-50 Winch Typical comment: "Fast, with 150 feet of cable. Built tough."-Shrew
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JB Conversions Heavy-Duty Fixed-Yoke Kit Typical comment: "The original. I haven't hear
MacGyver Lives!
Andy Barerl of Omaha, Nebraska, sent us his three top parts. We just had to share...
1.Vinyl electrical tape
2.Metal coat hanger
3. Cigarette lighter
All-Star Manufacturers
These days it seems like the term "customer service" is an oxymoron. So many companies out there mistreat customers for the sake of profits. So it didn't shock us much that whenever readers mentioned a manufacturer they liked, besides citing a component's reliability, they inevitably mentioned the company's customer service and willingness to back up their products. After all, if "4x4 Off-Road Trail Warriors World of Performance Zone" can't stand behind their products, what good are they?
ARB
Typical comment: "Great tech support."-Johnstown, NY
Currie
Typical comment: "Always helpful. Did a ton of work on my truck and always went the extra mile."-Appleton, WI
K&N Air Filter Systems
Typical comment: "Stood behind a defective part 100 percent and sent one free, no charge."-Walden, NY
Moser Engineering
Typical comment: "Rob Moser's expertise was priceless when swapping/rebuilding/modifying axles in one of my project trucks."-Glen Burnie, MD
Novak Adapters
Typical comment: "Best out-of-the-box tranny, t-case adapters. Easy fit, strong precision-built."-Steilacoom, WA
Randy's Ring & Pinion
Typical comment: "Randy's helped me a lot. I got everything I needed for my Dana 44 and even learned a little."-Belding, MI
Lund
Typical comment: "Since they bought Smittybilt, I finally got the missing bracket for my nerf bars. Smittybilt wouldn't give me one."-Dexter, NY
Ramsey
Typical comment: "[Their stuff] doesn't break, needs no replacement, parts or service."-Independence, LA
Revtek
Typical comment: "Excellent quality and instructions, lift kit, phone/tech support."-Redding, CA
Warn
Typical comment: "Great parts that never break."-Orangeville, UT
"The best tech department out there."-Oil City, LA