Each November, our editorial staff wanders the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center in hopes of finding every new part available for Jeeps, trucks, and SUVs at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. Despite sore feet and spent vocal cords, our guys typically return home with a sizable stockpile of items that they feel "must run in the next issue." Unfortunately, space is a limited commodity on these pages, so to fit it all in, we decided to reformat "What's New" this month to better accommodate the cool stuff we found. Check it out.
What It Is: HD Toyota T-Case Housing
Who Makes It: Advance Adapters
Why it's Cool: This heavy-duty transfer-case housing is the bulletproof solution for Toyota pickup owners who want to run lower gearing without worrying about case failures on the trail. The case features 356-T6 heat-treated aluminum construction and is engineered with additional clearance for lower aftermarket gears.
Where to get more info: 800/350-2223, www.advanceadapters.com
What It Is: Intercooler for Ford 6.0L Powerstroke
Who Makes It: Gale Banks Engineering
Why it's Cool: The Banks Techni-Cooler delivers a significant reduction in boost air temperature with a minimum loss of boost pressure. This means you can keep your foot on the floor on even the longest of hills without worrying about high EGTs.
Where to get more info: 800/428-9176, www.bankspower.com
What It Is: Dune Grappler
Who Makes It: Nitto
Why it's Cool: This new tire is poised to make a big splash in the 2006 desert racing scene. With tighter lug spacing than the Mud Grappler, this tire should offer good performance for daily drivers and weekend trail machines.
Where to get more info: www.nittotire.com
What It Is: Digital Shock Controller
Who Makes It: Rancho Suspension
Why it's Cool: This kit works with all Rancho RS 9000 and 9000X shock absorbers to digitally control damping at the touch of a button. The unit also has a built-in microprocessor with a "save" feature that will automatically adjust shock damping levels to a desired level on vehicle restarts.
Where to get more info: www.gorancho.com
What It Is: Dana 44/60 Diff Covers
Who Makes It: Fab Fours
Why it's Cool: This diff cover is designed to protect the vehicle's ring gear and centersection with 11/44-inch plate while maintaining the original contours and ground clearance.
Where to get more info: 970/385-1905, www.fabfours.com
What It Is: Lightweight Winch Bumpers
Who Makes It: Aluminess
Why it's Cool: These winch bumpers shave off significant weight without sacrificing durability and performance. Made entirely of aluminum, these truck bumpers are a fraction of the weight of traditional steel bumpers.
Where to get more info: 619/607-1633, www.aluminess.com
What It Is: Cat-Back Exhaust System for Hummer H3
Who Makes It: Borla
Why it's Cool: This exhaust system is built from 304 stainless steel and features smooth mandrel bends for increased flow and performance.
Where to get more info: 877/462-6752, www.borla.com
What It Is: Long-travel Coilover Conversion for '01-'05 GM HD Pickups
Who Makes It: Fabtech
Why it's Cool: This kit gets rid of the factory torsion bars and replaces them with a Dirt Logic 4.0 coilover shock. It provides 12 inches of wheel travel, and comes complete with limiting straps and billet sway-bar links. Optional hydraulic bumpstops are also available.
Where to get more info: 909/597-7185, www.fabtechmotorsports.com
What It Is: Brawler Radial Tire
Who Makes It: BFGoodrich
Why it's Cool: This is an all-new version of the popular Krawler tire designed with the high-speed desert racer in mind. It's said to offer all the puncture resistance of a Krawler with the handling characteristics of the Baja TA.
Where to get more info: www.bfgoodrichtires.com
What It Is: 2.5-inch Coilover Conversion for the '07 Toyota FJ
Who Makes It: Donahoe Racing
Why it's Cool: This kit will allow fitment of larger tires while improving handling and performance both on and off the road. Ride height is adjustable from zero to 3 inches.
Where to get more info: 714/632-3033, www.donahoeracing.com