2006 Las Vegas SEMA Show - The New Hotness

EXTREME TIRE CHANGER
Extreme Outback Products is now offering a bead breaker to help remove seated tires from rims in case you don't have time for, access to, or money for the local tire shop. Simply bolt the Bead Breaker to your Hi-Lift Jack, then jack up your truck with the Bead Breaker on a tire you want to remove and before long the tire will be sliding off the rim. Designed for 15-, 16-, or 17-inch rims, this is a great addition for those extreme backcountry tire repairs.

UNIQUE UNIVERSAL
Alloy USA had its new cold-forged Dana 30 and 44 U-joint on display. These joints are fully serviceable, made from 8620 steel (the same material used in making ring-and-pinions), come with a three-year warranty, and should be price under $100. Yes, for three years you can batter and abuse these joints with nary a concern. Expect them to be showing up on a trail near you soon.

EXTRA EFFORT
Sometimes busting a nut loose is pretty tough, especially with a short wrench. Well, safely add more leverage to your tool with the Extender. Intended to hook over pliers, ratchets, Allen wrenches, and standard box or open wrenches, the many different size Extenders safely grab onto the tool and offer an immense increase in torque application to help get those old or seized bits apart.

BIG LITTLE BLOCK
Can you imagine big-block power in a small-block package? GM Performance Parts can. The company has built off the lineage of its LS-series motors and is now offering the radical new LSX engine block. This specially built iron block can be machined up to 500+ cubic inches and should be the basis of your next radical GM motor build. Lighter and smaller yet with six-bolt main caps and capable of withstanding 2,500 hp, this is going to be good.

MINI MILLER METAL KNIFE
Making your own parts is fun, and it just got easier with Miller Electric's new Spectrum 375 X-Treme Plasma Cutter. This compact little unit weighs in at just 18 pounds but has up to a 31/48-inch-thick cut rating, great for nearly any home fabrication project. The best part is you can plug it into either a 115- or 210-volt single-phase outlet, making it great for the garage mechanic (don't forget you need an air compressor to make it work). Miller also had some great new line of Arc Armor safety gear that can be seen on its Web site or at your local Miller welding dealer.

GATE STORAGE
If your Jeep has a set of full hard doors but in the summer you like to peel them off after work for the drive home, maybe you need the Door Dock rack system. Designed to mount in the receiver hitch, this bracket holds your doors safely for normal driving but still keeps them with you should rain or snow come along. Plus this also allows more space for passengers and gear storage inside the Jeep CJ or Wrangler.

MORE AND MORE MUDDIES
Every year the tire-and-wheel area of the show seems to grow and grow, and this year was no exception. We cruised around looking for new knobbies that would look good under a 4x4 and found these new Pro Comp Xtreme M/T tires. These are a progression from the pervious Mud Terrain with a more aggressive design. Watch for a full test on this and the many other new mud tires in future issues of 4-Wheel & Off-Road.

THE HOT SEAT
Looking for the ultimate in suspension seats for your race buggy or hot-rod farm truck? Then look no further than these Beard RX3 seats from RedArt Corporation. With billet openings for safety belts, adjustable back and seat fit for different size occupants, and deep hip and leg containment to keep you solidly in front of the wheel, these are the perfect places to spend long days in the dirt.

MAGNETS, YOU DIPSTICK, MAGNETS
ARB has made a name with its air locking differentials and, to protect that name, is now offering a new line of differential covers. Built of boulder-beating cast-nodular iron, these axle accessories come with an easy-to-check dipstick to verify lube levels and a magnetic drain plug to collect any metal particles that may be floating in the gear oil. We saw a Dana 60 version but expect offerings for a 44, 30, and 35 will follow.

ULTIMATE ALL HAULER
The Ford booth had the biggest, baddest tow rig we have ever seen: this giant F-650 built by DeBerti Designs. This massive dualie has six flip-up doors, a 330hp Caterpillar diesel, and an Allison automatic transmission. Plus it is four-wheel drive with a dualie rear end so you could even call it a 6x6. Outfitted with an Air Ride Technologies air suspension and multiple DVD screens, this is not only a comfortable ride but also a great kid hauler (that should help you convince the missus that your family needs one).

FJ-SUT?
Another great concept truck at the show was this pickup variant of the FJ Cruiser with a large sunroof/convertible top that was on display in Toyota's booth. With the open-top element and the smaller C-pillar, we feel this could be a great FJ package offering better visibility and storage space. Plus the best part was the 4.7L V-8 under the hood. Again the question is raised, will we someday see this on showroom floors? Or is this just a pipe-dream project truck?

JUST JKs
This year every major suspension company (and some minor ones) had its new suspension systems for the new Jeep Wrangler JKs on display. Tuff Country, Skyjacker, Full Traction, Rancho, Donahoe Racing, Superlift, Pro Comp, TeraFlex, and more were there showing off their wares. Watch for a complete expose on everything JK from bumpers to body mounts in the upcoming months.