The FJ Cruiser by Toyota is a great off-road platform. But rearward visibility is worse than a blind man with whiplash. Rostra offers its RearSight backup camera that has a small bumper-mounted lens with a mirror-mounted monitor to let you know just what's hiding behind you. We took our big green FJ over to a local Al and Ed's Autosound and had the camera installed in just over an hour. The monitor is 31/2 inches square and the camera offers 150 degrees of visibility to ensure that you won't back over the kid's bike or the Lamborghini.
Al And Ed's Autosound
310.478.0091, 888.900.8800
www.al-eds.com
Rostra Precision Controls
910.276.4853
www.rostra.com
The ACI Advanced battery charger is just what we need for those cherished but seldom driven 4x4s. These chargers are unique in that they can bring a dead battery back to life with a constant current charge. All batteries eventually die, but the ACI charger will awaken anything that can possibly be brought back. The ACI charger will then maintain the charge after it has been reached without overcharging the battery. It can be left on endlessly to maintain that charge and have your sunny-day (or muddy-day) ride ready to go at a second's notice.
Aci Advanced Battery Chargers
530.677.9429
www.acichargers.com
Our Jeep JK Wrangler is a unique rig since we stuffed that Cummins Engine under the hood (see the Aug. through Dec. '07 issues), but we were getting tired of lifting the hood so much to show it off. Luckily, Hood Lift recently introduced an air strut system that quickly raises the hood when you release the latches. We'd never admit to getting lazy, but this sure is a more efficient way to pop the bonnet, especially since our Jeep is sitting on 42-inch BFGs. The Hood Lift is a simple upgrade and requires just some wrenches and a drill to install.
Hood Lift
800.579.3024
www.hoodlift.com
We recently coated our firewall with the spray-on ceramic insulation from Lizard Skin. This water-soluble coating is applied with a spray gun and quickly dries to a dark gray/black finish that then acts as both heat- and noise-insulation. Then we used this reflective adhesive-backed heatshield mat from HeatShield products. HeatShield is known for its exhaust wraps and turbo covers, but this product is easily cut to fit the contours of our firewall and can be used on either the engine or interior side to help reduce unwanted thermal issues.
Heatshield Products
800.750.3978
www.heatshieldproducts.com
Lizard Skin
877.278.9468
www.lizardskin.com
When it comes to gearing, the more choices the better. Take automatics, for example. The old TH350 was great but with the crazy fuel prices of today you might as well step up to the electronic 4L60E Automatic that has an overdrive. Advance Adapters now offers an adapter assembly that is designed for use with the '97-and-later GM 4L60E to Atlas four-speed transfer case. In addition, this adapter can be used with the Jeep New Process 231, 242, 247, 249, and 2410 Rock-Track transfer cases.
Advance Adapters
800.350.2223
www.advanceadapters.com
The Toyota Tundra is a powerhouse in the 1/2-ton truck class, but everything can use a little improvement. JBA Performance Exhaust has a new set of smog-legal shorty headers for the '07-'08 Toyota Tundra. JBA claims gains of 20 rear-wheel horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque.
JBA Performance Exhaust
619.229.7797
www.jbaheaders.com
Now available for the new four-door Wrangler is Bestop's Trail Cover. Since we heavily modified our four-door to the point where no standard soft top would fit, we opted for the trail top for protection of all our camera and camping gear when we're out on the trail. Luckily this top offers full interior protection and the instructions state it's a 15-minute job with a level 1 (easy) skill level required of the installer. The top is made of a weatherproof material and comes with its own stuff sack to safely store it in when back on the trail or street.
Bestop
800.845.3567
www. bestop.com
A quick and easy air horn kit from Stylin Trucks in the Challenger Horn unit will get the attention of the most clueless moron on the street. The kit includes a 12-volt compressor that feeds a 21/2L tank for adequate pressure. The compressor draws 10 amps and is balanced to reduce underhood noise and vibration while filling the tank. The horns are all metal, chrome-plated, and come with a gasket so you can mount them up on the roof of your ride, but we chose the more subtle underhood location. When the tank is filled with 90 to 100 psi, the horn gives off a blaring 125 decibels and should be just what you need to awaken any snoozing drivers around you.
Stylin Trucks
800.586.9713
www.stylintrucks.com