Let's face it, America, fuel injection has spoiled us rotten. How soon we forget the technology that floated us to this point! Thankfully there are plenty of carburetor lovers across this great land who know and love the simplicity of their old-school systems, and if there was ever a book that could help you understand the what, why, and how of a Carter/Edelbrock carburetor, this is it. This book is not only a valuable tool for the garage, but a well put together manual that explains theory in a way any car nut can understand.
Car Tech
800.551.4754
www.cartechbooks.com
One of the most affordable and best wheeling vehicles ever made is the Jeep Cherokee XJ, and as their reputation precedes them, so has the demand for aftermarket accessories. With so many builds and configurations spanning from '84 to '01, it's nice to have a guide from Cherokee enthusiasts that have been there and built their unibodied machines along the way. Filled with good tech, real-world examples of complete XJ builds, and helpful tidbits about your Jeep, the Jeep Cherokee XJ Builders Guide is a great addition for the flex-box enthusiast.
Car Tech
800.551.4754
www.cartechbooks.com
If you're in the market for an easy performance upgrade for your late-model diesel truck and don't want to fill up your cab with the necessary gauges that usually accompany the soot software, then check out the Bullet from Banks Power. With its easy-to-use, all-in-one 2-inch-diameter gauge you can choose from three available power options-stock, tow, sport-while also monitoring your truck's boost and exhaust gas temperatures (EGT). The kit comes with all the hardware and easy-to-use plug-in connectors. The guys at Banks have taken the all the guesswork out of installation. The Bullet works by plugging inline with the MAP and fuel rail pressure sensor to intercept and modify the factory parameters. Banks does a good job of providing you with detailed instructions and keeping the product as user-friendly as possible. It can easily be installed in your driveway in a few hours, but you will need a drill and tap to insert the pyrometer so that you can start monitoring your truck's EGTs.
Banks Power
800.601.8072
www.bankspower.com
Keeping a flashlight with you on the trail is a must, but for a lot of us, we toss them away in our tool bags only to find that when we really need them, the batteries have bellied up. Well, if this rings true for you, we've got some good news. The folks over at Jeep had you in mind when they created their new Jeep Ultra Tough Crank Light. Small enough to fit in your Wrangler's glovebox, this waterproof light provides you with 60 minutes of twin LED lighting, or 20 minutes of the powerful center light, and it even comes with plug-in adapters so you can charge your cell phone! And when the power wears out, just simply flip the lever out and crank it up for 60 seconds and you're back in business. Now that's what we call a bright idea.
Jeep
800.200.7700
www.gear.jeep.com
RP Film Productions just released its fourth installment of its famed Haulin' or Crawlin' video series jammed full of mobile jungle gyms climbing rocks, flipping over, and jumping through the air. Although these tube creations are quite impressive in person, after about 15 minutes of the video everything starts to look the same. So if these little metal masterpieces are what you live for, go grab a copy, but if you're more into vehicles that still...well, look like vehicles, check out our Ultimate Adventure video series available online now! (Ed.: Shameless plug, we know.)
RP Films
www.haulinorcrawlin.com
The Staun internal bead locks are a dependable and economical way to keep your tire beads locked onto your wheels while running low air pressure. These internal bead locks are almost half the price of a bead-lock wheel and offer comparable tire bead-holding power. They also help grip to the inside tire bead, not just the outside. Fully inflated, the bead lock extends about 2 inches above the lip of the wheel. If the tire were to completely deflate, it would ride on the Staun bead lock, protecting the wheel.
Staun Products
www.staunproducts.com
These are the original JK air bumpstops designed by Off Road Evolution. They'll take the jolt out of extreme terrain when your vehicle's suspension bottoms out. The bumpstop fits neatly in the upper factory bumpstop mount on the front of your Wrangler. The coil spring needs to be removed, and then some minor cutting has to be completed at the top of the factory bumpstop mount.
Off Road Evolution
714.870.5515
www.offroadevolution.com
The QuietRide ball-mount hitch with security lock provides a sound-damping connection between your vehicle and trailer. QuietRide's hitch has two components that work together to ensure you have a safe and quiet ride. The threaded stainless steel hitch pin tightens securely to a nut fixed to the inside of the ball mount's inner wall. The ball mount is pulled into the corner of the receiver hitch by the tightening action of the gold wedge and pin. This three-dimensional cinching eliminates all of the movement that causes the clanking sound you hear when starting, stopping, and cornering.
Softride
www.softride.com