39 1/2-inch tires + bead locks...
39 1/2-inch tires + bead locks = good Commander. (But probably not on a trail.)
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas is full of show-offs. Aftermarket companies show off vehicles packed to the gills with the latest doo-dads. OEMs display their newest rigs, and models show off their, um, assets to help sell parts and stay off the brass poles a few blocks away.
The Commander is the latest addition to the Jeep family, and you may have expected to see lifted versions of the SUV in every off-road booth, but maybe it's too soon (if it ever happens at all). Instead, there were a few of the boxy XKs up in the air, a bunch of street versions with shiny grilles, plenty of TJs flexing on fake rocks, and at least one XJ that had to park outside. There were a couple admirable Jeeps but most look as though they'd been attacked by a six-man marketing team hyped up on enough caffeine to make an elephant hover. Next year we're praying for fewer gaudy crap-magnet Jeeps. Less is more! For more SEMA Jeep pictures go to our Web site at: www.jpmagazine.com/eventcoverage/154_05sema/.
 Fabtech pulled the YJ coil-over...  Fabtech pulled the YJ coil-over conversion kit out of the prototype shop and onto the showroom floor. We'll be taking a closer look at this. |  This moderately modified Commander...  This moderately modified Commander in the Mopar booth leads us to believe Jeep actually does care about off-road vehicles ... or maybe just Mopar does. |  Chrome grille + deep-dish...  Chrome grille + deep-dish rims = bad Commander. (At least it will probably never hit a trail.) |
 And you can't have a SEMA...  And you can't have a SEMA story without the gaudiest, most-Liberace wheels ever, complete with 1,100 carats of diamonds and sapphires. Cost for four? $1 million. |  Probably one of the most-built...  Probably one of the most-built Wagoneer Limiteds we've seen. With its goofy grille, sun-bleached wood panels, bulbous fender flares, gratuitous over-stickering, and oil spots on the ground, we're glad. Anymore of these and we'd lose our lunch. |  Mike Shaffer built this rig...  Mike Shaffer built this rig and trail tested it during the 4Wheel & Off-Road Cheap Truck Challenge in September, although it certainly can't be classified as cheap. |
 Proof that an Iveco turbodiesel...  Proof that an Iveco turbodiesel will barely fit in a TJ. This is the second year we've seen this Jeep and the engine swap still isn't done. |  This KC Jeep needs the Hemi...  This KC Jeep needs the Hemi under the hood just to power all of the lights. |  Who needs a Hi-Lift jack when...  Who needs a Hi-Lift jack when you can just kick the fiberglass rocks out of the way? |
 Bestop put together a streetable-looking...  Bestop put together a streetable-looking Jeep, but what's with the home TV set in the back? |  You'll need the bikes from...  You'll need the bikes from the Surco racks once these fat chrome rims and stubby sidewalls leave you stranded. And the swoopy-tailed fender flares? No, please. |  Toyo knows about "product...  Toyo knows about "product placement." |
 Tony Hawk-Edition, skate-punk...  Tony Hawk-Edition, skate-punk Commander. |  -- Insert Hummer joke here...  -- Insert Hummer joke here -- | |