We're the kind of guys who have to drop goldfish in the Oscar tank at the pet store. Sure, that big hungry-looking fish in the tank can clearly swallow the much smaller feeder goldfish, but we want to see it happen. If you're at all like us you really like to see things for yourself, too. The larger 4x4 industry events are typically closed to the public, but not the vender's row at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari. You can walk up, fondle the merchandise, ask questions about the new products, and feed the vendors goldfish-only they might not eat them.
Jeep Extracab
Along with its '07-up 3.8L Wrangler supercharger pushing 6psi of boost and a 55-percent increase in horsepower, Avenger Superchargers now offers halfcabs for TJ and JK Wranglers. The cabs come complete ready to paint with a lower bulkhead, windows, and hardware.
Information: 719/594-4766,
avengersuperchargers.com
Wrangler Truck
River Raider offers all kinds of cool innovative products including trick snorkel systems, smooth skidplates, corner guards, bumpers, aluminum JK half doors, and now this: a JK pickup conversion. The company will build one for you and if there is enough response, River Raider may offer a mail order kit so that you can convert your '07-up Wrangler Unlimited into a Raider ST pickup at home.
Information: 717/262-3079, riverraider.biz
Aluminum Armor
With more cool new products than we could ever imagine, we didn't know what to ogle at the T&T Customs booth. We did eyeball the smooth, lightweight-aluminum Treks JK skidplates, aluminum TJ body armor, UHMW plastic-lined aluminum Guardian rocker guards, and especially the aluminum TJ HyLine tube fenders available with several different styles of flares.
Information: 307/775-9565, tntcustoms.com
Sway Easy Way
JKS showed us its SwitchBlade five-way adjustable sway bar system. It allows the user to easily adjust the sway bar stiffness to different settings to match the terrain and your driving style. You simply pull and turn the sway bar arms to change the stiffness. The SwitchBlade is currently available for '97-'06 Wranglers with an '07-up Wrangler version on the way.
Information: 308/762-6949, jksmfg.com
Hide-A-Drawer
The '07-present Wrangler has a lot of wasted space under the driver seat. Tuffy Security offers the Conceal Carry lockable 16-gauge steel drawer that makes use of this empty spot. It provides over 324 cubic inches of lockable storage space, making it perfect for wallets, handguns, cell phones and other valuables.
Information: 970/564-1762, tuffyproducts.com
All-Aluminum In
Making your Jeep lighter for better performance isn't a new idea, but GenRight Off Road sure is embracing it. The company offers many of its spare tire carriers, bumpers, and corner guards in lightweight aluminum. You can dump the thick heavy steel and get nearly the same protection for less than 30 percent of the weight.
Information: 888/575-0535, genright.com
Spyder Bytes
Poison Spyder Customs introduced its simple steel rear JK bumper with optional D-ring mounts. Several styles of steel front bumpers are available for CJs, YJs, TJs, and JKs. We also spotted some aluminum corner guards hidden in the booth.
Information: 951/849-5911, poisonspyder.com
Maximore
Fitting all your junk in the tiny stock JK center console might seem like a job for the plunger. Max-Bilt can make it an easier task with its new '07-up Wrangler Command Console. It features a marine-grade 12-volt 20-amp power socket, three 20-amp waterproof switches, two cup holders, and is over three times the size of stock inside.
Information: 715/210-0256, maxbilt.com