•Into apps? A new one for iPhone and iPod touch users is Ask-a-Cop-it features advice for how to get out of a ticket with sweet talk, the sweet talk for a judge if that fails and you get a ticket, and more. Another app is DangerZones, which shows more than 200,000 vehicle fatality locations in the U.S. It's full of stats, data, and graphics.
•You people have been boring and predictable for nine years running, according to PPG. Or at least that's how we read between the lines when the company said its data revealed that the silver category-including charcoal and gray-was the most popular vehicle color in the world. Again.
•A study by Safe Kids USA revealed that one in six drivers near schools is distracted. Not by the school-from talking on the cell, smoking, eating, and reading (such as studies about distracted drivers).
•Hey, another study: retrevo.com's Gadgetology study revealed that 34-percent of people say they spoke, text, tweet, or face (what is the verb for Facebook if not that?) while driving.
Custom Shops
We asked, you answered. We were curious to hear about custom shops you recommended, so we put the word out and now can share with other readers your favorites.
West
Custom Shop: Arabias Overkill Jeep Fabrication
Where: Campbell, CA
Jp Reader Says: "Will build your Jeep and then take you to the Rubicon trail to test it out during a weekend run."
Contact: 408/626-8660,arabiasoverkill.com
Custom Shop: Dr. Smash
Where: Carson City, NV
Jp Reader Says: "Is a smaller shop, but that allows him to keep his prices reasonable for things like bumpers and cages."
Contact: 775/762-3358, drsmash.com
Custom Shop: Extreme Gear Off Road
Where: Rancho Cordova, CA
Jp Reader Says: "Honest and tells you what you need for what you want to do rather than selling the most expensive stuff, and then installs it correctly."
Contact: 877/258-5832, extremegearoffroad.com
Custom Shop: Holaday's Custom Muffler & Fabrication
Where: Wenatchee, WA
Jp Reader Says: "They did my exhaust from the headers all the way back to the exhaust tips. Really clean quick work. He also did my friend's custom rollcage."
Contact: 509/888-0128
Custom Shop: Nellos Custom Fabrication Shop
Where: Bakersfield, CA
Jp Reader Says: "The owner, Chris, is an artist when it comes to putting your ideas to metal."
Contact: 661/366-3004
Custom Shop: Roughshod Offroad
Where: Templeton, CA
Jp Reader Says: "Three of their Jeeps were lined up with their roof racks. I needed something like that and liked their design...
I couldn't be happier with the quality and the fit."
Contact: 805/434-8040, roughshodoffroad.com
Custom Shop: Samco Fabrication
Where: Sparks, NV
Jp Reader Says: "Built bumpers for my truck and has tuned shocks for me too; they do a lot of desert racing suspensions."
Contact: 775/856-4100, samcofabrication.com
Custom Shop: Shear Speed
Where: Escondido, CA
Jp Reader Says: "He does really trick work at an affordable price. Really nice guy that can work around a budget. It's different than a corporate shop because the beer is always cold in the fridge."
Contact: 760/871-1087,shearspeed.com
NORTHEAST
Custom Shop: Jeeperz 4wd
Where: East Greenville, PA
Jp Reader Says: "They do custom work, restorations, and sell parts for Jeep vehicles."
Contact: 215/541-4878, jeeperz4wd.com
Custom Shop: Jeff Daniel's Jeep Customizing
Where: Harleysville, PA
Jp Reader Says: "A nicer guy you wouldn't meet. He was very patient with me and the numerous questions I fired at him."
Contact: 215/256-8090, jeffdanielsjeeps.com
SOUTH
Custom Shop: All Terrain Fabrication
Where: Plano, TX
Jp Reader Says: "They have a new tube shark pro tubing bender and racks of steel to build anything from custom sliders for a power wagon to a full TJ cage."
Contact: 972/509-2167, allterrainfabrication.net