Jeep Guy Gift Guide

Weld Away
One of the best gifts for any off-road junkie is an on-board welder. And there's none as fool-proof and as easy to use as this one from Powermaster. The company recommends a 140-amp alternator for use with the welder, but Powermaster has those available as well. There are no switches to flip and no knobs to turn. Just plug in the leads, bring the engine rpms up, and start to weld. The unit senses the arc being struck and ramps up the alternator's voltage regulator automatically. After welding, the unit returns the alternator to its regular charge voltage of around 14.4 volts. Go see for yourself at powermastermotorsports.com

Baja Blasting
If you ever fancied yourself a trophy truck driver, then here's your chance to put your money where your mouth is. BFGoodrich has teamed up with video game manufacturer THQ Inc. in order to create "BAJA: Edge of Control." The game is available for Play Station 3 and X-Box 360 consoles. We'd tell you all about how the game plays, but we don't think THQ is coming out with a game for the Atari 2600 anytime soon, so check bajagame.com for more info.

Monster Shackles
Boasting a 40,000lb capacity, U.D.S. Hardware offers its heavy duty hitch shackle bracket kit for just under $45 on its Web site. The 3-in-1 receiver hitch kit includes the monster shackle seen in the photo, plus the receiver hitch that doubles either as the shackle mount, or you can flip it sideways and run a standard trailer ball through it. We just like the company's use of destructive testing. That always catches our eye. Find 'em at udshardware.com.

Extra Hands
By a huge margin, our favorite way of holding anything we need to grab in a hurry like a Mag-Lite, fire extinguisher, or Powertank is the Quick Fist from End of the Road, Inc. The Quick Fist is available in a bunch of sizes, from teeny to large enough to hold a 15 pound Powertank. And at under $10, they're a great stocking stuffer. Visit endroad.com to see what's available.

Tool Totes
Who knew MasterCraft made more than killer suspension seats? We did. We've been using the company's off-road bags and totes for years. The tool tote that's shown comes with handy hold down hardware to secure it to a floor or even a vertical surface. We stick the 8x17x3 inch bags wherever we can fit 'em and stuff them with winch controllers, tools, spare parts, or even sandwiches. You can check all the available styles and pretty colors at mastercraftseats.com.

Winchtastic!
Start searching craigslist and your local off-road forums now because people start getting desperate for money around Christmas time. We're sure there's going to be a lot of older Warn, Ramsey, and Superwinch winches hitting the open market. With an expected lifetime over 10 years, an older used winch can make one heck of a holiday gift. And even if new line, a fairlead, or repairs are needed, all three companies can supply repair kits and replacement parts. Don't believe us? Check warn.com, ramsey.com, and superwinch.com. Told ya so.

SOG It To Ya
Without question, one of the best multi-tools on the market is the SOG EOD Powerlock. SOG's PN 63 features all the tools you'd expect to find in an upper-level multi-tool, such as flat head and Phillips head screwdrivers, saw, file, can opener, awl, knife, and so on. But two key features make SOG's tool stand out. The first is SOG's innovative V-cutter, which allows you to rip open boxes, animal hides, or mouthy punks with ease. The other is the geared handle for the pliers/wire cutter. It not only allows you to impart way more force on a bolt head, for cutting, or holding, but it also effectively locks the jaws closed. Read more about it at sogknives.com.

Garage Fridge
There's no sweeter feeling for a greasy garage mongrel than being able to reach for a cold one without leaving the confines of the workshop. And investing in a small garage fridge is also a good way of keeping those grimy fingerprints off the kitchen fridge. We've actually seen some cheaper fridges for sale at our local Pep Boys auto parts store, but we'd hit up costco.com or even our local Lowes or Home Depot for a better quality unit at the same, if not cheaper price.

Can't Beat Seat
Unless you're driving around in a new JK or Grand, chances are your Jeep's seats are getting pretty ratty. Now is the time to start whispering sweet nothings about how comfortable and durable, yet inexpensive the Smittybilt Super Sport Recliner seats are. And while you're at it, maybe download the installation guide for the company's lockable Security Console on its Web site at smittybilt.com to hang on the 'fridge.

Cold Breeze
No matter what the vehicle, there's sure to be a cold air intake system available for it. This is especially true for the Wrangler and Cherokee crowd, but no matter what your vehicle, you should start dropping hints around the house that you'd love a washable, oil-impregnated gauze filter and maybe even some ducting to go with it. Hopefully what you open under the tree resembles something like the Advanced Flow Engineering system in the photo and not something the Blue Man Group would use on stage. Visit afefilters.com and print out a photo just to make sure.

Flash Of Brilliance
Switchblade knives are illegal in some areas, but their quick opening action sure can come in handy. So when we got our hands on SOG's little Flash I knife, PN SFGSA-97 we giggled at what the company calls its Assisted Technology. Basically, the blade is spring-loaded, but the spring imparts no pressure on the blade until the opening process is started. Flick it open with your thumb and it springs open faster than your can say "wha...." The knurled aluminum handle feels solid and secure in the hand and the locking safety is a nice feature. With a razor-sharp semi-serrated 2.5-inch blade, the teeny Flash I packs huge performance in a little package. Check out the whole blade line at sogknives.com

Shirt Saver
Walk into any auto parts store across the country and you're sure to see inexpensive creepers for sale. Sometimes they're as low at $20, but the wheels usually fall off the super-cheap ones unless they're used on a completely flat garage floor. Plan on spending $50-$100 for a decent model with a flip-up headrest and quality running gear. After all, who wants your Jeep freak throwing his or her oil-soaked shirt into the laundry with your clean whites?

Tool Tray
There are few things more annoying than a messy toolbox. And sockets are one of the hardest tools to keep organized since they tend to scatter every time the toolbox drawer is opened. Several tool makers, from Snap-On to Matco to Craftsman to Kobalt offer these nifty socket organizers. Available for SAE and Metric sockets from 1/2-inch drive down to 1/4-inch drive, they're a real time and headache saver. And don't forget to grab some wrench organizers while you're at it. Check out craftsman.com or matco.com for starters and go from there.

Stylin' Safety
By now every real 4x4 junkie should own a welder. And even if they don't they should own a Miller welding helmet. This Performance series is an excellent helmet for any welder from intermediate to professional. With auto dimming, a grind mode, three arc sensing settings, and full adjustability for delay, sensitivity, shade, and anything else you'd want to mess with, the comfy Miller Performance series give you a ton of bang for your buck. Check them out at millerwelds.com.

Empty Ammo
Just about any size or shape of surplus ammo can will be held in high regard by the true off-road addict. Relatively lightweight, designed to be watertight and to fit within the confines of a vehicle, and extremely rugged and durable, surplus ammo cans are a must-have for any rig. They vary in price depending on size, condition, and where you get 'em, but generally the 50-caliber cans make a good center console or tool boxes for small Jeeps. Check your local surplus shop or go to armysurplusworld.com for a fair price on surplus cans