Jeep Shade
We are sometimes envious of our steel hard-top-equipped friends. Not because they don't have leak problems, but because they can attach an awning to their rain gutter for shade anywhere their Jeep is. Smittybilt has solved that problem for those of us who would rather be topless when driving and shaded when stationary with the new Trail Shade. It can mount on up to a 37-inch tire and easily sets up to provide 6-feet by 10-feet of canopy. The poles are collapsible and shock-corded. The kit comes in Desert Tan and includes stakes. Information: Smittybilt, 888/717-8728, smittybilt.com
Nature's Stripe Remover
Desert-, woods-, forest- pinstriping. Whatever you call it, you have nature to thank. Even if your new badge of honor came from the less noble of battlefields, the mall parking lot, PlastiKote might have your fix. This revolutionary kit includes everything you need for a professional-quality fix and is light years ahead of touch-up paint. The kit includes a sanding tool to prepare the scratched area, a two-in-one paint applicator, specially-formulated primers and clearcoats, and a polishing tool for OEM shine and a professional finish. Information: PlastiKote, 866/222-8714, plastikote.com
Light Heavyweight
Fit, finish, and looks are but a few of the selling point of Nemesis Industries' new JK fender flares. They are made out of aluminum to cut down on weight and formed to match the body lines of the '07-'10 Wrangler. The catch is in the thickness of the aluminum: 3/16-inch-thick stock will take a hit like a heavyweight. The flares also maximize wheelwell real estate and allow a 35-inch tire with no lift or a 37-inch tire with a 21/2-inch lift. Information: Nemesis Industries, 303/974-2440, nem-ind.com
Pro Rock-ers
These new full roller rocker arms from 505 Performance are perfect for your Jeep inline-six rebuild. They are designed to handle high spring pressures at high RPMs, and eliminate any of the fulcrum wear, flexing, cracking, or splitting you might see from using a stamped rocker arm. They are available in both adjustable and non-adjustable flavors. Information: 505 Performance, 505/333-2600, 505performance.com
Plastic Heart Atlas
If your Atlas II is getting a bit long in the tooth or you are just really abusive and want to replace the gears in it, you might want to consider Advance Adapters competition gearsets. A kind of combination of a heart transplant and a plastic hip, they can give your case a new lease on life. The gears have a 15-percent bump in torque capacity and enjoy a 300-percent life expectancy increase. The overall efficiency gain of 2- to 5-percent results in a 3- to 5- percent drop in noise in 4WD low; the gears can be ordered to retrofit your existing T-case, or as an upgrade for a new Atlas order. Information: Advance Adapters, 800/350-2223,
advanceadapters.com
Non-exploding Nitro
Nitroglycerin (aka Nitro) is good for blowing up mines and opening blocked arteries, but for once we are talking about things that don't go boom. The new Excalibur 300M Competition U-joints will set your front axleshafts up right. They are available for Dana a0, 44, 60, and GM 8.5-inch front axles. Machined from billet 300M material and then heat-treated, these U-joints have a lifetime warranty against breakage. There are no little needle bearings to break and each joint includes a set of full-circle snap rings. Information: Nitro Gear and Axle, 916/673-6464, nitro-gear.com
Si Clearly
PIAA has integrated their Si-Tech silicone wiper blade technology into a flat profile blade for the ultimate in clarity. It eliminates the balky metal or plastic frame, which significantly cuts down on snow and ice buildup. The blade is built for the long-haul and is heat and ozone resistant while continuously applying an active silicone coating on the windshield for streak-free, squeak-free operation. Information: PIAA Corporation, 503/489-6666, piaa.com
LED Float
The new 5-watt LED spotlight from Stanley is so light that it floats. It is compact and runs off of a 7.2V rechargeable battery and puts out an impressive 192 Lumens. A glass lens makes for great durability and features a "Default" and "Bright" setting. The light includes a charge indicator that turns red to indicate it needs a charge, but will still run at the default setting for an hour even after it indicates a charge is needed. Information: Stanley Tools, 800/463-9872, stanleytools.com
Speak and Be Heard
If you have no fear of plastic trimming, the new AVIC-Z120BT from Pioneer could be the last gadget you need in your Jeep. It packs Bluetooth, navigation, AM/FM/CD/DVD, Satellite-ready, and more-all in one unit. You can add both Sirius and XM if you are a true football fan, you can add Pandora radio streaming off of your iPhone, or you can link your iPod to the unit and have full control. It includes dual zones, so the kids in the back can listen to or watch one thing while you listen to something else up front. Best of all-it is fully capable of being voice-activated and going from the iPod to Pandora to making a call to navigating- all without ever taking your eyes off of the road. Information: Pioneer Electronics, 213/746-6337, pioneerusa.com