Top 10 New Products Of SEMA 2015 (Off-Road Edition)
The SEMA Show is always a hotbed for new products. With an entire wing dedicated to new parts, you could get lost in the maze of goods. Off-road editor Ali Mansour spent most of his time ogling what’s new in the 4x4 world. Here, you can find his top 10 finds for the 2015 show.
1) Dynatrac ProRock XD60 IFS Differential
It was only a matter of time before the top aftermarket axle manufacturers came out with heavy-duty replacement differentials for late-model trucks equipped with independent front suspensions. While the aftermarket has done a great job on the CV-axle front, few have addressed the need for the often weak and failure prone cast IFS center sections. The IFS ProRock XD60 differential uses Dynatrac’s all-new high-pinion gearset, which has an impressive 10.1-inch ring gear. This specific unit is designed as a replacement for the 9.25-inch AAM IFS differentials found on 2007 to current GM ¾- and 1-ton trucks. We hope this is the first of many replacement IFS parts, as the need is there.
Contact: Dynatrac, dynatrac.com
2) Skyjacker Suspension LeDuc Series JK Coilover Kit
If you’re looking to upgrade your 2007 to current Jeep Wrangler JK’s suspension system, Skyjacker has a new performance option for you to choose from. The company has teamed up with well-known off-road racer and Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame inductee Curt LeDuc, which helped design its new coilover system. The bolt-on kit is meant to work with lift heights ranging from 4 to 6 inches and includes Fox 2.0 LeDuc series coilovers.
Contact: Skyjacker, skyjacker.com
3) Amanda Products IFS/IRS Jeep Wrangler JK Conversion
By far the most innovative and controversial Jeep JK product at SEMA was Amanda Products IFS/IRS conversion Jeep Wrangler JK conversion kit. The fully independent front and rear suspension setup requires some serious frame modifications and at this current time, it hasn’t been tested with any of the factory V-6 engines (Amanda’s JK is fit with LS series V-8). That’s the bad news. The good news is that you’re gaining 16 inches of wheel travel up front and 14 inches out back. Each corner is dampened by a set of King coilovers, along with King air bumps. The kit is designed to retain the Jeep’s stock track width and uses heavy-duty Ford 9-inch center sections front and back.
Contact: Amanda Products, amandaproducts.com
4) Cummins Diesel Crate Engine
By now, you’re probably aware that the all-new Nissan Titan will be hitting dealerships soon with the 5.0L Cummins diesel engine. Cummins is aware of its popularity in the aftermarket and has taken notice of all of the Cummins diesel engine conversions used in a wide array of vehicles. At this current moment in time, Cummins is only at the “strong consideration” stage of offering turn-key crate diesel engines. The massive 6.7L used in the Ram ¾- and 1-ton truck, the 5.0L V-8 offered in the Titan, and a compact inline-four cylinder are all in the potential offering pool.
Contact: Cummins, cumminsengines.com
5) BDS Suspension 2011-2015 GM 2500/3500 Coilover Conversion
GMC and Chevy produce some of the nicest ¾- and 1-ton trucks on the market. As the only HD truck in its class to use an independent front suspension, it falls a bit short when it comes to durability and off-road performance. Finally, a company has stepped up to mend this problem. BDS Suspension now offers a full coilover conversion for the 2011 to 2015 Chevy/GM ¾- and 1-ton 4x4 trucks. The coilover setup uses 2.5 Fox coilovers to do away with the dated and performance inhibited torsion bar system. The kit is designed to provide 3 inches of lift and includes new upper and lower control arms, so the suspension geometry remains in check. Fox bumpstops will be available as well.
Contract: BDS Suspension, bds-suspension.com
6) Fab Fours Ford F-250
In a show filled with sky-high trucks, the Fab Fours 2015 Ford Super Duty easily stuck out. The company is currently considering offering its new F-250 armor line as a complete turn-key package. This gets you new steel fender flares that allow for 40-inch-tall tires with no lift, a front bumper and grille combo, rear bumper, bed rack, steps, and possible, the crazy eyebrow armor you see on the front of the truck. After talking with the owner, it sounds as though you’ll be able to purchase parts separately as well. Conventional it is not, but we like it.
Contact: Fab Fours, fabfours.com
7) King Shocks Jeep Wrangler JK Bypasses and Bumps
When it comes to your suspension, picking the right shock is critical to get the most on- and off-road performance. King Shocks is now offering its bypass series shocks for the 2007 to present Jeep Wrangler JK. This offers drivers the ability to quickly fine tune the low and high-speed compression (upwards shock movement) vavling features and adjust the rebound (downwards shock movement) as well. Since the shock is completely rebuildable, it can grow with you as your Wrangler and driving style evolves.
Contact: King Shocks, kingshocks.com
8) Rogue Racing Ford Raptor Cantilever Suspension
The Ford Raptor is hands down the best desert-ready 4x4 ever produced. The aftermarket support for the F-150 Raptor has been tremendous from day one, and Rogue Racing is brining even more innovation to the platform. With its cantilever suspension system, you now have the ability to run a bypass and coilover shock, without sacrificing bed space. This also takes your suspension travel potential up to 18 inches. The custom multilink setup does require welding, but allows you to maintain the factory fuel tank. When paired with its front long-travel suspension, you have the makings of one incredible desert-racing-capable truck.
Contact: Rogue Racing, rogueracing.com
9) Warn Ram Truck Bumpers
Warn Industries is best known for its line of premium winches, but they are also well versed in the bumper building industry. After all, you have to have a place to mount those self-recovery winches! The company unveiled its new 2015 Ram bumpers for the 1500, 2500, and 3500 series trucks. The laser-cut and CNC-bent plate-steel bumpers come powdercoated and with allotments for auxiliary lighting. Both the ½-ton and 1-ton series bumpers are designed to accommodate up to a 12,000-pound winch.
Contact: Warn, warn.com
10) 1 Tonne Axle-Less Trailer Suspension
Dragging a trailer off-road is a great way to have your campsite with you without overloading your rig. While there are plenty of turn-key trailer options, most are paired with either a leaf-sprung or torsion axle configuration. Neither of these are ideal, as the axle beam hangs low, which can catch on obstacles off-road. The 1 Tonne Axle-Less trailer suspension spindles from Timbren are designed to do away with the conventional beam-style axles, so you get the most amount of ground clearance. These bolt-on units can support up to 7,000 pounds and are backed by a lifetime warranty.
Contact: Timbren, timbren.com/axle-less/
