The gearheads at Off-Road.com bring you another treasure trove of aftermarket goodies. Get ready to unholster that MasterCard: we’ve packed another Gear Box full of cool truck stuff.
Rancho ‘Level-It’ Suspension
There are occasions when the only rake you want on your truck is the one for yard work. Rancho has you covered, with a two-inch lift kit specially engineered to eliminate the raked stance of 2004-2008 Ford F-150 pickups.
Included in each suspension kit is a set of Rancho RS7000 monotube struts, specially engineered for light trucks and SUVs whose center of gravity is higher than Shaq wearing a lead-lined top hat. Application-specific valving and a high-pressure nitrogen gas charge reduce body roll for improved ride performance and stability.
Each kit also includes a set of sway bardrop brackets to improve ride precision while accounting for the jacked ride height. The kit is designed to accommodate gnarly 35-inch tires, though some minor trimming will be required for meats of that size. Time to break out the hammers.
Tuffy Security Console
Owners of 2009-2014 Ford F-150 trucks equipped with a full centre console and column shifter can now protect their valuables in this secure storage compartment made of 16-gauge steel.
Designed to be dropped into the centre console of the 12th-gen Ford pickup, the Model 334 Security Console is easily installed without the need to drill any holes. The Pry-Guard locking system is patent pending and paired with 1/8-inch thick steel components finished in a durable powder coating. The unit’s design allows drivers to retain the use of the factory armrest and lid.
Tuffy has been building safes and lockable boxes using American-made craftsmanship for years. Go ahead and place your radar detector, GoPro, wallets, and Wayne Gretzky rookie card in the Tuffy Security Console. There’s an excellent chance it’ll be there when you get back.
Rugged Radios RM100-V
Anyone who enjoys the great outdoors knows it’s sometimes tough it is to keep in contact with your crew while wheeling in the desert or busting rocks on the trail. Despite all efforts, the group gets spread out, someone gets excited and goes on ahead, and that guy gets hung up on a rock just as all hands depart the playground for the trailhead.
Rugged Radios has you covered with their new RM100-V mobile radio. As the name suggests, it is a 100 Watt VHF unit, boasting a full 100 watts of power and sending its signal up to 50 miles on VHF frequencies, depending on time of day and line of sight. Unlike similar radios of the past, this one is not the size of a small refrigerator, measuring the same size as Rugged’s own 60-watt unit.
The RM100-V comes pre-programmed with common off-road channels and is able to program up to 200 channel slots. The digital display will have your 4 favorite channels readily available at the press of a button and is bright enough to operate well into the night hours. Its VHF is in the 150MHz-174MHz range.
Baja Designs LP9 Light
The self-proclaimed “Scientists of Lighting” have introduced their new LP9 light system, based on the company’s popular La Paz series. Listening to their clientele who were demanding a light with the large 8-inch form factor, Baja Designs created a completely new LED version of the La Paz, providing a more useful light output while retaining the “large light look” popular with their customers.
A fresh take on a classic look, the LP9 was designed with Jeeps and other rugged off-roaders in mind, providing a high intensity beam with a very tight light pattern. The new light utilizes Integrated Peripheral Technology to enhance the lighting patterns, featuring two groups of three IPT LEDs at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. These trick LEDs are in addition to nine of the more familiar LEDs in the light’s center, which produce the long-distance spot lighting.
The LP9 offers three lighting function options. Amber Backlit can serve as a daytime running light or turn signal, Low fires up the IPT lights and a trio of regular LEDs, and High simply sets everything ablaze. A ‘Racer Edition’ offers an even tighter spot pattern for increased distance illumination. Production models will be on display at this year’s SEMA show in Vegas.