It’s December, snow’s on the ground… but you’re still wondering what to buy for the off-roader in your life. Fear not! We have a great set of ideas for gifts any gearhead would enjoy finding under the tree … or in the garage!

Ratchet and Socket Set

In a rare case of more not always equating to better, look for socket sets which feature both shallow and deep sockets instead of ones which pad their ‘piece count’ with Allen keys and screwdriver bits. Make sure to find a kit with multiple ratchet handles, equipped for 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” sockets. It is our firm belief that every set should come equipped with at least a dozen 10-mm sockets.

Battery Booster Pack

Everyone who’s ever hit the trail has flattened their battery at some point. Whether it was from blasting the tunes too long or firing up the auxiliary lights until two in the morning, a dead battery leaves you with a fist full of no-go when it’s time to hit the road. Try to find a pack that can be manually switched on rather than the style which is activated by the trickle of charge remaining in a battery. The cheap alternative to this? A good set of jumper cables.

Hot Rod Grill

Fire ‘em up, ‘wheelers! This propane grill is a life-size replica of an aluminum-block V8 engine, complete with a chrome air cleaner and exhaust headers. The base is designed to look like an engine stand you’d find in a hot-rod shop. More than just a novelty, the Hot Rod Grill features dual temperature controls, two burners, and an electric ignitor. And those zoomie headers? They serve as vents for the grill, so they’ll emit smoke while you’re cooking those burgers and chops.

Garage Scissor Lift

When it’s time for a gearhead to add some versatility and productivity to their shop, an epic addition is a car lift … but it doesn’t have to be a complicated system of hydraulics and hoses. A scissor lift will give most DIYers all the flexibility they need to work on their projects. Scissor lifts are designed for comfortably working on the underside of the car or changing out a set of rims and tires. Most of them are powered by a simple 110-volt source, meaning they can be plugged into a standard household outlet. Many are easily capable of handling 6000 lb., good enough for that rusty Jeep you’re turning into a rock crawler.

A Good Ice Scraper

Yeah, sure, this one’s a bit regional… but some of us in the snow belt do need these things, often using what amounts to a brittle toothpick studded with paint-destroying bristles. Fortunately, a few companies create snow brushes which do more than scratch your car and, while twice or three times the price of a cheap one, they do a great job of clearing snow without trashing your paintwork. Car dealerships often use a Sno-Pro, which is a foam-headed tool designed to avoid nasty paint scratches. Alternative to this idea: move to California.

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Some vehicles have a satellite radio tuner built right into the infotainment system, so adding the hundreds of channels broadcasted by SiriusXM is as simple as making a phone call or heading to their website. Even if your truck doesn’t have this feature, dozens of companies (including SiriusXM themselves) sell standalone car kits which use a built-in transmitter or stereo audio output to add satellite radio to just about any rig. Drivers can also wire up a satellite tuner behind the dash, keeping their tunes out of sight from meth-addled thieves.

[Lead image by © Bettmann/CORBIS]