2008 Truck & SUV Gear

January & February
Truck & SUV gear from such manufactures as Gale Banks', SuspensionMAXX, Covercraft Industries and more!

Monster Sound
Gale Banks' Monster exhaust is available for 1999-2006 Silverados and Sierras equipped with the 4.3, 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0-liter gas engines. Each system, which uses stainless-steel mandrel-bent three-inch pipes, a high-flow muffler, and a polished angle-cut tip, bolts behind the catalytic converter. The Monster exhaust is said to reduce backpressure by up to 94 percent and improve airflow, increasing acceleration. Gale Banks Engineering; 800/277-1991.

Give It A Lift
SuspensionMAXX's MaxxCam 2 is a fully adjustable lever that works with all torsion-bar-equipped 1988-2008 full-size GM trucks and SUVs. It can provide up to three inches of lift or drop and is said to accomplish this without affecting ride quality. Each piece is made from 4140 alloy steel. The company also manufactures a torsion-bar unloader tool that makes the levers quick to install. SuspensionMAXX; 888/629-9226.

Goose Bumps
Mopar now offers a new gooseneck trailer hitch for Ram Heavy-Duty trucks. It mounts directly to the frame rails under the bed with an available installation kit, with no welding. The trailer hitch ball has a quick-release handle, allowing the truck bed to be made flat when the hitch isn't in use. The powdercoated hitch is made for 2005-and-later 2500/3500 Rams. Mopar; 800/356-3490.

Light Fare
Hella offers new headlight and taillight upgrades for 2004-2008 F-150s. Sold as one package or as separate components, the upgrades include blacked-out headlights, composite grille with a pair of Hella Rallye 4000 Compact Series driving lights, LED taillights, a cab-mounted brakelight, and a wiring harness. Hella, Inc.; 877/224-3552.

Red-Light District
Red-light cameras are typically put at dangerous intersections, which is why Cobra Electronics has integrated a speed camera/red-light camera alert into its XRS R9G radar/laser detector. This radar detector uses a GPS locator that includes a database of speed and red-light camera locations and warns you when approaching dangerous intersections. Cobra Electronics; 773/889-3087.

Cover-Up
Bring the look of camouflage to your truck's cab with the addition of Covercraft's SeatSaver covers. There are three patterns to choose from--Conceal Brown, Conceal Green, and Flooded Timber--on the polyester covers, which have a water-repellent coating. They're application specific and machine washable. Covercraft Industries; 800/426-8377.