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If you own a truck, SUV or an all-terrain vehicle, then you might want to consider improving your vehicle by installing essential accessories like nerf bars and running boards. Read on to learn what these two devices are and why you need them. Nerf bars are basically a tubular accessory made of steel and is installed in the frame of the vehicle. The idea was actually derived from race car driving. In order to protect the car's sides and tires from collisions, steel bars are installed. In trucks, SUVs and all-terrain vehicles, they are usually found between the vehicle's front tire and rear tire. It is now common for them to feature a web-like surface which is installed on top of the bars. These surfaces can also serve as a footrest which also prevents the rider from slipping as he mounts and dismounts from the vehicle. If you use your vehicle for any type of racing then this upgrade is certainly essential for your safety. As you know, most open-wheel races involve contact or collision between two vehicles. In fact, this collision is sometimes intentional. Without any type of side bumpers, the wheels of the two vehicles can get entwined. This enmeshment can result to one of the cars flipping over or even going airborne.

Running boards are also installed along the sides of a vehicle. Although they serve a practical function, they are also considered a “fashion accessory” for vehicles. Like nerf bars, they also function as steps to make it easier to get into and out of the vehicle. They are made of various materials such as fiberglass, chrome or heavy-duty aluminum. When shopping for your custom boards, it's also important to consider whether you want them with lights or without. The lighted versions can certainly add an aesthetic appeal to any vehicle and they also add a safety factor, especially if you frequently park in dark or poorly lit areas. You should also ask if the boards come with non-slip treads which prevent the foot from slipping on the board even in wet conditions. This simple upgrade is definitely worth the added safety and peace of mind, knowing you’ll have the extra grip for assistance. If you will also be using these upgrades to improve the appearance of your vehicle then you should consider getting paintable boards so you can match their color with the color of your vehicle's exterior.

There’s never a day that goes by for our friendly and helpful customer service department without some angry customer flying off the handle about: a delayed order, no tracking information, defective part, warranty question, and my personal favorite - customers who purchase the incorrect product on our website, calling in upset over the completely wrong Jeep soft top or Jeep decals had they ordered, for example. I’m one of those individuals in our 4WheelParts.com customer service department.

One of my most memorable customers was a gentleman from Cincinnati, who initially meant to order a 6” inch Skyjacker lift kit from our website for his 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. He called two weeks later and stated he mistakenly ordered a 12” Skyjacker Lift kit (twice the size he meant to order initially) which had shipped to his door by UPS. The customer did not notice his mistake until 2 weeks later when he took his vehicle into a shop and have it completely taken apart before checking to make sure the right parts ordered were complete.

He came in guns blazing from the word go.  Dropping F-bombs all over the place and suggesting that I find a new job because 4 Wheel Parts would no longer be in business, the main theme of his complaint was us not providing some type of help to their customers on selecting the correct parts. I told the gentleman (who was not too gentle but upset, unreasonable, and offensive) that our customer service department and sales department where available if he had any questions with regards to obtaining part numbers for his vehicle year, make, and model.

He went on to state that the part number was not clearly visible on our website for him to see and refer to when calling in. He then asked to speak to our customer service manager so that we can fully refund him and pay his costs to ship the wrong parts back to our warehouse. After calling his attention to our return policy that mentions that we do not cover shipping back on returns, he stated that he would then just keep the parts and purchase the rest of what he needed to complete his vehicle project. To fill his request, we contacted the manufacturer Skyjacker to obtain the rest of the part numbers for his kit, only to find out that they were on backorder for two months. Needless to say, this infuriated the customer more, who just went off on me. His let loose and the only two sounds I understood before he hung up on me were another F-bomb and a click.

I knew he would call back, and two days later I got a voicemail from our disgruntled customer in Cincinnati: “Good morning, Sean. I have contacted my lawyer and he stated to contact you and tell you to ship my parts before we sue the pants off your company and you’re left on unemployment like lot of Americans”. I returned his call and he stated that he wanted a manager to actually do something to get him his part ASAP. We sought to assist him by temporarily billing and shipping for the original 6” Skyjacker lift kit part he wanted, which was complete and in stock, then pick up the 12” Skyjacker lift. He screamed: “NOOOOO” and said he had already purchased the wheels and tires for a 12” lift, therefore he would wait.

After two months we finally received a call from Mr. Cincinnati stating that he was happy with his 12” Skyjacker lift and apologizing for the way he acted as he had run up a nearly $1,200.00 storage bill at a shop for his vehicle. I simply responded with a friendly, “No problem, sir.  I understand. You have a nice day now.” From customers ordering Jeep decals to Jeep soft top kits to full suspension systems, this was just one of the many memorable customer experiences that I had this year at www.4WheelParts.com.

There’s not one day that goes by that either myself or a co-worker deals with one of our customers who just make our next 10 seconds to 1 hour the most difficult time to be on the phone. But it’s all good.  It’s just something that comes with the job and I have learned to adapt to it. I think it better prepares me on how to work with future customers having the same problem.  “4 Wheel Parts, this is Sean: how can I help you?”

From wheels and tires to storage and cargo, there are numerous types of off-road equipment that can be indispensable when you’re out on the trail. A properly organized storage system will help you carry more gear to the hinterlands, keeping you prepared for any emergency. A winch system can help you clear obstacles, dig out of ditches, and help pull other vehicles out of harm’s way. And nerf bars will let you get in and out of your rig with ease. You’ll also need the right tools and equipment to handle the common emergencies that arise during any adventure.

Storage

There are a number of options available for storage in a Jeep or truck, especially for off-roading. When you head out on the trail, you can only rely on what you bring with you, so maximizing your vehicle’s limited cargo space is vital. For off-roading, there are internal and external storage solutions for all types of gear and equipment, including winch mount bumpers that feature tool boxes, rear tailgate cargo racks that can carry fuel/water containers or a spare tire, and internal units that help organize smaller pieces of gear. Smittybilt offers a series of seat covers with multiple pockets that can fit tools and personal items, such as cell phones, flashlights, rope, and straps for use with winches. Getting in and out of your vehicle safely and efficiently is important as well, as a dependable set of running boardswill help you to that end.

Recovery systems

As well as being equipped with a good set of nerf barsfor easy boarding and disembarking, an off-road vehicle needs to be able to pull itself free from common obstacles, such as ditches, ruts, and small rock formations. The winch is the heart of any self-recovery system. To get the best performance, the unit must offer a line-pull capacity that can successfully move the weight of your vehicle, laden with gear. You can mount the unit to the front or rear of your vehicle, depending on the type of recoveries you think you’ll perform most often. Rear-mounted winches are best for towing other vehicles out of harm’s way, while front-mounted units are ideal for self-recovery operations, just as running boards are helpful in mounting and dismounting for driver and passengers.

Tools and equipment

In addition to a stout winch, there are several items that are also necessary, both for recovery operations, and just in general. If you’re going to ride through areas that are devoid of natural anchors such as trees and large rock formations, you should carry steel anchor stakes that you can attach a cable to during a recovery. Nylon safety straps and a set of gloves are also helpful. In general, carry a set of metric or standard sockets with a ratchet, a roll of duct tape, a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, flashlights, as well as extra food and water.

A man comes to agreement with absoluteness at a assertive point in his life.  This antecedent summer, this was the case for me and some of my acceptable friends. The Paris Hilton 4th of July fleet affair on the Sacramento Delta fell on our alarm and we absitively on renting a houseboat for an ‘All Guys’ anniversary of partying amid a aerated accumulation of almost clad co-eds. A few hours into it, we accomplished that best of us present were old abundant to be the fathers of the flotilla’s patrons.  We came to our senses, and formed out to the Jeepers Jamboree. It was settled: a four-day, all-boys weekend at the 59th Jeepers Jamboree for bedrock active fun.

It was the accepted suspects from my club, the Sierra Treasure Hunters: Steve ‘Medfly’ Medley and ‘Bronco’ Matt in Jeep Rubicons, Kevin Kidwell and Troy Holmes in Kevin’s custom YJ, and Will Corbett and his son Wade in a home-built Jeep CJ-7 with custom running boards and nerf bars. Between the mix, we’d spent hundreds of weekends swapping lies about campfires in several states, best of the guys had catholic with me in Baja, and I’ve accepted my passenger, Rich Currie, back afore I endemic a 4x4 - my crew.

And for the badge Toyota, my associate Rich and I dusted off my jacked up ‘82 Hilux that sports half-doors and a account bed (circa 1998) with at atomic a ton of tubing and approach anchored on for bumpers and nerf bars. Having traversed the Rubicon with me dozens of times, the old Toyota with its active boards and custom lights is ever-reliable and consistently has been.

At 6:00 in the morning, my buddies were decidedly aggressive at the Georgetown Hotel because they were black their abandonment from the night before. In fact, they were accessible to dump me and arch for the aisle afore I alike arrived. Rascals, the lot of them. Every year for bags of participants, the Jamboree has become a ancestors tradition. Going 59 years strong, the attitude is appropriately aggregate by the bodies who agents the event. From the association abaft the bar and the kitchen crew, to the bedrock rollers and mechanics, best of these bodies accept been complex with Jeepers back they were kids. Jamboree began as a association fundraiser, acceptance the Boy Scouts, American Legion, Rotary and the Georgetown Gun & Hunting Club to accomplish some added assets in a disturbing economy. The American Legion who staffs about 50 bodies to run the kitchen and the bar are amid abounding of those aforementioned bounded clubs that still participate today.

Usage and Storage Options for Jeep Tops

Since its creation, the Jeep has been bred for the outdoors. The best way to enjoy the Jeep experience is to have it optimized for an open-air ride. However, an open-air configuration is not ideal in every situation. Inclement weather, for example, requires a Jeep to have a cover. For most models, there are two options for covering up: a Jeep soft top or a hard top. For most off-road applications, a hard top is simply not practical, unless it is installed with a quick-release kit. A soft top allows the vehicle to be converted to an open-air ride quickly, and then covered up in minutes when the off-road ride is complete.

Jeep soft tops also allow a driver to store the cover in a tight, compact space when the vehicle is in an open-air configuration. Some soft tops can fold up flat and fit in a bag, and the driver can then store the bag in the Jeep’s cargo area. Other soft tops can be rolled up, or panels can be removed from the Jeep, and then stored in a safe location such as a garage before the Jeep hits the back roads. The type of storage depends upon the type of soft top selected. Traditionally, a soft top can be fastened to the Jeep through snaps, clasps, or buttons, allowing the driver to place the top on the Jeep or take the top off quickly, without the use of any tools.

The selection of the best Jeep soft top depends upon several factors. Primarily, the Jeep model in question will dictate which soft top should be used. However, there are many aftermarket tops available with various features that fit a wide selection of Jeep models. Other factors include budget, how frequently the driver intends to install and remove the top, and where the driver intends to drive the Jeep. Generally, a soft top is ready to install out of the box, as the product is designed specifically to the metrics of the Jeep’s model and trim package.

Maintenance is another factor that a Jeep owner should consider when selecting between available Jeep soft tops. Some tops require careful storage, while others require frequent application of protectant chemicals to prevent wear, fading, discoloration, and sun damage. Some soft tops are more durable, and require little beyond basic preventive measures, such as regular cleaning. Regardless of durability, all soft tops will wear down, crack, split, or fade with time. When this happens, a Jeep owner will need to replace it, go without a top, or install a molded hard top.

Helping Save Lives In Afghanistan with Operation Lightsabre Truck Accessories

A major U.S. off-road parts and Jeep fender flares distributor is buying lights to send to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Companies supporting the troops such as these are helping save lives overseas by donating bright lights that help Soldiers see dangerous IEDs before they cause injury and damage. Many times, having the right equipment on a mission makes a significant difference in operational procedures and helps troops achieve mission completion.

In 2006, this off-road truck and Jeep parts distributor specializing in truck accessories, lights, and Jeep clothing received a letter from Captain Chris Braden of 2nd battalion, 27th Infantry Bravo Company requesting lighting units to assist in safety and combat effectiveness in the dangerous duty of searching for IEDs and roadside bombs while on night patrol. A few weeks later, the 140 troops of Bravo Company received over $5000 in lighting equipment and wiring, and put their new gear to work down range.

The campaign to support the troops was so successful and well-received (as featured in Off-Road Adventures magazine, March 2007) that the company which also specialize in providing Jeep clothing and Jeep fender flares decided to continue their assistance and supply lights for the entire 2nd Battalion, only this time providing their valued customers with the opportunity to contribute and help out in the effort.  And everyday people answered the call.

The program has since been met with generous support from off-road and 4x4 enthusiasts nationwide, and the company, which also specialize in catalytic convertors and running boards will continue to do their part to assist our troops until they arrive home safely.  It is one way American companies are doing their part in contributing to the national security efforts our men and women in uniform engage in everyday.  By partnering with those serving overseas, everyday people participate in the hard work facing our Armed Forces today.

From the troops’ point of view, knowing that people back home are thinking about them and sending their support in tangible ways is an incredible morale boost in the face of day to day challenges. This kind of support that everyday civilians provide Soldiers goes a long way with regards to strengthening the morale of these military professionals while serving on deployments.  Just as folks back home during WWII cut back on their personal spending and volunteered their work for the war effort, American companies today across the country carry the same spirit of duty and service by standing side by side with the men and women in uniform abroad.