This is the second part of our look back at the recent the SEMA Show. Last month, the performance-minded were treated to some of the best and most innovative products to hit the street for 2004. This month, it’s all about trucks. Take a look at what’s coming and what’s already here.
Toyo Tire USA is expanding its lineup of light truck/SUV tires. The fact that the tiremaker has new light truck/SUV tires may seem odd in this column, but the fact that they are available in monsterous 325/65R18 and 355/65R18 sizes for the Open Country AT and huge 38X15.50R18 for the Open Country MT means serious add-on sales opportunities.
These huge diameters mean that you will need to sell a wheel to hold all of that rubber. So instead of a low-profile tire on a lifted truck, stuff it with one of these combinations for a real "beefy" look that is sure to appeal to the truck enthusiasts. Not only are these brutes big ®“ 35, 36.5 and 37.5 inches in diameter respectively ®“ they can haul a load, too.
Open Country ATs have a maximum load of 3,195 pounds for the 325/65R18 and 3,640 pounds for the 355/65R18. The 38×15.50R18 MT boasts a maximum load of 3,960 pounds. The trade off of this size is weight. These boys weigh in at a healthy 75 to 106 pounds each. Remember, maximum load capacity is the lesser of the tire or wheel.
Next, the Nitto Grappler series. Nitto has stepped up in this arena and developed some unique tread patterns that look as though they were built for a one-time show truck, except you can buy these. Its Mud Grappler Extreme Terrain tire comes in size 38×15.50R18. According to Nitto, the tread pattern features 15-mm side lugs that improve puncture resistance and help during rock crawling and mud slinging. Also, it will perform well on snow and in slush.
Nitto also offers the Terra Grappler All Terrain tire with a tread pattern that will appeal to the on/off road consumer. According to Nitto’s Koji Watanabe, the new line targets the "urban off-road niche market."
Watanabe says, "This tire has an off-road, hard core lug and aggressive image without getting off road. It is marketed toward Hummer H2s and the 1/2- to 3/4-ton market."
Along with the Terra Grappler, which is built in the same size, the Mud Grappler will be available in January or February. Other sizes of these tires will follow in early 2004.
You may be asking yourself, "How much do these monsters weigh?" With a wheel and air, you’re getting well into triple digits. Wheels, suspension components, steering, brakes, everything will be stressed and will need to be upgraded to make these combinations driveable. And safe.
In the wheel category, take a look at the new Alcoa LTS 8-spoke. Modeled after the OE H2 wheel, this is a 17×8.5 drilled 8-6.5 to fit the 3/4- and 1-ton GM trucks. Helping to trim weight, this hot forged aluminum wheel weighs only 33 pounds and has a 2,750-pound load carrying capacity.
For the rest of the market, Centerline offers its rotary forged H/T Comp Series heavy-duty wheel line. Built using its proprietary forging process, the Vector comes in sizes ranging from 16 up to 20 inches. With a 3,200-pound load carrying capacity, it can handle up to 38-inch tires, which will hold the tire offerings mentioned earlier.
Weld Racing has some forged wheels to offer, as well. Here is the Cheyenne 6. It comes in diameters ranging from 16 to 20 inches, and has a load carrying capacity of 2,800 pounds. Weld builds a 5-spoke for 5-lug trucks and an 8-spoke for the 8-lug trucks, which can handle 3,200 pounds. All of these wheels are rated to handle up to 44-inch diameter tires.
Obviously, these tires and wheels are not going to fit a stock vehicle. That means that you have the opportunity to cross-market with suspension components.
Skyjacker offers a wide selection of kits to fit most every vehicle. It even has an applications guide that will help you determine the largest tire size possible on each vehicle and the amount of lift needed.
Finally, in the cutting-edge segment, the folks at Lexani have gone ape. Or maybe ostrich!
Lexani’s newest offering is to apply an animal-print leather skin on its wheels. Lexani has introduced a new line, called Asanti, to market these new designs. Other "skin" options are in the works.
These wheels are a special order and the skin patterns can only be applied to the three-piece forged wheels in the line. What else will they think of? Well, the one-piece Asanti wheels have skin designs molded into the wheel. Alligator and zebra designs are available in chrome, chrome with gold accents, and just plain old gold.
That wraps up our look back at the new, exciting and interesing products and opportunities we saw at the SEMA Show. As you can see from the many products we’ve outlined over the last two issues, you have a lot of new options to make more money.
And now that we’re in the throws of winter weather, it’s a good time to start thinking about spring, which we’ll do next month.
