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♦ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006
6A
How To Accessorize Your Truck
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Accessorize Your Truck
From truck boxes to bug
deflectors , you can have
it all for your vehicle .
What’s the first thing people
do when they buy a new truck?
Accessorize! Whether you buy •
the latest, greatest, new model
truck, or an oldie but goody - if
the truck is going to survive the
streets, accessories are in order.
•
Bed mats
One of the basic truck accessories is a
bedmat. With a bedmat you can protect
the truck bed from the scratches,
abrasions and dents of ev.eryday life.
Look for a bedmat that is extra thick for
durability, has a custom-molded fit, and
a knobby underside to keep the truck
bed dry and help prevent rust. Also look
for raised ribs that run lengthwise for
easy loading and unloading.
For those of you who want more out of
a product than just truck bed protection,
a universal, multi-purpose mat made out
of extra tough, cord reinforced rubber,
may be a better fit. With bed protection *
features similar to the bedmat, a
universal mat can also be removed from
the truck and used as a floor or work
space mat. Take the mat out and put it
under your truck while you change the
oil to protect the garage floor from oil
drips, or put it in front of your work
bench for anti-fatigue comfort while
you complete your latest project.
Already have a liner in your truck but
need a slip-resistant surface? A univer
sal mat transforms the area between the
wheel wells into a stay-put zone.
Tailgate Protectors
Now' that the bed is covered, don't
neglect the most abused part of your
truck - the tailgate. A smart solution,
which requires no drilling or adhesives,
is a snap-on tailgate protector. It installs
in seconds, with no tools. Just snap it
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on and your tailgate is protected. Look
for tailgate protection with a custom fit,
which covers 100 percent of the
working surface area. A good tailgate
protector will not warp or crack and
will have a grip tight underside that will
keep it in place.
Truck Boxes
When purchasing a truck box, you
want to look for added value
features. Here are some the features
you need to look for:
• Lid: Look for rigid and durable lid
with little flexing.
• Security/Locking system: Ratchet/
cam lock type locking system offers
superior security. It is harder to break
into a box with this system vs. a box
with a single hook latch.
• Self Rising Lid: Only one hand
needed to open box. Lid will self-rise
when opening box. Many times you
have something in one hand, so this is a
nice feature to have.
• Gas Springs: Look for heavy duty
springs on box.
• Double Cut Keys: Keys are reversible
so it's easier to unlock boxes verses a
single cut key.
• Tray: Durable and easy sliding tray.
Poly is best for cleaning and sliding.
Look for heavy molded poly tray.
• Small parts storage: Many boxes offer
this special storage feature.
• Overlap Seam Welded: All bodies
are welded by overlapping the metal at
the seams and then welding together,
creating a strong bond (metal on top
of metal) verses butt welding. Look on
inside of bodies (seams) to notice this
type of bonding.
• Weather-stripping: Look for closed
cell foam stripping that compresses and
expands well, which provides a good
seal around the lid. Open cell foam
stripping and stripping that does not
compress and expand, will not seal as
well and will not last as long. Open cell
foam absorbs more dust and moisture.
• Retail Price Ranges (approx.):
Aluminum ($lB9-399)
Steel (SB9-299)
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Automotive Accessory Needs
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Poly ($79-109)
Structural Foam ($lO9-139)
Truck boxes come in many shapes and
styles, including single-lid crossovers,
gullwing crossovers, wedge design,
notched design, side mounts, underbody
boxes, topside boxes, innerside boxes,
foot lockers, chest boxes and transfer
tanks for liquids. Find the box that fits
your individual needs!
Window Deflectors for Wind
and Rain
Window deflectors allow you to crack
your window, allowing for ventilation
in all kinds of weather. They also help
to keep your truck cab cooler when
parked with partially opened windows.
Deflectors are made of smoke acrylic
and arc easy to install. Window
deflectors are available for all popular
makes and models of trucks, vans and
SUV's.
Bug Deflectors
Bug deflectors protect your truck
hood from bugs and nicks from stones
and road debris. Bug deflectors install
quickly and easily with either OEM
approved tape or mechanical fasteners.
The design allows you to easily clean
behind the bug deflector. They are
available in smoke or clear acrylic. The
clear version can be painted to match
your truck. Also, color match deflectors
are available by custom order.
Taillight Covers
There are a variety of taillight covers
available for your truck. There are two
popular slotted versions - horizontal
slots as well as diagonal slots. Either
can be painted to match your truck or
left clear. Blackout versions are also
available. All taillight covers are easy to
install, requiring no tools.
Other Accessories
The list of other accessories is a long
one. Others to consider are: Grill
guards, brush guards, side bed rails,
nerf bars, steps; and a large variety of
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winches, hitches and ball mounts.
Visit your local truck accessory
retailers and compare quality, prices,
warranties, and knowledgeable
customer service. Be sure to ask about
installation costs!
Things to look for when
purchasing a truck box
Material Advantages Disadvantages
Aluminum Rust-resistant, durable soft
metal, less durable
Shiny finish-good looking Bends and
flexes easy More expensive
Steel Strong, heavy-duty, durable Less
rust resistant Less expensive
Poly No rusting Can warp in
extreme heat
Less expensive Some fading
Easy to clean
Structural Foam No rusting Limited
number of models to choose from Less
expensive Strong - very durable
The Top Five Things
You Should Know...
1. Basic truck accessories such
as bedmats and tailgate protectors
will keep your vehicle looking its
best.
2. Truck boxes come in many
different styles and offer many
features; be sure to do your
homework when shopping for
them.
3. Window deflectors are great
accessories that keep out wind and
rain while at the same time
allowing you to open the
windows.
4. Bug deflectors will protect the
hood of your truck from bugs,
stones and road debris.
5. Visit your local truck acces
sory retailers and compare quality,
prices, warranties and
knowledgeable customer service.
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