Shop Talk

Stay Cool Under The Hood

The XDP Aluminum Coolant Recovery Tank Reservoir XD375 adds styling and function under the hood of your 2003-2007 Ford 6.0L Power Stroke. Forget about attempting to “shine up” the plastic factory coolant recovery tank to make your truck show-worthy. Replace it once and for all with the XD375. The XDP Aluminum Coolant Recovery Tank Reservoir features a welded aluminum construction and a satin black coating to give you a custom show and race-ready look. Each tank includes a built-in sight glass so you can easily monitor coolant levels and an OE style replacement cap. (www.xtremediesel.com)

Fixing Appearance & Fit

TruXedo’s Pro X15 Tonneau Cover installed on a red chevy truck

TruXedo’s Pro X15 Tonneau Cover solves two issues with soft-cover, hook-and-loop tonneaus—fit and appearance. The Pro X15 tonneau has a self-leveling design for a better fit, plus an automatic tension control feature that keeps the cover tight in any weather. The Pro X15 also uses rails with a 15-degree angle that mount inside the bed so the cover fits flush with the truck’s bed sides. The cover’s matte black woven fabric is very durable and resists dirt so it stays cleaner between washings. Other features include a quick-release system that allows the entire cover to be removed in seconds without tools for full bed access, a trigger latch that requires only one finger to open the cover and a limited lifetime warranty. (www.truxedo.com)

Lightweight Billet Reservoir

two finned aluminum brake fluid reservoirs from Wilwood

Finned aluminum brake fluid reservoirs from Wilwood give your firewall a unique high-performance look. Machining ribs in the billet reduce weight (now 4.6 ounces, 3 ounces less than Wilwood’s standard billet reservoir) and increase surface area for passive cooling.

These durable reservoirs hold 4 ounces of fluid and can be mounted directly to Wilwood’s single or tandem remote master cylinders, or plumbed remotely with braided stainless flex lines (sold separately).

Choose from media burnished aluminum with matching cap or hard anodized gray with black nylon cap. Matching billet mounting brackets are also available. (www.wilwood.com)

See More Than Ever

the Brandmotion Transparent Trailer Rear Vision System

Reset your towing experience with a Brandmotion Transparent Trailer Rear Vision System. These versatile systems improve on traditional rearview mirrors by projecting a live streaming, full-color 1080p resolution image on the mirror. You get a clear, crisp view of exactly what’s behind you without any obstructions, helping you back up trailers up to 65 feet long without worry.

The mirror connects to a camera installed on the end of the trailer. The trailer wiring harness runs to the trailer hitch and connects to the diesel’s harness with weatherproof quick disconnect connectors. This design delivers OEM-style looks while allowing for the trailer to be easily detached. The image from the camera displays cleanly on the included mirror with virtually no latency, thanks to high quality cabling. You can restore the system to a regular rearview mirror with the push of a button.

The Brandmotion Transparent Trailer Rear Vision Systems include the mirror, trailer and vehicle harnesses, connectors, and hardware. You can get a system that uses your existing trailer backup camera, or one that includes a color camera that provides a 170-degree horizontal and 130-degree vertical field. (www.brandmotion.com)

Heavy Duty Hex Keys

GEARWRENCH tools including standard L-keys, folding hex key sets, and a T-handle hex key set

GEARWRENCH launched its new lineup of professional hex keys that are suited for the most demanding needs users have. The lineup includes standard L-keys, folding hex key sets, and T-handle hex key sets, providing the comprehensive offering for use with a variety of fastener types and sizes.

Flimsy hex keys bend and get banged up easily with heavy use in everyday applications, but the alloy steel composition of GEARWENCH Hex Keys provides increased strength and resists rotational distortion.

Chamfered edges guide these keys into the fastener more easily, so the work doesn’t stall before it starts. GEARWRENCH Hex Keys are available with standard hex and Torx heads, but also with a Ball End feature that delivers 25-degree access in those hard-to-reach areas. Short- and long-arm options provide the right length and the right leverage for any space.
(www.gearwrench.com)

All-In-One

This DIY user-friendly All-In-One Kit by KBS Coatings uses its 3-Step System that consists of KBS Klean to clean surfaces, RustBlast to remove surface rust, and RustSeal to seal metal against moisture. KBS Top Coater provides a beautiful, durable, UV stable and permanent final finish which withstands dulling and fading caused by prolonged sunlight exposure. RustSeal, a rust inhibitive and preventative paint, chemically bonds to metal including rusted metal or any substrate. KBS Coatings Advanced Cross-Linked Technology provides a flexible yet rock-hard and non-porous barrier that won’t crack, chip, or peel.

Top Coater is available in 16 colors, including the popular KBS Camo Colors camouflage colors pallet. Of note, RustSeal is available in more than 10 colors and provides a beautiful finish that resembles a ceramic coat or powder-coat and can be used as a final finish for applications that won’t receive regular exposure to sunlight.
(www.kbs-coatings.com)

The Strong PTFE Hose

Don’t mess around when you build brake lines, power steering, or even nitrous oxide. Go with Fragola’s 6000 Series PTFE-lined hose. They can handle corrosive and high pressure fluids that can quickly kill an ordinary rubber hose, even the stainless braided stuff. The PTFE hose also resists higher temperatures than rubber and does not suffer from fuel permeation that will quickly degrade and dry out rubber hose. You can get 6000 Series PTFE-lined stainless hoses with or without a clear or black cover to prevent the stainless braid from scratching or scuffing parts the hose contacts.

PTFE hose is not as flexible as rubber or stainless braided rubber hose and requires hose ends such as Fragola’s Real Street PTFE Hose Ends to create a good seal. They feature a miniature “olive” that retains the hose inside of the fitting for a tight seal. You can reuse the fittings over and over by replacing the olives with new ones. The Real Street hose ends also have a double-swivel design that allows you to clock them for a clean installation.
(www.fragolaperformancesystems.com)

RAM Mounting Brackets

mounting brackets for the 2500/3500 RAM installed on a truck

RIGID Industries has come out with new mounting brackets for the 2500/3500 RAM. The A-Pillar Mount Kit is made with stainless steel and has a UV abrasion-resistant powder-coat to protect the product against harmful conditions. The kit works perfectly with a RIGID LED mount.
(www.rigidindustries.com)

Jointed Line Wrench Set

These jointed flare nut wrenches from Mueller Kueps might just make working on brake, power steering, air conditioning and other hydraulic lines enjoyable. One end is fixed and the other is jointed to get at those hard-to-access fittings. Both ends have an inner hex to firmly grip fittings without rounding them off. The wrenches are made from drop-forged steel and have a durable chrome finish. The set includes 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm and 12mm wrenches. (www.mueller-kueps.com)

Lose The Controller

a man in a vehicle holds a smartphone with the WirelessAIR with EZ Mount System app open

It’s the same great WirelessAIR with EZ Mount System that everyone loves, just without the handheld controller. The 73000EZ system utilizes a free smart phone app for wireless control.

Features include control of air springs through the free app, a black powder-coated steel mounting plate and an integrated weather- and corrosion-proof manifold. It also comes with a dual-path control so the left and right air springs can be inflated/deflated separately and there is even an automatic low-pressure monitor and air spring leak detection function. The kit also comes with a heavy-duty compressor. (www.airliftcompany.com)

Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing

the PPE high-strength, cast-aluminum Thermostat Housing for 2001-2007 GM 6.6L Duramax LB7, LLY, LBZ

Corrosion is often seen on this stock part as they age out. This can lead to blockage and reduced cooling capability. Replace your corroded OEM thermostat housing bridge with the PPE high-strength, cast-aluminum Thermostat Housing for 2001-2007 GM 6.6L Duramax LB7, LLY, LBZ. This high-quality upgrade is a direct replacement on to the OEM cylinder heads and is compatible with the factory thermostats, temperature sensor and the stock thermostat cover. (www.ppepower.com)