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General Articles - Trip Reports
Dixie Run Vendors' Show
Article written by Adventure Bob
Date Added: 10/07/2006
Southern 4 Wheel Drive Association puts on great wheeling event as well as an up and coming vendors' show. |
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 When we were invited to Tellico to wheel in the 20th annual Dixie Run, we expected some great off-roading; we never expected the manufacturer support and display area. This event is growing every year, and this year the vendor show outgrew its available space. Major players in the off road industry were on hand to show their latest and greatest items: BFG, Rancho, Fabtech, Rusty's Off Road, Rugged Ridge to name a few. If you're thinking "Who the heck is Rugged Ridge???", read on.
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The coolest thing we saw at the event wasn't at the show, but on the vendors' run. Check out the tread pattern on the prototype mud-terrain T/A KM the BFG guys were running. They are scheduled to deploy to mere mortals like you and me around September of next year.
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We talked to the folks from Rugged Ridge to answer the question "Who are you guys?" Rugged Ridge is the new branded line from the industry giant Omix Ada. They're a consumer level brand that makes just about everything. You've probably seen the name in the newest editions of the 4WD Hardware catalogs and were wondering who in the world they are. Well, now ya know.
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They're offering many cool produts including a line of flexible, bashable fender flares for around $189 a set. They offer a new slip yoke eliminator for about the same price. They also have arm rests that will work with your full size or half doors, a cool fire extinguisher holder (more on that in the future), and coming soon to a retailer near you, bolt on tube fenders that keep the inner fender lining. They've also decided to take on industry giant Bestop with a line of soft tops, vehicle covers, and seats. We expect to see a lot from these guys this year.
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Fabtech, a company normally known for its suspension components, showed us their line of body armor and bumpers. Their sliders are 1/4" plate and retail for around $150. They have 3/16" corners for around $160, and their 1 3/4" tube bumper with a winch plate goes for around $330. Good stuff from an unexpected source of body protection.
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The Hi-Lift guys were on hand with their killer Brute vehicle showing off their latest Hi-Lift Extreme and accesories. The new Hi-Lift Extreme is the top of the line Hi-Lift and is available in 48" or 60" sizes. The hardware is zinc coated for corrosion resistance and comes standard with The Claw. The new extreme retails for around $100.
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We found a unique manufacterer called GR8Tops. They make half hard top conversions for TJs. The tops give a Scrambleresque look to the TJ and offers more protection from the elements than a windjammer style soft top. They're in production now, and the company is taking orders. The top retails for around $1200 with sliding rear windows as shown.
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 Final Thoughts
This was a great show. Every year this event gets bigger, and from what we've seen, this has the potential to become the largest east-coast vendor show open to the general public. We hope that vendors and manufacturers will take advantage of this opportunity to get their products in front of the end consumer in a great environement. |
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 Our
Thank You's!
We'd like to thank all the manufacturers and vendors who talked with us, so we could let you know whats out there and what's in the works. We wish you all well at Pamona and SEMA! |
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