Day four of the 2002 SEMA Show was not an end to an epic adventure in automotive aftermarket history but rather a beginning of great things to come.

Edge Advanced Suspension Products

Rocketing toward new pinnacles in his career, Kreg Donahoe has yet to hit his peak and is still charging to new heights. The president of Donahoe Racing Enterprises and manufacturer of Edge Advanced Suspension Products, a suspension system specializing in the popular Ford Super Duty line of trucks, Donahoe had his hand in building a custom truck that caught the attention and praise of the Ford Motor Company. Based upon the Ford F-550 platform, Edge Advanced Suspension Products assisted in building Rick Walker's show piece that earned the combined effort Ford's coveted Best of Show Award. The Super Duty, owned by builder Rick Walker, is an eye catcher to say the least, mimicking the path that Donahoe and his reputation has long been traversing in the industry. To add to his list of major accomplishments this weekend, Donahoe made a huge impression among the Robbie Groff and Jimmy Vasser Class 1 Baja 1000 team, which named him crew chief of the all-star CART/NASCAR entry. At the Toyota Manufacturer's Party Wednesday night, the topnotch guys from TRD made their rounds to mingle with Donahoe, opening up opportunities that extend far beyond that of his recent Toyota Tundra Project that he created in cooperation with Norwalk Toyota. We'll be bringing you more on this subject in months to come.

Sporting a long list of Edge Advanced Suspension Products, this Super Duty is absolutely sweet when it comes to looking sharp and standing tall. The attention to detail is impressive both in the workmanship and esthetics, and it shows with Ford's Best of Show honors.

With many miles logged upon the concrete runways of this year's show, ORC covered a lot of ground and made incredible headway into the overall experience of those who attended the show as well those who kept glued to the extensive coverage over the past four days.

For one, we made many new friends along the way. A person who comes immediately to mind is our friend Jeremy of Clear Gearz. You'll remember yesterday we dropped by his booth and unwillingly dropped the sledge hammer on his headlining product, the Clear Gearz clear differential cover. He insisted.

Jeremy handed us the hammer and encouraged us to put his product to the test. We did. And with a genuine smile and a hand shake, we walked away with great respect, not only for the fine attributes of his product but more importantly his incredible enthusiasm.

You see, what grabbed hold of our attention was not only his enthusiasm about his product, nor his company, nor the fact that he was a new guy at the largest automotive aftermarket accessory show in the world, but his enthusiasm for life.

It is that enthusiasm which this industry and our country has been in need of for some time, and it's that which a great many vendors, both large and small, breathed into every moment of the 2002 SEMA Show. I call it the American Dream. I have no reservations. It is what the world aspires to achieve and what us Americans dare to live.

To see the continued success of solid companies such as Skyjacker, Avalanche Engineering, Ramsey Winch, BFGoodrich Tires, Durakon, Performance Accessories, Bilstein and (among many others) National Spring is a blessing to us as off-roaders and as Americans.

Not only do these companies produce some the best products on earth, but they also lend great support to the sport and the way of life that we so cherish. Not only do these companies lead, but they lead by example. And, their example is noble and true. It is the pursuit of happiness and an ambition to preserve freedom that keeps them alive and well. It is that which preserves our way of life, our lifestyle as freedom-loving off-roaders.

Take Avalanche Engineering for example. Steve and Jen Rumore are a truly remarkable team. You can see it in their eyes and most importantly in their actions. The husband and wife team are leaders. I myself take note. Take a look at the link below and read a bit about their story and our history. They are making good things happen. They are living the dream.

"Avalanche OHV Ranch, A Dream Becomes Reality."

Edge Advanced Suspension Products
Design Engineering
	SO COLD IT'S FAST: Winning this year's Best New Performance Racing Product, Cry-02 air charge freezer, manufactured by Design Engineering, utilizes cryogenic technology to freeze the air charge by passing the air over a CO2 charged aerodynamic bulb located in the air intake stream. Dyno testing has shown up to a 35% drop in air charge temperature.
WARN Industries
	REELING IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Winning this year's Best New Merchandising Display, WARN Industries designed this to highlight the features and benefits of the new WARN 9.5t and put the product on a pedestal. Sells with or without the actual product.
Hidden Hitch
	12-VOLT ACCESSORY ADAPTER: The new 12-volt accessory adapter from Hidden Hitch plugs into a 7-way trailer connector, effectively turning it into a 12-volt power source. It is the only product of its kind on the market. The adapter can power a variety of electrical appliances, including small refrigerators, coolers or radios. The adapter (part number 38012) retails for $15.84.
Superlift Suspension Systems
	FORD EXPLORER & SPORT TRACK 4-INCH SUSPENSION: Manufacturer of suspension and steering components, Superlift Suspension Systems just released a complete 4-inch lift system for the Ford Explorer and Sport Trac. This latest system not only gives these downsize SUVs a whole new look, it gives them the off-road performance to back it up. The 1996-2001 Ford Explorer and 2000-and-newer Explorer Sport Trac share the same basic torsion bar/control arm suspension design with other downsize Ford trucks, including Rangers.
	CHEVY ZR2 PICKUPS & BLAZERS: Superlift Suspension Systems offers a complete 6-inch suspension lift system for Chevy S-10 and S-15 pickups and Blazers equipped with the ZR2 off-road package. Superlift's 6-inch kit provides enough clearance for 33- and some 35-inch tires. General Motors' compact trucks use a smaller version of the torsion bar/control arm front suspension found on the full-size trucks, and Superlift's new 6-inch suspension system was designed using the same proven lift method that the company has been using on full-size trucks for years.
4x4 Posi-Lok
	FINALLY: A number of us here at ORC have long waited for the answer to our thermal linear actuated and vacuum actuated 4x4 systems, especially us Jeep owners. Finally, again I'll say finally, 4x4 Posi-Lok comes along. The 4x4 Posi-Lok is the only patented cable-operated front axle engagement system for 4 wheel-drive pickups and SUVs. This manual locking system replaces the OEM unit in GM trucks and SUVs that have a thermal linear actuator. It also replaces the vacuum-controlled unit in such trucks as Dodge, Jeep and GM T/10s.
McCulloch HID
	5000K HID HEADLIGHT CONVERSION: G-Garage introduces the next generation of high-intensity discharge (HID) headlight conversion. The McCulloch HID System conversion system has many new and upgraded features that can revolutionize the current HID market. Basically, an HID lights allows you to see a wider and longer stretch of road, so you can detect dangerous obstacles sooner and more easily. The HID is commonly used in racing applications because of the long range visibility it offers the driver. The McCulloch HID system uses less electricity than standard halogen bulbs, too, which makes the life expectancy of the HID bulb up to 10 times longer than the factory halogen bulb.
Gale Banks Engineering
Gale Banks Engineering breaks new ground with its release of the Banks Brake for the Ford Power Stroke and Dodge Cummins turbodiesel pickups. The Banks Brake is a mechanical device that provides supplemental braking ability--especially important to drivers who tow heavy loads or do a lot of mountain driving. Even when a truck's brakes are capable of keeping it from gaining unwanted speed traveling downhill, such loads impose significant brake wear and leave little safety margin. The primary advantages to exhaust brakes on a diesel-powered vehicle are that they reduce brake wear and heat, provide safety in helping control downhill vehicle speed and provide a greater braking reserve for the conventional brakes. Banks' new braking system mounts directly on the turbocharger. Unique in the industry, Banks Brake reduces exhaust backpressure when open, adding 15 to 30 horsepower to engine output.
Magnuson Products
	BOWTIE POWER: Owners of late-model Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks and SUVs equipped with the 6.0-liter V8 engine can now enjoy a real 30 to 40 percent increase in power, without affecting fuel economy and reliability. It's as simple as installing a Magna Charger supercharger system. The system, fits Tahoes, Suburbans, Yukons, Yukon XLs, Denalis, Silverados, Sierras and Sierra C3s, as well as the Cadillac Escalade.
PML Inc.
	DURAMAX DIFFERENTIAL COVER: The PML cover for GM Allison differentials adds 1 quart over stock to the oil capacity for reduced oil temperature. It includes drain and fill/check bosses and a magnetic drain plug for easy oil changes. The stiff thick-wall aluminum design adds torsional strength to your differential housing. A precision machined .350-inch-thick gasket flange gives superior sealing. This cover fits GM 2500HD and 3500 Duramax vehicles with the Allison transmission and differential. The cover is available in as-cast aluminum, crinkle black powdercoat or polished finishes. It is designed and manufactured in the USA.
	FORD TRANSMISSION PAN: Bigger is better. PML has got what you Ford owners need, the sand-cast aluminum transmission pans that add strength and good looks to vehicles with Ford AOD, AODE and 4R70 transmissions. PML makes these transmission pans in a low-profile design with stock oil capacity, as well as a deep design that holds two (4R70) or three (AOD and AODE) quarts more than stock. PML transmission pans feature: 1. Magnetic drain plugs for easy oil changes. 2. A stiff, thick-wall, cast-aluminum design to add torsional strength to your transmission case. 3. A precision-machined gasket flange for superior sealing. 4. A raised web that can be drilled and tapped for temperature sensors.
ARB 4X4 Accessories
	INTENSE LIGHTING: ARB USA breaks into the HID market with some notable improvements. Let's start with the wiring and installation, which includes a simple wiring loom to make the upgrade to the brilliantly powerful HID lights easy to install. Second, you'll be surprised at the price. You'll find the reliable IPF unit dramatically less expensive than other brands. How's that for adding 1,000 feet to your visible range in the dark?
SpeedTweaks
	DAKOTA POWER: You want more power for the V8 beneath the hood of your 1997 and newer Dodge Dakota and Durango 5.2 Liter or 5.9-Liter motor? Well, you've got it right here. It's the SpeedTweaks turbo kit, which is designed as a complete bolt-on system. It is liquid-to-air intercooled (air-to-air is coming soon), and produces at least a 45 percent increase in power (results will vary depending on existing modifications).
Suncoast Creations
	DODGE RAM AIR: Sleek looks and lots of power is packed into the Suncoast Creations fully-functional Ram Air hood for the 1994-2001 Dodge Ram. This system is said to add approximately 25 horsepower to Dodge Rams equipped with a V8 engine. It does so by reducing restrictions in the intake system and also by drawing cold air from outside the engine compartment to feed the engine.
Hella
	LIGHTING THE WAY: Need a little light on the dark winter trail? Hella's FF50 and FF75 lamps feature an advanced design for exceptional performance and appearance. Each model is available as a fog lamp or a driving lamp. Both the FF50 and FF75 have been designed for easy installation, even in difficult mounting conditions. With their small overall dimensions and a flat or oval shape, these lamps are ideal for vehicles on which it is difficult to mount larger lamps. Plus, new bracket technology offers flexible mounting possibilities.
Road Armor
	MAX CLEARANCE BUMPER: A good bumper is hard to find, but look no further than ORC's SEMA coverage for Road Armor's latest creation, the Max Clearance Bumper for full-size Dodge Ram trucks. Made of 1/4-inch steal, it's got aggressive lines that are not only tough in function but also complement the lines of the Dodge. To top it off, the Road Armor bumper is winch ready and comes with a slew of options.