4x4 Gear

You're probably aware of the small universe of products which are meant to make your 4x4 more comfortable, convenient or attractive. These products are collectively referred to as 4x4 gear, and while this gear doesn't do much for your 4x4s performance, it can make your adventures a bit more fun.

Certain items which work great during a commute on the interstate don't do so well. For instance, while you might shop for sheepskin seat covers or adjustable cup holders for a Lexus, off-road vehicles are more likely to have lumbar support cushions and floor mats which can be hosed off. When you are in town, a rear view mirror that displays a back-up camera feed is quite handy. On the trail, however, a set of extended side view mirrors will offer more information and last much longer than a back-up camera.

Some 4x4 gear doesn't have a commuter-car counterpart, primarily because certain things aren't supposed to happen on the expressway. For instance, a 400 amp jump-start pack will bring a dead battery to life when there isn't another battery in the area, and survival kits are handy when you have problems more pressing than a dead battery.

Certain kinds of 4x4 gear will be nearly identical to gear used in our theoretical Lexus, but it will be used under different conditions. For instance, a GPS can be programmed to find the nearest drug store or the nearest paved road, depending on your starting point.

Most of the 4x4 gear available is neither performance-enhancing nor truly necessary, although some might enhance your odds of getting home alive.