AutoSocks are a very simple, and workable accessory that can be kept in your 4×4, ‘just in case’. Very easy, and quick, to fit, you slip these ‘socks’ over your wheels to get maximum traction in difficult circumstances. OK, so you should have decent tyres but many 4×4 tyre combinations are more road orientated. No, they are not an alternative to snow chains, but then for the majority of time, chains are not necessary on UK roads. We have tested AutoSocks in extreme snow conditions and were certainly impressed at the extra traction available. Of course, for a 4×4, you will need two pairs. Prices start from £49.95. You can get AutoSocks from The Roof Box Company, call 01539 621884 or go to: www.roofbox.co.uk

The guys at KS International contacted us with some details of special offers they have on AVM hubs. These high performance freewheeling hubs are universally recognised for their toughness in extreme driving conditions. Instead of having a die cast internal drive unit, the High Performance Version has its internals machined from a single steel billet, making them stronger than standard die cast ones and less likely to break. Until the end of January 2013, these hubs are discounted by KS International: for example, hubs for the Toyota Hilux that have a usual price of £100 are yours for £75. Well worth giving them a call if you are in the market for some decent hubs. KS International claims to be the UK’s largest supplier of Japanese 4×4 and truck parts, and with some 20,000 parts on the shelves at any one time, it’s likely the guys there will have what you are looking for; telescopic tow bars, snatch blocks, recovery points, and wheel spacers for all Japanese 4×4 models are always in stock. You should check out the company’s extensive website at
www.ks-international.com, call them up on 020 8842 7567 or send an email to: [email protected]

For many owner operators, their pick-up is a very specialist vehicle. It is not just a big load area where you can randomly ‘throw’ all tools or products in the back. The Bedslide, available from Auto Styling, is a great way to load and unload your truck and it turns the bed into a sliding floor, allowing you to get goods from the back of the load bed without having to climb in – murder on the knees! The Bedslide 1000 is a sleek and stylish option from the people who really know about pick-ups, Auto Styling. It costs £675 (plus VAT) and can be found on the excellent Auto Styling website www.autostylinguk.com. You can call them on 0845 833 1101 to get a free catalogue, which is very cleverly produced so it can concentrate on your particular model of pick-up. Yep, the Editor already has a Hilux catalogue on his desk!

When it comes to Japanese vehicles, the guys at Milner Off Road have been in business since 1981, so if it’s a Jap truck that you own, this is a good place to start. To meet the coming winter season, Milner does a wheel and tyre package, various sizes and tyre options, and prices start from a very reasonable £375 (plus VAT). Give them a call to see what they advise. Of course, should you want to fit larger, oversize wheels, then you’ll be needing a body lift kit. Milner kits contain aluminium spacers and all the hardware to lift the body from the chassis 1.5in, retaining the centre of gravity, and without having to modify any other parts on the vehicle. Such a modification could also lead you to consider fitting manual freewheeling hubs. For many, manual hubs are a better option – less to go wrong – while also saving fuel and wear on the axles. Milner freewheeling manual hubs are available from £38 (plus VAT). The comprehensive website can be found at www.milneroffroad.com, you can email your query on [email protected] or be more traditional and call for a chat (remembering to say you read about it in this magazine!) on 01629 734411.

As you would expect for such a top pick-up, there are some excellent new accessories coming to the market for the Ford Ranger. Tim Snowdon at 4x4at.com has told us about a new canopy, appropriately also designed by Ford Australia and built by Aeroklas. Twin-skinned, this ABS canopy is available with pop-out side windows, or solid sides. It costs £1199.99 (plus VAT), warranted for off-road use and comes with a three-year warranty. The guys at 4x4at.com also stock the famous Mountain top chequer plate lid for the Ranger. This durable and secure cover has now been tested in over 20 countries and is likely to be a big seller for the Ranger. You can get this from 4x4at.com for £875 (plus VAT). And for those serious about working their Ranger, 4x4at.com also has a tough recovery bumper, black powder-coated as standard, but can be colour-coded to the vehicle. They can be supplied with a 10,000lb winch. Prices start at around £700. All these, and many more accessories for all model pick-ups are available at www.4x4at.com. Check out the ad in the magazine, and give them a call on 01677 428797.

Isuzu’s new D-Max was a serious contender for our overall 4×4 Pick-up Of The Year; it’s going to be in demand, that’s for sure. The guys at Up Country have some interesting accessories available for this new model. One thing pick-ups ‘suffer’ from is the fact that the suspension has to work when the vehicle is empty and fully loaded, so we were particularly interested in the air suspension kits that they have available at Up Country. The kit comes from MAD, there are no steel springs, only two air bellows installed with existing springs ensuring that the car can be adjusted to meet the driver’s needs – hard or soft spring action, high or low; increased comfort through optimum auxiliary air suspension. This can be operated easily from the dashboard while driving. The basic air suspension kit for the D-Max starts at only £294 (plus VAT) up to £757 (plus VAT) for the automatic version.

Up Country also stocks a very good-looking, German built, Road Ranger truck top, available for both the double cab and the extended cab models. The top is made using the compression process, not as hand-laid glassfibre and comes with a two-year warranty. Prices start from £1379 (plus VAT). Up Country has an excellent range of pick-up goodies, all very clearly explained on the company’s comprehensive website www.upcountry4x4.co.uk. Call them up to discuss your requirements on 01986 875171, and make sure you tell them 4×4 Magazine sent you!

Now here’s a great idea. The GMB Fender Locker creates an external stowage/control compartment for all Defender models. This is a tough aluminium and stainless-steel unit, with a removable base-plate that allows you to tailor the Fender Locker for your own requirements. This is an ideal location for mounting cut-off switches, winch controls or your on-board air supply. Added security for a vehicle that is often targeted by thieves. A Southco lock creates a secure compartment and the lock is available with an optional rubber dust cover, it is available to fit left or right fenders. Priced at £137.00 (inc VAT), it’s available from MUD-UK Ltd, call the guys on 01422 881951 or www.mudstuff.co.uk

The legendary Mud Terrain General Grabber tyre is once again available in the UK. General Tire’s excellent mud plugger is available in the following sizes: 235/75R15 104/101Q; 265/75R16 123/120Q; 31×10.50R15 109Q; 33×12.50R15 108Q. The Grabber MT will be available from many 4×4 tyre dealers and 4site4x4 centres nationwide. For details of your nearest stockist please call 0870 112 9401 or visit www.4site4x4.co.uk.

Anyone that has a competition car on a trailer will appreciate the value of a good set of tie-downs. And they don’t get much better than these Mac Tie Downs; available from the guys at Old Hall Performance Ltd. We have had personal experience of these straps so are happy to recommend. The Mac’s Pro-Pack is available with either axle or wheel straps and gives a choice of end fitting on the ratchet strap. Pick the Pro-Pack that’s right for you with either Twisted Snap Hooks or the Direct Hook Ratchet System. There are a whole range of products available, including recovery straps, so check out the website at www.oldhallperformance.com, or call them up to discuss your requirements on 02476 717100.

Plastic body panels were originally fitted by manufacturers to add protection to a vehicle’s bodywork. But after time, and off-road jaunts, these can get damaged. LINE-X offers a service where they will spray bumpers and side panels. Given the speed the product dries, it’s actually the masking that takes all the time, but as soon as the vehicle has been sprayed, the owner will only just have time to pay up before the vehicle is ready to drive away! LINE-X applicators are located throughout the UK so if you are interested then the dealer near to you can be found on www.line-x.co.uk/find-a-line-x-dealer.html. The company is also looking for people who want to open new dealerships. For more information contact LINE-X Protective Coatings Ltd on 01271 344 000 or email [email protected].