Too early to consider Christmas presents? Probably, but Haynes publishers obviously don’t think so as they have released details of their 2014 diary for motoring enthusiasts. This diary is now in its eight year and is designed as a traditional Haynes manual with classic cutaway diagrams from the Haynes archives. Of course they won’t all be 4×4 cutaways, but who doesn’t like one of those traditional ink drawing cutaways? The guys that did these were real artists. (As a young motoring journalist, I had the pleasure in knowing Vic Berris, the artist that used to do many of the original pen and ink drawings for Autocar magazine, later to work on planes and ships. Now he had talent that didn’t come from a computer – NF). Yes, it’s too early to think of Christmas, but this would make a great gift!

Website: www.haynes.co.uk 

This is a clever little pocket light that you can keep, well in your pocket or more likely the glove box or centre console. It’s a new RIL50 light from the Ring Automotive Group. Not much bigger than a pen, but with eight powerful LEDs and a magnetic clip it’s useful when working in tight spaces, so if you get caught out in the dark this is something that might well come in useful. Powered by three AAA batteries, it is said to last for some nine hours and is available at a RRP of only £7.99.

Website: www.ringautomotive.co.uk

A new range of underbody protection is now available for 2007-2013 Jeep Wrangler JK models from top American specialists Rugged Ridge. The new skid plates protect the eight major exposed mechanical components – steering, differentials, transfer case, engine, transmission, suspension arms, air conditioning and exhaust. These are simple bolt on parts, and given the quality of Rugged Ridge they are likely to line up! Made from 3/16inch heavy duty steel plates, they come rust resistant and with a durable black powder coating. You can find out more at the Rugged Ridge site: www.ruggedridge.com, if you want to know how to get these in the UK, check one of the Jeep specialists that advertise in this magazine and just ask, or contact the guys at Omix-Ada who certainly will help source for you.

Website: www.omix-ada.com 

Describing the company as ‘extraction specialists’ the guys at Milltek have produced a new performance exhaust system for the Audi Q5 TFSi. The system is made from highest grade non-magnetic stainless steel and each system is actually handcrafted in the UK. It is designed as a simple and direct replacement to the original system. It’s not a cheap option, but could give you a little more performance, but it’s likely that it will give you a great aural experience – which does matter, doesn’t it? We all love a great exhaust sound, don’t we?

Website: www.millteksport.com

We have heard about a new consignment of steel wheels and Recip Mud tyres now available at 4x4tyres.com at Leeming Bar, North Yorks. This special delivery of some 1500 steel wheels range from 15×7 through to 16×10 and are available in silver or black finishes. Prices start from an amazing £29.00, so they are sure to sell well. The wheels would go well with the Portuguese Recip Mud terrain tyres. Sounds like some bargain off-road rubber as well.

Website: www.4x4tyres.com 

Laser has just introduced a tyre safety kit, including a GS/TUV-approved foot pump, tyre depth gauge, tyre pressure gauge, and two tapered adaptors (4mm and 7mm). The foot pump includes an easy to read pressure gauge and the tyre depth gauge and pressure gauges are equally very simple to read. As we explained in last month’s Tyre Advice feature, too many people are driving around on worn tyres, and the recent heat wave will have certainly increased the road wear on some vehicles. Worth checking, therefore. The kit has an RRP of £22.74 (plus VAT) and is available at many motor factors.

Website: www.lasertools.co.uk 

Now hands up those of you that used to have a Meccano set. Some of us can well remember those fiddly little brass nuts and bolts (that always seemed to come undone) and the bendy red metal body panels and long green struts. How many cranes did you build? It was always a crane… Things have changed somewhat and the latest from the company is the ‘monster Evolution 4×4 sports utility vehicle’. Chunky off-road tyres, working steering, ‘activated by crank and gears’, plus a realistic working front winch. You can get a 4×4 and an all-terrain truck for £34.99. There’s also an ATV quad bike for £29.99. It says that it’s suitable for those aged 8 and over. That’ll do us then.

Website: www.meccano.com

The original ARB air locker diff seems to have been around for ever, and in fact, it goes back to the 1980s. It is a phenomenal product, endorsed by off-roaders all over the globe. It seems, however, that the guys at ARB are not prepared to become complacent and have completely redesigned the product. The redesign was undertaken by Daniel Bongard at ARB, and he went right back to basics, as he explains: “We put aside the existing air locker design and started from scratch. Six months of computer-generated concepts involving an original two-piece design, new components and a ‘timed’ gear set.” The result is an astonishing 40 per cent improvement in static torque strength when compared to the original three-piece design. In a market where there are now a number of ‘bargain’ Chinese and Indian air lockers on the market, some of which it seems even claim to be ARB products, it seems obvious to us that cheap is not the answer and if you are in the market for a seriously tough air-locker for your off-roader, then it makes sense to speak to the guys at Arbil, who are the official ARB importers in the UK.

Website: www.arbil.co.uk

Why don’t you send in details and a few pictures of your 4×4? We are always looking for readers’ 4×4 to feature in the magazine. We will send a FREE 4×4 T-shirt and beanie hat to each published story. What’s in Your 4×4 Life? We want to hear about your vehicle, old or new, modified or standard. Send some pictures and words to the editor on 4×[email protected].

As the sun finally arrives at the 4×4 Magazine offices, we have had details of a new version of Nene Overland’s ICON Defender. The bespoke built Land Rover has proved quite a success, and we see no reason why this open-topped version won’t follow that trend. The roll bar can be painted matching colours to the body, and Nene has a number of mohair soft tops in a wide range of colours. You can order a full kit direct from www.4x4lifestyleshop.com or call the guys up and have a chat to see what they can do to meet your requirements. The Lifestyle website is excellent – easy to spend a lot of time looking at what’s on offer! Call Nene on 01733 380687.

Website: www.defendericon.com