TOP GEAR parts dept. emporium

From bling and zing to muscle and hustle

From seatbelts to guitar straps

Recycling various car parts to make all kinds of products is becoming popular. A case in point is the Couch company that takes “vintage” vinyl and cloth seat covers, trunk liners and seatbelt webbing (no leather, please, the owners are vegans) and turns them into consumer products, including guitar and camera straps, belts, bags and wallets. The wide assortment of guitar straps are derived from retired Mustangs, Volkswagens, Cadillacs and Mercedes Benz models, etc., and are priced from $45-$50. Camera straps range from $20-$30, while wallets sell for $20-$34. Couch makes other cool stuff, which can be viewed/purchased at www. couchguitarstraps.com.

A tool for all reasons

The Rhino Multi-tool won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s hard to beat its practical nature. Small enough to fit on a key ring, the Rhino comes with four of the most popular screwdriver bits and three different wrenches, including one to fit lug nuts. There’s also an ice scraper and the obligatory bottle opener. All the tools are contained inside a tough plastic holder that’s about half the size of the average cell phone. The Rhino Multi-tool is priced at 32.90 Euro, or the equivalent of about $40. Order one from www.yeople.com/coolmultitool-rhino/

A hitch in your step

For pickup owners, it’s often too big a stretch to access the bed from the outside to load and unload cargo. One solution is the Belxx Spin Step. It comes with a built-in platform that swivels out from the hitch, allowing you to easily step onto and off the lowered tailgate. When not in use, the Spin Step pivots below the hitch receiver. For installation, the 9.5- by-16-inch Spin Step requires no holes to be drilled. Purchase one for $160 (including a two-inch ball hitch) at www.belxx.com.

Carry tools? Yes you can

Rampage products has come up with a novel way to tote tools safely and securely. The company’s Trail Can Utility Tool Box (model # 86619) is in fact an old-school-style jerry can, however this one flips up at the top to reveal a small removable toolbox. The side door also opens to reveal two removable drawers for storing bulkier items such as saws and drills. Also, the inside of the door is designed with storage slots for screwdrivers. The Trail Can Utility Tool Box is 18 inches tall by six inches wide and 13 inches deep and sells in the $120-$140 range through a number of auto parts sites, including www.jegs.com as well as through www.amazon.com.