Aftermarket action
Take it to the mat BedRug, the maker of some of the more popular pickup bed liners on the market, has a simple solution for working beneath your vehicle. The foldable 4-by-2-foot TrackMat resists stains, oil and other chemicals, while providing plenty of cushioned comfort for your knees and back. The product is also made with the same kind of material used in life jackets so it will repel water and mildew. TrackMat folds in half for storage. You can get the full details, including a full list of retail outlets, at www.bedrug. com. You can also purchase TrackMat for $40 through a number of online resellers, including www.autoanything.com and www.jcwhitney.com.
Auto metal works
Josh Welton calls himself as a welder, but he’s really an accomplished sculptor whose primary medium is metal. Among his many subjects are motorcycles and automobiles, including hot rods and classic cars. Some of his pieces are exaggerated caricatures that appear to have been inspired by the late Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Rat Fink, while others are somewhat tamer and more to scale. All are cool to admire and would be an excellent addition to any car buff ’s art collection. Prices vary depending on the subject and the amount of work involved. Check out the gallery at www. browndogwelding.com.
Good to the bone
For more than 20 years, Dale Adams Enterprises has manufactured The Bone, a hard-plastic creeper, and The Tail Bone, a rolling, swiveling chair that’s useful for working alongside car bodies. And then there’s the newer Rough Rider model, which features a wider pivoting base than the standard model so it’s less prone to tipping over. In addition, its larger-diameter wheels make it ideal for working outdoors over irregular surfaces. The Rough Rider can support up to 400 pounds and is covered by a lifetime warranty. Purchase one for about $170 from a number of retail stores, including JEGS and Summit Racing Equipment, or from www.amazon.com.
Free your rims
Removing frozen or stripped lug nuts is not a problem with the Lug Ripper from Metal Edge Products, Inc. This specialized professional-grade tool is made from carbide metal that was originally designed to drill through 4 inches of solid steel up to 200 times before wearing out. Using a guide that fits over the wheel nut, you drill through the top of the nut and then right down the middle of the stud until both are removed (which means that both will have to be replaced). The benefit is that the process can be completed without damaging the wheel. The Lug Ripper kit sells for $240 and includes a cutting tool, three different guide sizes, collar clamp and wedge (air drill sold separately). Purchase at www.lugripper.com.