The Mercury News

Aftermarke­t action

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Swap over to electric power

Electric GT, a company specializi­ng in electric-vehicle conversion­s, is developing a “crate” motor that’s roughly the same size and shape as a gasoline V8 engine and is completely self-contained. The basic single-motor version makes 140 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor setup increases output to 240 horsepower and 340 pound-feet. Each kit comes with a wiring harness, coolant lines, DC power converter and other accessorie­s. Perhaps the neatest aspect of the motor is that it will connect to your vehicle’s existing transmissi­on via a special coupling. To complete the conversion you’ll need to source your own battery pack, however. Pricing for the motor hasn’t been set, but check for further info at www.electricgt.com.

Add some light to your interior

Some cars provide only minimal interior light when you need it most, and dome lights seem to be a thing of the past. A cure for this is the Starlight magnetic rechargeab­le LED reading light. It works by sticking a metal pad to the headliner with two-sided tape (claimed to not damage the surface) and then attaching the magnetized light. Once the light is in place, press to turn it on and off. Recharging the light’s lithium-ion battery is done via USB cable. Because the light is portable, it has many other uses inside the car or home. The case comes in gray, beige or black. Order for $19 each from www.trends-temple.com.

Keep your tools close at hand

Instead of leaving your repair job to search for the right wrench or socket, the Red Baron tool organizer and cart package lets you keep them close by. The product consists of a heightadju­stable 12-gauge metal stand that sits on four-inch rubberized casters (with front brakes). A 360-degree rotating tri-level tool holder can support up to 750 pounds. For added storage, there are drawers of different sizes built into the five-sided tool holder. Optional is a heavy-duty locking cloth cover keeps everything secure. Order for $450 (plus $120 for the cover) from www. redbaronto­ols.com.

Decked out for storage

Making your pickup as useful as possible is crucial, whether for recreation or for making your livelihood. As such, the Decked company has devised a sturdy storage unit to fit most full-size trucks. It comes with a pair of long slide-out bins (lockable and compartmen­talized) that are about eight inches deep. They’re topped with a shelf that’s strong enough to support loads of up to 2,000 pounds. As of this writing, the storage units fit fullsize trucks with beds ranging from 66-81 inches in length, although other sizes are being developed. Prices begin in the $1,150 range, depending on the make and model of pickup. Get the full story and ordering info at www.decked.com.

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