4x4 Recovery Gear

We've all heard it before: If you have it, you won't need it, but if you don't have it, you'll definitely need it. This is especially true when it comes to recovery gear. There is a wide spectrum of recovery tools available, from straps and jacks to winches and welders. We've seen them all help get 4x4s out of a jam and on down the trail, and every year there are some new products for the market.

Hopefully some of these will keep you from walking home in the rain, in the dark, with your truck stuck in a ditch behind you!

Snatch Pack
ARB snatch straps have 20-percent stretch to create kinetic energy for recover. ARB also has extension straps available in 10,000 and 17,500 load ratings, and tree-trunk protectors that come in 10- or 16-foot lengths. The company also has snatch blocks in 15,400-pound or 20,000-pound working load, one has a solid billet pulley and greasable bushing, and the other has an aerospace-grade polymer pulley with greaseless bushing that is 30 percent lighter in weight for competition use. Information: ARB, 800.761.8158, www.arbusa.com

Ever-Ready Air
It's not unusual to blow a bead on a tire while four-wheeling, so the ExtremeAire Magnum from ExtremeOutback Products is a valuable recover tool. It has a 1.5hp continuous-duty, fan-cooled motor for unlimited run time and the power to fill any size tire to any pressure. With 40 feet of hose, the kit includes an LED flashlight and pressure gauge. The powdercoated box and stainless steel fasteners ensure a long life in the worst conditions. Information: Extreme Outback Products, 866.447.7711, www.extremeoutback.com

More gear to keep you trail ready!

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1994 Hummer H1

These days not everyone has the scratch to dump into a high-dollar trail machine, but our lust for four-wheeling forces some of us to dig deep into our lint-laden pockets and dish out the cash. In the early '90s, U.S. military operations in the Middle East increased the demand for the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, aka Humvee) so greatly that it pushedAM General to create the Hummer for the civilian market. The vehicle was received well by four-wheelers, yet as popular as it became, we just didn't see many modified Hummers on the trail. We suspect that the Hummer's limited numbers in the wild have something to do with its price. Hummers are expensive, but they sure are cool to admire--and it doesn't hurt to drool just a little.

The popularity of the civilian Hummer as a rugged utilitarian vehicle grew after news coverage of the Gulf War showed the military version--its big brother the M998--barreling through the desert sand and combat zones. The Hummer, while still tanklike, is slightly more civilized, yet rugged enough for a seriousoff-road enthusiast. Additionally, the rig's 16 inches of factory ground clearance can be greatly enhanced by adding aftermarket suspension and oversized tires. Combine the high ground clearance with the exceptionally wide track width, and the vehicle makes a dependable off-highway machine.

For more info and specs, click here