The 2008 Off-Road Impact Show

 By: Tiffany Tudyk

March 15, 2008 

 The 2008 Off-Road Impact Show saw a few changes, all for the better.  The Trade only industry show was held by Advanstar Communications - specifically the Impact Group - and Transamerican Wholesale, a new major sponsor.  By incorporating the industry’s highlighted event, the 4WheelParts Truckfest , it drew a big crowd and lots of industry people from all over. Yet the California based off-road related companies reign supreme. 

Only in its third year, the Off-Road Impact has seen many of the changes in the off-road industry;  one of the largest changes to influence the market is the large  increase in products for UTVs and MUVs. To the industry insider or a sharp observer, this is the largest and most popular segment for growth. These companies have set trends and continued to set the bar higher for other companies. 

Fabtech Suspension- Fabtech has designed a great Long Travel Suspension kit for the 2005-2007 Yamaha Rhino.  Designed and made as a complete system, the front and rear control arms feature 1.25 OD .120 wall 4130 Chromoly tubing with dimple die gusset plates.  Arms mount to the frame with Delrin Bushings and allow for 13 inches of travel.  The 13 inches of travel comes from the aggressive and specially designed Fabtech Dirt Logic 2.0 Resi Coilover shocks.  Gun Metal Gray powdercoat finishes off all visible metal. All systems come as one and can be installed by the purchaser or at a qualified shop for those who need it now!  Also they have a complete line of suspension upgrades, bumpers and billet parts to fine tune and trick your Rhino.

 Tomcar The Tomcar has been around for over 30 years and is one of the original UTV/MUVs out there. Built originally as a military vehicle for the Middle East countries, it has now found its way to the good old USA.  With three versions of the Tomcar, TM 2, TM4, and TM 5 it is an all around vehicle. It can perform in harsh heat and cold, has high ground clearance and good suspension travel. Multiple aftermarket parts such as windshields, canopy tops, rear storage, doors, larger fuel tank, towing system and cabin heating system are available.    

Rancho Suspension Rancho Suspensions have a new kit for 2008 to trick out the Rhino and RZR. The long travel kit includes the Billet 6160 Aluminum upper control arms with contrast machining, HSLA lower steering control arms, Delrin control arm bushings, high strength rod end and uniball, and an adjustable front camber. At the gut of the kit delivering the goods is a set of RS9000XL ProSeries Coilover shocks. They are high quality and performance lubricating replaceable composite bearings on the shock ends. After the four inches of plush and red bling, the driver needs to top of his or her toy with a front and rear bumper, ¼ doors, cage extenders, and frame stiffeners for the front and rear.

KMC Wheels- KMC has really great products to bling out the UTVs/ MUVs. Wheels are one of the most popular of the larger items purchased for the vehicles. KMC has just recently started to make wheels for the popular Rhino and RZR. Some of the wheels that they carry are from the XD Series. Cool names, great styles and the popular chrome and flat black colors, it is no surprise that they have break into the UTV market.      

Buggy Lites- Buggy Lites have a way to make sure you are seen at night, by making the brightest light available;  The strobe is so powerful it can be seen in the day . They make a whip for every toy for the dunes and desert. The ATV1156 whip for ATVs, has heat shrink an outside wire for protection and add the 1156 socket for running a powered whip with lighting. Strobes are animated and can be color combos upon request. On many of the choices a Rain Jacket is included to additionally protect the 1156 socket from excessive moisture.  The newest product is a 6 inch dome or tail light; a five point flash and billet to give it the polished and finished look to top off any vehicle.

 HOLDER Off-Road- Holder   is the first to offer an LED solution for off-road lighting. Narrow long, up to 50 inches. The lights are 3 inches tall which provides for a great form factor and easy integration for grilles, bumpers, rooftops, rollcages, etc. The housing is designed to extract heat very efficiently so the lights are cool to the touch. Each ten-inch segment weighs 3 LBS. Each ten-inch segment is 38 watts with a 3.3 amp draw at 12 volts. The LEDs are mounted to a surface and are not subject to vibration as are typical bulb assemblies.

Rampage Products – Rampage Products are new to the UTV/MUV market.     They will have similar items such as other manufactures such as soft goods and metal to customize.

Overall the Off-Road Impact was a success. Advanstar’s Off-Road Group is already starting to plan for new and exciting vendors for next year. Knowing that the will be going after even more of the UTV/MUV market and for 2009 the ATV. After Indianapolis, seeing the impact the side-by-side market has had on the ATV market and the Off-road market it is one that is only getting more popular. Till next year, the off-road industry will grow and we shall see what new and exciting products are out there.