Product Showcase 19.5 - Part 2

4WDrive

Factor 55 Prolink Expert

If you're still using a conventional winch hook, perhaps this prolink product will finally convince you to make the change to a closed loop system. The Prolink ‘Expert’ differs from the regular Prolink with a triangular shaped opening. This design allows you to pass either the pin or the shackle end of your D-ring through, and it’s large enough to slip over OEM tow hooks.

The design also eliminates some rigging junction issues. Constructed of powder-coated 6000 series aluminum, with ultra smooth rounded corners to protect soft shackles, and designed for either synthetic or steel line, it has a max load limit of 16,000 lbs and a tested ultimate strength of 40,000 lbs. It is a fairly tall piece at 11.6 cm, so vehicles with low winch mounts should consider another Prolink product to maintain a better approach angle.

MSRP: $199.95 USD - www.factor55.com

Hidden Kit Mounting System for 2017 Ford Super Duty

In the past, mounting a winch often started with purchasing and mounting a new bumper. Warn has made it easier for 2017 Ford Super Duty owners by developing their Hidden Kit. This mounting system keeps your factory look, saves the cost of a new bumper, and shaves down the weight that new bumpers often include.

The mount is compatible with WARN Heavy Weight Winches (M12/M12-S, M15/M15-S, 16.5ti/16.5ti-S). Any gaps are filled in with a Skirting Kit (sold separately), and the winch's controls are accessed from the top of the bumper. The kit also maintains the truck's factory tow hooks. Warn also builds Hidden Kits for a number of Ford, Ram, Chevy and GMC trucks.

http://www.warn.com

Weego 44

The goal was to create an intuitive, safe jump starter ready to start gas engines to 6.4l and diesel up to 3.2l using 12V systems. This covers most pick-up trucks and SUVs as long as the battery isn’t completely dead.

A ‘Smart Box’ guides operator through the process. And they call their clamps ‘Smarty Clamps’, which won’t activate unless properly connected – so no sparks. But the technology isn’t in the clamps but in the unit itself. The Weego shuts down if your battery is the improper voltage, the Weego overheats, or if the polarity is reversed. Or if your engine pulls more than the rated 400 amps, which means if your battery is really, really dead – the Weego won’t start your engine. Look at the cold cranking amps (CCA) required for your trucks’ battery – that will give you an idea of how many amps you’ll need with no (i.e. a completely dead) battery.

We don’t (hopefully) need to boost our truck too often so the Weego 44 makes itself useful in other ways. It has 500-lumen flashlight, which if you hang it overhead can function as a work light, and will reportedly run for 14 hours. It also functions as a strobe or will flash S.O.S.

It’s also ready to charge your mobile devices including laptops. Naturally you also have to charge your Weego, so it comes with both a car charger and wall charger.

The lunch box is a pure marketing gimmick. Functionally it’s a cheap tin box that gets bent out of shape and then won’t stay shut, unless you put stuff in exactly the same way as the robot at the factory. Fortunately, the unit itself is tougher - IP65 rated to keep moisture and dirt out, and comes with a moisture resistant bag that you can actually use. Drive over the tin box after you buy yours and email me the picture.

MSRP: $150 USD - www.myweego.com

Connect with 4WDrive on social media: https://twitter.com/4WDriveCanada; https://www.facebook.com/4WDrive; https://www.instagram.com/4wheeldrivecanada; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCII5vG30ij3fkmm7n1Jv5nw