Legislation that would give small-business owners a voice on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) was approved unanimously by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The bill would create a requirement for one member of the CARB to be a current owner of a small business and have experience with a small business for 10 years. The measure recognizes that the regulations issued by the Board directly affect small businesses and would ensure that the rights of small-business owners are represented. The bill now moves to the floor of the Assembly for a vote by all members. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle-emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year the owners of classic rods and vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the bill, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle-emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year the owners of classic rods and vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the bill, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In case you missed last weekend’s premier of "Hot Rod TV" featuring the 2010 SEMA Show (or if you want to watch it again), tune in to SPEED TV this weekend. The SEMA special will be re-airing several times in the next few days! Check your local listings on SPEED TV.

In case you missed last weekend’s premier of "Hot Rod TV" featuring the 2010 SEMA Show (or if you want to watch it again), tune in to SPEED TV this weekend. The SEMA special will be re-airing several times in the next few days! Check your local listings on SPEED TV.

The SEMA 2011 Annual Market Study is almost ready to be released! This annual report will help SEMA-member companies better understand the overall specialty-equipment market and its components. Within the specialty segment of the aftermarket, SEMA tracks nine primary niche markets. Data includes information from businesses in the industry as well as consumers.

Join Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s market research department, on Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) as he highlights results from the recent study and explains their potential impact. Learn the following:

• Overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment product segments and niches
• Industry and product trends
• Vehicle sales trends

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Non-Members: for more information and to register, click here.

The SEMA 2011 Annual Market Study is almost ready to be released! This annual report will help SEMA-member companies better understand the overall specialty-equipment market and its components. Within the specialty segment of the aftermarket, SEMA tracks nine primary niche markets. Data includes information from businesses in the industry as well as consumers.

Join Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s market research department, on Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) as he highlights results from the recent study and explains their potential impact. Learn the following:

• Overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment product segments and niches
• Industry and product trends
• Vehicle sales trends

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Non-Members: for more information and to register, click here.

The SEMA 2011 Annual Market Study is almost ready to be released! This annual report will help SEMA-member companies better understand the overall specialty-equipment market and its components. Within the specialty segment of the aftermarket, SEMA tracks nine primary niche markets. Data includes information from businesses in the industry as well as consumers.

Join Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s market research department, on Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) as he highlights results from the recent study and explains their potential impact. Learn the following:

• Overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment product segments and niches
• Industry and product trends
• Vehicle sales trends

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Non-Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Each year, thousands of diehard off-road enthusiasts descend upon Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep Safari and a week of fun on some of the country’s best and most rugged trails. Jeep and Mopar are marking the occasion by returning to the annual event—which takes place April 16–24, 2011—with six new customized vehicles.

“The annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari provides us a perfect opportunity to interact with our most loyal fans in a true Jeep setting,” said Mike Manley, president and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are able to demonstrate and test new potential Jeep production and customization ideas at our away-from-home proving ground, while getting instant feedback from our customers.”

More than 30% of the people who are in the market for a new vehicle are influenced by the breadth and availability of aftermarket accessories and Mopar comes to the party with a vast selection of accessories that will fit a variety of lifestyles.

“From full engine packages to slush mats, Mopar has everything for the avid off-roader,” said Pietro Gorlier, president and chief executive officer – Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “In fact, Mopar covers the spectrum with more than 280,000 proven quality-tested parts and accessories that allow customers to personalize their Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles.”

Over the past decade, a dedicated group of engineers, designers and fabricators from Mopar and Jeep have customized more than two dozen vehicles and a host of off-road parts and accessories, and showcased them to the enthusiast crowds in Moab.

“Moparized” Jeep vehicles for the 2011 Moab Easter Jeep Safari

Jeep Wrangler "Pork Chop"

The primary focus in the development of "Pork Chop" was to increase Jeep Wrangler’s off-road fun and performance even more through extensive weight savings. The project started with a new ’11 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Weight savings began with removal of a long list of items, including doors, the top, the tailgate, bumpers, carpet and sway bars.

Body modifications began with removing the rear tailgate hinges and latches and creating a custom surround. The inner fender panels were reshaped and the taillamps were relocated closer together. A custom roll cage was crafted, and the windshield height was reduced 2 in. Hanson Bumpers provided a set of unique aluminum bumpers, and QMC contributed their prototype aluminum/carbon fiber hood, held in place with Drake aluminum hood latches.

Mopar added an aluminum cold-air intake kit, lightweight fender flares, slush mats and mirror relocation brackets.

The interior was updated with bright red lightweight Sparco ‘Chrono Road’ reclining bucket seats. Gale Banks added a unique set of long tube headers and dual-exhaust with an integrated H-pipe to replace the stock system. Further weight savings were recognized courtesy of a Gen-Right-fabricated, prototype rear-mounted 20-gallon fuel tank and aluminum skid plate.

A smaller evaporation canister for the emissions system was borrowed from a ’12 Fiat 500. The massive weight savings actually lifted the suspension, which was combined with a moderate Mopar lift to clear Mickey Thompson 35-in. Baja Claw radials mounted on lightweight 17x8 E-T Vintage V wheels. The suspension includes Bilstein 2-in. shocks with reservoirs and TeraFlex air bumps at all four corners. Dynatrac Axles designed lightweight ProRock 44 front and rear axles fitted with 4.88 gears, ARB air lockers and prototype aluminum differential covers. The axles are located with unique aluminum control arms provided by Full Traction.

The result is a weight savings of more than 850 lbs. and even more open-air Jeep Wrangler fun.

Jeep Compass Canyon

For 2011, the team has built up its first Jeep Compass. The project began with a new ’11 model equipped with Freedom Drive II drivetrain. The Compass Canyon features a 2 1/8-in. lift kit provided by Rocky Road Suspension, making room for Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 225/75-R16 tires with 16-in. alloy wheels from a Jeep Liberty.

To gain additional wheel articulation, front and rear sway bars were removed. Select items from the Mopar catalog include a cold-air induction kit, cat-back exhaust system, slush mats and a sport pedal trim kit.

To protect the underbody, the team installed an extensive set of front and rear skid bars, sill guards and longitudinal skid plates to fend off the harsh rocks on the trails of Moab.

Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush

Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush

Inspired by the King of the Hammers race in the deserts of California, the Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush combines high-speed off-road racing and rock-crawling capability. At the core is a Mopar 426ci Hemi with 540 hp. The all-aluminum V8 is paired with a 545RFE performance transmission and a gear-drive transfercase.

To help the suspension keep up with the engine, Mopar added a high-speed, performance off-road suspension system with internal bypass shocks, a front stabilizer bar and full hydro-steering. Gigantic 39-in. tires are turned with the help of custom driveshafts. The Wrangler Blue Crush also features a baja-style full cage, race seats, a fuel cell and short aluminum bumpers.

 

Jeep Cherokee Overland

The mission for the Jeep Cherokee Overland was to create a small, light adventure platform alternative. The template is a built-for-export ’11 Jeep Cherokee (Jeep Liberty in the United States) equipped with a 2.8L CRD four-cylinder turbo diesel and Selec-Trac II 4x4 system.

ARB offered their steel roof rack, awning, compact refrigerator and prototype rock rails to set the Overland’s mood.

To increase off-road capability, an ARB 3-in. suspension lift and Old Man Emu shocks clear the way for Mickey Thompson 265/75-R16 MTZ tires mounted on steel wheels. Traction is increased with the addition of an ARB air locker in the rear differential and on-board air compressor.

Mopar provided a host of underbody protection, including skid plates for the front suspension, a transmission and a transfer case. Additional items from the Mopar catalog include front and rear tow hooks, slush mats, a cargo tray liner, sill guards and a sport pedal kit.

To blend in with the wildlife, an update of the classic zebra safari pattern paint scheme is added to the exterior.

	Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence

Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence

Taking cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the ’80s, Mopar has designed a kit for do-it-yourselfers that converts a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup. The bed length is 50 in., and the width between wheelwells is 44 in. The team created body panels to cover the second-row entrance and removed all of the interior parts behind the front seats—transforming the vehicle into a two-seater with just enough room for gear inside, and a pickup-style bed to be used for outside cargo.

The JK-8 drivetrain is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana 44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears. Linking the axles to the frame is a 4.5-in. long-arm suspension kit and 37-in. BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires make the connection to the ground. A fresh coat of yellow paint and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear were utilized, along with a new fuel door and slush mats.

The JK-8 kit includes bed floor, inner/outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels) and a new bulkhead.

Jeep Wrangler Renegade

At the heart of the Jeep Wrangler Renegade is the all-new 475hp, 6.4L Hemi V8 from Chrysler Group LLC’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineering team. Harkening back to the ’72 Jeep Renegade, which was offered with a V8, Jeep and Mopar mated the Hemi to a six-speed manual transmission feeding a Dynatrac-prepped ProRock 44 front axle and ProRock 60 rear axle, both equipped with ARB air lockers and 4.10 gears. To clear the 35-in. Mickey Thompson Baja Claw radials mounted on AEV Pintler wheels, an AEV/Nth Degree 4-in. suspension lift was installed.

Mopar added a heat-dissipating hood and a new winch-mount front bumper. Other Mopar accessories include: a fuel door, sill guards, a bikini top, rock rails, slush mats and a half-door kit.

Warn provided its all-new 9.5 CTi series winch and AEV finished off the Renegade with its rear bumper/spare tire carrier combo. The interior was treated to a Katzkin seat trim kit sourced from the Mopar catalog and the exterior was finished in a black and gold paint scheme that recalls the early ’70’s CJ5 Renegade model.

 

	Mopar Ram Runner

“Moparized” Ram Truck

Mopar Ram Runner

The available Mopar Ram Runner kit was inspired by high-speed desert off-road racing. The rigors of off-road racing require large tires, additional ground clearance and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. These features are combined with the proven Hemi 5.7L V8 into a package that is stable at speed and rock-solid in the corners. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fiberglass layered in the Liquid Metal Mopar racing scheme. The high-clearance wheel wells allow tremendous suspension articulation with zero tire-to-body interference.

Description		Part number		Price
Pre-runner stage II lift kit		P5155662		$13,270
Off-Road Front Bumper		P5155663		$1,250
Off-Road Rear Tire Carrier		P5155664		$1,010
Off-Road Front Fenders		P5155665		$1,020
Off-Road Rear Fenders (6'4" Bed)		P5155666		$1,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ram and Mopar will sponsor the 2011 TORC short-course off-road racing series and bring a significant on- and off-track presence to each round of the championship. Ram will become the official vehicle of TORC with the Mopar Ram Runner pacing all of the series’ events.

Jeep and Mopar at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari

Jeep and Mopar will have a large display in the center of downtown Moab during the Easter Jeep Safari with these and a number of other customized vehicles on exhibition, including the previously introduced Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-Road Edition, Jeep Wrangler Mayhem, Jeep Wrangler Immortal, Mopar Camper Trailer, Jeep Wrangler Tan Man, Jeep Wrangler “The General” and a fully dressed military version of the Jeep Wrangler J-8 with turret and passenger mounted-machine guns.

Mopar ’11 Charger sketch.

Chrysler Group LLC has issued a sketch of its new Mopar ’11 Charger. The company will release details of the vehicle later this month. “After the success of our Mopar ’10 Challenger, we moved on to the iconic Dodge Charger and added even more performance,” said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “As a new company, we will continue to leverage the heritage of the Mopar brand at every turn.”