Stage3Motorsports.com: Blog Posts

Before you Buy: 2022 Tundra ICON "Staged" Suspension System Breakdown!

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

ICON is excited to announce their 10 Stages of suspension systems for the brand new 2022 Tundra. ICON categorizes their suspension kits into "stages" to differentiate between the various shocks, UCAs, and trailing arms featured in each kit. Each of the 10 stages features their own degree of functionality and utility for your truck, making it difficult to decide what you need for your specific setup, and what you don't. This is exactly why we've decided to breakdown each one of the kits to help you better understand why you may want to choose one system over another, ensuring you get the most bang-for-your-buck out of your purchase. As you progress through each Stage, these kits become more advanced with modern technology which in turn ramps up the price as you get into the later stages. We want to make sure you don't overpay for the right 2022 Tundra Coilover Kit, so continue reading to find out which of these suspension packages will best accommodate you and your Tundra's driving styles and applications.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 1 Suspension System

The first kit ICON has to offer is among their more "basic" packages for those looking to improve their truck's suspension performance without it costing them an arm and a leg. For lack of a better word, basic isn't necessarily the best descriptor when it comes to this kit because it was still engineered to blow your Tundra's factory suspension out of the water. Starting out, we'll take a look at the 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 1 Suspension Package. This starting kit lays down some groundwork for what's to be expected as we run through the other 9 stages of suspension systems, giving you a better idea of what to look for in the perfect kit for you. Stage 1 is ICON's EXP Performance & Value system as it comes equipped with premium EXP Front Shocks, Aluminum Series Rear Shocks, and a Sway Bar Drop Kit to ensure proper fitment and articulation of these new components. The innovative 2.5 EXP Series front shocks are stronger and more reliable over stock, giving you more confidence the next time you come across a more demanding trail. These shocks also utilize your Tundra's factory coil springs and hardware to provide custom-tuned performance and maximum travel, all in an affordable package. Instead of outfitting your truck with a pair of basic rear blocks, ICON delivers a total suspension overhaul by including their 2.0 VS Aluminum Series Rear Shocks. While these aren't as beefy as the included front shocks, they're designed with a one-piece linear/digressive piston with vehicle-specific valving to ensure unsurpassed performance, ride quality, and control for every adventure. Like all of ICON's front coilovers and rear shocks, the EXP and Aluminum Series shocks are fully rebuildable and re-valvable without compromise. Moreover, this kit will provide your truck with an adjustable ride height from 0-3", perfect for those looking to get a little bit of lift out of their overland warrior.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 2 Suspension Systems

The 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 2 Suspension System is ICON's Optimized Suspension Geometry kit as it includes your choice of Tubular or Billet upper control arms along with everything else offered in the Stage 1 system. Aftermarket control arms help reduce unsprung suspension weight to improve the overall ride quality for both on and off-road applications. UCAs are also great for accommodating for your truck's new ride height, especially after installing a larger tire/wheel combination. You get your choice between either tubular or billet UCAs, both including ICON's Delta Joint Pro which is fully serviceable and provides up to 90-degrees of movement for bind-free articulation throughout suspension travel. Billet UCAs tend to be a bit stronger with more adjustability when it comes to caster and camber alignments, but there's no real downfall when looking at the tubular UCAs either. Both the Stage 1 and Stage 2 systems will also accommodate for up to 35" tires, helping you further transform your new Tundra into a formidable off-road machine.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 3 Suspension System

Taking things up a notch, the 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 3 Suspension System now comes with complete ICON threaded-body 2.5 VS Series Coilovers in the front, with an adjustable lift height of 1.25" to 2.25" when using the OE upper control arms. This is the first package we see that sports ICON's coil springs in addition to everything else featured in the Stage 1 kit. You'll still receive the the same 2.0 Aluminum Series Rear Shocks with the Sway Bar Drop Kit to ensure maximum suspension performance and a perfect fit for a simple and straightforward installation process you can complete at home. These premium 2.5" diameter complete coilovers were engineered to require absolutely no maintenance, and are much more dependable than your stock coil springs. This springs will also help ensure the proper compression and rebound when you're out navigating your favorite landscapes, ensuring your truck will keep moving even during the most extreme driving conditions. Aftermarket coil springs will inherently work to keep the tires in contact with the ground as your truck's body rolls from changes in terrain. By bringing the mass closer to the ground, the suspension will have more opportunity to transfer the power to the ground during launches, turns, and bumps. This helps eliminate some of the stresses on the suspension during trail riding and rock crawling for a smoother ride without compromise. It may seem that this kit is taking a step back by not including upper control arms, but for this specific system the UCAs are not required. By using your truck's factory UCAs, you can still experience improved on and off-road capabilities with up to 2.25" of front ride height without draining your wallet. Although not required, UCAs for this kit are in fact recommended which is exactly where the Stage 4 systems come to play.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 4 Suspension Systems

The 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 4 Suspension System is a solid middle-ground suspension package that delivers premium suspension performance for those who like to do a little more than just get dirty. With this kit, you'll still get the choice between the billet and tubular UCAs along with an adjustable front lift height of 1.25" to 3.5". The included control arms allow for up to a 40% increase in front suspension travel, giving you better articulation and more comfort when you're out on the trails. Additionally, ICON's UCAs are optimized for for lifted and leveled trucks, with caster adjustment built into the geometry of the arm, making it easier to dial in your truck's steering alignment. Although the Stage 4 system is quite the price increase, the included UCAs are going to improve each aspect of your off-road adventures so you don't have constantly find yourself out of tough off-road situations. Both the Stage 3 and Stage 4 systems are tailored for the weekend warrior who is always tackling new terrain and adventuring only where the brave dare to go.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 5 Suspension Systems

In the next few stages, we start to see ICON ramp up production with their advanced shock and coilover options for the avid adventures who need them most. The 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 5 Suspension System adds remote reservoirs to the 2.0 VS Rear Shocks to improve the overall performance and appeal of your truck. Remote Reservoirs as opposed to internal reservoirs allows for an increase in fluid volume and surface area that results in much faster heat dissipation. Shocks that sport internal reservoirs tend to feature internal floating pistons that take up precious space inside of the shock body, building up heat faster and causing a decrease in suspension performance over time. The remote reservoirs featured on the rear shocks of this kit ensures your truck will be able to handle constant, intense driving conditions so you can stay out on the trails longer without having to worry about overheating. This kit takes the affordability of standard 2.0 rear shocks and combines it with improved rear shock cooling to offer you the best of both worlds when it comes to all of your off-road adventures. Remote Reservoirs also deliver exceptional longevity to provide you with the most life possible for your vehicle and its components. Better yet, with this kit you still get the option to choose your desired UCAs while receiving the same premium 2.5 VS IR Coilover Kit and Sway Bar Drop Kit.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 6 Suspension Systems

If you're starting to see a trend with how these kits work, you have may guessed by now that the 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 6 Suspension System adds Remote Reservoirs to the front coilovers, and you're absolutely right! This means that you'll get to experience improved cooling under hard use for both the front and rear suspension components on your Tundra. This is perfect for those hitting the trails hard, frequently maxing out the suspension travel on your rig, or wanting to get the longest lifespan out of their vehicle. While remote reservoirs do offer up some serious off-road capabilities, they're not necessary for truck's that see the occasional off-road adventure. If you're not somebody who plans on constantly putting their truck through extreme adventures, this is the ceiling for necessary suspension upgrades. Anything more and you'll simply be just be showing off to all of your friends, but that's not necessarily a bad thing after all.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 7 Suspension Systems

If you liked the look of the Stage 6 suspension system but wished they came with larger 2.5 rear shocks, you're in luck. The 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 7 Suspension System does exactly that to beef up your truck's suspension front-to-rear. These new 2.5 VS RR Rear Shocks perfectly compliment the 2.5 VS RR Coilover Kit for a massive increase in shock oil volume and surface area to help prevent cavitation while maintaining damping performance over long stretches of rough terrain. Larger shocks in the rear will also help absorb more violent impacts from jumps to help keep everything running smoothly on your adventures. In addition, these rear shocks also feature 7/8" rods and other larger components to handle the long travel and punishing cycle rates of moving quickly across unpaved roads. This is certainly the kit to go with if you find yourself challenging your truck on more demanding trails without having to worry about anything other than controlling the wheel and pedals. This kit was designed to withstand some of the most brutal off-road abuse imaginable, giving you a boost of confidence each time you take the path less traveled. ICON developed these shock with the avid adventurer in mind, enabling you to tackle just about any adventure you have in mind.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 8 Suspension Systems

Moving on, we'll be taking a closer look at the 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 8 Suspension System. This kit is identical to the Stage 7 Suspension with an included Billet Lower Trailing Arm Kit. The lower trailing arm helps center the axle of your Tundra while freeing up the suspension articulation for consistent performance on any terrain. This particular track bar allows for on-vehicle adjustment to ensure the bar is properly aligned for a precise fitment using the left and right rod ends. Simply loosen the jam nuts and rotate the bar, and use the included machined wrench flats to adjust the length of the bar. This trailing arm will also help prevent your Tundra's rear suspension from binding, improving the overall stability and control of your truck under heavy loads. This track bar is almost necessary for those looking to haul boats or large trailers down to your favorite spots, keeping you in control when turning, braking, and driving at high speeds. If you want to know your suspension components are stronger than most, the ICON Stage 7 and Stage 8 systems were designed for you.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 9 Suspension Systems

The 2022 Tundra ICON Stage 9 Suspension System seriously takes things to the next level by introducing the ICON CDCV Front and Rear Shocks for this kit. Compression Damping Control Valves or CDCV technology is featured on both pair of shocks to provide you with the ultimate versatility for both on and off-road terrain. The CDCVs are controlled by the dial featured on the exterior of the remote reservoir, offering you with 10 settings of adjustment to help you dial in your desired suspension performance. The CDCV works by controlling the fluid flow under compression, allowing you to achieve the perfect tune whether driving on the street, slow-crawling over rocks, or mobbing across the desert at full throttle. This means you'll be able to stiffen up your shocks for rocky trails, and loosen them back up when you're cruising through town, all with the turn of a knob. The front coilovers and rear shocks still sport the same premium construction along with remote reservoirs featured on the Stage 8 Suspension Package, offering you one of the best suspension kits to hit the aftermarket. The only downfall to ICON's Stage 9 Suspension System is the absence of ICON's lower trailing arm kit. While certainly not required, with a suspension system as technologically advanced as this one, you want to make sure you have the most control in every tough situation you find yourself in.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 10 Suspension Systems

For the most control, stability, and performance in a single suspension package, you need one of the 2022 Tundra Stage 10 Suspension Systems. If you're already looking to spend the cash on the Stage 9 system, it's probably worth your dollar to invest in the Stage 10 system to ensure you don't leave a single stone unturned. Pairing the CDCV coilovers and shocks with the ICON Lower Trailing Arm kit will provide you with the ultimate suspension performance for your truck. This system combines the adjustability of a rear track bar with the precise suspension tuning of CDCV technology, so there won't be a trail you'll be unable to handle. If you demand the absolute best suspension performance money can buy, don't look past the ICON Stage 10 suspension system.

Final Thoughts

As we progress through ICON's suspension stages, it's obvious that the parts and technology used keep improving, but that doesn't necessarily mean one stage is inherently better than the other. Cost is one of the largest deciding factors when it comes to purchasing a particular item, and you would usually want to get what you pay for. With ICON, each one of their varying shocks and UCAs are built to exceed OE standards, so you can be sure that any of these kits will not under-deliver. If you're looking for a quality suspension upgrade just to achieve a bit of extra performance and ride height out of your truck, any of the first two kits will serve you right. If anything like us over here at Stage 3, and you like to get out whenever you have time, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go with some stronger and beefier shock options seen on the Stage 4 and 5 packages. If you like to push your truck to the limits, but can handle the lack of adjustability that comes with the CDCV coilovers and shocks, choose from 6-8 Stage range for a little bit more confidence when you're out on the trails. Finally, if the CDCV packages didn't sell themselves, we're not too sure what would. We hope this article helped you grasp a better understanding on the differences between each of these kits, so if you liked anything you saw or had any questions, please feel free to let us know in the comment section down below!

2022 Tundra ICON Staged Suspension Systems:

Before you Buy: Leitner Designs Deep Dive!

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

Nothing is worse than being bombarded by bad conditions and having the cargo in your truck bed exposed to be ultimately dirty or damaged by the end of it. Tonneau Covers are the savior when it comes to protecting the precious cargo you take with you everywhere you go. If you think all a tonneau cover is good for is adding this premium coverage, then you are sorely mistaken. It is time that you get to know what Bed Racks can do for your secure storage setup along with a quality tonneau. A new line bed racks has arrived that can show you how creative you can get with your truck bed storage space. The Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Racks is heavy-duty bed rack with a quad-rail load beam design and is the perfect supplemental product to a T-Slot compatible tonneau. It has with the ability to be used in conjunction with storage accessories from many of the top brands in the industry that include Thule, Rhino-rack and Yakima. Check out what all the buzz is about with Leitner's new bed racks and see if they will fit well with your current truck build.

Compatible Trucks, Bed Lengths, and Retractable Tonneaus w/ Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Racks for 2021-2022 Bronco

All Leitner bed racks are designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in the USA! They are heavy duty steel bed racks with different options based on your truck bed length. The 5ft and 6ft versions are compatible with the 2019-2022 Ford Ranger and 2016-2022 Toyota Tacoma, while the 5.5ft, 6ft 4", and 6.5ft bed length options vary what model trucks they are compatible with. These model trucks include the 2021-2022 Ford F150, 2019-2022 RAM 1500, and 2022 Toyota Tundra. When picking a t-slot tonneau cover, these bed racks are compatible with Retrax XR Series Tonneau Covers, Pace Edwards UltraGroove Tonneau Covers, and Pace Edwards Explorer Series Tonneau Covers. Each of these options have their own stand out features that make them a fantastic choice to supplement with your Leitner Designs bed rack. The Retrax XR Series Tonneau Cover is a super durable tonneau that provides the strength to hold up to 500lbs of weight on top of it. It is operated with the wireless key fob that controls the electromagnetic brake allowing you to let you lock the cover in whatever position works best for the cargo you are hauling. The Pace Edwards UltraGroove Tonneau Cover features the same hands-free operation with the electromagnetic brake, with some additional unique features that include front and rear drain tubes and heavy-gauge aluminum paneling. Last, but not least is the Pace Edwards Explorer Series Tonneau Cover, with the same great retractable tonneau features and the added bonuses of an interlocked silicon hinge seal for complete weather protection and a sleek, low-profile design that improves the aerodynamics of the cover design for better truck function and fuel efficiency.

Features of the Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Racks for 2021-2022 Bronco

The Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Rack is best way to expand your usable truck bed space and is compatible with storage accessories from top brands like Thule, Rhino-rack, Yakima, and DECKED storage systems. Not only that, but this bed rack is fully upgradable with an ever-growing line of accessories becoming available for this product. You can get creative when it comes to fully utilizing all of the available space with many different configurations. The quad-rail load beam design allows for an endless number of mounted storage options. There is a total of 400lb of load capacity to play with for when you are driving, but the heavy-duty 2.0" square load bars can handle 800lbs when your truck is parked. There is still tons of space to store oversized cargo in your truck bed with the 23" of space between the bottom of the bed rack and the bed caps. You can configure this retractable tonneau cover in whatever way suits your cargo best with the electromagnetic braking and have the room underneath the bed rack for the cargo to stick out if needed.

Installation of the Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Racks for 2021-2022 Bronco

Before you get into the installation process for the Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Rack, you must have your chosen retractable tonneau properly installed first. Once you have done so, you can move forward, preferably with a helping hand. You will start off with the load bar brackets and then work on assembling both the driver and passenger side portions of the active cargo system. This assembly is to be done twice over to cover both sides of the bed rails. After completing the assembly and installation of the ACS, three tonneau nuts are to be installed into each bed rail t-slot. Make sure to space them apart the same distance as the mounting holes in the ACS. The next step is where that helping hand is going to be useful. You are going to install each of the upright assemblies in the same position on each side of the bed rails and then slide the 60" load bars onto the t-nuts into the load bar brackets on top of the upright assemblies. Make sure to center them on the bed rack. Finally, you can install all of the end caps and rubber tread strip, while making sure all of the fasteners are properly tightened from the previous steps.

Last Thoughts

We mentioned that you can use this bed rack with storage accessories from Thule, Rhino-rack and Yakima, but that is not where the fun stops when it comes to customizing how you use this new truck bed storage space. It is the perfect bed rack for mounting Roof Top Tents that makes camping a more comfortable experience, Traction Aids that offer an easily accessible recovery aid, and Recovery Tools & Kits that come in handy when things really go south. Comment which of the products in these categories of our catalog at Stage 3 would go best with a new Leitner Designs ACS Forged T-Slot Tonneau Bed Rack.

Before you Buy: 2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Lift Kit Breakdown!

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

Our dear friends over at Rough Country are one of the biggest names in lift kits and truck accessories, and they're offering more than a few excellent 3" Lift Kits for the 2021-2022 F150s. The kits range from budget-friendly 3" spacer lifts to immensely powerful (and pricey) 2.5 coilover and 2.5 rear shock 3" lift kits for the 2021-2022 F150s that will give you and your F150 awesome off-road performance. But which should you actually choose for your very own 2021-2022 F150? Well, we're breaking down Rough Country's 2021-2022 F150 3" Lift Kits, looking at their components, pricing, and capabilities so that you find the perfect Rough Country F150 3" lift kit for your awesome 2021-2022 F150 Build.

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Spacer Lift Kit

At the more budget-friendly end of the spectrum, we have the 2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Spacer Lift Kit with Rough Country N3 shocks. This particular kit uses a combination of leveling spacers and spring preload spacers to generate its 3" of front lift, with 2.50" rear blocks at the rear to add 1" of lift. The combination of front and rear lift provides a pretty leveled look and the clearance to fit on up to a 34" tall tire with the right combination of wheel backspacing and offset. The N3 rear shocks provide a bit of a performance and handling bump over the factory rear shocks, while being in a more optimum travel range with the rear blocks. A set of forged aluminum UCAs help avoid contact issues with the spring at full droop and are stronger than the stock stamped UCAs. Since this kit uses spacers in lieu of a full strut or coilover assembly, it's easy on the wallet, despite coming with a lot of hardware.

While the base spacer kit does give you everything to give your F150 some extra lift, it doesn't do much else. Since the kit keeps the stock front coilover assembly, you don't see any improvement in handling or off-road performance in the front suspension. In fact, since this kit partially relies on preload spacers to achieve its lift, the kit will likely result in some stiffening of your F150's ride quality. The rear shocks will help rear-end handling to some extent, but the N3 shocks definitely aren't the most capable of Rough Country's offerings, and if you're planning on pushing your F150 hard off-road, you probably want to go with one of Rough Country's more extensive kits.

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Spacer Kit Pros:

Budget-friendly
Adds 3" of ride height
Provides improved rear handling

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Spacer Kit Cons:

Does not provide an improvement in front-end handling
May result in stiffer ride due to preload spacers
Not meant for really aggressive off-roading

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" N3 Shock & Coilover Lift Kit

Next we have the complete 2021-2022 F150 N3 Coilover and Shock 3" Lift Kit from Rough Country. The N3 Kit is step up from the basic spacer kit in both price and capability, but may be right up your alley if you're concerned about ride quality and moderate off-road use. Like the spacer kit, the N3 lift system adds 3" of front ride height and 1" of rear ride height. However, instead of strut and preload spacers, this kit uses full-length N3 coilover assemblies to give you 3" of front lift right out of the box. The N3 coilovers feature a similar velocity-sensitive, gas-charged design as the N3 rear shocks, but come with their own spring, mounts, and hardware that let them drop right into place of the stock coilovers. The combination of N3 front and rear coilovers offer up an excellent ride and improved handling and control than stock, which can help you out both on and off-road.

While this kit is a pretty good step up from the spacer system, you do have to pay for it, and going from spacers to a full coilover system does send a shot over the bow of your wallet. Granted, that price may be worth it to you if your actually want an improvement handling on all four corners of your truck. That being said, the N3 coilovers aren't going to be able to handle extremely aggressive trail riding or overland applications, so even with the price jump, you may still need more, depending on your application.

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country N3 System Pros:

Includes complete coilovers instead of spacers
Provides improved handling and control
Much easier to install than the spacer kit

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country N3 System Cons:

Pretty big price jump over basic spacer kits
Not for extremely aggressive off-road applications

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Vertex Coilover Lift with V2 Shocks

Stepping up to the next "tier" of Rough Country's 3" lift kits is the 2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Vertex Coilover and V2 Shock Lift Kit. The Vertex Coilover System is a huge jump in price from Rough Country's other kits, but for that, you get a set of Rough Country 2.5 Vertex Remote Reservoir Coilovers and V2 Monotube Rear Shocks to make a truly performance-oriented suspension system that can handle tough applications on and off-road. The Vertex Coilovers' large diameters, remote reservoirs, and gas-charged monotube internal designs let them shake off hard hits from rough terrain while resisting fade with awesome levels of heat dissipation. While the V2 rear shocks may not have reservoirs, they still have larger diameters than stock, an aluminum body, and a gas-charged monotube design that keep your F150's rear end under control and resists jounce and bounce in almost any application. The coilovers provide 3" of lift out of the box, and drop right into place of the stock coilovers for an instant performance improvement on and off-road.

If you haven't notice, the price of this kit jumps up QUITE a bit from the N3 system, and it at least makes sense. Big coilovers with remote reservoirs aren't cheap, and their performance and durability pays for themselves in aggressive off-road applications. That being said, if you aren't using your truck off-road consistently, this system may be overkill. The remote reservoirs of the Vertex coilovers also make them slightly more difficult to install than the base N3 coilovers, but the reservoirs do offer improved fade resistance over base coilover assemblies.

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country Vertex V2 3" Lift Kit Pros:

Provides excellent handling and off-road performance
Vastly improved fade resistance over stock
Can handle tough trails and off-road applications

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country Vertex V2 3" Lift Kit Cons:

Big price tag
May be overkill for some applications
More difficult install than non-resi coilovers

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Vertex Coilover & Rear Shock Lift Kit

The top-tier, GOAT, 3" lift kit in Rough Country's arsenal is their 2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Vertex Coilover & Rear Shock Lift Kit. Built specifically for tough off-road applications, this kit comes with both 2.5 Vertex Remote Reservoir Front Coilovers as well as 2.5 Vertex Piggyback Rear Shocks that work together to handle practically any terrain or off-road application. This kit can take hard hits, and with extra reservoir volume on the front and rear, this system effectively dissipates heat to avoid fade in extremely high-speed off-roading. This system is perfect for F150s that see serious trail riding, tough overland adventures, or high-speed desert running. Granted, you have to pay a pretty penny for it.

By far the biggest downside to this kit is its price. This kit is guaranteed to punch your paycheck right in the face, though I'd argue you're getting what you pay for...if you off-road pretty aggressively and pretty regularly. If you aren't, then this kit is probably a bit overkill, and you may want to settle for one of Rough Country's less intensive kits. If you are really yeeting your F150 around off-road, the coilovers and rear shocks can also likely handle a lot more than the included UCAs and their standard ball joint, so you may want to consider going with a different 2021-2022 F150 Upper Control Arm at some point.

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Vertex Coilover & Shock Lift Kit Pros:

Awesome levels of off-road performance
Tight, consistent on-road handling
Excellent heat dissipation for high-speed trails

2021-2022 F150 Rough Country 3" Vertex Coilover & Shock Lift Kit Cons:

Huge price tag
May be overkill for many F150 owners
UCAs can't handle as much as the coilovers and shocks

In the end, Rough Country offers up a pretty impressive selection of 2021-2022 F150 3" lift kits, All of them are nicely tailored to price, capability, and intended application. Just keep in mind that if you are planning on pushing your truck hard off-road, you have to pay to play. If Rough Country isn't your cup of tea, make sure to check out our other 2021-2022 F150 0-3" Lift Kits or our 2021-2022 F150 Coilover Packages for other options. What suspension are you looking to grab for your 2021-2022 F150 build? What do you already have? Let us know below!

Before You Buy: 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Rhino Rack Roof Racks

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

Tires and wheels? Check. Engine in good health? Check. A truck bed full of accessories and supplies for an off-road adventure? Check. Ready to hit the trails to revisit favored spots or find new locations? Of course! The only thing missing now is having a roof rack capable of hauling additional toys for a truly memorable adventure. Try as you might, but cramming all of your camping/adventure essentials into your Ram 1500's bed is not always the best course of action, especially if you want to bring taller equipment such as mountain bikes, kayaks, or other sporting goods. From bikes to paddleboards, the Rhino Rack Roof Racks stand out as a fine addition to the line up of 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Performance Parts and Accessories offered here at Stage 3 Motorsports. With a wide selection of accessories and parts to choose from, finding the right roof racks and understanding their features/benefits is paramount to your overall enjoyment of the outdoors. Here, we take a look at the Rhino Rack's Vortex and Heavy Duty Crossbars to get a better understanding of which one is best suited to your needs and the accessories that you'll need.

Rhino Rack: The Vortex Crossbars

Aerodynamic and durable, the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Rhino Rack Vortex 2500 Black 2-Bar Roof Rack is a highly capable addition that addresses some of the downsides of your typical roof rack. For starters, most roof racks are not designed to aerodynamically conform to the vehicle and cut through oncoming wind. This creates drag and an increase in wind noise. While this may not seem like an issue to most, odds are the best spots you know or heard of require a few hours of driving, leading to hours of droning wind noise and a sacrifice in overall fuel efficiency/performance. The Vortex mitigates this issue by issuing an aerodynamic design that also comes included with VGS (Vortex Generating Strips) strips to help in reducing overall wind noise and maintaining driving/fuel efficiency. The Vortex is specially fitted with Santoprene rubber pads and custom-fitted clamps tailored to fit your vehicle's door jamb curves ensuring a secure fit. The Vortex also comes with glass reinforced nylon legs along with strong anti-corrosion black fittings that clamp onto your Ram 1500's cab roof for a secure fitment against strong winds. When driving through a town for a resupply, you can never be too careful with your equipment exposed. That is why the included legs come with a lockable cover with included keys to prevent even the most determined thieves. In short, the Vortex is a great option for those who prioritize a clean, aerodynamic roof rack that expands the carrying capacity of their trucks.

Rhino Rack: The Heavy Duty 2500 Crossbars

You've filled up every inch of your truck bed with supplies and sporting goods, but don't have enough room for some oversized gear? Introducing the Rhino Rack Heavy Duty 2500 2-Bar Roof Rack, this crossbar variant features a sturdier C-channel build and serves an ideal solution for those who look for a highly durable roof rack build. Available in both Black and Silver, the Heavy Duty Crossbars features all of the things that makes its Vortex counterpart great! Everything from its glass-reinforced nylon legs, lockable legs, to its santoprene rubber pads and custom-fitted clamps for a hassle-free installation. The Heavy Duty 2500 also features VGS strips to help mitigate the dreaded wind noise/whistling. While not as effective as the Vortex in cutting down wind noise, the Heavy Duty Crossbars have a leg up in terms of overall durability and modularity. Created using a heavy-duty aluminum, these crossbars is suited to those who are looking to transport all manner of goods from sporting gear to lumber without much of a hitch. With a 220 lbs. load capacity and the inclusion of a few accessories, Ram 1500 owners can attach all manner of goods and work equipment topside and drive assuredly knowing that their Heavy Duty Crossbars can withstand the heavy-lifting.

Essential Accessories for Rhino Rack's Vortex & Heavy Duty Crossbars

Now that you've gotten to know a little about the Vortex and Heavy Duty 2500 crossbars, the next question comes to mind: What accessories can I fit on this thing? We begin our search by looking at the Cargo Trays and Cargo Baskets offered here at Stage 3 Motorsports. Right off the bat, you are treated to a few options in varying sizes for the Rhino Rack Cargo Trays! Rhino Rack offers the Rhino Rack Large XTray and the Rhino Rack Small XTray! Combining a lightweight build, greater carrying capacity, improved aerodynamic design, and durable construction makes this rack highly compatible with the Vortex and Heavy Duty 2500 crossbars. With over 1200-1900 square inches of storage area, the Rhino Rack XTray is spacious enough to hold practically anything you need for your next adventure and comes standard with a front wind deflector and curved side rails that help reduce wind noise while giving you a convenient way to tie down your cargo. Installation is also made simple as the XTray with its two-piece design and drop-in installation process. Despite the Vortex Crossbars aerodynamic design, there remains a chance that you will experience slight wind noise. As a preventative measure, upgrade your Vortex with the addition of Rhino Rack's 50" Wind Fairing RF4! Specifically designed for use with Rhino Rack Vortex Series Crossbars, the Rhino Rack Wind Fairing deflects air over your Rhino Rack Crossbars of choice, which greatly reduces wind noise and whistling issues so that you stay sane while you drive. Wind noise is greatly reduced with the Vortex crossbars, but what about the Heavy Duty 2500? Well fortunately for you, there is the Rhino Rack Kayak Carrier Fitting Kit for Heavy-Duty Crossbars. While Rhino Rack's Heavy Duty Cross Bars sure are awesome, they will need some help when it comes to fitting Rhino Rack's Nautic Kayak Carriers or wind fairings. That's where this Heavy Duty Crossbar fitting kit comes in. Specifically designed for Nautic Series carriers and the aforementioned 50" Wind Fairing RF4, this fitting kit allows you to get the most out of your vehicle's Rhino Rack Heavy Duty Crossbars. The greatest part about all of this is that we've only scratched the surface in terms of what other goodies can be attached to your Vortex/Heavy Duty 2500s.

Additional Accessories for Vortex & Heavy Duty 2500:

Kayaks, Bikes, and other sporting goods can truly elevate your camping/off-roading experience by ten-fold. The problem has always been logistics. With the addition of accessories from the Rhino Rack Nautical Series and more, you can be well on your way to elevating every adventure with some kayaking. Featuring side loaded, rear loaded, and static kayak holders, the Nautic Series carriers are a great way to bring along your kayak for some recreational fishing or general leisure. Driving through trails with your Ram 1500 is always fun, but biking through some narrow pathways with your hybrid/mountain bikes is unmatched. Fortunately, Rhino Rack has all of your biking bases covered with the Rhino Rack MountainTrail, Rhino Rack Two Bike Hitch, Rhino Rack Road Warrior, and the Rhino Rack Hybrid Bike Carrier! Let's also say you're looking to drive up the mountains for some snow-filled adventures! Fret not, as Rhino Rack has got your bases covered with the Rhino Rack Ski Carrier & Fishing Rod Holder (4 Skis/2 Snow Boards). Let's also assume you've got a canoe stashed away somewhere and you're looking to take it for a spin. There is the Rhino Rack Adjustable Canoe Holder for both Vortex and Heavy Duty 2500 Crossbars. At the end of the day, everything you would want to bring with you on your off-roading trip can be done with Rhino Rack's multitude of accessories.

Final Thoughts

With all that said, it can be hard to choose between the Vortex and the Heavy Duty. Both offer substantial accessories and foundational use, however the best way to surmise the difference is with your personal preference. Are you fond of the noise-free rides and a long catalogue of accessories to choose from? The Vortex is your best bet. You prefer something you can use for both work and play without worrying about durability/efficiency? Grab and install the Heavy Duty 2500! There really is no wrong answer when it comes to choosing either one. Do you have the ideal roof rack set up? Perhaps you can think of some other great 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Exterior Upgrades that are worthwhile? Comment your thoughts below and let us know what your roof racks are looking like and some of the best accessories for Rhino Rack's Vortex and Heavy Duty 2500 series Crossbars.

Mentioned Products

Before You Buy: 2019-2022 Ram 1500 BDS Lift Kits

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

Do you find yourself looking out into nature's vast expanse and wanting to trailblaze your own path to find that perfect camping spot? Maybe you want to lift your truck and add some performance for your next camping trip! We here at Stage 3 Motorsports offer a trove of 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Performance Parts and Accessories designed to help you achieve the ultimate/tailored off-roading rig. A prerequisite to a capable off-roading Ram 1500 begins with 2019-2022 Ram 1500 high-quality lift kits such as the BDS lift kits! BDS offers ultra-durable 4" to 6" lift kits accompanied by high quality rear shocks, coilover packages, and greater clearance for larger tire/wheel combinations. BDS also has an exclusive line up of lift kits for the Air Ride suspension Ram truck variants, ensuring that every Ram truck owner can achieve the benefits that come with these lift kits. Despite the extensive list of aftermarket lift kits out on the market, BDS continues to show its prowess in lift kit manufacturing and design for the Ram truck owner. Here are a few of our thoughts on the 2019-2022 New Body Style Ram 1500 BDS Lift Kits and their respective variants!

4" BDS Lift Kits For Ram 1500s

Designed to provide 4" of lift, installing the 4" BDS Lift Kit grants Ram 1500's greater overall ground clearance without sacrificing your factory handling, drivability, or performance. Having a 4" lifted and leveled height accomplishes a symmetrical view of your truck while also providing just enough ground clearance for you and your truck to overcome some of the more egregious off-road obstacles. A great starter/introduction to the BDS lift kits would be the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 4" BDS Lift Kit w/ NX2 Rear Shocks. This lift kit features heavy-duty steel, high-clearance designed crossmembers that will have you driving through off-road obstacles with little issue. Additionally, this lift kit comes with newly designed steering knuckles that are sport a taller, wider, and sturdy ductile cast iron build. The steering knuckles reposition your upper control arms, tie rods, and your CV joints to ensure factory-ride quality and smooth driving. The kit comes equipped with the NX2 Rear Shocks which sport an impressive 10-stage velocity sensitive valving for quicker dampening performance and control. Upon installation, your Ram 1500 can achieve larger tire wheel combinations to tackle the open roads with relative comfort and ease. The 4" lift kits can support up to 35 inch tires fitted with 18-20 inch wheels with at least 5 inches of back spacing. Ram 1500 owners also have the option to go with the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 4" BDS Lift Kit w/ FOX 2.0 Series Shocks for improved cooling capacity and corrosion protection. Additionally, the inclusion of the FOX 2.0 Series Performance Shocks use race-proven vehicle specific valving along with an internal floating piston (IFP) monotube design to separate shock oil from high pressure nitrogen to eliminate aeration and maximize performance on/off-road. Wile the aforementioned lift kits are not suited to Airride models, Ram 1500 owners equipped with Airride are also in luck. Here at Stage 3, we offer the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 4" BDS Lift Kit w/ NX2 Rear Shocks (Air Ride) variant as well as the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 4" BDS Lift Kits w/ FOX 2.0 Shocks (Air Ride)

Important Notes/Features:

Trimming may be required
35"x12.50" w/18x9 and 5" back spacing
35"x12.50" w/20x9 and 5" back spacing
Does not fit Diesel Models
Will NOT fit models equipped with the Thermal Axle option.

6" BDS Lift Kits For Ram 1500s

For the folks who prefer going through more extreme off-road endeavors can look to the 6" lift kits from BDS. These particular kits are designed to unlock a new league of off-road performance with an impressive ground clearance, room for even larger tire/wheel combinations, and added performance enhancing parts such as the FOX 2.5 Front Coilovers. For this example we can look to the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 BDS 6" Lift Kit w/ FOX Coilovers and Shocks. Lift height aside, the 6" Lift Kit features an end-to-end upgrade using FOX Suspension parts that are designed to handle the most rugged conditions. Featuring front-end 2.5 remote reservoir coilovers, the FOX coilovers are engineered to outperform on and off-road as they soak up the terrain. These coilovers are preset for the correct lift height right out of the box to provide optimal performance and direct bolt-in replacement for the factory strut assemblies. Provided the substantial lift offered in this 6" lift kit, this BDS system utilizes a larger version of its newly designed steering knuckle that repositions your UCAs, tie rods, and your CV joints or a fine-tuned balance for both on and off-road applications. This front-end upgrade from the 6" BDS lift Kit uses a smooth bore and honed seamless alloy body, 7/8" hardened steel carbon shaft, Eibach coil springs and black anodized machined 6061-T6 billet aluminum mounts along with the remote reservoirs. Provided this durable material construction, installing this kit entitles you to a lifted/leveled Ram 1500 that can withstand not just road obstacles, but also resist the sagging that occurs overtime. For those that are looking to gain greater control of their suspension can look to the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 BDS 6" Lift Kit w/ FOX DSC Coilovers and Shocks. Also known as Dual Speed Compression, this built in adjustment technology for easy fine-tuning of the vehicle's suspension compression dampening so you can dial in the ideal ride performance to soak up the bumps, both large and small. This serves as the cream of the crop option for those who are looking to gain every inch of performance out of their Ram 1500 from off-roading to towing heavier payloads. Additionally, the kit comes with the aforementioned FOX 2.0 Series Performance Rear Shocks, adding race-specific valving and maximized on and off road performance. With these elements combined, you can look to that wide expanse of nature and assuredly handle all manner of road obstacles along your off-road adventure.

Important Notes/Features:

37x12.50 w/18x9 and 4.5-5" back spacing
37x12.50 w/20x9 and 4.5-5" back spacing
Does not fit Diesel Models
Will NOT fit models equipped with the Thermal Axle option.

Rear Shock Options: NX2 and FOX Suspensions

Gut instinct dictates that the BDS lift kits with FOX series shocks are the best way to go, but there is also a point to be made about the NX2 rear shocks! The NX2 shocks feature high-end performance nitrogen twin tube shock that will help restore the ride quality under any road condition. This is additionally backed by a 10-stage valving system that gives your truck a sportier, more responsive feel both on and off road. On the other hand, FOX's reputation for hardy craftsmanship proceed them with the tried and true monotube design that provides optimized performance and an incredible responsiveness. Should you have a stock 2019-2022 Ram 1500 on your hands and looking for an all-encompassing BDS 4" or 6" lift kit, choosing between these two comes down to affordability vs. performance. As previously stated, the NX2 serves as a solid step up from your factory shocks at a more affordable price point, but is a measure below the esteemed FOX 2.0 Series shocks. We here at Stage 3 are really digging the FOX series rear shocks for the elite-level stability and performance handling it provides.

Strut Spacers and Coilover Kits: Which is Better For You?

Similarly, when asking any truck enthusiast about strut spacers vs. coilover kits, more often then not you'll hear that coilovers are the way to go. While coilovers are slated for performance-needs, many Ram 1500 owners can use the strut spacers to get rid of the rake, the slightly lower front-end height that your truck has standard from the factory. Strut spacers can also be used to lift and level your truck for greater style and room for larger tire/wheel combos. With that said, Ram truck owners who enjoy the occasional off-roading camping trip on mild terrain will find great success with kits such as the BDS 4" Lift Kit Front Strut Spacers and Fox 2.0 rear shocks. On the flip side, if you fancy yourself an off-roading connoisseur/enthusiast that travels off the beaten path, you can take your pick from the high end 2019-2022 Ram 1500 BDS 6" Lift Kit w/ FOX DSC Coilovers and Shocks or the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 BDS 6" Lift Kit w/ FOX Coilovers and Shocks.

Final Thoughts:

BDS lift kits offer a wide range of possibilities through their various builds. Through it all, the choice remains with you. Do you find yourself going gung-ho on some rocky terrain or do you prefer the traversing through established trails? If you're the latter, any of the front strut BDS lift kits will serve as a suitable option and a greater overall improvement over your stock parts. If you're the former, a full revamp with the 4" or 6" BDS Lift Kits with coilover packages would be the ideal choice for you. Overall, any of these lift kits from BDS will assuredly get you through your next off-road adventure without too many hitches. Let us know your thoughts on any leveling kits or tire/wheel combinations that are comparable or work well with the line up of 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Leveling Kits or 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Wheels and Tires!

Before you Buy: 2014-2022 4Runner Best LED Tail Lights

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

With a vehicle as versatile as the 2014-2022 4Runner, upgrading and modifying your SUV becomes nearly addictive with the endless amount of customization available on the aftermarket. While this is beneficial for a number of reasons, it can be difficult to find the best accessories for your desired build in the sea of performance parts for the Toyota 4Runner. In today's article, we'll be covering our best LED Tail Light options for your specific vehicle while focusing on the differences between our best budget, best bang-for-your-buck, and best overall replacements. This certainty doesn't encompass everything we have to offer, but it will give you a better understanding on what to look for as you continue to transform your 4Runner into a formidable off-road machine with the best 2014-2022 4Runner LED Tail Lights.

Best Budget 2014-2022 4Runner LED Tail Lights

The factory tail lights on the 2014-2022 4Runner get the job done for basic applications, but their dull appearance and lackluster design leaves a lot to be desired on your vehicle's rear-end. Our friends over at ANZO also recognized this issue which is why they released their 2014-2022 4Runner LED Sequential Tail Lights (Black Housing & Smoked Lenses). If price and affordability is your number one deciding factor, these premium LED tail lights are one of the best options for you. In general, LED tail lights offer sharper illumination and improved rear-end visibility over your SUV's stock halogen bulbs, altering other drivers of your location sooner for a safer overall driving experience. Specifically, the ANZO LED Sequential Tail Lights take things up a notch as they were designed to improve your 4Runner's functionality while updating and modernizing the appearance of it's exterior. These tail lights come standard with sleek black housings that hold the multiple LEDs in place, offering up superior strength and longevity for the more extreme applications you and your off-road companion partake in. The polycarbonate lenses used help protect against impacts from flying road debris, adding another layer of protection to these high-quality units. The lenses in this particular kit are also smoked to help compliment any blacked-out or low-profile styling themes, giving you the ultimate look for your rig. If you're not a fan of the murdered-out appeal, ANZO also offers these premium tail lights with two other styling options including the 2014-2022 4Runner ANZO LED Sequential Tail Lights (Black Housing & Clear Lenses) and the 2014-2022 4Runner ANZO LED Sequential Tail Lights (Chrome Housing & Clear Lenses). Each one of these kits features LED lights for the running, brake, turn signal, and reverse lights to give you the ultimate rear-end illumination in any situation. Additionally, each light comes standard with sequential turn signal functions, giving your truck a unique look on city streets. All three of these light options mount directly in place of your 4Runner's existing components, making for a simple plug-and-play process you can complete in your garage. Completely street legal according to all DOT and SAE requirements, the ANZO LED Sequential Tail Lights are perfect for those looking to save a bit of cash for future modifications down the road.

Best Bang-for-your-Buck 2014-2022 4Runner LED Tail Lights

Now that we've established some of the key components you should be looking for in a set of aftermarket tail lights, it's time to look at some options that will give you the absolute most out of your purchase. In this section, we'll be covering the 2010-2022 4Runner AlphaRex LUXX-Series LED Tail Lights (Alpha Black), and how they can push your vehicle's functionality and style even further. Starting out, these tail lights feature an Alpha Black finish with clear lenses to highlight the glossy details of the LEDS, allowing you to stand out from the crowd the next time you get behind the wheel. What's more, AlphaRex has inspected every detail of these light through rigorous testing to ensure OE quality and utility for a long-lasting tail light that you can show off to all of your friends. Compared to the ANZO lights, AlphaRex built these light's housing with a durable polypropylene material to help resist bending and cracking in even the most extreme environments, so they'll remain looking and performing well for many years to come. Polycarbonate lenses help resist impacts from flying rocks and other road debris while the lens' outer coating helps protect it from yellowing and oxidation over time. When it comes to the meat and potatoes of these tail lights, they feature light tubes that act as both the brake lights and sequential turn signal lights in order to output more obvious indication during daytime driving applications. Lens diffusers and switchblade LEDs allow the lights to switch back and forth between brake and turn signal lights, improving your 4Runner's rear-end illumination ten-fold. Furthermore, AlphaRex integrated a unique light activation feature each time you unlock your SUV, allowing you to enjoy the little details of these lights each time you walk up to your 4Runner. With AlphaRex, you'll also have the option to choose from their 2010-2022 4Runner LUXX-Series LED Tail Lights (Black) and 2010-2022 4Runner LUXX-Series LED Tail Lights (Black-Red). These two alternatives will match all of your truck's exterior colors for a more integrated look while the black housing creates a sportier appearance. Don't go unnoticed under the night sky and instead pick any of these AlphaRex LED Tail Lights to supply your SUV with one of the best performing tail lights to touch the aftermarket.

Best Overall 2014-2022 4Runner LED Tail Lights

If you're somebody who demands the absolute best and most aggressive modifications for your vehicle, we've picked out the 2010-2022 4Runner Morimoto XB LED Tail Lights just for you! The standard image of these tail lights don't do them any justice, so we've picked out a more accurate image you can view right below this paragraph to show off these light's true nature. These tail lights feature dual raised sections on the lenses that add a more tactical appearance when mounted up on your 4Runner. While this may not be for everybody, after they're installed they appear to be at home as they compliment the contours of your SUV's exterior. Additionally, the sequential turn signal function has an undeniably modern appeal, making them perfect paired with a set of premium aftermarket 2014-2022 4Runner Headlights. Constructed using polycarbonate lenses and injection molded ABS housings, this particular set of lights is much stronger than comparable alternatives, ensuring they'll stand up to everything you throw at them. The high-quality construction of these lights result in an IP67 waterproof rating to keep out dust and moisture in even the worst environments. Additionally, the UV-coated lenses are finished with a stylish smoked appearance that isn't too aggressive, and was made to stay clean and bright for the foreseeable future. Morimoto only offers these tail lights with the smoked appearance, but there's really no need for any other styling options as these will match any 4Runner colorway without compromise. Moving on, the light source of these tail lights come from SSC LEDs, and feature red running, brake, and parking lights with amber turn signal lights that pierce through the night sky better than most aftermarket options available. Each light function features it's own LEDs to give your 4Runner a rounded appearance without the possibility of failure. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a set of these tail lights, your 4Runner will sport an impressive rear-end look for every driving application you have in mind. We know you already adventure like a pro, so start acting like it by investing in some premium LED tail lights for your 2014-2022 Toyota 4Runner.

Final Thoughts

While none of these tail light options are egregiously better than other, there are a few key takeaways that you should know before making your purchase. The ANZO LED tail lights are more of an aesthetic upgrade to your factory components, compared to the AlphaRex and Morimoto options that provide enhanced illumination along with killer good looks. That's not to say the ANZO won't improve your 4Runner's rear-end visibility, but there won't be a major improvement of illumination to the naked eye. The AlphaRex LUXX-Series tail lights offer up solid aftermarket upgrade to ensure you'll certainly get what you pay for, and the Morimoto XB Tail Lights are one of the most sought after upgrades from off-road enthusiasts alike. You can also pair any of these premium tail lights with some high-quality 2014-2022 4Runner Headlights,, giving your ride a whole new look and feel while improving its overall lighting output and visibility. Depending on your desired style and appearance, any one of these aftermarket tail light options will enhance the appeal and utility of your 4Runner's exterior. Don't get caught slacking when reversing on dark trails, and instead pick up any one of the 2014-2022 4Runner LED Tail Light options we offer right here at Stage 3.

Best 2014-2022 4Runner LED Tail Lights

Before you Buy: 2021-2022 Bronco Borla Axle-Back Breakdown!

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

There is nothing like the feeling of hearing a new exhaust system work its magic on your build for the first time after you have suffered with the factory exhaust for long enough. The factory exhaust system on the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco is great, but it does not produce those breathtaking sounds that make you excited to get behind the wheel of your Bronco for the next weekend adventure. Lucky for you, Borla Exhaust has developed a new line of axle-back 2021-2022 Bronco Exhaust Upgrades for the Bronco with three different sound level options. Having the option between these different sound levels gives you the ability to choose what sound volume and muffler design is right for you and your Bronco build. You can go with a mild growl all the way up to a super aggressive roar. See why a Borla Bronco Axle-Back Kit should be the next thing on your upgrade list with their premium sounds and optimized performance.

Features and Finishes of Borla Axle-Backs for 2021-2022 Bronco

When choosing which of the Borla Axle-Backs is right for you, first take into account that there are different versions of these axle-backs depending on your 2021-2022 Ford Bronco engine model. There is both a 2.3L EcoBoost and 2.7L EcoBoost version for all of the different sound levels and finishes. The finishes available to choose from include a bright chrome or black coating. These different finish options sit over the top of highly durable T-304 stainless steel that is single for the 2.3L EcoBoost options, dual for the 2.7L EcoBoost options, round, rolled edge, and angle-cut. An exhaust tip is included with the same construction and finish for the most cohesive looking axle-back. From what is exposed, fellow Bronco owners and other vehicle enthusiasts alike will notice your new awesome looking Borla axle-back. The exposed tips are seen on both sides of the Bronco with the split rear exit design with a single tip on each side. Not only are the finishes on these axle-backs a great way to add some style to your Bronco, but they are protective against potential rust damage overtime and actually guaranteed by Borla never to rust. When deciding which sound level is right for you, there are three different options to choose from: Touring, S-Type, and ATAK. Depending on the intended sound, each axle-back features its own muffler design manufactured specifically for that specific sound and to the existing features of the Bronco. These different mufflers all feature a high-quality austenitic stainless steel construction that is packed inside with ultra-durable, continuous-strand sound absorbing composite filament.

Touring Sound Level Borla Axle-Backs for 2021-2022 Bronco

The "Touring" sound level is the most mellow sound level of what Borla is offering in this new line of axle-backs, but that does not mean it is weak. The desired sound is a mild growl that has the feel and performance of a powerful aftermarket axle-back without the potentially obnoxious roar. If you are not the type to go deep out into the boondocks away from civilization to rev up your Bronco, this would be the perfect option for you. Driving on the public roads and freeways is not the place to be blowing everyone away with your booming exhaust sound. At this sound level, you get a deep and throaty sound with improved volume over the factory exhaust. The Touring sound level muffler design is intended to maximize exhaust performance without the ear ringing sounds. It is an oval shape that allows for more carpacity inside the muffler. This shape aids in creating a much more soothing sound for a more comfortable ride. The inside of the muffler features a high-flow design with a single core that boosts your Bronco's power and creates a more exciting experience when driving on-or-off road.

Borla Touring Axle-Back Options:

S-Type Sound Level Borla Axle-Backs for 2021-2022 Bronco

Halfway in between the mild growl of the Touring sound level and super aggressive roar of the ATAK sound level lies the S-Type sound level. It is a powerful sound that does not overwhelm the common man. Sure its fun to intimidate people and wake up the entire neighborhood, but this sound level is not for that. It is the ultimate balance of power and resonance that makes this version of Borla's axle-backs sing like an angel. These heavenly sounds of the S-Type axle-backs are produced by the straight-through muffler design. It features the perfect meshing of packing filament, straight-through core dimensions, core perforation pattern, and cylindrical shape. All of this combined produces a throaty, but truly powerful high-performance sound. The interior construction allows for the proper resonance of this sound, while maximizing exhaust performance. There is a slim, but equidistant space between the wide-diameter core and cylindrical muffler that carries the aggressive sound, while the straight-through design provides the most efficient exhaust flow.

Borla S-Type Axle-Back Options:

ATAK Sound Level Borla Axle-Backs for 2021-2022 Bronco

The last and most intimidating Borla axle-back exhaust sound level of them all is the ATAK sound level. This one is for those who want to make a statement wherever they go by asserting their dominance with booming, super aggressive sounds. Those of us who like to take a day to get away from it all and find a corner of the world where we can rev up our Bronco to fullest are going to appreciate this sound. What makes this the most powerful sounding axle-back option in the new lineup is the Multicore with revolutionary acoustic tuning. Even more than the straight-through design of the S-Type sound level axle-back, the race-proven Multicore design out-performs them all with the most efficient exhaust flow in the lineup. The acoustic tuning is executed with the design of the internal construction of this muffler. Within the ATAK muffler, there are varying degrees of solid walls, perforation patterns, diameters, and other internal core characteristics. This intricate internal design allows the Borla engineers to fine-tune the ATAK sound level to the intended range. As the sound is being produced, the sound waves deflect off of the multiple core walls and create the powerful ATAK sound level.

Borla ATAK Axle-Back Options:

Last Thoughts

The average Bronco owner looking for an exhaust upgrade, but still more often than not taking it to the grocery store and back will be satisfied with the Touring sound level. It is just enough of a boost from the factory sound that you will feel more confident behind the wheel of your Bronco without the paranoia of thinking you are drawing too much attention to yourself. The S-Type sound level is going to be ideal for the majority of Bronco owners that do the weekend warrior activities and hit the trails when they can. However, if you are looking for that edge over your off-road counterparts, then the ATAK sound level is going to assert your dominance. Why care about what other people think of how loud your exhaust sounds? You only live once. Comment below on what Bronco 2.3L EcoBoost Engine Parts & Upgrades or Bronco 2.7L EcoBoost Engine Parts & Upgrades would work best to supplement with your new Borla axle-back to truly match up the premium sounds with superior engine performance.

Before You Buy: What is an F150 Resonator Delete and Why Should you Get One?

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

The stock exhaust system on the 2009-2014 F150s, 2015-2017 F150s, 2018-2020 F150s, and 2021-2022 F150s just doesn't inspire much...of anything. The factory exhaust with its huge chambered muffler and forward resonator just doesn't make much of a sound at all, and while a complete cat-back system is usually one of the go-to upgrades, a more and more popular exhaust upgrade for the F150s are resonator deletes. What an F150 Resonator Delete actually does is pretty self-explanatory once you know how the stock F10 exhaust system is set up, but why should you grab a resonator delete when there's other options that seem to offer a lot more? Well, F150 resonator deletes offer up excellent bang-for-your-buck sound improvements for your F150 in a kit that's extremely easy to install onto your tough F150 build.

How is the F150's Stock Exhaust System Set Up?

Before we get in to resonator deletes and what they do, it's helpful to actually dig into all the components of the factory exhaust system of the F150s and what they actually do. Starting at the motor, the headers/exhaust manifolds allow exhaust gasses to flow out of the exhaust ports. The headers connect to either downpipes (on EcoBoost F150s) or Y-pipes (on naturally-aspirated F150s) which also contain the catalytic converters, which both reduce emissions and are the first component of the stock exhaust system that lowers sound. The Y-pipes/downpipes feed into the resonator which further reduces sound and helps to combat cabin drone at cruising. The resonator then leads into the the muffler, which has a huge, chambered design which further tamps down on sound output. The muffler leads into the tailpipe which exits behind the passenger's side rear tire in it's OEM configuration.

Why a Resonator Delete over a Full Cat-Back?

With the resonator seemingly playing such a small role in the stock exhaust system over everything else, why would you ever choose a resonator delete over a complete cat-back kit? The biggest benefit of a resonator delete is their price, which is practically always a fraction of a complete cat-back system (especially these days). With less tubing and fittings, a resonator delete is much less expensive and easier to manufacture, thus costing much less to actually sell. The second major benefit over a cat-back is that resonator deletes are much easier to install, since you only have to replace one section of the factory exhaust system. Last, but not least, a resonator delete offers just "enough" sound increase without adding a ton of drone. The huge size of the stock muffler, and the fact that it comes so far forward means that deleting the stock resonator doesn't cause a massive amount of drone, but does produce enough additional sound to at least be noticeable.

F150 Resonator Deletes at Stage 3

The good news is that we here at Stage 3 have a ton of resonator deletes for the F150s available. If you're on a budget, then an aluminized system may be up your alley, though the vast majority of our F150 resonator deletes are made out of either 409 or 304 stainless steel to give them some longevity and resiliency in tough climates and applications. Check out our 2011-2014 F150 Resonator Deletes, 2015-2020 F150 Resonator Deletes, and our 2021-2022 F150 Resonator Deletes to find the right one for your F150 build. Just keep in mind that the resonator assembly is the part of the exhaust that's "sized" to the different F150 wheelbase sizes due to the various cab and bed lengths that Ford offers. The most common wheelbase size is 145", which covers F150s with a SuperCrew cab with 5.5ft bed and SuperCabs with a 6.5ft bed. F150s with a 157" wheelbase are trucks with a SuperCrew cab and 6.5ft bed. The fairly rare 163" wheelbase constitutes trucks with SuperCabs and 8ft beds. F150s with 133" and 126" wheebases (SuperCab 5.5ft beds and Regular Cabs with 6.5ft beds, respectively), don't have resonators at all, so none of this applies to you find folks.

Before You Buy: 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Fab Fours Bumper Deep Dive

Sat, 4 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

Now that you've familiarized yourself with Ram's many accessories and performance parts, its time to take a look at how to overhaul the look and utility of your Ram 1500. One of the best ways to overhaul your Ram 1500 is with the inclusion of a new bumper! With a lot of options out in the market, it can be hard to find one that is suited to your lifestyle. While your Ram 1500 factory bumpers are certainly capable of pulling its own weight, there are many 2019-2022 Ram 1500 aftermarket bumpers that offer greater utility with light mounting options, winch ready capabilities, and other notable features that will come in handy. From street roads to untamed ones, having a capable bumper will provide you with the necessary ground clearance and heavy-duty protection you will need against on and off-road hazards. To help you navigate some of the vast array of bumpers on the market, we here at Stage 3 take a deep dive look at the esteemed Fab Fours Bumpers for the 2019-2022 New Body Style Ram 1500s!

Which Type is Best? Pre-Runner Guard vs. No Guard Front Bumpers:

Appearance aside, the biggest differentiator between pre-runner guard bumpers and no-guard bumpers is in overall protection, visual style, and lighting. For instance, seasoned off-road Ram truck owners who find themselves going off the beaten path and trailblazing their own trails from time to time will find that Pre-Runner options such as the 2019-2022 Red Steel Series Front Bumper serve as a greater option against thick brushes, sudden wayward animal appearances, and other front-facing hazards encountered when off-roading. Furthermore, most Pre-Runner Guard Style bumpers come with additional side and front LED light mounts, giving Ram truck owners the option to upgrade their lighting (which is always a plus in our book). With that said, it is important to note that Ram trucks with the factory front end-camera may experience interference with the Pre-Runner option. On the other hand, Ram truck owners who enjoy the occasional trip towards off-road terrains can't go wrong with options such as the No-Guard Matrix Bumper, or No-Guard Vengeance Front Bumper for a bumper that adheres more towards an OEM aesthetic without compromising on protection. At the end of the day, choosing between these two guard styles comes down to your personal taste in utility, style and overall application. To help you better understand the nuances between Fab Fours line up of bumpers, we can start by looking at the Matrix Series!

The Matrix Bumper

The Matrix Front Bumper is a great choice for Ram truck owners looking to upgrade their truck's overall strength and utility. With that said, Fab Fours offers two variants: the Pre-Runner Guard Matrix Bumper and the No-Runner Guard Matrix Bumper. The Matrix is constructed using a rigid 3/16" plated steel that provides powerful tensile strength paired with abrasion and corrosion resistance. The plating is reinforced with a weather-resistant black powder coat finish, making this bumper practically immune to weather related damages. Needless to say, the overall look of the Matrix is almost guaranteed to catch a few stares and turn heads. Durability is just one of the many features this bumper offers. The Matrix Front Bumper also comes with additional side mounted slots (2 LED Cubes) and a center mount (30" Light Bar) for additional light upgrades and additions. The bumper also comes winch ready (12K or lower) in the event that your fellow off-roaders needs a lift out of a ditch. Featuring a low-cut out design, the Matrix bumper is precisely designed to provide airflow and clearance for larger tire/wheel combinations! Better yet, the bumper is precisely designed to accommodate your Ram truck's OEM sensors. Putting it together, Ram truck owners accomplish greater protection, ground clearance, and additional lighting capabilities without sacrificing the things that make your OEM truck so great.

Product Features:

Plated Steel Construction
Black Powder Coated Finish
Integrated Sensor Holes
Side Mount Slots for Additional Light Options

The Premium Rear Bumper

Now that we've covered a capable front bumper, its time to take a look an equally capable rear bumper in the form of Fab Fours Premium Rear Bumper. Manufactured using a heavy duty 3/16" carbon steel construction, the Fab Fours Premium Rear Bumper is impervious to bumps and scrapes you may experience on or off-the road. The treated carbon steel is then finished with Fab Fours 2 Stage Black Powder Coat finish for reinforced weather protection and anti-corrosion properties. In short, no amount of rain, wind, heat, or debris can stand a chance against the Premium Rear Bumper. The bumper's heavy-duty protection is followed by a cornucopia of utility features. Need to tow/haul loads for work or play? The Premium Rear Bumper has you covered with two 3/4" D-ring mounts that will accommodate your external cargo. Getting in and out of your truck bed shouldn't have to be a labor-intensive process, even if your truck is lifted. Fortunately, the Premium Rear Bumper comes with integrated side steps on either side of your tailgate for greater accessibility in and out of your Ram 1500's bed. Additionally, this rear bumper accommodates dual-exhaust systems! To top it off, the bumper is sensor compatible and tested on both stock height and lifted trucks. Overall, the name of this bumper tells you all you'll need to know: a premium-grade rear bumper that is built with high-end materials and features.

Product Features:

Equipped with integrated steps on both sides of tailgate
Durable heavy duty 3/16" carbon steel construction
Treated with 2 stage black powder coating for enhanced durability
Accommodates dual exhaust systems
3/4" D-Ring recovery points

The Red Steel Front & Rear Bumpers

Strength, practicality and affordability are the three cornerstone elements that make up both the Front and Rear Red Steel Bumpers. Taking a look at the 2019 - 2022 Ram 1500 Red Steel Front Bumper, this front-end bumper features a winch-ready design that supports up to 12,000 lbs. or lower, integrated shackle mounts for greater towing capacity, and side mounting slots for additional lighting provisions. Following its dedication to using high quality materials, the bumper comes constructed using 11-gauge steel that is finished with Fab Fours blend of durable black powder coat which adds style points, weather protection, and corrosion resistance. The front bumper features a pre-runner guard and an accompanying 1/4" plated steel winch tray. The angular lift found on either side of the front bumper is specially designed to allow Ram truck owners to fit larger tire/wheel arrangements to better suit their driving needs. The front end bumper is meticulously designed to perfectly follow along factory body lines for a perfect fitment and hassle-free installation process. The Red Steel Rear Bumper compliments its front-end counterpart thanks to its similar design philosophy and material construction. Using the same finish and 11-gauge steel, the 2019 - 2022 Ram 1500 Rear Red Steel Bumper also perfectly conforms to your Ram 1500's body lines allowing for ease of installation. This rear end bumper also comes with a logo-cut out with integrated light mounts that hold 3x3 Dually LED cubes for greater rear end visibility.

Product Features:

11-Guage Steel Construction
Winch-Ready: Holds up to 12,000 lbs winch or smaller
Pre-Runner Guard Option Only
Incompatible with Dual Exhaust
Finished with weatherproof Fab Fours Black Powder Coating
Perfectly follows along body lines

The Vengeance Series Front & Rear Bumpers

Featured as the new light-weight bumper lineup, the Vengeance Series combines a lightweight build that does not weight down your truck while keeping all the distinct features that you'd come to expect from Fab Fours. Available as either a Pre-Runner Guard or No-Guard option, the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Vengeance Front Bumper is made using 11 gauge heavy duty steel with a weight range of 70-105lbs. Finished with 2 stages of a durable black powder coating, the bumper has a near impenetrable weatherproofing and corrosion resistance. The rugged design of the Vengeance bumper along with its black powder coated finish is precision designed to give your Ram 1500 a killer look. Provided its unique design, the bumper creates even greater tire/wheel clearance, allowing for larger aftermarket wheels/off-road tires. The bumper enhances the look and feel of your truck's front-end without compromising on the factory functionality (i.e front-end sensors) and looks. As per usual Fab Fours standards, the bumper is fashioned with center and side mounted slots for future LED light additions. Similarly, the 2019 - 2022 Ram 1500 Vengeance Rear Bumper is outfitted with the same material construction/finish with a design that accommodates up to two 6" single row LED light bars! Installation of this bumper uses a complete bolt-on process with brackets that tie directly to the frame of your truck. Those who are looking to create a fully-realized off-road monster can look to the utility and added protection offered by this bumper.

Product Features:

Greater Tire Clearance
Lightweight / High & Tight Contour for Sleek Design
100% Bolt-On Installation
Sensor Compatible
Constructed with 11 Gauge Steel
Stage 2 Black Powder Coat Finish

Final Thoughts

There's a lot to consider with Fab Fours impressive line up of front and rear-end bumpers for the Ram 1500. From winch-ready capabilities, durability, style, and lighting the subtle differences between each series can leave you scratching your head. Having a front-end bumper can enhance your Ram 1500's overall look while providing a trove of features. Many often forget that having a capable rear-end bumper can compliment your lifestyle with features such as enhanced protection, integrated steps, and greater style. Through it all, we here at Stage 3 find that the Vengeance Series Bumpers stand out among the rest thanks to its lightweight build, 100% bolt on installation, and sleek high-and-tight design. However, these are just a few thoughts among a sea of others in the aftermarket world. Feel free to comment your thoughts below and let us know what you think!

Before you Buy: 2021-2022 Bronco Oracle Lighting Deep Dive!

Sat, 4 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

As time goes on, more and more aftermarket Lighting Upgrades are becoming available for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco from some of the top manufacturers in the industry. One name that we think you should know when trying to decide what lighting upgrades are right for your Bronco build is Oracle Lighting. We want you to know a little bit more about their new lineup of Bronco lighting upgrades and what they can do for your build. Their newest products include Bronco headlights, tail lights, cargo lights, fog lights, and even illuminated grille letters. We guarantee their will be something in this new line of products that will greatly benefit your Bronco build.

Oracle Lighting Colorshift RGB+W Headlight for 2021-2022 Bronco

Headlights are the logical place to start as they are what everyone thinks of first when they think of a traditional lighting upgrade. The Oracle Lighting Colorshift RGB+W Headlight is a versatile headlight upgrade with complete color customization. Switch between 24 different colors and 9 color changing modes with the ColorSHIFT® technology. This includes a true white OEM DRL that matches the original color of the factory headlights. Compared to your factory headlights, the light output of these bad boys is much more powerful, while using much less power from your Bronco. They are made to be used in any kind of conditions with their IP67 waterproof wiring adapters that will never be flooded by extreme weather. You cannot underestimate the importance of proper visibility when you are adventuring into unknown areas. Powerful headlights can save you from potential disasters that your factory headlights will make you susceptible for. Using any of the different controller options available, you can customize your view with the different colors mentioned along with different levels of brightness, speeds, and functions.

Oracle Lighting Triple LED Fog Light Kit for Steel Bumper for 2021-2022 Bronco

To complement your headlights, off-road adventurers alike upgrade their fog lights for a greater view behind the wheel, especially in inclement weather situations. The Oracle Lighting Triple LED Fog Light Kit for Steel Bumper is a set of six high-powered LED light emitters that come in two different colors. The first being the white color, which matches the existing fog lighting color on your Bronco. The other option is the yellow color, which creates a color contrast against severe weather conditions with low visibility. Whatever your fog lighting needs are, either of these options are great for getting greater light output and functionality from your Bronco fog lights. You cannot pass up the advanced optics with 6,000 lumens of total output for the best long distance visibility when combined with quality headlights. Beside the light output, these fog lights are built for the long haul. The durable steel housings are galvanized for rust resistance and IP68 waterproof to protect the vital electrical components. For even more protection and longevity, each housing is finished with a black powder coat that offers corrosion resistance along with a smooth, sleek finish.

ORACLE Lighting Illuminated LED Letter Badges for 2021-2022 Bronco

One of the more unique lighting upgrades that Oracle Lighting offers for the Bronco to complete your front end lighting are the Oracle Lighting Illuminated LED Letter Badges. Each letter that makes up the "BRONCO" lettering on the grille is sold separately, so you will have to purchase two of the "O" letters to complete the look. Each letter is illuminated with a soft edge-lit glow that offers a customized high-end appearance for your Bronco front end. Although it may seem like a waste of your Bronco's power to have these letters on your grille, each letter only draws about 0.1 Amp. Connecting them to a power source seems like it would be a pain, but they can be hooked up to any 12V power source on your Bronco. The most convenient sources located near this area include your parking lights or ignition fuse with the other option of using a whole separate toggle switch. You may have to do some drilling to route the wiring properly, but nothing to complicated. When installing, each letter lays over the top of the existing grille lettering. They are held tightly with the VHB double-stick adhesive guaranteed to never leave you with a dangling letter situation.

Oracle Lighting Flush Style LED Tail Lights for 2021-2022 Bronco

We have all the front end lighting covered, but Oracle Lighting did not forget about the rear end of your Bronco. The first place and most logical area to cover for rear end lighting upgrades are your tail lights. The Oracle Lighting Flush Style LED Tail Lights are a premium tail light upgrade option that offers a flush-style fit. This is a different and more effective design than that of the existing factory tail lights. There are a few extra inches past the body that your factory tail lights stick out, which leaves them susceptible to damage from boulders, trees, and other obstacles in tight situations off-road. The flush-style fit not only keeps your tail lights out of danger, but offers a modern, more attractive look to an otherwise bland part of your Bronco build. What your really want to know about these tail lights is their light output. These tail lights feature 60W high-powered LED reverse lighting with 8,000 lumens of total output. This major light output is showcased perfectly with the flush wrap-around design that lets you see the light from any angle. You can get all of this added to your Bronco build with a simple "plug & play" installation.

Oracle Lighting LED Cargo Light Module for 2021-2022 Bronco

To wrap up the rear lighting upgrades and complete the full lighting upgrade coverage of your Bronco, you cannot miss the LED Cargo Light Module. It is a convenient overhead light for your cargo area that works great for tasks such as fumbling through the gear in your cargo area or setting up camp for the night behind your Bronco. No longer will you have to always be wearing a headlight when its dark and you need to go grab something from your Bronco cargo area. The existing lighting for this area is weak to say the least. Operation of the light is easy once installed on the bottom area below your rear window with the flush switch located on the panel. You will not have to deal with it being on every time you go to your Bronco cargo area, so you can use the light as you please. When it comes to finding a power source during installation, all you need to use is the existing 12V power source located where the rear wiper is. Completing the installation process requires the removal of the wiper motor cover to plug the new cargo light into the rear accessory socket and securely mount it using the included install clips.

Last Thoughts:

The Oracle Lighting headlights and tail lights are a solid place to start for upgrading the lights that you will use each day. This being said, if you plan on doing some remote exploration in your Bronco, you are going to want the fog lights to supplement with the headlights. The combination of these two upgrades will create the greatest distance and widest range of view even in the darkest or unincorporated areas. Once you get to your destination to setup camp for the night or you just need to stop to grab an item out of your cargo area, the cargo light is going to be something you wish you had. Although the illuminated letter badges are purely an aesthetic upgrade, they are helpful in giving you a more confident feeling behind the wheel knowing you have the best looking Bronco on the road or the trails. To continue your Bronco lighting overhaul consider adding Off-Road Light Mounts or other Exterior Upgrades. Comment below with the off-road light mounts or exterior upgrades in our catalog that you think would work best to complement any of the Oracle Lighting upgrades mentioned above.

We Broke our Bronco! Axle Bearing Failure & AdvanceTrac Error!

Fri, 3 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

We here at Stage 3 are pretty hard on our trucks, but despite the amount of wheeling we do, we've only had a few issues on company time (though a few more in our own personal time). However, on our 2021 Sasquatch Bronco Build's first real outing into the dirt, we managed to break something that caused all sorts of havoc with our Bronco's ABS, traction control, drive modes, AdvanceTrac, and cruise control. What the hell happened to cause issues across all these different systems? Well, welcome to the world of integrated systems that are all tied into a single sensor and how the failure of a single bearing can cause so many systemic problems. The root cause of all of our issues was a failed rear axle bearing, but that failure which usually wouldn't be all that annoying caused a lot of problems for our Bronco, and the reason why is fascinating and shows the pitfalls of adding technological systems to trucks all tied into a single point of failure.

What actually failed on our 2021 Bronco?

The part that actually broke on our Bronco was our rear passenger's side axle bearing. Now, it's not super-uncommon for axle bearings to go bad, especially when a truck gets beat off-road. However, with as few miles we have on our 2021 Bronco Badlands Build, it's definitely not a great look. Unfortunately, we didn't get a real detailed analysis from the Ford dealership other than that the bearing race "had came apart [sic]", though we're not certain if the bearing "came apart" when they removed the shaft or if the bearing was already chunky before that point, but in any case, this was only the beginning of our problems. One the bearing had failed, it caused at least some damage to the ABS tone ring on that side of the truck, which then caused wonky readings from the ABS sensor, which lead to the various issues with electronics we were seeing. The ABS system serves as the base information gathering tool for essentially the rest of the Bronco's traction control-related systems, so bad information from the speed sensor means that all these various modes and system could no longer operate effectively.

How did our 2021 Bronco's Axle Bearing Fail?

How our particular failure occurred is not exactly known. Considering this only happened to one side of the truck, we haven't been able to find other folks with a similar issue (at least not on the rear), and that the rear axle as a whole is very similar to a lot of the other Dana M220-equipped trucks out on the market, we're willing to chalk this up to a freak, one-time event. With Ford getting their bearing supply from companies like SKF, Timken, and whomever else, a bad axle bearing or two is bound to end up in the world somewhere, and we're just born lucky. The bearing itself could've had a component not quite machined to spec, had a lubrication issue, or wasn't adequately hardened before being shipped out. However, it's also possible that there was an issue with final assembly on Ford's line, but I have a feeling that if that were the case, we would've run into a issue before going off-road. If I were to put money on it, I would guess that we most likely ended up with a 1 out of a hundred thousand bad bearings, but it is hard to say without having the failed component.

What was Fixed on our 2021 Bronco and How Much Did we Pay?

The bad news about our Bronco's axle bearing failure is that a lot of stuff on the passenger's side rear axle had to be changed out. Our good friends over at Surprise Ford ended up replacing the entire right rear axle assembly with a new bearing, tone ring, and ABS sensor. After we got the truck back, all the errors were cleared up and the Bronco drove just fine. As for what we paid, the sum total of parts and labor was ZERO. The entire cost of the fix was covered under our Bronco's bumper-to-bumper warranty, which is extremely awesome, considering we broke the thing off-road and have video evidence to prove that we didn't just drive this thing like grandma and we SWEAR we never took it into the dirt, Mr. Service Advisor, sir. While the repair work was free, we did lose the truck for a full week, which doesn't affect us too much, but would definitely be a huge hassle for your average Bronco owner.

Last Thoughts

In the end, breaking our Bronco started off as a bit of a tragedy, but had a happy ending. We were able to drive it back to Phoenix (albeit, very carefully) and get it seen by our local dealership, who gladly fixed everything under warranty. There are definitely worse ways to end a parts failure after a trail run, and while we're not thrilled with the fact that something broke on a practically new Brocno, at least it was fixed at no cost to us. For another perspective and to take a look at what Ford actually found, check out Noah's video embedded below or over on Stage 3's YouTube channel.

Before you Buy: 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards Tonneau Cover Deep Dive!

Fri, 3 Jun 2022 00:00:00 EST

If never the best idea to haul around valuable gear in the bed of your new 2022 Tundra, especially when you have no other choice but to leave it exposed for an extended period of time. The easiest way to achieve maximum bed protection is by picking up a high-quality tonneau for any adventure you have in mind. More specifically, Pace Edwards just released their entire lineup of truck bed covers for the 2022 Tundra, and they have, quite admittedly, almost too many options to choose from. With a plethora of different styles and functions, we're here to guide you in the right direction to ensure you'll find the best 2022 Tundra Tonneau Cover for your specific driving styles and applications, right here at Stage 3.

2022 Tundra Pace Edwards SwtichBlade Retractable Tonneau Covers

One thing you'll notice about the lineup of the Pace Edwards Tonneau Covers is each options features a retractable design with varying degrees of functionality. Retractable bed covers are the most user-friendly options on the market as each cover will easily slide along the truck bed rails via handle, pull strap, or electronic operation. This takes away the hassles from constantly rolling or folding the tonneau cover, giving you immediate access to your gear at a moments notice with minimal effort. Not only do these retractable bed covers make your life easier as a whole, but all of Pace Edwards' covers feature a low-profile and flush mount appearance for the best look possible on your truck. Starting out, we going to take a look at the most "basic" version of these tonneaus featuring the 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards SwitchBlade Retractable Tonneau Cover. While basic isn't necessarily the best description for this particular truck bed cover, it is the most affordable option for anybody looking to save a little cash for future upgrades and modifications. Like most retractable covers, this unit retracts into a canister in the front of your truck bed, leaving your Tundra just shy of complete bed access. Luckily for you, the SwtichBlade was designed to install and remove in just minutes, so it's ideal for people who often need to remove the cover for full bed access when hauling larger and oversized cargo. When it comes to the construction of this cover, it features rigid aluminum panels that are bonded to an ArmorTek Padded Polymer for a soft cover look. This helps keeps away prying eyes from coming over to check out your stuff, giving you more peace of mind when you're in a location you're not too familiar with. One of the biggest downfalls to this cover is the fact that it can only be driven in the opened or closed position, so you won't be able utilize the SwtichBlade as a hybrid tonneau. Overall, this cover will perfectly suit any weekend warriors and cross-country road trippers; although, the Pace Edwards Tonneau Covers only get better from here.

The 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards SwtichBlade Metal Tonneau Cover is the upgraded version of their standard SwitchBlade model as it features tougher construction and improved weather resistance for the most extreme applications. This cover still works by utilizing continuous tension springs to help the cover retract and close quickly, utilizing the full-width handle on either side of the cover for ease of operation. A built-in pull strap assists in closing the cover when you're near the tailgate, so there will be no need to climb in the truck bed to operate. What makes this cover so sought after is the heavy-duty aluminum panel construction that delivers exceptional strength and durability without adding excess weight to your vehicle. This upgraded version also comes standard with canister drain tubes with integrated water channels to route any excess water out of the bed. The real benefit to this cover comes with the durable aluminum construction that works to prevent any impacts, scratches, or fading for maximum protection and a longer-lasting appeal without compromise.

2022 Tundra Pace Edwards JackRabbit Retractable Tonneau Covers

Pace Edwards understands the needs and wants of their customers, which is why they feature so many different options of tonneau covers to choose from. Next up, we'll be taking a look at the 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards JackRabbit Tonneau Cover. This version of the JackRabbit Tonneau features identical construction to the standard SwtichBlade, and a few added features to go along with. This cover features a twist lock for added for added security, and when you you unlock you can twist it to disengage the latch that secures your truck bed cover and automatically retract it into the canister. With a simple turn of the knob, you'll be granted immediate bed access no matter the application. What's more, the cover can be positioned in 12" intervals along the rail, providing you with partial or complete bed access for the taller items you need to haul. This cover also installs inside of your truck bed rails for that flush mount appearance many wish to achieve, creating a more integrated and streamlined look while improving fuel economy along the way. Besides that, this tonneau still comes equipped with the continuous tension springs, built-in pull strap, and the security of a metal bed cover with the look and feel of a soft cover. If you're not quite sold on the look and functionality of the standard JackRabbit Tonneau, you can always choose the upgraded 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards Full-Metal Tonneau Cover. Compared to the standard version, this premium tonneau features heavy-gauge extruded aluminum construction and a durable powder-coated finish that makes it super easy to clean and maintain compared to a soft top. This glossy metal finish does a lot for the exterior of your Tundra, providing it with a new shine that will be sure to turn some heads the next time you get behind the wheel. The aluminum used in this tonneau is also much more resistant to harsh elements, giving you a sleek appeal no matter where you venture to next. An improved water management system will also help funnel water out of the tonneau, keeping your truck bed dry and cargo safe until you've reached your destination and back. Pace Edwards also offers the JackRabbit Full-Metal Retractable Tonneau Cover (Matte Black) for those looking for a more murdered-out look on their truck.

2022 Tundra Pace Edwards BedLocker Electric Tonneau Cover

The 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards BedLocker Electric Retractable Tonneau Cover is next up on list. It's quite the step up from both the SwitchBlade and JackRabbit models as it offers user-friendly, hands-free operation in any situation. With the touch of a button, this cover will open or close automatically in under 30 seconds, providing you with ultimate ease off access no matter where your adventure takes you. In the off chance you lose power to the tonneau, Pace Edwards included a drive system release lever that allows for manual operation if needed. This particular cover takes functionality to the next level by providing you with one of the easiest truck bed covers to touch the aftermarket, sliding seamlessly into the contoured canister for a great look each time you need to access your truck bed. Moreover, Pace Edwards stepped up the weather resistance with this unit to protect the mechanical components of the cover. This tonneau features drain tubes at both the front and rear of the mounting rails with a silicone hinge seal at the tailgate which helps keep dust out when you're exploring new terrains. Instead of only allowing the cover to stop at every 12", the BedLocker can be stopped using the included remote control at any point along the rail. This is great for sheltering some of your valuable tools from harsh UV rays or downpour, while taller cargo can protrude outwards near the tailgate. Tough-as-nails aluminum makes up the most of this cover's construction, giving you impressive impact resistance to anybody trying to forcefully enter your truck's bed. The only real caveat with this high-quality truck bed cover is that installation and removal is not as simple as the manual tonneau covers, so you will be sacrificing 100% bed access when you're in a pinch. While you'll still have the majority of your truck bed free when needed, the canister takes up about 10" of space in the back of your Tundra's bed.

2022 Tundra Pace Edwards UltraGroove Tonneau Covers

If you've made it this far, you might be wondering what more Pace Edwards could do to improve these tonneau covers even more. That can be answered by checking out the 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards UltraGroove Electric Retractable Tonneau Cover. Pace Edwards truly changed the game with this one as it not only provides you with hands-free operation with its electric design, but greatly improves your Tundra's cargo carrying capabilities. This final form of Pace Edwards' truck bed covers comes equipped with with a T-Slot rail system that allows you to mount up your favorite rack system for improved storage capacity when hauling recreational gear like kayaks, surfboards, bikes, and coolers while leaving your truck bed free for smaller tools and gear. Not only does this cover come with the standard drain tubes featured on most of these covers, but it also features end caps to prevent leaking on the corners, and complete side rail seals to stand up to even the worst storms imaginable. While no retractable bed cover claims to be completely waterproof, this is just about as close as you'll get to complete bed protection from water, dust, and dirt when mother nature isn't on your side. Heavy-duty aluminum panels and a superior matte-black powder-coat finish makes up the construction of this bed cover, providing your truck with killer good looks and exceptional strength for many years to come. Without a doubt, the hallmark feature for this cover is the ability to mount a rack system above the tonneau for improved cargo management for any adventure. If you desire this specific feature on a cover that isn't quite as expensive, you can always choose the standard 2022 Tundra Pace Edwards UltraGroove Manual Retractable Tonneau Cover. While you'll still benefit from the T-Slot rail expansion system, you'll will be sacrificing the ability to stop the cover at any point along the rail, and instead use those 12" intervals featured on a few of the other options. This isn't the worst thing in the world because you can still benefit from partial bed access with slightly less versatility. This cover also comes standard with the ArmorTek padded polymer top surface, which gives your truck that soft top look that many off-road enthusiasts strive for. Best of all, Pace Edwards backs both the UltraGroove covers and the rest of their models with a Limited Warranty to help protect your investment.

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, there isn't necessarily a clear-cut winner with all things considered. While the UltraGroove Electric is certainly the most fully loaded package Pace Edwards has to offer, we understand that not everybody has the budget for that. Any one of these 2022 Tundra tonneau covers will work great for just about any application you have in mind, it truly comes down to personal preference and desired functionality. After laying down some solid groundwork on the differences between each cover, we hope you found a product you liked to install on your new 2022 Tundra. After you've found the cover you love, go ahead and check out some of the 2022 Tundra Bed Accessories to help push your truck's functionality even further. If you're planning on purchasing on of these covers for your truck or have any additional questions about anything covered in this post, please feel free to let us know in the comment section down below!

2022 Tundra Pace Edwards Retractable Tonneau Covers:

Before you Buy: How to fit 35" Tires on your F150 and Why You...Should?

Mon, 30 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

Some guy, whose name won't be mentioned, once made the bold statement that 35x12.50" tires are a bit overrated on the F150s, and that fitting them on the 2011-2020 F150s was a juice that often wasn't worth the squeeze. However, is that still true in the year of our Lord 2022? Well, sort of, but not as much. Something major happened with the 2021-2022 F150s that have changed up the game a bit, and have made 35" tires more viable on the newer trucks: they got more wheel well clearance than previous trucks, as well as revised crash bar angles that don't interfere with big tires as much. Granted, fitting a true 35x12.50" tire on the 2021-2022 F150s is still kind of a pain, and literally nothing has changed for the 2011-2020 F150s. So, how do you fit a 35" tire on an F150? We break 35" F150 tire fitment down by year range below.

How to fit 35" Tires on 2021-2022 F150s

Let's start with the good news. Part of the 2021 F150 refresh was redesigned wheel wells that have a bit more clearance than the 2020 trucks. Thus, fitting a 35" tire on a 2021-2022 F150 is a lot easier than on previous F150 generations. That being said, you're still going to need a bit of lift, and 35x12.50" tires are still a bit of a problem.

The first step to fitting a 35" tall tire on your 2021-2022 F150 is to add some lift. If you're not looking to go too wide and use something like a 295/65R20, 285/70R18, etc. you can generally get away with using a 2.5" leveling kit on most wheels with positive offsets. The look of an F150 leveled on 35s is pretty awesome, but you do still need to be fairly careful. Wheels with low backspacing and negative offsets are still going to cause you some issues, since wheels with low backspacing push the tire out to where the wheel well starts curving back in. 35x12.50" tires are also still a bit of a problem, since their widths are going to cause you some issues with your truck's crash bars and wheel wells. Crash bar removal and trimming can fix those problems on some wheel options, but using 12.50" wide tires on wheels with high backspacing and high offsets will limit your options when it comes to adding aftermarket upper control arms, remote reservoir coilovers, or complete lift kits in the future. In summation, fitting F150 35" tires on the 2021-2022 F150s is a bit easier than on older trucks, but 35x12.50" tires are still a bit of a pain, and you may want to stick with narrower options. If you are dead-set on 35x12.50" tires, your best bet will still be a 4" lift kit or something even taller. Now, 2021-2022 Tremors are a special case, and since they're already at a taller ride height, they can get away with less lift to squeeze on a 35x12.50" tire, however, you do still need to be careful with wheel backspacing and offsets to ensure no rubbing and suspension clearance issues.

How to fit 35" Tires on 2015-2020 F150s

While I am a huge fan of the 2015-2020 F150s, as previously stated, fitting a 35" tire is a bit of a pain in the ass. Not only are the wheel wells of the 2015-2020 F150s a bit smaller than the newer 2021-2022 F150s, they also have more intrusive crash bars which makes finding a "sweet spot" of wheel backspacing and offset with tire width a huge pain. Still, it is possible to fit a pretty narrow 35" tire on factory wheels or wheels with positive offsets with just a 2.5" leveling kit, and something like a 285/75R18 would likely be fine, or would only need minor valance trimming. Fitting a 35x12.50" tire gets pretty tricky, and will require at least decent amount of trimming, if not crash bar removal on a lot of wheel options. On our 2020 F150 Giveaway build, we fit a LT315/70R17 Cooper STT Pro M/Ts through the use of an ICON Stage 5 Suspension System set at roughly 2.5" of ride height, Black Rhino Ridge 17x8.5" wheel with a 0mm offset, and an ADD Bomber Front Bumper with more clearance than stock, along with a crash bar removal. The end result looks pretty awesome, it's about as much effort as a full 4" lift kit, and a 4" lift kit will give you a lot more options for fitting 35x12.50" tires on wheels with more aggressive offsets.

How to fit 35" Tires on 2011-2014 F150s

The 2011-2014 F150s are somewhere in the middle when it comes to the ability to fit 35" tires. On one hand, they have very similar wheel well dimensions as the 2015-2020 F150s, but their lack of crash bars does mean a few less hassles when it comes to fitting big tires and getting a little more wiggle room when it comes to wheel offset and backspacing. If you're only looking to fit on a fairly narrow 35" tire like a 285/75R18, then you can usually get away with 2.5" of leveling and a factory wheel or a wheel with a positive offset. Once you start jumping into wheels with low or negative offsets, you're going to need at least some valance and/or wheel well trimming, even with some extra leveling. Fitting 35x12.50" F150 tires gets a bit hairier, and you're going to be even more limited in offset and backspace if you want to avoid major trimming. On our 2014 F150 Tremor Overland Build, we fit a set of LT315/70R17 BFG KO2 Tires in conjunction with a set of ICON 2.5 Remote Reservoir Front Coilovers and Method 17x8.5" NV Wheels with a 0mm offset, and we had trim the front valance and front wheel well liner a good amount. In general, fitting a 35x12.50" tire is doable with a leveling kit and the right wheel, but if you're looking to use aggressive offsets and backspacings, you'll probably want to jump to a 4" lift kit or something taller.

Final Thoughts

In the end, fitting a 35" tire is still kind of pain, but the revised wheel well design on the 2021-2022 F150s make it easier on those trucks. However, the 2015-2020 F150s and 2011-2014 F150s have more trouble fitting a 35" tall tire, and have a lot of trouble with fitting a 35x12.50" tire. It's still doable to get your 2011-2020 F150 on 35s with just a level, but you should be prepared for some trimming, especially on aggressive wheel offsets and backspacing. As we said before, there's a lot of good tire options that aren't 35" or 35.x12.50" tires that look great and give you plenty of ground clearance for even pretty tough trail. What tires are you running on your F150? Are we again super wrong and made you SUPER MAD? Let us know if the comments.

Before You Buy: 2019-2022 Ram 1500 King Coilovers Deep Dive

Sat, 28 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

If you've ever dreamed about going Ricky Bobby fast in an open desert plain or going gung-ho monster truck on some rocky off-road terrain, you're in luck. With a workhorse truck like the Ram 1500, there are few upgrades that have a more profound impact on off-road performance than the line up of 2019-2022 coilover leveling kits. Given the broad spectrum of Ram 1500 performance enhancing accessories on the market, it can become difficult finding the next upgrade that is best suited to your needs. Whether you're looking to upgrade your Ram 1500 into a powerhouse off-roading rig or simply looking to upgrade your suspension, one company stands out with its signature blue anodized sheen: The King Off-Roading Coilovers. From its construction to its overall handling, King Off-Road has become a premium end staple and a go-to choice for Ram 1500 owners abroad. With that said, here are some of our thoughts on what to expect with the King Off-Roading Coilovers.

Precision Engineering and High-Grade Aluminum Construction

This isn't just your run-of-the-mill suspension upgrade kit that lifts your Ram 1500 and helps you turn better when you're off the beaten path. The King Off-Road coilover kits are made to last, and it shows in the use of top of the line materials and detailed design elements. When it comes to construction, the King Off-Road Coilovers stand among the best that the aftermarket arena has to offer. For this example we can look to the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 King 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coilover Kit (Front Pair). King Off-Road reflects a dedication to best practices and high quality by utilizing high-grade aircraft quality billeted aluminum components and heat treated 6061 grade aluminum alloy pistons. In combination, Ram 1500 owners with the King 2.5 coilover kit can drive assured knowing that their suspension will withstand extensive and long term use. The aluminum fashioned components are also followed by a precision engineered bored and honed cadmium plated body, leading to optimized dampening and a layer of corrosion resistance. With all of these elements going, the King 2.5 kit will be the definitive upgrade needed to show all off-road terrains that you are, in fact, the captain now. The deliberate material and design choices found in the King coilover kit will have any Ram 1500 owner ready and able to tackle even the most demanding off-road terrain with little problem.

Notable Features:

Precision bored and honed, cadmium plated chromoly body
Hand-built w/ top of the line materials
Heat treated 6061 aluminum alloy piston
Aircraft quality billet aluminum components

A Front to Back Feature-Laden Coilover Kit

At first glance, its hard to distinguish the differences between coilover kit A and coilover kit B. However, the King 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coilover Kit is more than just your standardized steadfast coilover kit. To better illustrate King Off-Road's signature features, we can look at both the front-end 19-22 Ram 1500 King 2.5 Extended Remote Reservoir Coilover Kit w/ Adjuster (Front Pair and the 19-22 Ram 1500 King 2.5 Piggy Hose Reservoir Shock (Rear Pair). As the name suggests, the large 2.5" diameter shock body that comes with these coilover kits holds greater fluid capacity for optimized cooling and smoother running shocks. In turn, Ram 1500's equipped with the 2.5 shocks are treated to sustained damping performance even under the most punishing conditions. Ram 1500's equipped with larger wheel/tire combinations are also accounted for with the Extended Remote Reservoir Coilover Kit with Adjustable Compression! Featuring an extended travel coilover for maximum dampening/rebounding control and adjustable compression and height of 1"-2", this coilover kit allows Ram 1500's to fine tune their coilovers to match the conditions any and all off-road terrains. Having the extended coilover kit with the adjuster requires a capable Upper Control Arm. We here at Stage 3 offer both the ICON Tubular Delta Joint UCAs as well as the ICON Delta Joint Billet UCAs! After some inevitable use and abuse from off-roading excursions, coilovers can experience degradation in certain components. Fortunately, King Off-Road remedies this issue by making both front and rear kits fully serviceable, tunable, and rebuildable! To top it off, the King Off-Road coilover kits follow factory fitment guidelines that allow both the front and rear end kits to install with a 100% bolt-on installation process.

Notable Features:

Large 2.5” shock bodies increase fluid capacity for smoother, cooler running shocks
Fully rebuildable, serviceable and tunable
100% Bolt-on installation
Accommodates larger tire/wheel combinations
Extended Remote Reservoir Coilover Kits require a UCA

Optimized for Extreme Off-Road Handling and Performance

Have you ever thought about casually driving up a mountain? We certainly have. There are a lot of coilover options that can perform well against jagged roads and rough terrain, but none can hold a candle to the extreme handling and performance capabilities offered by King Off-Road Coilover Kits and Shocks. For starters, installing either the rear or front-end King coilover kits grants your truck with an impressive 15%-30% increased wheel travel, in turn saving you money in the long run! Using the combined powers of its high-grade material construction and progressive valving, a kit such as the 19-22 Ram 1500 King 2.5 Extended R.R Coilover Kit w/ Adjuster (Front Pair) will enable you to live out your adrenaline fueled dreams of dominating any off-road landscape. All King Off-Road kits are stress-tested using brutal real world conditions and lab-controlled dynamometer testing. With a King Coilover Kit installed, Ram 1500 owners won't have to worry about losing their rebounding/dampening control. Instead, you can focus on the making your off-road adventures exciting.

Notable Features:

15-30% Increased wheel travel
Stress-tested using brutal real world conditions and lab-controlled Dynamometer testing

What about FOX and ICON?

When talking about coilovers and which brand is better, the conversation revolves around King Off-Road, FOX suspension and ICON. To better understand the variation between all three, we can compare the valving found on the aforementioned brands. To start, FOX suspension offers linear valving and lighter springs. This translates to noticeably smoother street comfort at the expense of some off-road capability (i.e off-road absorption). ICON kits on the other hand, tend to utilize digressive valving that results in greater impact absorption at the expense of street comfort. In other words, those that are looking to drive through terrain that involves steep drops and uneven terrain will have a better time using ICON coilover kits. King Off-Road uses progressive valving that incorporates a bit of both by offering a smooth street ride and capable handling in the off-road landscape. King Off-Road works as a fine middle ground between FOX and ICON, so long as the kits the tuning and methodology is done correctly and bottoming is well controlled.

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, King Off-Road offers Ram 1500 owners the option to fine tune their kits to match their conditions without sacrificing much. From its construction, features, and general durability, King Off-Road has established itself as one of the top dogs in the coilover space. With that said, there are a myriad of excellent options out in the market that offer different benefits and features. As always, you can always check out the leveling kits and coilover packages we offer here at Stage 3 Motorsports. Did we miss something? Have thoughts of your own? Comment down below some of your thoughts and let us know!

Stage 3's 2022 Memorial Day Sale! Up to 15% Off Select Brands!

Fri, 27 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

There's nothing better than spending your Memorial Day weekend hanging out with your family, enjoying the summer outdoors, and picking up some Ford, Toyota, or Ram truck parts and accessories from Stage 3. That is, unless, you're getting big discounts on those parts and accessories. Welcome to Stage 3's 2022 Memorial Day Sale! We're offering up to 15% off some of our favorite brands, and 10% off just about all the rest when you use our FLAG2022 discount code! Get 15% off BDS Suspension, Zone Off-Road, and JKS Manufacturing! Use our FLAG2022 Code for 10% discounts on 5-Star Tuning, UPR Products, Addictive Desert Designs, Yukon Gear & Axle, and many more! These deals end Tuesday, May 31st, so don't delay!

Before you Buy: 2016-2022 Tacoma Rough Country Bumper Breakdown

Fri, 27 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

The newest version of Rough Country's Front Bumper is finally here for the 2016-2022 Tacoma, and you can get your hands on one of them right here at Stage 3 Motorsports! Rough Country is known for their premium lift kits and off-road products that provide impressive utility to any truck, and their new Hybrid Front Bumpers are certainly no different. 18 different variations of this bumper were released, so it can be a bit confusing trying find the right bumper for your truck's specific build. Luckily for you, we'll be covering the differences between each kit and why you may want one package over another. Each one of these bumper's has their own unique accessories that come standard in the kit including winch and lighting options, giving you total control over how your truck will look and perform. Continue reading to find which 2016-2022 Tacoma Front Bumper best fits your truck's specific setup and build!

2016-2022 Tacoma Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper: Standard vs. High-Clearance

Two major versions separate the Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumpers: Standard and High-Clearance. To make it easy, in this section we'll be covering the base models of both versions to give you a better understanding on the major differences between each unit. The base models don't come with any accessories like lighting and winch options, but they are the most affordable in their own rights. The standard version of the Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper offers your Tacoma superior front-end protection and a unique appearance that will be sure to turn some heads. This particular bumper utilizes a low-profile design that perfectly contours the body lines of your truck, allowing for a perfect fitment and killer good looks that you'll be sure to love. The standard version installs in conjunction with your truck's factory front bumper, giving you more protection for applications on and off-road. This is the type of bumper that is perfect for those looking to take on the trails head-on with more peace of mind knowing your valuable front-end is protected from any unnecessary off-road bumps and bruises. While you won't gain any additional clearance for off-road adventures with the standard version, it won't limit your truck's capabilities either. Similar in style and appearance, the Rough Country Hybrid High-Clearance Front Bumper takes things up a notch by incorporating high-clearance wings into the design of the unit. This allows for higher approach angles for much-needed clearance when facing more demanding terrain. This eye-catching bumper also features high sweeping angles and stylish good looks for an exterior look that will be sure to set your Tacoma apart from the rest of the pack. The high-clearance design will also help those who partake in steep adventures like rock and hill climbing, making sure you won't come home with a banged-up front-end. Both the high-clearance and standard version of Rough Country's Hybrid Front Bumper also come standard with a Pre-Runner guard that keeps your grille protected from flying road debris when you're out an about. Nearly identical in all other aspects, either of these bumper's will suit Tacomas for both work and play. Each option comes standard with a winch mounting plate, D-Ring Mounts, D-Rings, high-strength steel construction, and a premium black finish to top off this highly-affordable and effective front bumper.

2016-2022 Tacoma Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper: Lighting & Winch Options

By laying down the groundwork, we can now explore the different variations that this kit features to help you push your Tacoma's functionality even further. Both the standard and high-clearance versions feature identical accessories options, so just know these will be available for either unit. Long story short, you'll have the choice of between two different lighting accessories and two different winches. While neither of these are required, you can mix and match these options to your desired look and function. The two LED Light bar options are quite similar as each bumper can be configured with either the Rough Country Black Series 20" LED Light Bar or the Rough Country Black Series 20" LED Light Bar with DRL. You can take a peek at how these might look by checking out the Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper w/ LED Light Bar or the Rough Country High-Clearance Front Bumper w/ LED Light Bar. The light bar installs in the bumper's center cutout and produces and impressive 7200 lumens of lighting power, so you'll be sure to see just about every part of the trail on your next outing. You can choose to spend a bit more cash to get the DRL version of this light bar with as it creates a unique appeal for both day and night time driving. Daytime running lights are more of an aesthetic upgrade when it comes to off-road light mounts, so you won't lack any performance by going with the standard light bar. Moving on to the winches, these bumper's were specifically designed to accommodate Rough Country's PRO Series winches. As a quick side note, if you decide to purchase one of the bumper's without a winch, we carry the entire lineup of Rough Country's winches right here at Stage 3 , just in case you change your mind. Getting back on track, these bumpers can be outfitted with either the Rough Country PRO9500S Winch or the Rough Country PRO12000S Winch. Both of these winches are designed for the toughest adventures with the 9500S featuring a 9,500lb rated line pull, and the 12000S featuring a 12,000lb rated line pull – pretty simple. The steel cable in each of these winches offers increased durability and ruggedness for even your roughest journeys. With a simple installation, operation and powerful design, this is the perfect winch for both novice and expert trail blazers. Every and all of these accessories can be configured to your liking, and you can check out what the bumper would look like with just a winch by checking out the Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper w/ PRO9500S Winch and Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper w/ PRO12000S Winch. We have each bumper option linked below to make it easy to find what you're specifically looking for.

2016-2022 Tacoma Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper: How it Stacks Up vs. Competitors

The 2016-2022 Rough Country Hybrid Front Bumper is sort of a one stop shop for anybody looking for a premium off-road bumper. There are still tons of options out there for your truck, so we'll be covering how this particular bumper stacks up against comparable options. One that immediately comes to mind would be the Road Armor Stealth Front Winch Bumper as it features accommodations for auxiliary lighting and a winch rated up to 12,000 pounds. Before adding on any of Road Armor's lighting or winch options to this bumper, this unit is more than twice as expensive as one of the Rough Country Base Model Hybrid Bumpers. To be fair, Road armor does utilize a stronger steel construction with a 5-Stage powder-coat finish, but at such a steep price point it doesn't make sense for anybody on a strict budget. Another feasible option would be the Fab Fours Ultra Light Hybrid Bumper as it is winch ready for a 10,000lb winch and can accommodate a 30" light bar compared to Rough Country's 20-inch LED light bar. While this unit still features a higher price, it's value comes from the durable, yet lightweight design that will prevent a nose down appearance for your truck with enough protection for even the toughest environments. You'll also be able to slap on additional cube lights to this bumper, which never hurts when you find yourself on those dark and desolate trails. If you're looking to save the absolute most amount of money, you can always invest in the Tacoma Body Armor HiLine Series Front Bumper. While this bumper doesn't feature the most innovative design on the market, it's simple construction and appearance allows for an affordable price. You'll still be able to slap on an LED light bar and 10,000lb winch, giving you additional functionality and utility for different types of off-road applications. These three other bumpers feature their own quirks, functionality and style, but it's tough to say no to everything the Rough Country Hybrid Bumper has to offer. We can't recommend these bumpers enough, especially with their more than fair price point and killer good looks. You won't go wrong by picking up any of one of these bumper's, so check out the entire lineup below to find out which one best fit your Tacoma!

Final Thoughts

After everything we've covered, we hope you realize what kind of deal you're getting by picking up any of the Rough Country Hybrid Bumpers for your 2016-2022 Tacoma. Rough Country does a lot of things right, and it's no mystery why they've been able to build and uphold their brand and reputation for so many years. We hope you liked what you saw in this post, so if you're planning to pick up any one of these variations, or you had any additional questions about what was covered today, please feel free to let us know in the comment section down below!

2016-2022 Toyota Tacoma Rough Country Hybrid Bumpers:

Before you Buy: 2016-2022 Tacoma Headlight Breakdown!

Sun, 22 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

The 2016-2022 Tacoma isn't necessarily known for it's impressive lighting capabilities, and for good reason. In general, the new Tacoma's still sport weak headlight bulbs from the factory that aren't the best choice for the more aggressive applications many off-road enthusiasts have in mind. In this article, we'll be covering the differences between halogen and LED Headlight Bulbs and taking a look at why you may want to choose any of our aftermarket options over your stock components. No two aftermarket headlights are built the same, which is why we've laid out some of our favorite picks for your truck along with all the unique features that come with them. We offer headlights from well-known brands like ANZO, Morimoto, AlpahaRex, and more to help you upgrade your truck with the best 2016-2022 Tacoma Headlights possible!

2016-2022 Tacoma Aftermarket Headlights: Halogen vs. LED

The newest generation of Tacomas are quite the adventure vehicles, and when you're out having a day of off-road fun in your truck, time has a way of just slipping by. When the sun starts to set, you shouldn't have to rely on your factory headlights navigating you back to camp. Aside from the TRD and TRD Pro models, your truck is likely sporting halogen facotry headlight bulbs that are much weaker than the aftermarket bulbs we offer here at Stage 3. Halogen bulbs are not always a bad choice; however, as we'll be covering the 2016-2022 Tacoma ANZO Plank Style Projector Headlights as a formidable choice for your truck, featuring halogen bulbs in their construction. It ultimately comes down to the amount of illumination being pushed out of the halogen bulb, and the type of lenses and optics used that will affect the way your headlights look and perform. Halogen bulbs were initially created as a more economical solution to basic incandescent bulbs and are great for those looking for an upgrade on a budget. While halogen bulbs are more "basic" than upgraded LEDs, they'll certainty improve your truck's visibility when paired the with the proper headlight components, but we'll get to that later. Moving on to LEDs, these will offer your Tacoma some of the best illumination with a longer lifespan to ensure you won't miss a beat the next time you're out on the trails. In general, LED lights will outperform any halogen and incandescent lights for impressive illumination, but that certainty comes with a price. While an LED upgrade may dent your wallet a bit more, you'll gain a sharper light cutoff, superior distance illumination, and an overall cleaner look to the front-end of your truck. LED lights are certainty the more modern upgrade you can make on your truck, and it's no secret that that they're a popular choice among many of those looking for a light upgrade. In just a moment, we'll be reviewing some different headlight options that you can upgrade your truck with, so if you're not looking for a set of complete replacements, you can always check out our 2016-2022 Tacoma LED Bulb Upgrades for a simple and affordable improvement to your truck.

2016-2022 Tacoma Headlight Options

While the list of aftermarket headlights for the 2016-2022 Tacoma is nearly endless, we've selected four of our favorites to show off to you. Starting out, we'll take a look at the previously mentioned 2016-2022 Tacoma ANZO Halogen Plank Style Projector Headlights. The ANZO Plank Style Projector Headlights are among some of the most affordable replacement units we offer here at Stage 3 but will still pack a punch when you're out on the trails. These headlights feature projector lenses that contain a steel bowl with mirrors to act as reflectors, and an additional lens that act as a magnifying glass, ultimately increasing the brightness of the light beam for an improved and clearer output. Projectors also feature better light focus over stock reflectors, creating a more intense and focused beam where you need it most. This allows the more basic halogen bulbs to shine and appear brighter with less light being wasted in multiple different directions. Highly effective and highly affordable, these are a great choice for anyone looking for a boost in lighting performance and capabilities without compromise. Moving on to the Morimoto XB LED Projector Headlights, these units incorporate the projector lens technology featured in the ANZO headlights along with premium LED lights for a night-and-day improvement to your truck. Not only do these headlights utilize LEDs, cut they also utilize a bi-LED setup that results in more light output for the high and low beam projectors. You'll also have your choice between different Daytime Running Lights (DRL), which are simply an aesthetic improvement when your truck is out on the road. DRL's will also alert other motorists of your location sooner than your factory lights, helping both you and everyone else out on the road. Morimoto takes pride in their premium construction and quality LED functionality, so it's always a safe bet to choose them for all your lighting needs.

One of our more popular headlight options for the 2016-2022 Tacoma is the AlphaRex NOVA-Series LED Projector Headlights as they come with three different styling options including, Alpha-Black, Black, and Chrome. Each colorway has its own unique and distinct look, but they all feature the same signature lenses and construction for a sleek and aggressive look that will be sure to turn some heads. The AlphaRex NOVA's feature their own unique Ice Cube 3D Lens Projectors that uses powerful Osram Oslon Black Flat LED chips to provide outstanding performance in any situation. AlphaRex's Ice Cube 3D projector is a patented design that lets the headlight look good from every angle, giving the lens an "ice cube" effect that will be sure to turn some heads the next time you get behind the wheel. Moreover, these headlights come standard with a signature light activation feature that creates an awesome aesthetic each time you lock or unlock your Tacoma. The light's anti-fog lenses and polycarbonate construction ensures lasting performance and functionality, making these a premium upgrade to any Tacoma. Last but certainly not least, we'll be checking out the newest headlights to hit the market for the 2016-2022 Tacoma, the Form Sequential LED Projector Headlights. These lights feature triple projectors with bi-LED units, providing both high and low beam illumination in a complete package. The hallmark feature on these headlights is the sequential turn signal functions that that activates across the top of the DRL in a smooth, chasing sequence for a unique appeal each time you make a turn. When you're finished making your turn, the lights automatically switch back to the bright white DRL without ever flickering or failing. These headlights are sort of the middle ground between a basic halogen upgrade and complete LED upgrade, offering a ton of features at a more wallet-friendly price. Each one of these headlights come with the necessary connectors, plugs and hardware, making installation a breeze no matter which option you choose from.

Final Thoughts

We understand that finding the right headlight upgrade is never the easiest choice, especially in the sea of aftermarket performance parts for your Tacoma. We hoped we helped you figure out what you need to be looking for to fit your truck's specific style and build. You can always check out our entire selection of 2016-2022 Tacoma Headlights to find the perfect fit for you. If you're planning to purchase any one of these headlight upgrades for your truck, or have any questions about the parts talked about in this post, please feel free to let us know in the comments down below.

2016-2022 Tacoma Headlight Breakdown Kits:

Before you Buy: 2021-2022 Bronco Bestop Trektop!

Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

If you have driven around and gotten the feel for your new 2021-2022 Ford Bronco, you likely are aware of some of the undesirable features of the factory soft top. The side sections above the doors are rather loose, which can cause air to flow underneath the edges causing an annoying whipping sound. You are likely well aware of this if you drive often in areas with high wind conditions. Once the factory top begins to start stretching overtime from normal sun exposure, this issue could get much worse with a much louder flapping sound. Then, there are the rear side windows. While the rest of your factory windows are perfectly smooth glass, these windows are made of a flexible material that looks wavy and loose. There is no way of tightening them within Ford's design, which leaves you having to live with this blemish. Lucky for all you Bronco owners out there, Bestop saw this coming. They have developed the answer to both of these issues with their new Bestop Trektop Soft Top. It is one of the many premium Bronco 4-Door Soft Tops and Bronco 2-Door Soft Tops in our catalog at Stage 3.

Bestop Trektop's Improvements Over 2021-2022 Bronco Factory Soft Top

After watching the installation video, you will see that the Bestop Black Twill Trektop for Soft Top does in fact create a tighter seal on those side sections as well as makes the rear side windows look more like the other factory windows. However, that is not all this soft top is made of. There are plenty of unique and desirable features to note when comparing it against other Bronco 4-Door Soft Tops and Bronco 2-Door Soft Tops. As far as the look and fit, the Bestop Trektop sits tight to the Bronco body which allows for elimination of that annoying flapping sound. You get a quiet, smooth ride no matter if the wind is whipping 40mph or it is completely calm. This soft top model is available in a vinyl material which is the same as the factory, but as you saw in the installation video, the twill option offers a much more refined appearance that combined with the smoother windows creates an elevated factory look. There is no big change in the overall aesthetic of the soft topped equipped Bronco.

Vinyl or Twill Options for 2021-2022 Bronco Bestop Trektop

The Bestop Trektop features two different material options that both have the same great soft top functionality. The feel and looks of each of these options differ slightly from one to the other. The first option is the Bronco 4-Door Bestop Vinyl Trektop Soft Top or Bronco 2-Door Bestop Vinyl Trektop Soft Top depending on what model Bronco you have. This vinyl fabric matches the factory material perfectly and provides a much more refined version of the factory look. The premium Black Diamond vinyl fabric may look like the factory material, but upon further inspection and feel you will see that it is much softer and smoother. Your other option and our preferred choice is the Bronco 4-Door Bestop Black Twill Trektop for Soft Top or Bronco 2-Door Bestop Black Twill Trektop for Soft Top. This material has the same soft feel, with a much improved look that differs enough from the factory looks to offer a more noticeable upgrade. There is not a huge change from the factory looks, but enough to highlight the premium quality for others to appreciate about your Bronco build.

All-Weather Construction of 2021-2022 Bronco Bestop Trektop Soft Top

Some aftermarket soft tops out there are better for certain situations over others, but that is not the case with the Bestop Trektop Soft Top. Bestop designed these Bronco soft tops to be the last one you will ever have to buy. They are built to provide proper coverage no matter what the weather conditions you run into. The versatility of Bestop's soft tops has been what has kept them at the top of this industry for as long as they have. If you are an avid adventurer, this all-weather construction will be your saving grace when you eventually run into some gnarly weather. The tight seal of this soft top does not allow any air to flow through the crevices, which not only stops that annoying whistling sound that we mentioned earlier, but allows for insulation of cold air when you are out in the desert and insulation of warm air when you are out in the tundra.

Notable Features of the 2021-2022 Bronco Bestop Trektop Soft Top

There is no one best way to have your Bestop Trektop Soft Top configured when you are out on the road. There are multiple different open-air configurations that you can adjust through to get the most optimal coverage for the most comfortable ride. During the summer months, everyone loves the top-down configuration. However, intense sun exposure can hinder your vision on the road or be potentially damaging to your skin. The trektop allows you to configure it in the best way to provide optimal shade to allow for the best visibility, sun protection, and ride comfortability. The tinted window design of this soft top also helps with that protection against the sun. These windows work seamlessly with factory Bronco doors and allow the rear tailgate to open without interference from the rear window panel. Customizing your Bronco ride is fantastic, but the awesome features do not stop there. On the inside of the Trektop, there is an overhead map pocket and other storage pockets that offer a unique storage addition to be utilized in whatever way you see fit. These storage spaces are great for having smaller items within arms reach including a physical map for the times that you take the wrong turn and your GPS is not coming to the rescue.

Last Thoughts:

As you dive further into your search for the perfect Bronco soft top, you should use a quality soft top like this one as your mark of what makes a premium aftermarket soft top. If you do end up choosing the Bestop Trektop, we do recommend that you go with the twill option, although the vinyl option does not lack in quality. As you could see from the installation video, the twill material looks really sharp on the Bronco 4-Door. There are none of the wrinkles that were present with the factory material offering a much cleaner look. When installing, the fit is rather tight at first, but as you get more miles on it, it should expand slightly and become a little easier to remove and reinstall. The slantback look of the Trektop is one that you often find on Jeep soft tops, but there is a question whether it suits the Bronco body style. Comment below whether you like the slantback style or the more traditional squared-off style better on the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco. If this style is not for you, check out the rest of our high-quality Bronco 4-Door Soft Tops and Bronco 2-Door Soft Tops in our catalog.

Before you Buy: Hybrid or R/T Tires Breakdown II: 2022 Electric Boogaloo!

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

In the days of myths and legend, before the plague times in 2019, a wizened scribe wrote a historical epic digging deep into Hybrid Terrain Tires and why you may want to put them on your truck. A lot has changed in the nearly three years since that article came out in regards to hybrid tires. We've seen one of our most beloved Hybrid Tires get discontinued (RIP Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3), but we've also seen a lot more hybrid tires released. What's more interesting is that the line between Hybrid tires and "aggressive" all-terrain tires has gotten a lot more blurry, and many manufacturers are forgoing more classic All-Terrain designs for tread patterns with larger tread blocks, bigger voids, and chunkier shoulders than they had in the past. It's almost as if the first generation of Hybrid Terrain Tires (Baja ATZ, Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, Toyo Open Country R/Ts, Nitto Ridge Grapplers, etc.) have shifted the window on the entire light truck tire market in a pretty big way. If that is the case, what even is a hybrid tire in the year of our Lord 2022, and how do you find the right one for your truck?

What is a Hybrid Tire or R/T Tire, Anyway?

While what tire qualifies as a hybrid has gotten a bit more murky, the general definition still stands: a hybrid tire or a R/T (meaning "rugged terrain") is a light truck tire that bridges the gap between a traditional All-Terrain and a traditional Mud-Terrain to give you a smoother street ride than an M/T tire while providing more traction off-road than an A/T tire. The US Tire Manufacturer Association still doesn't have a "technical" definition of what constitutes a Hybrid-terrain tire, but the goal is to have something to bridge the gulf between A/Ts and M/Ts for something a bit more balanced. Granted, that gulf seems to have gotten a lot narrower with some of the newer All-Terrain tire options out on the market (i.e. the Toyo Open Country A/T III and the Nitto Recon Grappler A/T), but generally, Hybrid tires use a fairly tight, A/T-style interior tread pattern that's paired with M/T-style shoulders to give you the best of both worlds. Hybrid tires are still a great choice for a lot of applications, especially for weekend warriors that spend equal time on the street as they do out in the bush, but even hybrid tires exist on a bit of a spectrum.

Types of Hybrid Terrain Tires

Per usual, tire taxonomy can never be easy, and Hybrid tires have a bit of range of designs from versions that are more A/T skewed to Hybrid tires that are a bit more skewed toward M/Ts without actually being one or the other. While I wouldn't consider any version better than another, your choice will really depend on what you're doing with your truck and how quiet you want it on the street versus how much traction you need off-road.

Hybrid tires that are closer to the All-Terrain side of things include tires like the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T, and Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP. All of these tires have interior tread patterns that are ripped off of an A/T tire, but they do feature much bigger shoulders and wider tread voids than you'd usually find on a typical All-Terrain. Despite the demise of the Baja ATZ, our dear friends over at Mickey Thompson have literally doubled down on their Hybrid Terrain lineup with two new sets of tires. The Baja Boss A/T is especially interesting with its asymmetric tread pattern and its more aggressive sidewall than the outgoing Baja ATZ, while the Baja Legend EXP has a more traditional design, but still has pretty big shoulders paired with an A/T style interior tread to provide fairly smooth and cozy on-pavement driving. One of the Hybrid Tire OGs, and one of Stage 3's collective favorite tires is the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. A/T3Ws have made it on to more than a few of our project truck builds over the years, and I'm still running the same set on my 2011 F150 XL, and they have a good amount of wear left in them. The A/T3Ws have a great street ride and do well off-road in nearly any condition. As much as we got hate for the blind praise we showered on them in our review video, but we don't have much to complain about. If I have a minor gripe, it's that their sidewalls aren't the most aggressive things in the world, but I'm a function over form type of guy, anyway. Granted, we haven't tried either of Mickey Thompson's new hybrid tires, so maybe we'll crown a new king.

Hybrid tires that are closer to Mud-Terrain tires include the Nitto Ridge Grappler and the Toyo Open Country R/T. Both of these tires have been around a while, and we've tested them both on a couple of our project trucks in the past. The Ridge Grappler especially is a bit more skewed to the M/T side of things and comes with HUGE shoulder lugs that are literally copy/pasted off of Nitto's Trail Grapplers, while the interior tread is a bit more aggressive than a lot of All-Terrain tires, but still doesn't quite reach M/T level of chonk. While this more aggressive pattern does give you pretty excellent traction off-road, it does result in more road noise, so that's something to keep in mind. The Toyo Open Country R/Ts aren't quite as mean as the Nitto Ridge Grapplers, but they do have very large shoulder blocks and a unique "chevron-style" interior tread that's very different from the rest of Toyo's Open Country lineup. Granted, different isn't necessarily bad, and the R/Ts ride very well on the road, but still have good grip off-road. In our experience, the R/Ts do need to be aired down a bit in order to get the most out of those shoulder lugs in the dirt, but that's a fairly small price to pay.

What about "Aggressive" All-terrain Tires?

As we've demonstrated, Hybrid-Terrain or Rugged-Terrain tires haven't really changed much over the years and are still great options for anyone who needs more that a classic All-Terrain, but doesn't want to deal with the headaches of a true Mud-Terrain Tire. However, some newer All-Terrain tires have kind of blurred the lines a bit between themselves and Hybrids, and they may be a good choice if you're not going too crazy with your off-road adventures. The main "culprits" here are the Nitto Recon Grappler A/Ts and the Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs. The Recon Grapplers especially are a pretty aggressive jump over the Nitto Terra Grappler G2s, and their design is VERY close to the style of the Falken A/T3W. Now, this was probably due to the fact that Nitto Ridge Grappler is pretty aggressive for a Hybrid-Terrain, and the Nitto Trail Grappler is one of the more aggressive M/Ts, so this may be Nitto just skewing its whole lineup up a bit. The Open Country A/T III is an interesting iteration on Toyo's A/Ts, and while its interior tread is still very much in the style of an All-Terrain tire, it's shoulder blocks are noticeably larger than the Open Country A/T IIs.

You can also make the argument that the Falken A/T3W is now an "All-Terrain", considering that Falken has discontinued the A/T-01s, leaving only the A/T3Ws and the Wildpeak M/Ts. However, the A/T3Ws are much closer in design to other Hybrid tires, and there's a (slim) possibility that Falken may release a "true" A/T tire in the future.

Which Hybrid Tire is Best?

Per usual, which hybrid tire is "best" really depends on what you're doing with your truck and what kind of off-road driving you're planning to do. As we've stated, we're pretty big fans of the Falken Wildpeak A/T3Ws, and they're excellent options for basically any truck from mid-size to big, full-size diesel trucks. If you're going to be off-road in fairly sticky and muddy conditions on the regular, then going with a more aggressive Hybrid like the Nitto Ridge Grappler or Toyo R/T may be your best bet. That being said, I'm personally digging the new Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T and would love to try it out personally.

Final Thoughts

Just like any other segment in the aftermarket parts industry, Hybrid Tires have continued to evolve over the years, and now there's more options than ever. However, with a new generation of All-Terrains coming to the forefront, the line between Hybrids and A/Ts has gotten a bit thinner. Even with these new A/T options, there's still a pretty big gap between A/Ts and M/Ts, and Hybrid truck tires fill a pretty big niche where nothing existed before. Are there any Hybrid tires out there that we missed? Which set of Hybrids are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Before You Buy: Power Stop Brakes For 2019-2022 New Body Style Ram 1500s

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

Having a good set of brakes on your Ram 1500 is paramount to drivability and safety. With the plethora of options and components that make up a quality brake system, it can be challenging to narrow down which brand is best suited to your needs. Fortunately, Power Stop has all of your bases covered by offering best-in-class Z17, Z23, and Z36 series brake pads, precision-drilled rotors, and even full kits. Whether you're looking to overhaul your Ram 1500's brakes or replace a few worn parts, all Z-Series components are designed to make even the slightest tap against your brake pedal a smooth and performance-driven experience. Here is Stage 3 Motorsports' deep dive into Power Stop's Z-Series brakes and their defining features!

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Power Stop Brakes: The Z17 Series

The Z17 Series is what you would come to expect when you're looking good quality stock brakes. The Z17 series is well-suited for those who rely on their Ram 1500 as their day-to-day vehicle and are looking for an affordable option for brake replacement. While its composition and design mimic that of your factory-issued brakes, the real game changers are found in its use of durable materials, low-dust ceramic formulas, and overall construction process. As an example, we can look to the Z17 Evolution Front Brake Pads. There are a lot of things going for the Z17 that Ram 1500's owners will love. This includes its chamfered/slotted design and dual-layered rubberized shims for noise-free breaking along with a ceramic low-dust formula that keeps your wheels free of unsightly brake dust. The Z17 series parts also come with premium stainless steel hardware for a hassle-free installation. Similarly, the Z17 Evolution Rear Brake Pads, utilize the same materials and features, making these stock replacement parts more capable than your run-of-the-mill brake parts. Those who regularly use their Ram 1500s for general commutes and require an affordable replacement option can look to the Z17 series stands as great stock replacement brakes.

Product Features:

Affordable and great for daily-driving
Chamfered and Slotted
Fade-free performance
Better noise insulator for silent braking

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Power Stop Brakes: The Z23 Series

The Z23 series is a noticeable step up from its predecessor, the Z17 series. Fitted with advanced features, the Z23 also acts as a great upgrade or replacement to your factory brakes in every way. From overall stopping power to noise-free breaking, the Z23 takes all the best qualities of the Z17 and upgrades all fronts. The Z23 series brakes are best utilized for Ram 1500 owners who strive for long lasting brakes and sport-like performance on the road. This is evidenced in the Full Set Z23 Evolution Brake Upgrade Kit which uses upgraded components and precision detail to deliver a new level of braking power. With all of the same general features as the Z17 such as the noise free braking and improved stopping power, The Z23 series takes everything another step further with its improved carbon-fiber reinforced ceramic brake pads, silver zinc-plating, rounded slots and beveled drill holes. In return, Ram 1500s with the Z23 get fade-free braking, cleaner wheels, impenetrable corrosion resistance, optimized rotor cooling and smoother braking. Whether you're looking to swap out your front-end, rear-end, or completely overhaul your brakes, the Z23 series stands as a great option for Ram 1500 owners looking to add a layer of performance and durability to their stopping power.

Product Features:

Virtually silent braking and greater noise insulation
Enhanced braking with reinforced carbon-fiber ceramic brake pads
Corrosion Resistance
Cleaner wheels and maximum rotor cooling from rounded slots

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Power Stop Brakes: The Z36 Series

For Ram 1500s that work and play hard, there is no better choice than the severe-duty brakes found in the Z36 series. Designed to handle everything from towing heavy payloads to serious off-roading excursions, the Z36 is the upgrade that brings your Ram 1500's overall braking power to its maximum potential. Fitted with all of the best in class features such as the aforementioned carbon-fiber brake pads, rounded slots, and corrosion resistance found in the Z23, The Z36 takes it all to a greater level of braking performance. This series further improves all elements of the Z23 and replaces its dual-layered rubberized shims with stainless steel, giving it severe-duty heat dissipation and virtually vibration/noise free braking. Doing some serious off-road treks and towing heavy cargo requires brakes that are also good at dissipating heat. The drilled and slotted hole design allows for maximum heat dissipation, a critical feature when driving up a mountain or coming to a stop with a heavy payload in tow. Whether you've been looking to upgrade your front-end brakes, rear-end brakes, or overhaul your brakes entirely with the Z36 has your heavy-duty braking needs covered.

Product Features:

Stainless steel shims
Corrosion resistance and maximum rotor cooling
Perfect for heavy payloads and towing
Designed to handle extreme off-roading adventures

Final Thoughts:

At the end of the day, making sure your Ram 1500 brakes are performing optimally is imperative to driving performance. As you dive deeper into brakes, rotors, and kits, it is important to note if the brakes are well suited to your needs. If you're sticking with Power Stop, the Z17, Z23, and Z36 options are all dependent on how you utilize your Ram 1500. If you're looking for a nice middle ground between upgraded stock performance that can handle its weight in the occasional camping trip, we recommend the Z23. From its stylish silver corrosion resistant sheen to its improved braking power, the Z23 acts as a great performance replacement or upgrade that can handle your everyday needs.

Top Mods: Top 5 New Parts for 2022 Tundras

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

The new 2022 Tundra commenced the third generation of Tundras and represents the end of an era, at least for Toyota. This means that every performance part and accessory that fit the 2nd gen 2014-2021 Tundra won't fit these new and updated trucks. We're just now starting to see some of the new 2022 Tundra Performance Upgrades hit the market, allowing you to finally modify and improve your truck's functionality and stye. In this article, we're going to be covering the top 5 mods that you can install on your Tundra including upgrades like leveling kits, tonneau covers, cold air intakes, bed racks, and wheels to ensure your truck will be running at it's best.

2022 Tundra Leveling Kits

A common upgrade among many pickup owners is the addition of an aftermarket suspension leveling kit, and it's no different with the new Tundra on the block. You have may noticed the front of your truck sits a bit lower than the rear, creating a nose-down appearance that leaves a lot to be desired. Leveling kits are the perfect solution to this as level out the front of your truck with the rear, providing a more aggressive looking stance that will certainty make a difference. Additionally, you gain some extra ground clearance to avoid the larger obstacles you come across on your off-road adventures. Many of these kits will even accommodate for larger tire/wheel combinations, helping you further transform your Tundra into a formidable off-road machine. We carry everything from basic leveling spacers to complete coilover kits, and with new parts and accessories dropping every day, we're sure you'll find the 2022 Tundra Leveling Kit that fits you best right here at Stage 3.

Our personal choice for the top 2022 Tundra leveling kits is the "ICON Stage 1 Suspension Package. This kit includes (2) 2.5 EXP front shocks adjustable from 0-2.5" of lift, and (2) 2.0 Aluminum Rear Shocks adjustable from 0-1" of lift to level out your truck's stance and provide impressive off-road capabilities to any Tundra. ICON designed their Stage 1 package for any budget, allowing even the occasional adventurer to benefit from improved suspension performance without compromise. Both the front and rear shocks featured in this kit have an increase in position size and shock oil volume for faster heat dissipation over stock. This permits you to tackle more demanding off-road trails while retaining your truck's factory ride quality and comfort on smooth city streets. Additionally, with these shocks and struts installed, you can slap on up to massive 35" tires to help you truly set your truck apart from the rest of the pack. Specifically tailored to your 2022 Tundra, you'll be able to sit higher, adventure longer, and explore more thanks to the precise and hardcore engineering of these suspension components. ICON is known for manufacturing some of the highest-quality suspension components to touch the aftermarket, so put your trust in them to start hitting the trails in style with more peace of mind knowing your truck is more than capable.

2022 Tundra ICON Stage 1 Suspension Package Features:

2.5 EXP Series Front Coilovers
2.0 Nitrogen-charged monotube rear shocks
Fully rebuildable and re-valvable
Accommodates up to 35" tires
Includes sway bar drop kit
Maintains factory ride quality
Straightforward installation

2022 Tundra Tonneau Covers

Tonneau covers are another great way to squeeze every bit of functionality out of your 2022 Tundra. From keeping your gear protected from inclement weather and would-be thieves, to acting as a personal workspace when you're on the go, 2022 Tundra Tonneau Covers help convert your truck into a complete adventure vehicle. Generally, there are three main categories of truck bed covers: rolling, folding, and retractable. While they're anything but basic, rolling bed covers are typically the most affordable option as they utilize a softer material in order achieve the roll-up effect. Folding tonneaus commonly feature a tri-fold design that allows the user to simply fold back each panel one at a time, securing the cover in either the opened or closed position depending on your specific application. Retractable bed covers make for user-friendly operation, and some even come standard with a wireless key fob and an electric design for hands-free operation. Whatever your desired look or style may be, we're confident we can bridge the gap between you and the best 2022 Tundra Tonneau Covers on the market.

Without a doubt, my favorite pick for the new 2022 Tundra is the BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover. Ready for both 5.5ft and 6.ft beds, the 2022 Tundra 5.5ft Bed BAKFlip MX4 Tonneau Cover and 2022 Tundra 6.5ft Bed BAKFlip MX4 Tonneau Cover has everything you'll ever need to start adventuring like a pro, no matter what you and your truck get up to. The cover features a convenient tri-fold design that can be operated from either side of your truck's bed, and provides you with complete bed access without requiring removal of the unit. Furthermore, this cover features a low-profile and flush mount appeal that adds a sleek and integrated look to your Tundra's exterior. This results in improved aerodynamics for increased fuel economy thanks to the cover's fine engineering and design. The dual-action tailgate seal, corner caps, and soft seals around the cover come together to provide impressive weather resistance in even the worst environments, keeping your stuff clean and dry until you've reached your destination and back. What's more, this cover features a 400lb weight rating that allows the cover to act as a temporary work station or staging table when you're on the go. Versatility in the name of the game when it comes to the BAKFlip MX4, so pick one up today to make your everyday drives and weekend adventures that much more enjoyable.

2022 Tundra BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Features:

Durable aluminum panel construction
Premium matte black finish
Dual-action tailgate seal
Provides 100% bed access
Finished corner caps with soft seals
Rated for 400lbs of evenly distributed weight

2022 Tundra Cold Air Intakes

An aftermarket cold air intake can help squeeze out every ounce of power and performance hidden under the hood of your 2022 Tundra. 2022 Tundra Cold Air Intakes work to improve your truck's horsepower, torque, and fuel economy over stock while keeping your engine temps at a controllable level. These aftermarket air intake kits regularly offer packages with either an oiled or dry intake filter, with most being completely serviceable and reusable to last you a lifetime. Cold air intakes will also help you set your truck up for further modifications down the road like upgraded exhaust systems and tuning programmers, helping to push your truck even further down the trail. Unfortunately, those upgrades aren't quite available for your truck just yet, so start with a cold air intake to begin inching towards your dream build.

While our selection for 2022 Tundra cold air intakes may be limited, we still recommend checking out the 2022 Tundra aFe Power Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Pro 5R Filter) or the 2022 Tundra aFe Power Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Pro Dry S Filter). While the only thing that differs between these two options is the type of filter media used, they'll provide your truck with increased performance and power that you can feel. Both the oiled and dry filters on these units are 8" tall radial flow air filters that feature a 3" flange and multiple layers of media for ultimate engine performance and functionality. aFe Power created this system to feature the largest air filter possible which results impressive power gains when you need them most. Furthermore, these particular air intake systems were constructed from a heat-resistant XLPE polymer for maximum strength, and were designed to handle even the roughest driving conditions. These kits are extremely easy to install, and thanks to the patent-pending filter-to-housing interface, this intake minimizes the total number of parts this system requires to make for a simple and straightforward process you can complete in your garage.

2022 Tundra aFe Momentum GT Cold Air Intake System Features:

Increased power & performance for your Tundra's engine
Washable & reusable intake filter
Clear sight window for convenient filter inspection
Premium clamps and silicone couplings
High flowing air for impressive power gains

2022 Tundra Bed Racks

If you want even more cargo carrying capacity and capability out of your Tundra's bed, and aftermarket bed rack is the way to go. Ideally, you want to look for a 2022 Tundra Bed Rack Kit that can provide you with improved functionality without taking away from anything else your truck is capable of. Bed racks are great for mounting larger items like kayaks, coolers, or even roof top tents that would normally take up your truck's precious bed space. Bed racks are also useful for freeing up some more interior space, so you and your passengers can have some extra leg room to enjoy yourselves along the journey. You can even attach accessories to most of these kits to mount up fire extinguishers, gas cans, shovels, and everything else you need to ensure a day of off-road fun. Better yet, most of our bed racks can be easily installed and removed, so you won't have to lug around a rack when it comes to your basic everyday applications.

Give your Tundra awesome cargo capabilities with the RCI Universal 12" Tall Bed Rack. This rack is perfect for both the overland expert and weekend warrior that needs more space to bring along a ton of gear. This rack immediately transforms your Tundra into an expedition-ready cargo system in practically no time, handling just about anything you throw at it. Featuring only a 12" height, this rack keeps itself out of the wind and provides a much more aerodynamic system compared to other systems on the market. Additionally, the RCI bed Rack is built out of 10-gaue steel and comes standard with a satin black powder-coat finish for impressive corrosion resistance and lasting good looks. The upper lateral crossbars on this unit are slotted which makes mounting up a roof top tent extremely easy, no matter what brand you're using. This kit can also be fitted with a secondary lateral bar, providing extra strength for heavy loads. Start adventuring like a pro with this high-quality bed rack system so you can travel further and explore more.

RCI Universal 12" Bed Rack Features:

Heavy-duty low-profile bed rack system
Adjustable width from 54-64"
Universal mounts that accept a ton of accessories
Bolt-on or clamp-on installation
Made in the USA

2022 Tundra Wheels

Here at Stage 3, we're happy announce that the new third generation Tundras switched over 6x139.7mm bolt pattern wheel from the older 5-lug bolt pattern seen on second generation Tundras. Now there's a ton of 2022 Tundra Wheel options you can choose from to help you better customize your build. Wheels and Tires are generally the next step after lifting of leveling your truck, and a set of aftermarket wheels can do a lot for the appearance of your Tundra's exterior. I think we can all agree that one of the first things people notice when checking out your rig is the type of wheel your truck is sporting. If the wheels happen to be less than impressive, chances are those bystanders aren't going to give your truck the time of day. Make sure others notice the time spent you've spent perfecting your build with any of the premium aftermarket wheels we offer here at Stage 3.

My personal favorite for the 2022 Tundra has got to be the Method 315 Matte Black Wheel. This off-road ready yet street legal wheel will provide your truck with an aggressive appearance that will be sure to turn some heads the next time you get behind the wheel. This particular wheel sports a concave center and twelve spokes for a more rugged look compared to any facotry wheels Toyota puts out. The wheel's tough construction minimizes weight and provides increased overall strength, making it ready to handle the abuse of extreme off-road applications. Method's wheel fits right onto your truck's hub for a perfect fitment each time. Manufactured using A356 aluminum, this wheel is durable enough for practically anything and lighter than your original facotry wheel setup. It's only right to pair a wheel as aggressive as this one with some aftermarket tires, so check out some of our premium 2022 Tundra 33" Tires for a complete look on your rig.

6x139.7mm Method 315 Matte Black Wheel Features:

A356 Aluminum with T6 heat treatment
Solid Matte black finsih
off-road ready yet street legal design
Standard 6x139.7mm bolt pattern

Final Thoughts

While there isn't an abundance of 2022 Tundra aftermarket parts and accessories just yet, the few that have been released are about as good as any upgrade is gonna get. We hope this article helped guide you in the right direction for upgrading your Tundra;s overland build, but if you have any questions about the parts talked about today, please feel free to let us know in the comments down below!

Top 5 New 2022 Tundra Parts & Accessories:

Before You Buy: 2019-2022 Ram New Body Tonneau Cover Breakdown!

Fri, 13 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

Ram 1500 owners who have shopped for tonneau covers have probably noticed how challenging and confusing it is to purchase a tonneau cover that is compatible with their truck's bed. Unlike most trucks, the introduction of the Ram Box Models and Multi-Function Tailgates have altered the overall dimensions of the Ram 1500 truck beds. With the plethora of great tonneau options and brands available, it becomes difficult to distinguish which one is best suited to your wants and needs. Finding the tonneau for your Ram 1500 will enhance your truck's overall aesthetic, provide greater security for bed-stowed cargo, and shield said cargo from weather and determined thieves. To help you navigate the endless list of bed covers available to you, we here at Stage 3 Motorsports have got you covered on the three 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Tonneau Covers you can look into to begin your search.

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Rolling Tonneau Covers

Commonly regarded for its affordability, the rolling tonneau covers are a solid option for those who are looking to gain the benefits of a tonneau cover without leaving a black hole in your bank account. Like almost everything, the quality and protection you get from your rolling bed covers can vary depending material construction, additional features, and overall convenience. While most rolling tonneau covers get the job done, its important not to just pick any cover that is compatible with your Ram 1500's truck bed. One example of a solid rolling tonneau cover option is TruXedo's Lo Pro QT Rolling Tonneau Cover. With a foundation built with heavy duty anodized aluminum that is layered with a double coated UV Resistant vinyl, this rolling cover comes in with the durability you will need when traversing through all environments. The Lo Pro QT also comes with a fast and easy one trigger release along with a dynamic self-adjusting tension control that allows the cover to maintain a tight fit to the bed of your truck. Additionally, rolling tonneau covers like the Lo Pro, feature a low-profile design when it is completely rolled against the cab. Unlike its foldable bed cover counterpart, you won't have to sacrifice your rear view mirror when full-bed access is required. Instead, the rolling tonneau sits comfortably against your cab without obstructing road-view. Another worthy note is its spacing! When looking at retractable covers, you will often notice that the canister used to holster the cover takes up necessary bed space. The rolling covers allow you to fully utilize the entirety of your truck bed. With all of these features baked into this cover, surely there is a catch? At a price point of $500+ the rolling cover can certainly raise some eyebrows and have Ram 1500 owners clutching their wallets a little tighter. Covers like the Lo Pro QT are also not the most secure covers for your Ram since vinyl is not as strong or rigid as aluminum slats. While price and protection are paramount factors when determining which upgrade comes next, Ram 1500 owners who select this tonneau cover will be treated to years of solid cargo protection against all manner of weather and environments. To put the price into perspective, most rolling covers can retail on an average of $200-$1,000! The Lo Pro QT takes the best of both vinyl and aluminum tonneaus to create the ideal fusion cover. As such, the price point is a direct reflection of not only the quality, but also the durability, craftsmanship, and additional features that will ensure greater cargo protection for years to come.

Product Specs:

(80 x 9 x 5 x 36) (Length x Width x Height x Weight)
Available for 5.5ft & 6.5ft Beds
Fitted for 19'-22' New Body Style Ram 1500s
Constructed using Heavy-Duty Anodized Aluminum and Double Coated Vinyl

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Folding Tonneau Covers

When greater convenience and high-grade protection are combined, you would get the folding tonneau cover. Distinct in its overall design, most folding tonneau covers utilize a tri-fold design that allows quick and easy access to your truck's cargo within a moment's notice. This is especially helpful for Ram truck owners who are often on their feet for a majority of the day and require a way to access their tools and toys. An important note on folding tonneau covers is that there are two types: Hard-Folding and Soft-Folding covers. Although most folding bed covers strive for good cargo security against determined thieves and weather, not all of them are built with the same standards. However, the BAK MX4 hard folding tonneau cover is a good example of what you should look for in a folding tonneau. The BAK MX4 is a tri-fold cover that can be retracted towards the cab, granting full or partial coverage whenever it is necessary. Constructed using high durability aluminum panels coated with a matte black finish, it is apparent that these tonneau types tend to hold a leg up in overall rigidity and durability. Additionally, folding covers such as the BAK MX4 come with built-in convenience factors such as a dual-action tailgate seal. In short, covers like the BAK MX4 come with universal tailgate features that won't require Ram truck owners to open their tailgates in order to open up their covers. Additionally, BAK MX4's rigid design allows Ram truck owners to put up to 400lbs of topside weight! Hard folding covers are made to provide protection and convenience with every bit and part. So what's the downside? First is the pricing. It is not everyday most folks have a spare $1,000+ dollars lying around waiting to be spend on a truck bed cover. Conversely, when looking at the more affordable soft-folding tonneau covers, you lose some of the security and durability that comes with its hard-folding counterpart. Another con is when full-bed access is required. The BAK MX4 comes with rod sets that allow you to prop your folded tonneau against your rear view mirror. While the cover comes with rubber blockers to prevent cosmetic damage to your cab, the BAK MX4 blocks out your rear view when a full-bed access is required. Despite all of this, Ram 1500 owners can do no wrong in grabbing and installing this hard-folding cover. Acting as a fine middle ground between security and operational convenience, covers like the BAK MX4 will protect your cargo, enhance the look of your Ram 1500, and upgrade your cargo hauling capacity.

Product Specs:

(63 x 21 x 8 x 71) (Length x Width x Height x Weight)
Available for 5.5ft & 6.5ft Beds
Fitted for 19'-22' New Body Style Ram 1500s
Tri-Fold Design made with High Durability Aluminum Panels

2019-2022 Ram 1500 Retractable Tonneau Covers

Out of the two aforementioned tonneau covers, the retractable tonneau cover types are the most durable, best looking, and best-in class when it comes to protection and convenience. With the click of a button, your retractable cover can grant you full or partial bed access in mere moments. Retractable covers offer sleek, flush-fit design, bed access with the click of a button, and the best in class protection that money can buy. Take for example the Retrax Pro XR, a premium end retractable cover constructed with high-grade aluminum slats for ultimate durability against any and all environments. Designed with unique sealed ball-bearing rollers for effortless retraction, access to your bed-stowed equipment has never been easier! Moreover, this cover sports a low-profile design and incorporates a front cover that is flush with the truck bed cover, creating a streamlined appeal and improved aerodynamics when you're truck is in motion. Retractable covers are designed to match whatever situation you're in. Ran out of space in the truck bed? Retractable covers like the Retrax Pro XR holds an impressive 400+ lbs. topside capacity, allowing Ram truck owners to haul more tools and toys. Wanna haul your bicycles for some mountain biking? The Retrax Pro XR comes with T-slot rails, allowing you to travel with a bed rack! Going into a tundra, desert, or forest? Drive assured that nothing is getting past the high-grade features built into the cover. The retractable cover is designed to be the bonafide solution to all of your cargo-stowing needs and much more. Looking at all the features offered by the Retrax Pro XR, its easy to see why this cover is held in high regard and high price point. With a price tag of $2,000 its no wonder why you don't see many Ram 1500's sporting this top of the line bed cover. Price aside, the Retrax PRO XR also comes with limited spacing. Despite its seamless design, the Retrax PRO XR comes with a canister that is used to house the cover. Naturally, this takes up space that could be used to haul more equipment, tools or goods that require transportation. Although the Retrax PRO XR can be manually operated, the Retrax PRO XR consumes your truck's battery life making more frequented trips to your local auto store a normal occurrence. In the end, with the Retrax PRO XR, Ram 1500 owners sacrifice a bit of space and energy for the best security, convenience, and functionality.

Product Specs:

(69 x 16 x 15 x 90) (Length x Width x Height x Weight)
Available for 5.5ft & 6.5ft Beds
Fitted for 19'-22' New Body Style Ram 1500s
Constructed from heavy-duty aluminum slats
Flush-Fit Design for Improved Aerodynamics

Final Thoughts:

With all sorts of options on the tonneau market, the three aforementioned tonneaus are well established picks that will squeeze every ounce of functionality from your Ram truck. Every tonneau cover comes with its pros and cons, however all of the covers mentioned will ensure great protection and security. Based on a multitude of factors such as pricing, reliability, security, and more, we here at Stage 3 believe that the BAK MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover is the optimal choice for those looking to secure and upgrade their truck beds. With armored panels, convenient top-side carry weight, and easy bed access, the combination of security and convenience is hard to beat. For work and play, the BAK MX4 will assuredly get you from point A to B while protecting your bed stowed cargo through inclement weather and harsh terrain.

Top Mods: Top 5 Bronco 4-Door Side Steps & Rock Sliders!

Sat, 7 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

It can be a real pain having to figure out how to hoist yourself into your lifted 2021-2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door. A traction aided stepping area is a life saver after those long days when you do not have the strength to climb up to the cab. Bronco 4-Door Side Steps & Rock Sliders are the best way to make this task much easier, while adding a protective element for your Bronco 4-Door overland adventures. Slide right over rocks, boulders, stumps, and other common obstacles that you will run into out on the trails without damaging your body panels or door sills. Check out our Top 5 Bronco 4-Door Side Steps & Rock Sliders available right now that will add the ultimate combination of convenience and off-road capability.

Power Steps for 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Door

Side steps and rock sliders come in many different designs with different shapes and contours, but why not add a little more functionality to an otherwise dull part of your 2021-2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door. Electrical-powered, automated Power Steps add a unique and convenient feature that is helpful for aiding your step in-and-out of your Bronco 4-Door. With this style of side steps, the step extends down when in use to offer an easier first step. It then retracts to avoid any potential damage and to retain the original Bronco 4-Door looks. Why stay behind the times and get stationary side steps or rock sliders when you can step into the future with a pair of power steps for your Bronco 4-Door.

There is no better set of power steps out there for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door than the AMP PowerSteps XL. They are the ultimate electronically powered side steps that provide 3" of lowering for the easiest first step to your next Bronco 4-Door overland adventure. Operation is hands-free with these steps. They extend and retract every time the doors are opened and closed. There is no need to bend down and turn them on. Simply relax and get used to it because your Bronco 4-Door driving experience will never be the same again. When it gets dark, even a power step cannot really help you from preventing missteps. Luckily, the PowerSteps XL have a built in LED light feature that illuminates the stepping area for preventing those late night disasters. Beyond the outstanding functionality of these side steps, they are constructed for the long haul. They feature precision stainless steel pivot pins with the ability to handle up to 600lbs. Each step is even anodized as well as PTFE coated in a textured black military spec finish to protection against corrosion and normal wear down.

Product Features:

3" lower stepping surface
LED lighting
Black textured finish
5-year/60,000 miles warranty

Go Rhino Side Steps & Rock Sliders for 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Door

If you have never had a set of Go Rhino Side Steps & Rock Sliders, then you have not experienced what stepping on comfort feels like. Not only do they offer a great stepping area, but many of their side steps also offer protection for the sides of your 2021-2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door when going over dangerous and potentially damaging trail obstacles. Go Rhino manufactures their sides steps and rock sliders with the Bronco 4-Door overland adventurer in mind. Equip your Bronco 4-Door with the ultimate combination of strength and comfort with a set of Go Rhino steps.

One of Go Rhino's top notch choices for rock sliders and side steps are the Go Rhino Black Dominator Extreme DSS Sidesteps. They are a set of full-length step sliders with flat, punched steel plates that add traction and make for a safer, non-slip stepping area. The unique part about these side steps is the two-bar design. This design features an outer rub rail that instantly adds a more aggressive appearance for your Bronco's 4-Door exterior. You get the extra protection around your Bronco 4-Door's body panels, while getting dynamite looks to show off to your friends and counterparts. The protection of the body panels is important when navigating trails with dangerous obstacles and debris. If the steel step plate is not something that works with your vision of your Bronco 4-Door build, simply remove them for a more minimalistic aesthetic or further customize them with a paint finish.

Product Features:

Black textured powder coat finish (5 year limited warranty)
Complete kit with bars and mounting brackets
Easy installation, no drilling required, uses OEM step and rock rail mount locations
Full length slider with outer rub rail and removable full length steel step

Ford OEM Side Steps & Rock Sliders for 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Door

Never settle for a weak, low-quality pair of side steps or rock sliders. Ford OEM Side Steps & Rock Sliders are known for being heavy-duty and high-quality. They always meet the OEM standards that Ford has set for themselves. The vehicle specific designs are form fitted to your Bronco 4-Door with their knowledge of the existing features. You can always trust that Ford OEM products will get the job done as they are developed as a direct replacement.

One of Ford OEM's best rock sliders that come standard with the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door Badlands, Black Diamond, and First Edition are the Ford OEM Frame-Mount Rock Rails. It gives you the best protection against treacherous terrain with the ability to handle up to 1.5x the weight of your Bronco 4-Door. Put these rock rails through the punishment of scratches and dings from rocks, stumps, and other obstructions knowing they will be able to take the abuse. There is no worry of possible crumpling or other damage that could hinder the effectiveness of their protection. The heavy-gauge steel construction of these rock rails and their mounts are expertly welded to the main rail body to create the most perfect fit possible. If this heavy-duty construction was not enough for your intense off-road adventures, each rock rail is finished with a black powder coat finish that protects against corrosion, while adding a smooth look. One of the most unique features of these rock rails is the load-bearing construction. It allows you to put the full weight of your Bronco 4-Door on either of the rails which comes in handy when you need to get out of a high-center situation.

Product Features:

Original factory parts on Badlands, Black Diamond, & First Edition
Provides excellent side and door protection
Provides excellent side and door protection
Textured black powder coat finish

ZROADZ Side Steps & Rock Sliders for 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Door

ZROADZ is known for their overland gear, but they are starting to become a serious player when it comes to manufacturing side steps and rock sliders. The ZROADZ Side Steps & Rock Sliders are soon going to get the recognition that they deserve. They put an emphasis on the Bronco 4-Door overland adventurer like some of the other options, with a serious emphasis on making a strong and off-road capable side step or rock slider set. Be confident putting their products through a beating knowing they will come out the other side intact and ready for the next obstacle.

By far the best ZROADZ product in this space are the ZROADZ Rock Slider Steps. They feature perforated top plates that add premium level traction for more support when entering and exiting your Bronco 4-Door. Along with this, it is also easier to access any cargo mounted on your roof. The real outdoor adventurists know that getting your kayak, bike, or other outdoor equipment off your Bronco 4-Door roof can be an extremely difficult task without the proper support. Never dread having to do this or feel the need to have someone there to help you all the time with these slider steps in your Bronco 4-Door build. The 2" round tubing is unique to the design of these step sliders. They allow you to easily roll over obstacles, while offering a sturdy base that aids the durable steel construction. For even more protection and longevity, each step slider is finished with a 3-stage, epoxy-based, light-textured, semi-black powder coat. No matter what you put them through, they are built to take the beating and come out the other side stronger. Installation is simple compared to other side steps and rock sliders. It is a bolt-on installation that takes less than 30 minutes to complete with basic hand tools.

Product Features:

Heavy gauge 2" round tubing, mild steel top plates
Semi-black, light texture finish
Easy, bolt-on installation, no drilling required. Installs in less than 30 minutes with basic hand tools
Covered with 3-year warranty against material and workmanship, 1-year warranty on the finish

Rock Slide Engineering Side Steps & Rock Sliders for 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Door

The ultimate combination of the new state-of-the-art technology and the superior protection are the Rock Slide Engineering Side Steps & Rock Sliders. They incorporate both the power step technology for aided entering and exiting of your Bronco 4-Door, while allowing their product to shine when it comes to offering off-road protection. We doubt you can find a tougher set of step sliders out there for the Bronco 4-Door right now.

Our absolute favorite product coming from Rock Slide Engineering is the Rock Slide Engineering Step Sliders. Never has there been a more heavy-duty, but also highly functional step slider set out there for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door. They feature a trail-rated design built to take the hits with the smart motor technology that is stepping into the next generation of automotive aftermarket capabilities. You get a whole 12" of extension from the Bronco 4-Door body which is crucial to have when you have some lift. Each step extends as you open the door and retracts as you close the door. Soon enough, this feature will just be something you come to expect from your off-road vehicle.

Product Features:

Automated deploy and retraction of the step
Use of original equipment from manufacturing
Textured black powder coat
3/16" stainless steel construction with aluminum internals

Last Thoughts

All of these options are a great place to start in your search for the perfect set of side steps or rock sliders. In our opinion, the Rock Slide Engineering Side Steps are the best all-around for those looking for both the functionality and modern-technology of the power step, with a heavy-duty construction built for the beating of intense off-road use. Bronco 4-Door Skid Plates & Armor, Front Bumpers, and Rear Bumpers are great areas to look to next for more complete off-road coverage. Comment what other parts and accessories you think might go well with a new set of side steps or rock sliders.

Top Mods: Top 5 2021-2022 F150 Cat-Back Exhaust Kits!

Fri, 6 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

Even though parts in general have been coming out pretty slow for the 2021-2022 F150s (especially for my taste), one set of 2021-2022 upgrades that aren't in short supply are cat-back exhaust kits. In fact, there's so many that it can be pretty tough to choose which cat-back system is right for your 2021-2022 F150. That's why we here at Stage 3 are picking out our Top 5 2021-2022 F150 cat-back exhausts to help you narrow it down. While we don't have complete sound clips of these new 2021-2022 F150 cat-backs, we've tried many of them in the past on our various F150 Project Trucks, and these exhaust systems will be a great addition to practically any F150 build, regardless of engine option.

2021-2022 F150 Corsa Sport Pre-Tire Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Kit

Our first contender doesn't have much to complain about. The Corsa Sport Pre-Tire Exit Kit for 2021-2022 F150s offers up a solid combination of high-quality construction, awesome exhaust note, slick exit style, and a perfect fit all in one place. The Corsa Sport System is made out of 304 stainless steel, which makes it nearly impervious to corrosion and discoloration in nearly any climate or application. The Corsa Sport System features 3" diameter tubing and comes with a new Corsa Muffler with their patented RSC technology that keeps its drone low while still producing a much deeper and more noticeable sound than stock that is sure to turn some heads. This version of the Corsa Sport system features a pre-tire exit behind the passenger's side rear wheel which gives your F150 a slick, SVT Lightning-style looks. The system is topped off with Corsa's twin-tip design with a polished finish (version of this kit with black tips is also available) that looks great on just about any truck. The only downside of this kit is its price, but you're getting an extremely high-quality system that sounds great. Check out our video below for an install and sound clips at the end:

Corsa Pre-Tire Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: 304 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 3.00"
Exit Style: Pre-Tire Side Exit
Tips: Twin 4" Polished Tip

2021-2022 F150 Magnaflow 4" Street-Series Single-Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Kit

When it comes to exhaust, you really can't go wrong with one of the biggest names in the business. The Magnaflow 4" Single-Exit Cat-Back Kit is a great way to add an awesome sound to your F150 in a high-quality kit. Magnaflow builds each of these kits out of 409 stainless steel which allows the kit to resist corrosion in most climates and applications. The system uses 4" diameter tubing and a straight-through muffler that produces a big, bad sound that is sure to catch attention. The Magnaflow cat-back kit comes topped off with a big, 5" tip that exits in the stock location, which gives your F150 a subtle change in looks while using all of the OEM mounting points for a great fit. With a fairly small muffler and a resonator delete, this system produces a pretty aggressive sound that may be right up your alley, but this system will likely give you a bit of drone at cruising. Like the Corsa system, the Magnaflow system is on the pricey side, especially considering it's made out of 409 stainless steel instead of higher-quality 304, however, 409 still a great choice for most climates, but if you're in a place that uses a ton of salt in the winter, you may want to go with a 304 system.

Magnaflow Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: 409 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 4.00"
Exit Style: OE-Style Single-Side Exit
Tips: Single 5" Polished Tip

2021-2022 F150 MBRP Installer Series 4" Black Tip Single-Exit Cat-Back Kit

While the Corsa and Magnaflow kits are on the pricey side, here's something a bit more budget friendly from our good friends over at MBRP. The MBRP Black Tip 4" Installer Series Cat-Back Kit for 2021-2022 F150s gives you a lot of sound and a great look without breaking your bank. The MBRP Installer Series is made out of low-cost aluminized steel, which functions perfectly fine in more mild climates, but should not be used in areas with heavy salt use during the winter. The kit features 4" diameter tubing that's used in conjunction with an MBRP straight-through muffler to produce a deep, rumbling sound. The muffler included in this kit is fairly long, which helps to keep drone at least some amount of control, though some can still be expected with the lack of a forward resonator. The kit is topped off with a 5" diameter, black powder coated tip that exits in the stock location behind the passenger's side wheel well. The tip helps change up your truck's look while the OE-style exit makes the kit easy to install. The major con to this kit is its aluminized steel construction. Aluminized steel really can't handle salt or extremely humid and wet climates very well, but if you're in a fairly mild or dry area, then this kit makes for one heck of a bang-for-your-buck F150 exhaust system.

MBRP Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: Aluminized Steel
Diameter: 4.00"
Exit Style: OE-Style Single-Side Exit
Tips: Single 5" Black Tip

2021-2022 F150 Borla S-Type Black Tip Dual-Exit Cat-Back Kit

Borla is one of the most legendary names in the aftermarket exhaust industry, and we'd be remiss if we didn't include at least one exhaust system from our old friends over at Borla. The Borla S-Type Black Tip Dual-Exit Cat-Back for 2021-2022 F150s offers up a great sound, new look, and near-flawless quality and fitment that we've come to expect from Borla. Each Borla F150 cat-back is made entirely out of 304 stainless steel, allowing it to hold up in even the heaviest salt and harshest climates. The system features 3" diameter tubing at its inlet which then splits into dual 2.25" diameter tubing after the muffler which still gives you an overall increase in exhaust volume over stock. The S-Type system deletes your F150's muffler and only includes a fairly large, forward resonator that helps to keep drone under control while still product a very mean, very noticeable exhaust note. This version of the Borla Cat-Back features a dual rear exit design with each tip exiting on either side of your F150's rear bumper. Borla tops the kit off with 4" diameter black tips that look great on just about any F150 build. Like most 304 systems, the biggest downside of this kit is the price, but that's pretty much standard with 304 stainless steel and having two exits. The exits themselves can also be an issue when you're towing. Rear, straight-out-back tailpipes tend to reflect a lot of sound back at you if you're towing a trailer, not to mention, you can get a lot of carbon all over whatever you happen to be towing, which isn't great.

Borla Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: 304 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 3.00" inlet, 2.25" tailpipes
Exit Style: Dual rear exit
Tips: Dual 4" Black Tips

2021-2022 F150 Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Kit

Our friends over at Flowmaster don't get enough love. Yes, their exhaust systems tend to be a bit rude, crude, and downright loud, but they're also customizable, of excellent quality, and feature great fitment. Last, but not least, we have the Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Kit for 2021-2022 F150s. The American Thunder System (as its name implies) has a loud, noticeable, and very aggressive exhaust note that is bound to catch attention. The system features an extremely compact muffler with their unique Delta internal design that lets your truck's motor really sing, while still tamping down on some sound volume. That being said, this kit does produce a good amount of drone, which definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea. The American Thunder Kit is made out of 409 stainless steel, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance for most climates and applications. Each American Thunder Kit uses 3" diameter tubing at its inlet that then drops to 2.5" diameter tubing after the muffler that provides a bump in exhaust system volume. One of the most unique features of the American Thunder system is its configurable tailpipe exits. The system can be set up for either a dual rear exit straight out back of the rear bumper or as a dual side exit behind either rear tire, giving you options for how you want your F150 to look. In either case, the American Thunder kit is topped off with 3.50" diameter exhaust tips with a dual-wall design that gives them a very unique and aggressive look. The only real con to this kit is that it is pretty aggressive, and you should expect a good amount of drone. If you do want a very mean exhaust, then this kit will probably be right up your alley, just be prepared for the consequences.

Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Features:

Exhaust Material: 409 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 3.00" inlet, 2.50" tailpipes
Exit Style: Dual rear exit
Tips: Dual 3.50" Polished Tips

In all honesty, you probably can't go wrong with nearly any F150 cat-back kit. The 2021-2022 F150s are extremely quiet from the factory, and getting a bit more sound along with a more unique look is not a bad thing in the slightest. Which system is your favorite? Do you disagree with my undoubtedly perfect list? Let us know in the comments below!

Before You Buy: Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Series Shocks For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

Fri, 6 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

Is it time for you to upgrade shocks on your 2017-2022 F250 or F350? Maybe you have to anyway but want to upgrade in the process or you are finally at the point in your build plan to greatly increase your Super Duty's off-road performance. Either way, you will most likely find yourself coming across Fox Performance. This company has been in business for 45 years and has earned a reputation as one of the best manufacturers of racing shocks in the marketplace today. This company has recently come out with their brand new 2.5 Performance Elite Series shocks which feature a new design and some other newer features not seen on the previous 2.5 Factory Series shocks. That being said, which is better? And why? Let's take a closer look at each to better answer these questions and hopefully make the buying process an easier decision.

Fox 2.5 Factory Race Series Shocks For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

Let's first take a look at the Fox 2.5 Factory Race Series shocks. Though Fox considers these the "base" level of their shocks they are still extremely capable and have been one of the top-performing shocks for several years. A pair like the 2017-2022 F250 & F350 4WD Fox 2.5 Factory Race Series Front Reservoir Shocks - For 2-3.5" Lifts (Pair) would still provide greater performance than the stock shocks on your Super Duty. That being said, what makes these shocks so special? It starts with the 2.5" smooth-bore zinc-plated seamless steel body that is created with high-quality aircraft-grade Aluminum that provides superior heat dissipation. Though the material is not the biggest thing that makes this series as capable and dependable as their reputation (and our tests) have shown. The answer to why they are so capable and trusted by everyone from Average Joes with off-road builds to even Baja 5000 drivers is actually on the inside of the shock. The Factory Race Series shock creates "near endless" suspension travel thanks to Fox's exclusive internal bypass technology. This technology allows more oil to flow around the strong, race-inspired internal piston while providing serious pressure at other points that help to support your Super Duty. With the Factory Race Series, Fox also includes an external reservoir that has a dial on it which you can choose high- and low-speed compression adjusters quickly adjust the shocks to a wide variety of terrain and vehicle speeds. Meaning these shocks can be controlled to whatever it is that you are doing off-road. Before these Factory Series shocks get to you the design is tested in harsh climates and conditions to ensure the absolute best performance according to Fox.

FOX Performance Elite Series 2.5 Reservoir Shocks For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

Though the Factory Race Series shocks were and are extremely capable. Fox asked themselves, "how is it we can build off of these and make them better?" This is how they came up with shocks like the 2017-2022 F250 & F350 FOX Performance Elite Series Front 2.5 Reservoir Shock (Pair). This series takes what's great about the Factory Series and builds off of them. One way they build off of the Factory series is the internal oil. When Fox manufactured and designed the Performance Elite Series, one of the things that they did was add more internal oil volume which helps and allows for greater control. The increased internal volume also meant taking the previous body and expanding it to allow more efficient heat dissipation so the shocks perform better under greater duress than the previous series. The previous series also had those high and low-speed compression adjusters built into the design of the shock that allowed for ultimate control. The Performance Series also has something like that, but better. Fox took the need that some more extreme off-roaders have for control and made these shocks to provide greater adaptability than the previous series. On the Factory Series, the control relied upon the speed of the Super Duty that you would be driving over the obstacle. The new set of compression adjusters provides more settings so that you can alter the amount of oil that enters the main shock body depending on your specific need and driving style. One of the last new features of the Performance Elite Series to highlight is the chrome shock shaft that is paired with a redundant seal pack for maximum durability.

So Which Is Better For 2017-2022 Super Dutys?

All of that wonderful information about these shocks and you may still be left asking which is best. The objective answer is the Performance Elite Series considering that its entire existence is to be the next level up from the Factory Race Series. That being said, it is important to note that both series are of extremely high quality, and depending on what you would like to accomplish what will separate which series to get for your build. If you are someone that enjoys going off-road but doesn't necessarily want to take your Super Duty down some of the more challenging or professional difficulty level trails then honestly the Factory Race Series would be just fine. However, if you are someone that is looking to build the ultimate off-road Super Duty, then you may want to spend the extra money and get the Performance Elite Series. The reason for that as previously stated is because the level of control is much higher with the Performance Elite Series thanks to the external compression adjusters. More control means that you can conquer obstacles on trails that require the utmost attention to detail and patience. As far as regular on-road performance? Each of these series will provide a smooth ride no matter what while on road. The separation between these two shock series and other off-road sets from other companies comes into play when you leave the pavement. Fox advertises that both series sets are completely rebuildable and include instructions for an easier rebuild and installation process. Please be sure to double-check and read each listing for any special fitment notes and more information regarding these shocks. Also depending on where you are at and what you picture for your build whether it's upgrading your front bumper, adding some new headlights, or a maybe a performance tuner or monitor. Check out what at we have to offer here at Stage 3 Motorsports.

Products Mentioned In This Article:

Before you Buy: Best Bed Racks for 2005-2022 Tacomas!

Sun, 1 May 2022 00:00:00 EST

With summer just around the corner, it's only a matter of time before your 2005-2022 Tacoma becomes the adventure vehicle of choice for you and all of your passengers. To ensure you'll have enough space to fit all the gear you want to bring along, it's best to outfit the exterior of your truck with a premium aftermarket cargo management system. Specifically, bed rack systems can completely change the way you utilize the space in your truck bed by offering more carrying capacity and improved organization without compromise. Here at Stage 3, we'll be covering the best best budget, best bang-for-your-buck, and best overall bed rack systems to give you a better idea of how improved functionality can benefit your 2005-2022 Toyota Tacoma.

Best Budget Bed Rack for 2005-2022 Tacomas

In the sea of aftermarket parts and accessories for the 2005-2022 Tacoma, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to find the best cargo upgrades for your specific setup. If you're looking for a quality bed rack system that will provide you with improved cargo carrying capacity without breaking the bank, we have your covered. The 2005-2021 Tacoma Rough Country Molle Panel Bed Mounting System is our pick for the best budget bed rack system for your vehicle. While this is the most "basic" version of the bed racks we'll be covering today, it still offers up an impressive amount of utility for any Tacoma enthusiast. This bed-mounted molle panel system works by installing on the front, driver side, and passenger side panels so you can fully customize your attachment options for any application. Attach anything from a Hi-Lift Jack, shovels, trail gear, fuel cans, axes, and more without taking up too much space away from your truck's bed. Attaching the gear to sides of your truck bed will grant you more space for your luggage and other overland gear like sleeping bags, tents, tables, chairs, and everything else you need to enjoy your favorite environments. With unlimited accessory attachment options, molle panels also make organization easier by giving each tool it's own space up and out of the way from the rest of the cargo in your bed. This will also help prevent your tools from dirtying up the other gear in your truck bed for a cleaner and and more appealing exterior look. Besides from the impressive functionality that the Rough Country Molle Panel System provides, it also features a rigid construction designed for extreme applications. The panels are crafted from a 1/8" thick steel and then powder-coated black for corrosion resistance, ensuring your cargo is secured to your truck even during the most aggressive driving conditions. You'll be able to romp around your favorite landscapes without ever having to worry about the panels breaking or your tools disconnecting. Additionally, these panels make for any easy, no drill installation by mounting directly to the OEM mounting points in your truck bed. When it comes to mounting accessories on the panels, Rough Country included durable retaining straps to ensure a tight and reliable fit for just about any accessories. If retaining straps aren't quite your style, this system will accommodate for any molle panel accessories like quick fist clamps, so you can access your tools and gear quickly and easily.

Best Bang-for-your-Buck Bed Rack for 2005-2022 Tacomas

If you have some extra cash laying around and you need more carrying capacity than what a molle panel system will provide, we recommend picking up the 2005-2022 Tacoma Rhino Rack Reconn-Deck 2 Bar Truck Bed System for all of your cargo carrying needs. This is our pick for the best bang-for-your-buck bed rack system for the Tacoma, and for good reason. This premium bed rack system works by attaching 2 bars to to your truck bed that protrude upwards, making room for bulkier cargo such as kayaks, bikes, snowboards, etc. The rack's unique design doubles your truck bed's cargo space, leaving you with more interior space to protect your valuables. Moreover, this rack utilizes a fixed height that makes accessing your gear quick and easy no matter the terrain or environment. Additionally, channels on the Reconn-Deck Towers provide multiple points to mount a variety of accessories, allowing you to completely customize the way you manage your cargo. Built to withstand any environments and driving styles, this Reconn-Deck 2-Bar Truck Bed Rack System was constructed from a durable and lightweight aluminum for maximum strength without weighing down the rear end of your truck. The unit itself was city crash tested for long-lasting performance and features a load rating of 330 pounds, allowing this rack to handle just about anything you throw at it. Without any cutting, drilling, or permanent modification require, this rack can quickly and easily be installed and removed with the included hardware and tools, so you can stow the rack away until you're ready for your next adventure. Not everybody likes having bold appeal on the exterior of their truck, so it's nice being able to easily detach this rack for a sleeker look during every day applications. Best of all, this system comes standard with a secure core lock to help prevent any unwanted individuals from swiping this rack while your away from your truck. Take your truck further and explore more by investing in the Rhino Rack Reconn-Deck 2-Bar Truck Bed System today!

Best Overall Bed Rack for 2005-2022 Tacomas

If you're somebody who demands the best possible upgrades for your overland machine, or you just need a quality bed rack mounting system that can do it all, Stage 3 has you covered. Our pick for the best overall bed rack system for the 2005-2022 Tacoma is the RCI universal 12" Tall Bed Rack. Featuring a heavy-duty and low-profile design, this system is perfect for both weekend warriors and overland experts that don't want to leave anything behind before setting off for adventure. RCI engineered this rack to transform your truck's bed into an expedition-ready cargo system in practically no time. The rack itself was constructed using durable steel, and comes ready to hold just about anything you need while providing you with a top platform to handle just about any roof top tent on the market. Additionally, this rack was engineered to stand only a foot above your Tacoma's bed rails, keeping the rack out of the wind to make your truck much more aerodynamic compared to other bed rack systems. Built extremely strong, this rack will be prepared for just about anything you have in mind. The rack is made out of 10-gauge steel and comes standard with a satin black powder-coat finish for impressive corrosion and rust resistance. The two side plats featured on the rack come standard with pre-drilled holes that allow you to mount up Hi-Lift Jacks, fire extinguishers, CO2 bottles, traction aids, and nearly everything else you'll need for a day of off-road fun. Moreover, the upper lateral crossbars are slotted, which makes mounting a roof top tent extremely easy, no matter which brand you're using. This is one of the few bed rack systems we offer that will accommodate for universal roof top tents, giving you the option to stay where you please on your journey.

Best Bed Rack Accessories for 2005-2022 Tacomas

Now that you've gotten your truck bed outfitted with a premium rack system, it's time to push that functionality even further with some of our favorite 2005-2022 Tacoma Bed Rack Accessories. An accessory that can benefit each and all of these bed racks is going to be the 2005-2022 BedRug Impact Bed Mat. Available for both the 5ft and 6ft bed Tacoma's, this premium bed mat installs in minutes and will provide superior protection against the harshest conditions. As comfortable as carpet, the mat will make it easier on your hands and knees when you have to work around and move gear in your bed. The mat is also completely UV resistant and waterproof, keeping your truck bed clean and and looking great no matter where you adventures take you next. You can also take your truck to the next level by choosing from our selection of Off-Road Recovery Gear to ensure you and your passengers won't be stranded in the middle of nowhere. Off-Road Recovery upgrades like Traction Boards are an effective way to get your rig un-stuck without having to drain your wallet with a premium winch. The boards slip under your vehicle's tires and provide just enough extra grip to help you pull yourself out of tough spots on the trail. If your anything like of us here at Stage 3, you want your adventures to run a smoothly as possible without some of the hassles that come with outdoor adventures. Check out our lineup of high-quality Overland Upgrades to help you out with just about any trip you have in mind. Overland upgrades like Roof Top Tents will fit systems like the RCI Bed Rack and transform your Tacoma into a mobile and instant campsite. With the installation of one of these roof top tents, you can camp anywhere your Tacoma can take you while getting you up and off the the cold ground for a warmer nights rest. The last thing you'll need to check out before setting out for adventure is any of our Roof & Bed Rack Accessories as we offer some premium mounts for holding shovels, kayaks, fishing rods, and more, attaching directly to your new rack for ease of access and improved functionality. With the infinite variability of hauling your cargo, these premium bed racks and accessories will take you further so you can explore more.

Whether you're looking for a bed system that will make your work life easier, or your adventures run smoothly, here at Stage 3 we only work with trusted and reliable brands to bring you the best possible aftermarket upgrades for your 2005-2022 Tacoma. Your factory truck bed can only handle so much at once, so pick up any of these premium bed racks to start utilizing your truck's bed for more than just hauling a few things around. If you liked anything you saw in this post or have any questions about the bed racks covered, please feel free to let us know in the comments down below!

2005-2022 Tacoma Best Bed Racks:

Top Mods: Top 5 Bronco Bumpers!

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 00:00:00 EST

In a lot of ways your front bumper is the first impression that others get from your 2021-2022 Ford Bronco build. The stock bumper is by no means a junker, but incorporating an aftermarket bumper into your Bronco build can do wonders for its appearance, reliability, and utility. As many of the Bronco overland folks out there know, having extra lighting or recovery equipment to mount on your bumper can save a trip from going downhill fast, quite literally. Being equipped to take on the trails is not just about having the killer suspension. You need a quality bumper that offers the necessary ground clearance and toughness to endure off-road abuse. We have gone through our catalog and highlighted the Top 5 Bronco Bumpers to look at in 2021-2022 Bronco 4-Door Bumpers and 2021-2022 Bronco 2-Door Bumpers. Each of these options have different features that can improve whatever your needs are as a Bronco overland adventurer.

Winch Bumpers for 2021-2022 Bronco

Having a winch on your front bumper is what separates the casual weekend warrior from the off-road enthusiast. Taking on tough terrain can leave you in low traction situations where recovery gear like this will save the day. As your adventures progress, you are bound to run into this dilemma out in the wild. Do not be caught unprepared with a simple, non-functional front bumper. Winch Bumpers are a fantastic option for those wanting to push the limits of what your Bronco can traverse.

One of our favorite winch bumpers out there for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco is the Warn Elite Front Bumper with Baja Tubes. It is the perfect cross between functionality and style for your Bronco front end. You get a durable front bumper pre-treated in a 5 step process with zirconium nanotechnology to get the longest lasting bumper possible combined with winch compatibility with a variety of 8,000lb to 9,500lb Warn winches. Not only is the ability to incorporate a winch great for recovery situations, but there are also jack points with welded eyelets integrated into the bumper design for more recovery options as well. If the durable steel construction with black powder coat finish was not enough to protect your Bronco front end, this Warn Elite front bumper comes with a tubular grille guard for an extra barrier against potentially damaging trail obstacles. This tubular design allows the bumper to maintain the original low-profile design as to not mess with the intended look of this front bumper. Installation of this bumper is easy as it installs right into the factory location. You will, however, have to complete minor trimming of the stock skid plate if you continue to utilize it.

Compatible Warn Winches:

Brush Guard Bumpers for 2021-2022 Bronco

Sticking with 2021-2022 Ford Bronco Winch Bumpers, you might be thinking that you want winch compatibility that is more heavy-duty with a little more strength than 9,500lbs. Depending on what you have on your Bronco build already, you more weight to move in these recovery situations. For the Bronco overland adventurers that haul heavy equipment and cargo or those who have tons of mods on their build already, go with a front bumper that is compatible with stronger winches and have more recovery options.

Our choice for getting a little extra strength out of your recovery is the ARB Summit Bumper. It is a steel bumper with the similar features like the twin jack points in the lower pan and 8T recovery points for an extra recovery option, only this bumper is compatible with 10,000lb winches. This extra load capacity might not seem like much, but it is enough to account for heavy equipment, cargo, and other Bronco mods already on your build. Not only do you get the premium recovery capability, but the unique wing design allows you to accommodate 37" tires for creating the most aggressive Bronco overland build possible. Slap on a pair of these massive tires with this bumper and you have a build ready to take on anything. With this bumper incorporated into your build, you can still maintain all the vehicle functions that you have come to know with the Bronco. Continue to fully utilize the adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and OE fog lights with no hiccup.

Compatible Winches:

Bumpers with Off-Road Light Mounts for 2021-2022 Bronco

Beyond the recovery options, an aftermarket front bumper can give you the option to incorporate Off-Road Light Mounts into your Bronco build. LED lights of all shapes and sizes can be mounted on front bumpers to add more visibility when the adventures run late. Having the extra light output of a mounted LED light can be a saving grace when you start to lose your way on an unfamiliar path. Keep yourself safe and alert to all that surrounds you out the wild with a front bumper compatible with off-road light mounts.

When it comes to front bumpers with lighting options, one our favorites is the ADD Rock Fighter Front Off-Road Bumper. This front bumper comes with mounts for a 20" light bar and 6" round lights. You get a strong winch compatible bumper with the options to mount a wide variety of LED lighting options. This strength is solidified with the incorporated steel radius plate that allows you to brush off trail obstacles with ease. When things start to go south, you can use the pair of 3/4" D-ring mounts for winching, recovery, and obstacle clearance. There is no trail too difficult for your Bronco with this type of front end capability. This protection is aided by the built-in bash plate that is vented for proper intercooler airflow. A 3/16" aluminum skid plate is optional for the most complete front end protection package.

ADD Rock Fighter Front Off-Road Bumper Features:

Comes with mounts for 20" light bar and 6" round lights
Includes winch and fairlead mount on top
All-steel with radius plate construction
Two-tone black powder coat finish

Shorty/Stubby Designed Bumpers for 2021-2022 Bronco

Off-Road Light Mounts and Winches are an absolute necessity for the avid Bronco overland adventurer. What can make this setup even better is a more compact and efficient design that allows for more tire and ground clearance. Short or stubby bumpers can avoid impact on obtrusive obstacles and still offer the same premium protection.

One of our favorite shorty bumpers is the Fab Fours Stubby Winch Bumper with Pre-Runner Guard . The stubby design allows for maximum tire clearance giving you the opportunity to upgrade to a larger wheel and tire combination. You also get the proper ground clearance to keep distance from trail obstacles. The included Pre-Runner guard makes this bumper look impressive. It adds some muscle to your front end for a tough look finished with a sleek black-powder coat. This bumper is winch compatible and has a few different lighting configuration options. You can install up to six 3x3" LED pod lights or two LED pod lights and four 5.5" round lights. Take advantage of high-intensity LED lighting that will significantly improve your visibility and confidence on the trails.

Fab Fours Stubby Winch Bumper with Pre-Runner Guard Features:

Mounting options for up to six 3x3" LED pod lights or two LED pod lights and four 5.5" round lights
Made from 3/16 guage steel construction
Stubby design
Integrated D-rings

Most Versatile Bumpers for 2021-2022 Bronco

What takes a bumper to the next level at this point is the variety of options for Off-Road Light Mounts and universal compatibility with Winches. Having complete control to customize your aftermarket bumper to your specific needs is everything. Take your Bronco overland adventures to new places with a more versatile front bumper.

One of the most versatile bumpers that we have is the LoD Black Ops Shorty Winch Front Bumper w/ Black Texture Finish. This short length front bumper is compatible with most winches on the market and has a plethora of lighting and bezel options. The high clearance design keeps the bumper, winch, and premium lighting out of the way of danger while giving you the opportunity to upgrade to a larger wheel and tire combination. LoD bumpers have flat-towing capability that can be secured with additional tie-ins for adding the extra mounting strength. Simply hook up your safety cables and you can be on your way. With this bumper incorporated into your Bronco build, there is no restriction of airflow to your engine. Proper airflow is allowed to the intercooler keeping your engine healthy and your Bronco overland adventures running smoothly.

LoD Black Ops Shorty Winch Front Bumper w/ Black Texture Finish Features:

Compatible with most winches including Warn Zero Series
Interchangeable lighting and bezel options
Super durable 2-stage corrosion resistant powder coated finish
Flat-towed, extra tie-ins optional for more mounting strength

Last Thoughts:

When it comes down to it, there is no one bumper that is the golden child. All of these bumper options for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco have their strengths that can improve your build for your specific needs. The LoD Black Ops Shorty can give you a ton of different lighting options that are interchangeable, while also having all of the other features that make a versatile front bumper upgrade. However, that takes nothing away from any of the other options. Depending on your budget and need, you narrow down what features are most important for the type of overland adventuring you are doing. If you are looking to continue upgrading your Bronco build, comment on what Skid Plates & Armor, Winches, Off-Road Recovery Gear, or other aftermarket upgrades that might be beneficial to supplement with one of these premium bumpers.

Just Added: 2021-2022 F150 Fox 2.0s Now Available!

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 EST

The old adage of "Good things come to those who wait" may be entirely factual, but Jesus, it's obnoxious to hold on with bated breath for awesome 2021-2022 F150 upgrades to finally hit the shelves. One of the most anticipated 2021-2022 F150 upgrades were the Fox 2.0s, and they have finally been released and are ready to order from Stage 3! If you've been with us a while, you probably already know how we feel about the previous iterations of the 2021-2022 F150 4WD Fox 2.0 Front Coilovers, 2021-2022 F150 RWD Fox 2.0 Coilovers, 2021-2022 F150 4WD Fox 2.0 Snap Ring Strut Assemblies, and 2021-2022 F150 Fox 2.0 rear shocks, but for anyone taking the plunge for the first time with the 2021-2022 F150s, the TL;DR is this: the Fox 2.0s are some of the best bang-for-buck, general-purpose suspension upgrades you can make to an F150. We here at Stage 3 don't say that lightly. We've run the Fox 2.0s through their paces on multiple project trucks and they provide excellent on-road handling and awesome off-road performance at an extremely reasonable price, and they're finally here for the 2021-2022 F150s.

What are the 2021-2022 Fox 2.0s?

The Fox 2.0 Coilovers and Fox 2.0 rear shocks are replacements for your F150's stock front coilover assemblies and rear shocks. Being a 2.0 system, they slot in above leveled struts like the Bilstein 5100s and below 2.5 systems like ICON and King. Both the Fox 2.0 coilovers and shocks feature 2" diameter shock bodies made entirely out of aluminum which makes them nearly impervious to corrosion while also improving heat dissipation over steel-body shocks. The Fox 2.0s feature a gas-charged, monotube internal design with F150-specific tuned, linear valving that combine to give you improved damping without compromising your F150's ride. The Fox 2.0s come standard with 5/8" diameter, hardened chrome shafts with race-inspired high-flow pistons and redundant seals make the Fox 2.0s able to survive tough applications both on and off-road. The coilovers come with a 450lb-in spring that sits on an adjustable collar so that you can set your trucks front leveling from 0" to 2". Both the shocks and the coilovers feature heavy-duty billet mounts with OE-style nitrile rubber bushings that help keep NVH minimal on the street.

Why do I want the Fox 2.0s on my 2021-2022 F150?

While a bunch of stats and features (as drawn out above) are all well and good, but what do these things actually do for you after they're on your truck? Well, the Fox 2.0s are an all-around performance and handling improvement for your F150. There's not much to gripe about. The Fox 2.0 front coilovers help reduce body roll and sway while absorbing violent impacts from terrain much more effectively than the factory front coilovers. The Fox 2.0 rear shocks provide your F150's rear end and bed with much better stability with less bounce and jounce over bumps so that you get a much smoother ride than with the factory shocks. While the Fox 2.0s ride a wee bit stiffer on the road than stock, they're far from uncomfortable and still give you a great street ride while giving your truck an all-around bump in performance in a drop-in package.

How do the 2021-2022 F150 Fox 2.0s Compare to other Upgrades?

As we stated before, the Fox 2.0s are kind of the middle man of F150 suspension upgrades, but that's not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. Compared to leveled strut assemblies like the Bilstein 5100s and the Eibach Pro-Trucks, the Fox 2.0s generally outperform them when it comes to off-road performance, though their on-road ride and handling are fairly similar, though I'd probably give the edge to the Fox 2.0s. With their aluminum bodies, the Fox 2.0s are a bit more resistant to corrosion than the steel-bodies 5100s or Pro-Trucks while also giving you better heat dissipation. The Fox 2.0s are also a slightly larger diameter than the Bilsteins or Eibachs, so you get more surface area for damping. The front Fox 2.0 Coilovers, being complete coilovers with their own springs and mounts, they tend to provide more stable handling and off-road performance than strut assemblies that reuse the stock springs (though Fox does offer their 2.0 Snap Ring Struts, if you want to save some cash).

When comparing the Fox 2.0s to more powerful 2.5s, it's really not a fair comparison. 2.5 coilovers just outright perform better off-road, and will let you rip around at high speeds with near-impunity. The Fox 2.0s on the other hand, should probably be relegated to general-purpose off-road driving and light to moderate trails at most. While the Fox 2.0s do give you improved damping and heat mitigation over stock, they do have their limits which fall markedly short of 2.5 systems from ICON, King, and hopefully soon, Fox themselves. However, the Fox 2.0s are MUCH less expensive than 2.5 systems, and you can grab our Fox Stage 1 System for less than ICON Front 2.5s alone. Secondly, nearly all 2.5 coilovers ride pretty stiff on the street due to the fact that it does take a lot more force to get a 2.5's damping action going, while the 2.0s don't have nearly the same issues and ride much better on pavement.

2021-2022 Fox 2.0s Available Today!

I almost danced for joy when the 2021-2022 Fox 2.0s became available. The wait was almost unbearable. Granted, that's not really Fox's fault. In the current era of parts shortages, truck availability, and raw materials availability, R&D and manufacturing are tough for even a giant like our friends over at Fox Performance. Still, the Fox 2.0s are here and available for ordering from Stage 3 at last. Grab a set or one of our packages today! If the Fox 2.0s aren't your thing, what suspension upgrades are you going to grab for your F150? Let us know below!

2021-2022 Fox 2.0 Coilovers, Shocks, and Packages:

Top Mods: Top 5 4Runner Overland Upgrades

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 00:00:00 EST

When it comes time to upgrade the look and functionality of your 2010-2022 4Runner, your SUV deserves the best performance parts and accessories for any occasion. Here at Stage 3, we only work with trusted and reliable brands to ensure your off-road adventures and every day commutes are made easy and enjoyable. Save some time and potential hassle with aftermarket Leveling Kits, Wheels & Tires, Roof Racks, and Off-Road Light Mounts as these are some of the most effective upgrades you can install on your rig. Whether you're an overland expert or newbie adventurer, we're here to help you find the best 2010-2022 4Runner Parts & Accessories.

ICON Stage 1 Front & Rear Suspension System for Toyota 4Runner

ICON Vehicle Dynamics is a premiere performance suspension manufacturer that has spent time and energy developing some of the highest quality suspension components to touch the aftermarket. ICON categorizes their suspension kits into 'Stages' with their Stage 1 Package being the most affordable system they offer, and the Stage 5 Package as their most advanced for the 2010-2022 4Runner. No matter how basic or technical an aftermarket suspension package or leveling kit may seem, it's important that you provide your vehicle with the proper suspension upgrades to handle more demanding off-road trails. Upgraded shocks and struts will help improve ride quality, comfort and control for any application, giving you the performance needed to tackle just about any terrain. Upgrading your 4Runner's suspension will also provide your truck with an increase in ride height to help you navigate over and around larger off-road obstacles, keeping your SUV's vulnerable underside protected. What better way to start your 4Runner's overland build than with the ICON Stage 1 Front & Rear Suspension Package.

Affordable and effective, ICON's Stage 1 Suspension Package contains all of the hardware needed to give your 4Runner outstanding performance on city streets and rugged off-road trails. This system is capable of giving your SUV 3.5" of front lift and 3" of rear lift, allowing you to install massive 33" tires to help transform your vehicle into a formidable off-road machine. Included in this kit comes with powerful 2.5 VS IR Coilovers and 2.0 Aluminum Rear Shocks, both of which were explicitly designed to increase suspension travel on your vehicle. Improving your 4Runner's suspension travel will result in more control over rougher terrain at a higher rate of speed, keeping you stable under any circumstance. These premium suspension upgrades will also provide consistent compression and rebound for unmatched damping performance, keeping your ride smooth and comfortable even in extreme conditions. What's more, the rear shocks come standard with premium rear coil springs to help with load-bearing capacity when your SUV is under tow. Perfect for everyday street travel and improved off-road capabilities, this suspension kit comes with everything you need to start building out your 2010-2022 4Runner for the off-road.

ICON Stage 1 Suspension Package Features:

Provides up to 3.5" front lift / 3" rear lift
Consistent damping performance front to rear
Accommodates up to 33" tires
No drilling, cutting, or welding required
Optimized for 2010-2022 Toyota 4Runner

6x139.7mm Fifteen52 17x8.5" Analog HD Asphalt Black 0mm Offset Wheel for Toyota 4Runner

Fitting larger and more aggressive wheels on your 2010-2022 4Runner is a staple off-road modification, and for a good reason. Larger wheels will lift your vehicle higher in the air to increase ground clearance while offering a whole new look for your soon-to-be overland machine. Aftermarket wheels are also useful for improving your 4Runner's load bearing capabilities, providing your vehicle with more strength on uneven terrain. In the sea of aftermarket wheels for 2010-2022 4Runner's, Fifteen52 has earned a spot in the premium aftermarket automotive industry with their innovative concepts and modern day styling. Fifteen52 is a wheel brand driven by an underlying love for all things automotive, and for over 25 years have been developing and manufacturing premium wheel designs to adapt motorsport driving to the everyday encounters of street driving. Fifteen52's Analog HD Asphalt Black Wheel is a great example of this as it features an updated classic style and a strong design, giving your vehicle the confidence and style it needs to tackle just about anything in your way.

With a durable construction and unique design, the Fifteen52 17x8.5" Analog HD Asphalt Black 0mm Offset Wheel is one of our favorite picks for the 2010-2022 4Runner. This particular wheel is featured on our 2019 4Runner TRD build here at Stage 3, and is perfect for giving any 4Runner that aggressive, overland appeal. The wheel itself was constructed from a one-piece aluminum that reduces unsprung weight while keeping the wheel lightweight and durable in any condition. Moreover, this wheel features slotted pockets in the center section that channels airflow to your brake system, keeping brake dust low for a cleaner look that will be sure to turn some heads. Wheels are one of the first thing bystanders notice when checking out your rig, and with this wheel's classic style and asphalt black powder-coat finish, your 4Runner will be sporting a brand new look that's ready for any adventure. Built to withstand even the harshest conditions, Fifteen52's Analog HD Wheel is a no-brainer for anybody looking to improve the style and functionality of their 2010-2022 4Runner.

6x139.7mm Fifteen52 17x8.5" Analog HD Asphalt Black 0mm Offset Wheel Features:

Wheel Size: 17x8.5"
Bolt Pattern: 6x139.7mm
Finish: Asphalt Black
Offset: 0mm
Center Bore: 106.2
Load Rating: 2500lb

LT285/70R17 Falken Wild Peak All-Terrain A/T3W Off-Road Tire for Toyota 4Runner

Aftermarket wheels are really no good if you don't pair them with a set of premium oversized tires for your 2010-2022 4Runner. Aftermarket tires will help compliment your new wheels while providing more traction for demanding off-road trails, keeping you in contact with the ground for a longer period of time. The bigger the tire, the more rubber that comes in contact with the trail, resulting in more traction and control for uneven environments. Larger off-road tires will also help improve your SUV's handling and cornering, due to the wider tread surface and stiffer sidewalls. Premium tire upgrades can come in many different sizes, tread patterns, and styles for a completely custom look, which is why we've selected one of our favorite picks for your specific vehicle. There's an aftermarket tire out there for every situation and occasion, but few offer the ruggedness and dependability of the Falken Wild Peak All-Terrain A/T3W Off-Road Tire.

With over 35 years of experience, Falken has solidified a place as a strong consumer choice for tires as they have focused on developing Ultra High Performance products with their WILD PEAK off-road tire line. Falken's Wild Peak All-Terrain A/T3W Off-Road Tire is no stranger to the high-quality construction and dependable performance seen on all other Falken tires. When picking out the right tire for your truck, you want to ensure you're getting the perfect fit for your specific needs, and an all-terrain tire is one of the best bets for vehicle's going to see some off-road action. This tire will supply your 4Runner with a healthy balance of smooth daily street driving and consistent performance on any trail filled with mud, snow, sand, or anything else you get your truck into. The interlocking tread pattern featured on this tire was designed for increased stability while helping deflect rocks and eject mud when you're caught in the thick stuff. This tire also exhibits tough sidewalls to give you plenty of confidence when you come across tough trails that will challenge your 4Runner.

Falken Wild Peak All-Terrain A/T3W Off-Road Tire Features:

Tire Size: LT285/70R17
Tire Diameter: 33"
Max Load (single): 3195lb
Section Width: 11.6
Tread Depth: 14.6
Tread Width: 9.3

Rhino Rack Backbone System with 76x49" Pioneer Platform Roof Rack for Toyota 4Runner

One of the easiest and most effective aftermarket upgrades you can install on your 2010-2022 4Runner is a premium roof rack system. Roof Racks help transform your vehicle into a cargo carrying machine as they utilize the roof of your SUV for hauling oversized gear like luggage, kayaks, bicycles, surfboards, and so much more. Racks help free up space inside of your 4Runner's cab to help improve leg room and comfort for you and your passengers without having to compromise for leaving some of your gear behind. Your off-road adventures will only be as fun as you make them, so bringing all of your sporting equipment and outdoor gear along is essential for having a day you know you won't forget. There are plenty of different styles and variations of roof racks for the 2010-2022 4Runner, but not all offer the functionality and appeal of Rhino Rack's Backbone System Roof Rack.

Designed to convert your SUV's roof into a mounting area for additional storage, the Rhino Rack Backbone System Pioneer Platform Roof Rack is a complete and versatile rack system for all of your cargo carrying needs. Rhino Rack constructed their Pioneer Platform using high-quality aluminum and nylon to keep the rack lightweight, yet extreme durable for any conditions. Moreover, an abrasion, rust, and corrosion-resistant black powder-coating keeps the rack protected from harsh elements when you're out and about. The rack itself features a vehicle-specific backbone mounting system, making for a full replacement of your stock roof rails. The system connects to your 4Runner's roof simply using the stock mounting points, and will provide a sturdier and more reliable mounting for cargo and accessories. This also helps your vehicle maintain a sleek and low-profile appearance that won't add too much bulk to it's exterior. This rack easily install using the included hardware, and will instantly improve the utility of any 2010-2022 4Runner.

2010-2022 4Runner Rhino Rack Backbone System with 76x49" Pioneer Platform Roof Rack Features:

76"x49" Pionner Platform
Increases load carrying capabilities
Premium aluminum & nylon construction
Rust and corrosion resistant
Compatible with a range of accessories
Black powder-coat finish

Baja Designs Amber Squadron Sport Complete Pocket Fog Kit for Toyota 4Runner

Now that you've gotten your 4Runner completely prepared for any adventure with an upgraded leveling kit, wheels, tires and a roof rack, it's time for the fun to start. At first glance, the exterior of your 2010-2022 4Runner offers nothing special to the wandering eye. Your rig simply blends in with the rest of traffic, and doesn't offer anything extra on top of it's premium construction and dependability. For an upgrade that will improve both the functionality and appearance of your SUV, you'll need to slap on some premium off-road light mounts offered here at Stage 3. Off-Road lighting mounts like cube lights and light bars will help you better command the night sky on all of your late night trail runs. Auxiliary lighting is also known to help compliment the other lighting components of your vehicle like the headlights, fog lights, and tail lights for an aesthetic upgrade to any 4Runner. One of the more common lighting upgrades made on Toyota 4Runner's is a set of replacement fog lights, and no other offers the same functionality and performance of the Baja Designs Amber Squadron Sport Complete Fog Kit.

Baja Designs brings you and your 2010-2022 4Runner their Amber Squadron Sport Complete Pocket Fog Kit for improved visibility through even the most dense weather conditions. This kit includes all of the lights, adapters, and mounts needed to securely install these aftermarket fog lights on your vehicle, making this a complete fog light overhaul in one simple package. The fog lights emit an impressive 3,150 lumnes per light, which is a much stronger output over stock to help you see more of the trail through any inclement weather. Moreover, these fog lights feature a 5000K daylight temperature which is much more effective for dense weather compared to your factory output, and will cause less driver fatigue over time. The cornering LEDs featured in these replacement fog lights will provide more visibility to the sides of the road, keeping you safe from hazards and obstacles on and off-road. Built with cast aluminum housings and polycarbonate lenses, the Baja Designs Amber Squadron Pocket Fog Kit will be prepared to handle just about anything you throw their way.

2010-2022 4Runner Baja Designs Amber Squadron Sport Complete Pocket Fog Kit Features:

Complete 4Runner off-road LED fog pocket kit
Two premium Amber Squadron Sport Lights
Plug-and-play design for factory plugs
3,150 effective lumens utilizing 4 LEDs
Drop-in mounting brackets

Final Thoughts

The 2010-2022 4Runner is a versatile vehicle to say the least, but that doesn't mean they don't have their limitations. We carry some of the best upgrades to help push your 4Runner to it's limits, allowing you to start adventuring like a pro/ After everything we've covered and discussed about the best performance parts and accessories for your 4Runner, we hope you've found a product or two that you're looking to install on your build. If you liked anything you saw in this post or have any questions about the parts listed above, please feel free to let us know in the comment section down below!

Top Mods: Top 5 2020-2022 Super Duty Front Bumpers

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 00:00:00 EST

Now that you've got your 2020-2022 F250 or F350 Super Duty it's time to look for some upgrades and modifications. When it comes to an upgrade that looks good and adds functionality, the best thing to add is a front bumper. It can be a bit overwhelming looking at front bumpers though because of all the different options like winch mounts, D-rings, full guards, pre-runner guards, lighting setups, etc. So we put together a list of the top 5 2020-2022 Super Duty bumpers we have available to make it that much easier. Here are some of our favorite front bumpers, but in case none of these fit your style or build vision then we also have a ton of other 2020-2022 F250 & F350 Super Duty Front Bumpers to choose from.

Road Armor Evolution Front Bumpers

The first one to take a look at would be the Evolution Front Bumpers from Road Armor. This bumper is available in three different styles; base, pre-runner guard, and full guard. No matter which type of guard you choose however it still has the same quality components. These bumpers feature a 3/16" heavy-duty steel construction which was hand-welded at their factory that is combined with a design that not only looks good but also is advertised to feature a bolt-on installation process that works with your Super Duty's factory sensors. In addition to the easier installation process, Road Armor created these bumpers to have space for a larger winch like a Road Armor 12K integrated winch or even up to a Warn M16.5 (winch sold separately). As part of the design, there is also a lot of room to customize the bumper how you see fit. An example of this is how there are a few different lighting provisions that are included as part of the Evolution's design. You can install recessed light pods for two (2) - 3" lights or one (1) 4" light bar (lights sold separately) in one section. In another section, there is space for 8in accent lights and there is even a spot on the bumper that can allow for a Centered 30" single-row light bar. However, It is important to note that none of these lights are included with purchase. If lights are not your style, Road Armor also includes custom mesh inserts to cover up those areas.

Road Armor Evolution Base Front Bumper Specifications:

3/16" Heavy-Duty Steel Construction
Works With Factory Sensors
Width: 25.7"
Length: 78.78"
Height: 17.33"
Weight: 185 Lbs

Fab Fours Matrix Front Bumpers

The next bumper series we want to highlight is the Matrix Front Bumpers from Fab Fours. These bumpers are created from 3/16 plate steel and also features a 2-stage black powder coat ensuring corrosion resistance and a super long-lasting finish. Similar to the Road Armor ones above this comes in three different styles; base, pre-runner guard, and full guard. With the Fab Fours Matrix Front Bumper, the idea is to add utility and strength without sacrificing anything. Their aggressive design is combined with an assortment of light provisions and also provisions for Warn Zeon 12 (12,000 lbs) winches and lower. As you can see from the photo above the bumper's angular design improves tire clearance so that you can squeeze on those off-road tires you've had your eye on. This bumper also comes with side mounts for off-road LEDs and a center mount that fits a 30" LED light bar for customization opportunities. Fab Fours also adds mesh inserts, integrated sensor cutouts, and they also stand behind it with a limited lifetime warranty. Fab Fours also advertises that these Matrix bumpers can accommodate a factory 360° camera with minimal interference on the pre-runner guard and full guard models.

Fab Fours Matrix Base Front Bumper Specifications:

3/16in Plate Steel Construction
Finish: Fab Fours 2 Stage Black Powder Coat
Weight: 155 Lbs
Slim “High and Tight” Design

Warn Ascent Front Bumpers

The third option in this list is the Ascent Front Bumper Series from Warn. It does not matter if you order the base model (no guard), the model with a pre-runner guard, or the bumper that includes a full guard. Warn created these specifically for 2020-2022 Super Dutys. The bumpers design also allows accompaniment of oversized off-road tires while adding some serious protection to your front end at the same time. This bumper is constructed by welding heavy 1/4” and 3/16” thick steel which results in an extremely protective design. In addition to the heavy-duty steel construction, Warn included a durable black, textured powder coat that withstood rigorous 408-hour salt spray testing to this bumper for durability. In those tests Warn found that the powder coat offers double the corrosion resistance over their normal finishes. Installing this on your truck will require the removal of your truck's front tow hooks but outside of that, it is created to bolt on to your factory mounting points. The bumper allows for mid-frame and large frame winches up to 18,000lbs so you can be prepared for anything. Warn also included built-in slots if you so choose to throw four awesome 3in cube lights on it as well.

Warn Ascent HD Base Front Bumper Specifications:

Welded, One-Piece Construction uses heavy 1/4” and 3/16” thick steel
Accommodates Oversized Tires
Features Integrated Light Ports For Four, 3” Cube Lights
Integrated Winch Mounting Structure Provides Maximum Strength For The Toughest Pulls

Hammerhead Winch Bumpers

Last but certainly not least is the Hammerhead Winch Front Bumpers. Unlike the others that were previously mentioned, if you want the capability for a winch in their low profile series you have to choose between either a pre-runner guard or low guard design. For a full guard you have to make sure and order the 2017-2022 F250 & F350 Hammerhead X-Series Winch-Ready Front Bumper seen below. Hammerhead created this with 11 GA 3/16" steel with a 2-stage black powder coat which helps keep it durable and gives it a more authoritative look. Even with this high-quality steel construction the bumper itself only weighs about 133 lbs, which is mind-boggling when you take into account the material this is created with and the fact it is reinforced to allow for an extra layer of strength. This bumper is built to be able to integrate many different accessories. In addition to a winch, these will accommodate up to four 3.25" x 3.25" external dimension cube off-road fog lights and a 20" total length single row light bar. There are also shackle mounts that are a part of the mounting surface to the frame, they extend through the bumper and are welded on the inside and outside of the bumper. This product includes all of the necessary hardware that is required for installation as well a detailed manual to make putting this on your truck a breeze. Hammerhead recommends the use of a chain pulley to make it easier. It is important to note with these bumpers you may lose the adaptive cruise control or front-facing camera features.

Hammerhead X-Series Front Bumper Specifications:

Ultra-Durable 3/16" Plate Steel Construction
Allows Mounting of 3" Cube Lights
Aggressive Design
Guard Created From 1.75" Tubing to Provide Complete Protection

Last Thoughts

Each of these bumpers features a sturdy construction and aggressive design that works well with the body lines of 2020-2022 F250 or F350s. That being said be sure to check each listing carefully for different fitment or installation restrictions. Which of the front bumpers above stick out to you the most? Is there a front bumper that you love that is not on this list? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Products Mentioned In This Article: