Introducing the top 20 most requested products of 2009, as chosen by Truck Parts & Service readers.
The aftermarket channel continues to reap the benefits of improved products and product support literature. The more value you are able to provide to customers, the more they value their relationship with your business.
Many of these product and literature introductions were featured in the Showcase, Literature Review and Marketplace departments of Truck Parts & Service magazine throughout the year. Accompanying each item was a Reader Service Number that allowed readers to request additional information to be provided by the appropriate manufacturer.
More than 10 years ago we introduced the first Top 20 collection and we continue this tradition, in alphabetical order by manufacturer, with the most popular product and literature items featured in Truck Parts & Service magazine during 2009. The results of our Top 20 products and literature are based purely on the number of reader inquiries each item received during 2009. Inquiries generated from advertising messages were not included in our count.
REPLACEMENT LED INDICATORS COME IN MANY COLORS
APEM Components, Inc. introduced its Q-Series of LED indicators that it said offers a vibrant selection of colors, long-life expectancy and a durable design. Offered in red, green, yellow, blue and white, the Q-Series indicators are also available with bicolor, tricolor and flashing LEDs.
APEM said the Q-Series includes solder lug/quick-connect terminals, wire terminations and 200mm elongated wires. There are 6, 8 and 14mm package sizes; prominent, recessed and flush bezel styles; and bright chrome, black chrome and satin grey bezel finishes.
Additionally, integral resistors allow for direct connection to 12 V DC, 12 V AC/DC, 24 V DC, 24 V AC/DC, 110 V AC and 220 V AC. Viewing angles range from 70° to 100° (depending on model), life expectancy is 100,000 hours and operating temperatures range from -40° C to 85° C. Special options include high brightness LEDs (sunlight readable) and panel sealing to IP67.
CHROME ACCESSORIES CATALOG
ArvinMeritor, Inc. offers the Euclid Chrome And Stainless Steel Accessories catalog. This full-color catalog features bumper hardware, exhaust products, exterior accessories, front wheel products, lighting products, simulators and more.
Included is an index by part number for easy reference. Detailed descriptions and pictures accompany each product, and charts illustrate product selection information.
SHOCK BROCHURE
ArvinMeritor has released a Gabriel shocks product line brochure, SP-0848. It highlights the company’s message as the leader in commercial vehicle original equipment shocks. According to the company, you will find the same quality in Gabriel aftermarket shocks as those installed on most new commercial vehicles in North America.
The six-page brochure covers features and benefits of Fleetline, GasSLX, Fleetline cab shocks and Ultra light truck shocks. The brochure can be downloaded at arvinmeritor.com.
CHARGE AIR COOLER CATALOG
Aviation Technology for the Trucking Industry, a brochure from Av-Tekk, is available. It features charge air cooler problems and solutions. Highlighted problems include cracked header plates, cracks in the air tubes and a weakened core structure. Solutions include strengthened header plates, leak-proof air tube seams and an I-beam reinforced structure.
Magnified pictures show an up-close view of what these problems do to the charge air cooler as well as what the solutions provide.
SMART BATTERY ISOLATOR PREVENTS DRAINING
Cole Hersee Company introduced its new Smart Battery Isolator 48525 and 48530 that prevents loads on the auxiliary battery from draining the starting battery.
The smart battery isolator provides a more flexible solution than traditional isolators, according to the company, as it is not specific to an alternator type. Additionally, Cole Hersee said the smart battery isolator is smaller, lighter and generates less heat than competitive products.
Because the smart battery isolator reduces charging system workload by not connecting to the auxiliary battery until the primary battery is charged to 13.2 V, there is lower strain on expensive charging components, extending the product life.
No diode efficiency losses occur when using Cole Hersee’s smart battery isolator, and it also allows bi-directional charging from the alternator or from other power chargers/converters. The company said it is easy to install and also features an LED status indicator and operational start assist. The Smart Battery Isolator is available in 85A and 200A versions.
DETROIT DIESEL LAUNCHES ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS FEATURES
Detroit Diesel Corporation announced the launch of new advanced diagnostics features for its Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link (DDDL) available for heavy-duty engines and compatible with the company’s full line of engines.
The company said the DDDL’s enhanced features provide service technicians an interactive tool by not just reading diagnostic data, but interpreting it and automatically determining next steps. A sophisticated troubleshooting tree provides step-by-step diagnostics to help technicians quickly and easily address issues.
Additional features include encrypted videos and animation clips that further aid in diagnoses. On-screen graphics also serve as a teaching tool for technicians. Technicians can also use the DDDL to report back to Detroit Diesel’s support center, which helps Detroit Diesel engineers monitor and evaluate repairs being made, enhancing continuous engine and technology improvements, the company said.
REPLACEMENT FILTER GUIDE
Donaldson’s new replacement filter guide covers a wide range of filter types and applications. With more than 8,000 individual items, the Donaldson selection of replacement lube, fuel, coolant, hydraulic and exhaust products offers a broad range of engine protection choices.
The guide lists filter type, primary application, part number and Donaldson replacement part number. Air filters include the company’s Endurance air filters with their “twice the life” guarantee.
PREMIUM BRAKE SHOES
East Coast Brake Rebuilders’ private-branded materials (manufactured by Duroline North America) all use Duroline’s patented manufacturing process – The Wave Process – which assures higher performance and longer life, along with a lower noise level.
ECB 20 and 24 premium brake linings feature all glass-acrylic based fibers, which assure drum compatibility and friction stability.
THE BASICS OF ELECTRICITY & VEHICLE LIGHTING
Grote Know-How, Volume One is a self-study guide covering the basics of vehicle electricity and lighting. It is a programmed instruction style self study guide that covers all the essentials, including: basics of electricity, vehicle wiring and lighting; choosing lighting devices; proper connection technique; and understanding the Grote system. It also includes a mail-in certification test. According to the company, it is designed for distributor counterpeople and salespeople. It also is available on the Internet.
NEW PRODUCT BUYERS’ GUIDE
The New Product Buyers’ Guide from Grote has more than 140 new or improved products listed.
The guide covers the company’s complete line of lighting products and is divided into six sections. Sections provide information on signal lighting, interior lighting, forward lighting, warning and hazard lighting, license and auxiliary lighting and harness, connectors and other miscellaneous items.
Each product is accompanied by a brief description, technical specifications and a color photo. The company’s White Light technology is featured.
REMAN BROCHURE
Haldex has released a brochure on its line of remanufactured products. Remanufactured products include starters, alternators, solenoids and parallel switches for all applications. Every part is factory remanufactured to meet or exceed new performance levels. Drawings of a reman starter and alternator are used to illustrate what is done to each part of the component.
The brochure also explains the measures the company takes to ensure the quality of the reman products including being ISO 19001-2000 and 14001-2004 registered.
MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC CATALOGS
MAHLE Clevite has released two more of its manufacturer-specific catalogs. The two new catalogs address all the aftermarket parts in the MAHLE Clevite line for Detroit-Mercedes (Catalog # EP-30DD-08) and Navistar (Catalog # EP-30NV-08).
This includes cylinder components, bearings, gaskets, rings, valve train, cams, crankshafts and more. The catalogs also include information on all available engine kits. The catalogs can be viewed or downloaded at www.mahleclevite.com.
COMPACT TRAILBLAZER COMBINES WELDER, GENERATOR AND MORE
Mobile service and repair operations can benefit from the Trailblazer 302 Air Pak from Miller Electric Mfg. Co. that combines an air compressor, generator and welder into one unit that saves up to 50 percent of the space that would be required for individual units.
The truck-mounted unit’s rotary screw air compressor produces 26 CFM at 100 percent of its duty cycle and delivers 70 to 160 PSI, according to the company. Additionally, the generator provides up to 13,000 watts and the welder produces up to 350 amps. With the reduced real estate comes reduced axle weight, up to 25 percent. The Trailblazer 302 Air Pak has a 30 horsepower gasoline-powered Kohler engine.
The company said the unit runs most air impact wrenches at idle and provides 100 percent deliverable air, which allows technicians to work continuously without worrying about air pressure. The multi-process machine provides strong Stick, MIG, flux cored, AC/DC TIG and air carbon arc gouging and cutting performance with: 25 to 300 amps of DC output for Stick; 10 to 300 amps of DC output for TIG; 10 to 225 amps for AC TIG/Stick; and 13 to 35 volts (350 amps) for MIG and flux-cored welding. It has two generators, one for welding and one for power generation, to help ensure the welding arc remains stable when power tools are being used.
GUIDE TO FULL RANGE OF BOWER BEARINGS
This comprehensive catalog is a convenient guide to the entire Bower product range and is said to cover all possible bearing needs of the heavy-duty trucking industry.
It’s divided in two main sections:
• Tapered Roller Bearings – for wheel (truck and trailer), transmission, differential and engine applications; and
• Cylindrical Roller Bearings – both ISO and US industry series for use in transmission and differential applications.
FLEXIBLE FORM-A-FUNNEL MOLDS TO MEET NEEDS
New Pig Corporation introduced the Form-A-Funnel, a flexible tool that bends, molds and holds its shape to fit applications where liquids, leaks or drips need to be drained, diverted or transferred.
The Form-A-Funnel is constructed of a moldable lead interior and fully coated with thick and pliable rubber, and is chemical resistant and safe to handle, according to the company. New Pig said the funnel can be shaped to channel, catch and divert hard-to-drain liquids directly into a container, keeping drips off of equipment and floors, reducing the potential for slips and falls.
It is easy to clean and will retain its shape until its next application, or can be flattened out or rolled up and stored in a tool box.
NEWSTAR COMPONENT CATALOGS
S&S Truck Parts has released a new lineup of NEWSTAR component catalogs that includes the:
• Air Systems Components Catalog;
• Chassis/Suspension Components Catalog;
• Drivetrain Components Catalog;
• Power Steering Components Catalog; and
• PTO & Hydraulics Components Catalog.
In all, these catalogs feature hundreds of OE quality components that cover a vast range of medium- and heavy-duty truck parts. Additionally, each catalog has a full interchange/cross reference index.
NEW 9-WAY SLIDE HAMMER PULLER SET
OTC, an SPX brand, introduced its Stinger 4579 9-Way Slide Hammer Puller Set, a five-pound polished chrome hammer equipped with a variety of attachments to handle a wide range of pulling situations.
The set is packaged in one compact, blow-molded case. Internal and external pulling jaws provide even more versatility for bearings, gears and oil seals. According to the company, the set allows technicians to easily pull flange-type rear axles and most front-wheel drive hubs.
With all its attachments, the company said, the OTC Stinger 9-Way Slide Hammer Puller Set will provide the versatility that is needed to improve shop efficiency and increase profits. The 4579 also features two- and three-way cross blocks and cone provide the perfect jaw configuration for most jobs. Set also includes a grip wrench adapter and dent puller attachment for sheet metal or other unique pulling requirements.
LED HEADLAMP
Truck-Lite’s new 7-inch LED headlamps are the first LED headlamp in commercial production. The round headlamp meets or exceeds all applicable Department of Transportation requirements and all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards pertaining to headlamps.
The LED headlamps can replace any standard 7-inch round headlight within 24-volt applications. They can be aimed using standard mechanical aiming equipment. Each headlamp uses 10 Luxeon LEDs at its light source. The LEDs in the headlamps are said to produce a crisper, whiter light output. They feature potted circuit board assemblies for universal shock and vibration resistance and polycarbonate lenses.
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER-COMPATIBLE CHROME
With the advent of the 2007 EPA emissions regulations, conventional chrome exhaust is no longer feasible for new trucks. As part of the company’s “All-Makes” program, Tube Specialties has developed a chrome solution that prevents discoloration and degradation caused by heat and corrosive chemicals. It is a revolutionary innovation that is cost effective and lightweight. The new diesel particulate filter-compatible chrome eliminates the need for expensive double-walled construction for the chrome exhaust system.
TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS CATALOG
The heavy-duty division of Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Inc., World American, has introduced a new catalog, Heavy Duty Differential and Manual Transmission Components. It contains more than 300 pages of differential and manual transmission parts for the heavy-duty aftermarket.
Filled with illustrations and product identification, this catalog proves to be a must-have for distributors, the company said. Access and free download of this catalog can be found at the company’s Web site, www.worldamerican.com.
