SEMA Off-Road: Hottest Products & Vehicles of 2019

It’s true that overlanding was the name of the game at this year’s SEMA, dominating nearly every square inch of the show floor. But, tucked amid the overwhelming number of rooftop tents and fold-out kitchens, there were more than a few exciting new off-road products and trail-ready rigs to be found. With the help of our friend Cody Sisson of The Trailchasers Podcast we rounded up some of the most noteworthy, as well as exciting new products and important industry trends.

Overlanding Overshadows Off-Roading

Whether you love or hate the overlanding trend, there was genuinely no escaping it at SEMA 2019. In addition to the brand-new designated overlanding arena, countless booths featured adventure-ready 4x4s just itching to be Instagrammed.

“Everything had an overland bend to it. That’s definitely the current trend in the industry right now—putting a tent on something and calling it an overland vehicle,” jokes Sisson. “There were some really incredible, really clean off-road builds at SEMA but, unfortunately, I think a lot of them were overshadowed by the number of tents inside the arena.”

In case you missed them, we rounded up a few excellently-outfitted off-road rigs for you here:

Granted, the overlanding and off-road segments represent two different groups of enthusiasts, but in the big ol’ Venn Diagram of outdoor recreation, there’s definitely some crossover. And the vehicle chosen to be the poster child of such off-grid harmony?

Gladiator Dominates the Arena

“This was the year of the Gladiator—like JT Fest 2019,” says Sisson. “It was almost painfully apparent that that’s where companies are focusing their marketing dollars and R&D efforts. Really, my biggest takeaway from the show was that manufacturers are expecting—and preparing for—a giant surge of Gladiator products in the near future.”

Despite the eye-watering price of admission, demand for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator remains high—even if many interested off-roaders are holding out for incentives to actually pull the trigger. It’s an interesting development in a segment that through its ups and downs has always maintained a price point accessible to the average buyer. Jeep’s ultra-capable hauler with the high price tag expands the boundaries of what’s possible in the midsize market—from multiple perspectives.

“The Ranger and Gladiator might suffer a little bit during these initial runs,” says Sisson. “With the new Tacoma landing in 2016 and then the Colorado ZR2 coming right after, I feel like everybody who was clamoring for a new midsize truck went out and plucked up one of those. But I think that the next purchasing cycle for people that need a truck—they’re going to sell plenty of those things.”

“And they’re way better than I expected them to be,” admits Sisson. “That Gladiator—originally, I thought they were just going to take a Wrangler and throw a truck bed on it and call it done, but they’ve actually done a lot of engineering. I feel it’s worthy of being called a Jeep truck.”

Exciting Off-Road Products from SEMA 2019

Even though a rig like the Gladiator is capable in factory form, it practically demands aftermarket attention. “Personally, I don’t think they’re an attractive truck off the showroom floor,” adds Sisson. “So, it’s almost like you have to be able to put money into it for suspension, wheels & tires, etc…”

Whether you’re scoping out a new Gladiator or Ranger, looking to upgrade your current off-road rig, or interested in equipping your overland vehicle for more rugged terrain, SEMA 2019 had plenty of exciting new off-road products on the menu.

We’ll be highlighting plenty of new swag here on the blog, from recovery and exterior accessories to wheels and tires and cargo management. But, below, we cherry picked a few innovations in the world of suspension and drivetrain upgrades that we found particularly impressive. Be sure to check in with the suppliers’ social media accounts to stay up-to-date on product releases, and tune into The Trailchasers podcast for exclusive interviews with manufacturers, fabricators, racers, and industry pros—many of whom were at SEMA this year.

ICON Vehicle Dynamics Jeep JT 2.5″ Suspension System

Aimed at ramping up off-road capability and on-road driving dynamics, ICON’s SEMA-award-winning Jeep Gladiator JT Stage 1 system offers wheel travel gains over 30%! The kit includes front dual rate coil springs, rear billet aluminum coil spacers, 2.0 Aluminum Series shocks, front bump stops, adjustable sway bar end links, and all necessary hardware for a 100% bolt-on installation.

“I have personally driven a Gladiator with the ICON prototype suspension on it and I will tell you: it is absolutely amazing,” gushes Sisson. “We had the opportunity to go to Jeremy McGrath’s off-road ranch in San Diego where we basically got to drive a brand-new Gladiator with an ICON suspension and jump it, launch it off of things, and test it. I wasn’t as much of a fan of the Gladiator until that experience. I was just floored at how capable it was with that suspension system on it.”

There are also complete systems available for the new Ford Ranger, as well as a bevy of other popular makes and models from Ford, Chevy, RAM, Toyota, Nissan, and Jeep.

Ultimate Dana 60 Axles for the Jeep Gladiator JT

Also nabbing an award at SEMA (in fact, placing runner-up in the Best New Off-Road/4WD Product category to the ICON system mentioned above) is the new line of Ultimate Dana 60 axles and Spicer drivetrain components for the new Gladiator.

Engineered to be a direct-fit, bolt-in solution for the front and rear axles, the Ultimate Dana 60 axles can withstand the punishment of extreme off-roading. Available in 3.73, 4.10, 4.88, and 5.38 ratios, they also feature Spicer nickel chromoly axle shafts, nodular iron differential covers, upgraded heavy-duty brakes, and an Eaton ELocker or ARB AirLocker.

Banks Power Differential Cover Kit

The first of its kind, the new Banks Power differential cover sports a unique design allowing for 5x better cooling than any flat-back style diff cover. An integrated scoop directs air up and into the cover’s heat radiation fins, pulling heat away from the rear and providing cooler running temps, longer fluid life, and a longer lasting differential.

Hellwig Rear Sway Bar Jeep Gladiator (3-5″ Lift)

Featuring larger-than-stock diameters and precision-engineered components to optimize handling and reduce body roll, Hellwig’s new solid, heat-treated chromoly rear sway bar ensures excellent drivability on or off the trail. Specifically designed for lifted applications (3-5 inches) the Gladiator sway bar also features three-way adjustability.

Falcon SP2 3.5 e-Adjust Piggyback Shocks w/ aDAPT

Granted, the product name is a bit of a mouthful but it’s one you should commit to memory because this is some seriously cool technology. Giving you more control over your suspension tuning, this system utilizes electronic-actuated shocks with an N-cab motion sensor that will kick in, switching the shocks from stiff to soft, depending on the motion of the vehicle.

“This was one of the coolest things I saw at SEMA,” says Sisson. “As the truck starts to pitch and tilt and turn, aDAPT will electronically change the valving on whichever corner needs it. The shocks are changing real time and you can Bluetooth the brain unit to your phone so you can adjust how stiff and soft you want it. It was fascinating.”

Falcon is shooting for an early first quarter product release for the JL and early spring for the JK. Additionally, as long as you have a Falcon remote reservoir, you can purchase an upgrade kit, making the whole process easier and a little more affordable.

UpDownAir Gen2 Air Delivery System

For those off-roaders looking for an easy way to air up or down their tires on the trail, UpDownAir has improved upon its original air delivery system with the Gen 2. Allowing you to inflate or deflate all four tires simultaneously, it makes managing tire air pressure even simpler with better flow and performance. Specifically designed for each application (and now available for the Gladiator), each system comes with pre-cut hoses and quick connect fittings for easy installation.

Looking for a set of beefy new wheels and tires or innovative recovery gear? Stay tuned because we’ll be back with more exciting off-road products from SEMA 2019.