Westin SEMA 2019: Bigger, Better, and Bolder

January 11, 2020May 10, 2022 Gerald Charles 0 Comments Aftermarket Bumpers, Hitch Steps, SEMA 2019, Superwinch, Truck Accessories, Westin, Westin Lighting, Winches

Westin Automotive has been a go-to company in the automotive aftermarket community for years. With a wide range of products known for style, functionality, and—most importantly—quality, it has built a loyal following and a stable of subsidiary brand names that have become loved by enthusiasts, coast to coast and beyond.

That public adulation was on full display at SEMA 2019, where the Westin booth was one of the more highly-trafficked places to visit on the Vegas showroom floor. With new brands, new products, and some awe-inspiring builds, the California-based company took full advantage of the grandest stage in the aftermarket industry.

‘Murican Adventures

The central showpiece at Westin’s SEMA 2019 booth was a brand new 2020 Jeep Gladiator, a model that was clearly the undisputed belle of this year’s ball.

But this was no ho-hum, run-of-the-mill Gladiator. Oh, no. Built by the talented guys at Auto Definitions, this beast was dressed toe-to-tip in a fiercely patriotic American flag wrap. And, even better, it showed off some of the finest new advancements that Westin has spent the last 12 months perfecting for the aftermarket.

For starters, the front and rear of the Gladiator donned Westin WJ2 bumpers. Winch-ready and made of solid steel, these bumpers are perfectly designed to hug the Jeep’s fenders as well as a stock bumper would, but come equipped with mount points for a light bar, rock lights, or a skid plate.

Protected behind the WJ2 is a Westin HDX Series Grille, constructed of virtually impenetrable 11-gauge steel and fitted with one of Westin’s own adjustable light bars. A set of Westin LED cowl lights are installed as well, vastly improving the stock lighting situation.

Front and rear view of Jeep Gladiator build from Westin Automotive SEMA 2019 booth — *Photo: Jeep Gladiator Forum*

Just below the rear WJ2 bumper sits a Series 5 Hitch step, making good use of the Gladiator’s standard hitch receiver and giving drivers easier access to the bed of their vehicle—especially useful with a lifted truck like this one.

And speaking of the truck bed, one of the highlights of this Westin SEMA build is the all-new overlanding truck rack, vertically maximizing the potential of the bed’s space. Made of 14-gauge steel, it holds up to 600 pounds and should retail under $900 when it becomes available sometime in Q2.

Convenient & Capable

Flanking the Gladiator at Westin’s SEMA booth were a beefy Chevy Silverado 2500 and a new Polaris RZR.

The truck looked sharp and capable, wearing front and rear Westin Bandit Bumpers. Made of fully-welded steel and designed for maximum protection, the Bandit front bumper guards the grille with 2-inch tubing and a honeycomb-pattern steel plate, keeping the front end of your truck safe from whatever life might, quite literally, throw in your direction.

Westin's Chevy Silverado 2500 build wearing Bandit bumpers at SEMA 2019 — *Photo: Westin Automotive Facebook*

Westin Bandit bumpers come in a gloss black powder coat that’s designed to last against the elements. And the entire unit comes standard with added utility features like shackle mounts and a built-in receiver hitch, as well as removable sections to accommodate factory sensors and cameras. Its bolt-on installation is simple and drill free, and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

The Polaris RZR showcased brand-new winch trays front and back, frame-mounted with a built-in Class 1 receiver. Accommodating any ATV/UTV winch, they were outfitted with Terra Series units from Westin’s newly-acquired brand, Superwinch. Check them out here.

A brand long-known for its durable construction and innovative features, Superwinch has more than four decades under its belt, manufacturing electric and hydraulic winches, accessories, and hubs. The company’s clever Winch2Go system nabbed a SEMA Global Media Award this year, signaling that things are going pretty well in its new relationship with Westin.

Designed to be portable or mountable, and capable of pulling up to 8,000 pounds, the Winch2Go system includes all necessary gear for the job and is made of either synthetic rope or aircraft-grade steel. *Photo: Superwinch*

Light It Up

Westin’s New TAC BLACK Lighting system lit up SEMA 2019, both literally and figuratively.

Using technology that originated in the public safety sector, Westin has developed a ground-breaking new lighting solution for the everyday consumer. Featuring a unique silicone lens, TAC BLACK lights are immensely flexible, protecting against cracking, denting, chipping, and warping.

They also resist water damage and UV rays, staying crystal-clear for years to come. Proudly made in the USA, this innovative product also sports an easy-to-use stacking configuration, thanks a clever bracket system.

The TAC BLACK program was so well received that it garnered a Show Stopper Award from Diesel Tech Magazine, one of only five that the publication gives out amid all the new products at SEMA. Not too shabby a debut.

But of course, nobody is surprised. We’ve come to expect the very best from Westin, because year after year, Westin shows us that it expects the very best of itself.