Pickup trucks are reliable, rugged and ready machines that double as the daily commute to and from work, or the dependable off-roader during the weekend away. They feature capable drivetrains, enough space for the whole family, and comfort and convenience extras for the longer trips. And being the best selling vehicle category alongside SUVs makes them customizable with a range of factory and aftermarket parts and accessories.
If you want more from your truck, then well-built and reliable automotive exterior parts from established brands can get you there. These boost your vehicle’s protection, help you get out of tight spots, and prove necessary when towing trailers or boats. Parts and accessories are also available for truck beds to carry and protect gear of different sizes and heft.
Protection
Front, side and rear body protection is essential in keeping the paintwork scratch and dent-free, but also engine and chassis parts free from damage. Some also do double duty in providing your truck with additional functionality. If you’re wondering about the best-selling protective truck parts, here’s a short list that covers most needs:
Bull Bars
The thick and reinforced metal tubing in bull bars protects from head-on collisions, minor car park scuffs, animal strikes, road debris and boulders and stumps in off-roading tasks. The parts add structural strength by bolting directly to the chassis, fit over the stock bumpers for cleaner looks and come equipped with allocated points for common recovery gear such as hi-lift jacks.
High-grade aluminum or stainless steel is worked in different designs, from hooped bars that also protect the headlamps, to newer, compact variants that make room for winches if you’re into serious off-roading or use the truck for work. For off-roading check that bars can accommodate light bras, skid plates and other essentials.
Skid Plates
Off-roading requires the right protective gear. Skid plates are the first line of defense for you car’s underbody. protecting it from sharp boulders, impact at speed, and debris. All can cause major damage to vital parts, including the transmission, suspension and steering. Skid plates also limit wear from gravel and water when tackling technical trails or in mudding. Choose aluminum for lower weight, or go with thicker stainless steel varieties for maximum protection. Ensure what you’re buying is compatible with your vehicle and get a pro fit for the best results.
Recovery Gear
On the same topic of off-roading, once you’ve fitted the car with basic protection, consider recovery gear. This consists of a wide variety of parts, including recovery boards, shovels and fitted recovery points along the chassis rails or on the bull bars. Boards and tracks prove their worth in mud, sand and loose ground, providing enough traction to get unstuck. Shovels clear remaining sand and sifting ground that keep wheels locked. While rated recovery points front and rear help pull double weight of a fully loaded truck that’s bogged down using basic off-road tools like shackles, snatch straps and hi-lift jacks.
Bed Accessories
Truck beds are used to carry anything from luggage to lumber. To keep the bed and the contents inside protected from bad weather or theft use appropriately-sized tonneau covers. These hardwearing automotive exterior parts come in different guises, and offer different levels of protection. Soft roll-up covers, usually made of vinyl are a cost-effective and simple option for light rain and wind, but are simple to remove. For more protection, choose hard roll-up or folding covers in canvas, vinyl or harder plastics impervious to cuts, piercing and minor impact. If you need more functionality, consider retractable aluminum variants for easier and faster access to the bed. Other options are budget snap-on types, and single-panel hinged tonneau covers that bolt to the truck in multiple point and are the best if protection and sleek looks are your main priorities.
Look for covers that are easy to install (retractable and hinged types need professional installation), have decent weatherproofing to keep items dry and protected, allow easy access to the bed, and offer the level of security you need.
Towing Essentials
Trailers, boats and caravans are a pick-up truck’s best friend. But to tow them, the truck needs to be fitted with a hitch. Receiver hitches are the most common towing accessories, consisting of a receiver pipe mounted to the truck chassis or a rated tow bar and a matching ball mount. Towed vehicles hook onto the the ball mount with an appropriately-sized receiver hook.
When choosing hitches, consider the class, as this determines the overall safe towing weight the hitch can handle. Most pickups can comfortably tow in excess of 10000 pounds, meaning class 3 or higher hitches suit best.
Other Exterior Extras
The items above are just a handful of parts and accessories that let you get more out of your truck. For improved performance and engine longevity choose aftermarket exhaust systems, to shield the side of the vehicle and allow easy entry and exit go with side steps, and when loading bikes. ATVs or smaller machinery, consider loading ramps. Choose parts from established brands, made with quality materials and come with warranties should something go wrong.
