Well, it is almost that time! During the week of November 1 through the 4th, the Las Vegas Convention Center will be taken over and consumed by the world of the automotive aftermarket industry. The SEMA Show is just around the corner and Off Road Extreme is dropping a comprehensive 2022 SEMA Show preview.  Here is what we are excited about. Of course, our do not miss list incorporates new and exciting products, but like any gearhead, I am pumped about the vehicles! What are some that you want to see? Drop a comment and let us know so we can hustle over and grab the scoop for you.

Unfortunately, there will be no Ford Out Front this year as Ford Motor Company is not attending.

Official 2022 SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule

First things first, I always check the official SEMA press conference schedule. This is a quick list of the major announcements and big vehicle reveals. I know I cannot hit them all, but here are a few that I plan to attend.

To help me get around the expansive Las Vegas Convention Center, I utilize the official SEMA Show App. Having everything stop and booth location mapped out ahead of time on a planned schedule is key to maximizing my efficiencies. It really is a time saver that helps me lessen my footsteps.

SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule – Tuesday, November 1:

• 9:30 a.m. – Toyota Motor North America: Toyota Press Conference (Booth #22200)
• 11:00 a.m. – Keystone Automotive Operations Inc.: Ringbrothers Vehicle Unveil (Booth #21249)
• 12:00 p.m. – Quadratec Inc.: Quadratec to Debut Hybrid Jeep for “50 for 50” (Booth #58085)
• 12:30 p.m. – SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN): SBN All-Female Build Reveal (Booth 57061)
• 1:30 p.m. – SEMA: Battle of the Builders Top 40 Announcement (Booth #10139/Battle of the Builders Area)
• 2:30 p.m. – Eaton: New Performance Products and Partnerships From Eaton (Booth #22743)

General Motors U.S. will also be absent as an official exhibiting manufacturer.

SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule – Wednesday, November 2:

• 10:00 a.m. – Hellwig Products Co. Inc.: Hellwig Introduces New Silent Support System Line (Booth #57043)
• 11:30 a.m. – TORRIX: TORRIX – Altering Off-Road Possibilities (Booth #12439)
• 12:00 p.m. – SendCutSend.com: SendCutSend Launches On-Demand Manufacturing (Booth #24875)
• 1:00 p.m. – EMPI Inc.: EMPI Dune Buggy Reveal and Poster Signing With Shannon Rae (Booth #23429)
• 1:30 p.m. – SEMA: Battle of the Builders Top 12 Announcement (Booth #10139/Battle of the Builders Area)

2022 SEMA Show Preview: New Products

In between my hunt for the ultimate SEMA show booth vehicles, I do have to work and part of that means showcasing some of the latest new products. Here is a short list that is on my radar. Let us know if there is anything you want to see by dropping a comment below.

Atturo Tires

Judging by the current Off Road Xtreme site wrap banner, it sounds like Atturo Tires will be debuting their first purpose-built UTV tire at the 2022 SEMA Show. This is exciting to see this brand make a concerted effort in the UTV and SxS category. I wonder if it will be competition-rated like their recent Trail Blade Boss Green Label that debuted earlier this year.

• WHERE: Atturo Tires Booth #44119 – South Hall, Lower Floor

Bilstein Shock Absorbers

Bilstein is back this year after a hiatus on the heels of a global pandemic. If there is any indication of what they are excited about, it is probably the new powersports-focused Black Hawk UTV shocks. These new Bilsteins are a high-performance direct-fit upgrade that was first revealed at the Sand Sports Super Show and we cannot wait to see them in person.

Black Hawk Powersports shocks feature position-sensitive damping paired with a patented, externally adjustable two-stage Zone Control jounce cutoff system. Experience a unique “bottomless” ride feel that’s comfortable, controlled, and race-ready!

• WHERE: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America Booth: #22843 – Central Hall

Max Trac Suspension

Manufacturers of high-quality lift kits and leveling systems, Max Trac Suspension is always bringing the beef. Checking on their social channel, we see this new slick-looking 2021 and up Ford F-150 two-wheel-drive kit that comes in three flavors. Starting with a 4-inch lift up to a 7.5-inch lift seems like enough options for most truck enthusiasts.

We also heard something about a new 8-inch lift but are not sure what the application is for. Stay tuned to Off Road Xtreme for more details on this.

• WHERE: Max Trac Suspension Booth: #56195 – West Hall

The Wheel Group

If there is one place to get consumed with wheels, it is at the SEMA Show. There are thousands and thousands of the most unique wheels of every style. The Wheel Group is one outfit with multiple brands. I am excited to go see the new Dirty Life DT wheels. DT stands for its innovative Dual-Tek technology which allows for multiple uses from only one wheel.

• WHERE: The Wheel Group/Wheel-1 Booth: #44037 – South Hall, Lower Floor

Titan Fuel Tanks

• WHERE: Titan Fuel Tanks Booth: #58036 – West Hall

2022 SEMA Show Preview: Vehicles

The SEMA Show is all about the vehicles for me! Every year the show delivers more than what one could hope for. Yes, we all see and hear about those project vehicles that are not exactly show-ready, finished being built, or of sub-par craftsmanship. But I try to look past that and see something worthwhile and positive in just about anything. That is my nature. Giving credit where credit is due. And most of the vehicle builders have earned the credit, and I look forward to seeing their efforts and finished builds.

Here are some that I hope to see.

EMPI Dune Buggy Reveal

I am a big VW and Dune Buggy guy. If EMPI is debuting a new bug, you better believe the hype. It should be rad! I got a lead from our friend Blake Wilkey that his Class 11 Baja Bug will also be on display. And you can find his Jaws Trophy Truck Bug in the Full Throttle Batteries booth. As far as I am concerned, the more VWs the better.

• WHEN: 1:00 p.m. – EMPI Inc.: EMPI Dune Buggy Reveal and Poster Signing With Shannon Rae
• WHERE: EMPI Booth #23429 – Central Hall

• WHERE: Full Throttle Booth #61041 – West Hall

Ford and SBN All Women’s Bronco Build

WHAT: In partnership with the Ford Motor Company, the SBN All-Female Build campaign seeks to highlight successful women in the automotive industry while also attracting and supporting more women to pursue careers in the field.

Donated by Ford, the four-door Bronco Wildtrak has undergone extensive modifications on all elements, including the powertrain, suspension, wheels and tires, interior, electrical, lighting, exhaust, intake, and much more. The build project kicked off in July at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, and was completed at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, where more than 125 talented women representing all facets of the automotive industry worked on the project. The result is a highly capable and off-road / overland-ready Bronco that will surely be a highlight of the show.

This campaign marks the 10-year anniversary of SBN’s first award-winning all-female build, a 2013 Ford Mustang GT. Both the Ford Bronco Wildtrak and the Ford Mustang GT will be in the booth for this year’s unveiling.

• WHEN: Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 12:30 p.m.
• WHERE: SBN Booth # 57061 – West Hall

Mickey Thompson Tires

Ok! This is cool! The Batmobile will be a show-stopper for sure, and it will probably be difficult to get a decent pic, but I will try.

Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels is celebrating its 60th Anniversary at the 2022 SEMA Show. Part of their exhibit will be the new Batmobile located in their outdoor display (Silver Lot, booth #84180). With a design inspired by early muscle cars and crafted to look as though the Batman built it himself, Bruce Wayne’s ride sits on Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R tires. Swing by to get a photo of the Batmobile and learn about Mickey Thompson’s selection of tires and wheels.

• WHERE: Silver Lot, Booth #84180

Mickey Thompson’s full catalog of products will be on display, including our off-road rock star tires the Baja Boss M/T, Baja Boss A/T, Baja Legend MTZ, and the Baja Legend EXP. In addition to the off-road tires, speed shop owners will be fired up to see new sizes for the Pro Bracket Radial.

While there, look behind the booth and across the street to see other builds on Mickey Thompson tires. Plus, be sure to visit Rockstar Performance Garage (booth #21403) to see the Rok Buggy. Rockstar built a very custom V8-powered 4×4 and then fitted a VW shell as the vehicle skin. This one-of-a-kind off-roader will be the first feature riding on the 44-inch Baja Boss M/T tires.

• WHERE: Rockstar Performance Garage Booth #21403 – Central Hall & Central Lobby

Optima’s Off-Road Rivian EV And Turtleback Trailer Power Station

OPTIMA Batteries, a leading brand of Clarios, will debut EV overland builds at the 2022 SEMA Show to fuel the off-road enthusiast EV market. These groundbreaking Rivian rigs will feature unprecedented range capabilities thanks to OPTIMA Power Station trailers that act as a Swiss Army Knife for EV overlanders. Built in collaboration with DCE, a new EV-focused product line from performance and design powerhouse Weistec Engineering, along with product and expertise from BFGoodrich Tires, Volta Power Systems, Black Rhino Wheels, Turtleback Trailers, and others, they bring renewable energy to the world of overlanding.

Building from the already-capable Rivian platform, the OPTIMA team upgraded these vehicles to make them more versatile for outdoor adventures while maintaining daily drivability.

The OPTIMA Power Station is built on a Turtleback trailer with a Level 2 EV charger and enough energy storage to power up your EV in the wild. The mobile power station also serves as an energy source to power accessories that use 12-volt, 110-volt, or 220-volt outlets. The trailer contains an air compressor, electric stove, stereo, and camp lighting. Recharging the OPTIMA Power Station on a trip is simple; one can deploy the awning-style solar panels to recharge at a remote campsite, or it can be plugged into recharge.

• WHEN: Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 1 p.m.
• WHERE: Bronze Lot, Las Vegas Convention Center

Quadratec 2022 Jeep “JTe” Gladiator 4xe

Join Quadratec as it unveils an impressive custom “JTe” two-door 2022 Jeep Gladiator 4xe build. This one-of-a-kind standout design will serve as a full support vehicle at many of the company’s 50-for-50 trail clean-up projects across the country in coordination with Tread Lightly!

This deep green “JTe” Gladiator started life as a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe Rubicon and was painstakingly transformed into a two-door hybrid Gladiator by Greg Henderson at Unofficial Use Only, one of the country’s premier vehicle builders and metal fabricators. It was purpose-built to assist Quadratec with its exclusive 50-for-50 Trail Clean Up Initiative — a signature campaign in partnership with Tread Lightly! designed to complete one trail clean-up or stewardship effort in all 50 states over 24 months.

• WHEN: Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 12 p.m. PST
• WHERE: Quadratec Booth #58085 – West Hall

Ring Brothers

“BULLY” 1972 K5 Blazer: The 1,200-horsepower, big-tired, and purpose-built Blazer is meant to dominate on or off the road. BULLY is equipped with a supercharged Wegner Motorsports-built LS3, a triangulated four-link suspension with off-road racing coilovers, and a fully custom bespoke interior.

• WHEN: BULLY will be unveiled on Tuesday, November. 1 at 10:00 a.m.
• WHERE: SEMA HRIA/ARMO Booth #23295 – Central Hall, Hot Rod Alley

Stellantis, Mopar, and Jeep Concept Vehicles Revealed

Mopar released concept sketches in advance of the upcoming 2022 SEMA Show. Mopar will showcase customized vehicles and hundreds of quality-tested, factory-backed performance parts and accessories in its 15,345-square-foot exhibit in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

• WHERE: Mopar/Stellantis Booth #23295 – South Hall, Lower Floor

Project X, RTR Fun-Haver, Vaughn Gittin Jr., And Lauren Healy Reveal Their Fun-Runner XLT

I do not know much about this project except that the Fun Haver Broncos to date have been some of the most bad ass new bronco builds. Project X putting this out there on their social media confirms a new vehicle will be revealed at their booth # 61211, in the West Hall, on Tuesday, November 1 at 9:00 AM.

• WHERE: Project X Booth: #61211 – West Hall

The Warn Group To Showcase Three Exciting Builds at the 2022 SEMA Show & More! 

The four American brands that compose The Warn Group—Fab Fours, Fabtech, Factor 55, and Warn Industries—will debut their exciting new builds for the 2022 SEMA Show booth (#58051).

This year, the rigs include a wild 2022 Jeep Gladiator, a capable and versatile 2022 Toyota Tundra, and a trail-ready 2022 Ford Bronco. All these vehicles showcase products from all four of the Warn Group brands as well as other industry partners. These builds are built with rugged style and top-tier performance.

• WHERE: Warn Group Booth: #58051 – West Hall

2022 SEMA Show Preview: Vehicles And Products We Are Excited For