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Aftermarket Daily News Friday, November 8, 2019 3 4 AsTech the Leading Remote Diagnostic Solution to the Collision Repair Industry An interview with Jake Rodenroth, Director of Industry Relations, asTech. ADN: With the rise of emerging technol- ogy in vehicles, why is it more important now than ever to properly research serv- ice information for each repair? JR: Today's vehicles are full of tech- nology and require research to restore them to OEM standards properly. The vehicle structure and body substrates have changed and continue to evolve. Repairers should understand that systems like brakes, headlights and suspension have evolved and now have a new list of requirements and ever-changing repair procedures. Repairing mechanical, collision and glass all demand focus and attention to detail. Diagnosing vehicles, programing network modules and calibration aren't possible without the proper research of repair proce- dures and adequate tools. ADN: How does a mechanical vehicle repair differ from a collision repair? JR: When a customer comes to you with complaints about a maintenance problem or known issue specific to that vehicle, you have some idea what the problem may be. Years of experience accompa- nied by the right tools can oftentimes lead to predictable repair strategies in the world of mechanical. Collision repair is unique, as there are no two collisions alike. After an accident, its rarely clear which systems were affected, and without the proper research and diagnostic scan, you may find your customers finding errors in real-time traffic. ADN: How can a collision center be sure that vehicle is repaired properly and in a timely manner? JR: Today's vehicles don't always emit a flashing light or alert the driver when DTCs are triggered. Using aftermarket scan tools can create further issues and confusion by introducing phantom fault codes to the vehicle delaying repairs and prolonging cycle time. The only way to guarantee the fastest keys to keys time is to be a true professional and to research factory service manuals. When researching, OEMs will recom- mend the use of their factory tools to access all vehicle systems and functions as a best practice. ADN: Can anyone repair today's vehicles? JR: A true professional under- stands the vehicle they are work- ing on and the associated processes, tools and training. The asTech ® device con- nects you to an OEM diagnostic tool and ASE certified or dealer-trained techni- cians to help you identify diagnostic issues and DTCs pre- and post-repair, as well as preform non-ADAS related cali- bration. In combination with our vast inventory of OEM tools and trained tech- nicians, we are here to help in the repair process and always fix what we find. For more information, go to www.astech.com, call 888.486.1166, email askastech@astech.com or stop by SEMA booth #15525 in the Westgate Hotel. The Winder Ratchet from Erickson Erickson has had its line of Re-Tractable ratchets for many years and they continue to be among its most popular tie downs. However, customers would like the ben- efits a Re-Tractable provides in a longer tie down. Erickson has finally found a way to answer this request with The Winder Ratchet. This revolutionary ratchet is 1 inch wide and 15 feet long with a 1,200- pound breaking strength. It features a winder on the side of the reel that allows the user to quickly wind up any excess webbing. This makes the instal- lation and removal of The Winder Ratchet quick and easy, just like the Re- Tractable. The Winder Ratchet also comes with some additional unique features that will make it stand out to your customers. The first is Erickson's patented Cap Lock. Having the hook fall off the anchor point dur- ing installation is one of the most aggra- vating parts of using a ratchet. The Cap Lock solves this problem by keeping the hook on the anchor during the entire installation process and transport. It also has the ability to lock, so web- bing doesn't come off the reel at unwant- ed times. By holding the reel with one hand so it can't move and turning the winder in a counterclockwise direction, it will lock the reel. This is perfect for storage of the strap so it remains easy to grab when needed. To get a first-hand look at this unique strap, stop by Erickson's booth. For more information, stop by AAPEX booth #1025. Original Parts Group: Tribute It all started in the summer of 2018 while planning its 2019 media agreement with RTM Studios. What project did Original Parts Group want to be a part of in the coming year? The decision came fairly easy, and that was to restore a vehicle that had been awaiting restoration in the OPGI warehouse for several years and for the guys over at Detroit Muscle (Marc Christ and Tommy Bosher) to make all the final touches. The 1966 Lemans convertible was the vehicle that came to mind while it fine-tuned the agreement with RTM. The Lemans had been a part of the OPGI col- lection since the early 2000s, and after much discussion and internal brainstorm- ing, it determined a Resto-mod GTO Tribute was the way to go. To get the project underway, the car was completely disassembled to a frame and sent to media blast at Media Resurfacing in Huntington Beach, California. The blasting revealed that a fair amount of bodywork was needed to repair some lower-level rust and previous collision damage to the driver's side quarter panel. The body, along with a multitude of reproduction sheet metal body panels, were sent to Santini Paint & Body in Westminster, California, where the metal finishing and repair was done. Once complete, the body was taken over to Imperial Beach Auto Body & Custom for a coat of PPG Marina Turquoise Poly paint. Prior to completing the paintwork, the body and frame was split and the frame was sent to Newport Mesa Powder coating for a fresh satin black finish. While the car was away, the OPGI build team was hard at work gathering parts, organizing for assembly and working to restore any of the items that may not be available in the reproduction world. When the car returned from paint, the assembly work began. The car was outfit- ted with a long list of top-quality products available at OPGI. OPGI would like to give a special thanks to those contributing to the build, including Guaranty Chevrolet and Chevrolet Performance's LS3 & 4L70E transmission, Holley Performance, Classic Performance Parts, Hotchkis Performance Suspension, Distinctive Interiors, Powermaster, Eddie Motorsports, Wilwood Engineering, Magnaflow, Cold Case, American Autowire, Taylor Cable, Dakota Digital, Detroit Speed, Flaming River, Flatline Barriers, NuRelics, Aeromotive, Lokar, Shiftworks, US Wheel, JRD International, Custom Autosound and GT Performance. In early March, the GTO was shipped off to RTM Studios in Franklin, Tennessee, where the guys installed all interior parts, convertible top and exteri- or trim. The GTO is on display at Original Parts Group's SEMA booth #23987. For more information, go to www.opgi.com or stop by booth #23987. Three Words that Spell Revolutionary Introducing three words that are revolu- tionary. By themselves, these three words aren't revolutionary at all. In fact, they're pretty ordinary. But when combined and processed into one simple idea, suddenly they're extraordinary! What are the three words? Hollow. Rubber. Springs. More specifically, Aeon ® hollow rubber springs – the heart and soul of every Timbren SES upgrade. The Dawn of a New Bump Stop Timbren's customer service department discovered that some of its off-road cus- tomers were looking for a solution. They wanted a solution to the harsh response of the original (OEM) bump stops installed at the factory. Some of them were trying to use Timbren SES kits as an alternative to OEM bump stops, but with varying, sometimes not- so-good, results. In an effort to help, the Timbren staff partnered together with these off- road enthusiasts to design a bump stop that allows for proper deflection of the suspension, while at the same time pro- viding a dampening response – a softer landing – when the suspension bottoms out. The end result was the creation of Active Off-Road Bumpstops. Suddenly there was an easy-to-install, cost-effec- tive alternative for the off-road community. When Factory Bump Stops Won't Cut It It's time you offered your customers an effective solution for their factory bump-stop woes; something to put an end to the harsh "slam" whenever their off-road vehicle bottoms out. Unlike the original bump stops that are already installed on the vehicle, easy- to-install Active Off-Road Bumpstops are designed to absorb shock, softening the impact. The result is a smoother ride. And a smoother ride means greater control of the vehicle. They still get the wild expe- rience, but with less stress on the driver and the vehicle. One More Thing Timbren's got your back: Every Active Off- Road Bumpstop kit comes with a lifetime warranty and a 100 percent customer sat- isfaction guarantee. Timbren's customer service is there to support you all the way. Contact Timbren Industries to get more details on their entire line of Active Off-Road Bumpstops. For more information, go to www .timbren.com, email sales@timbren.com or stop by SEMA booth #34082.