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Auto Accessories Glossary
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Access Cab
the name used specifically by Toyota for certain extended cab pickup trucks
a term used to refer to automotive parts and accessories that fit a particular vehicle but are made by a manufacturer different than the original vehicle manufacturer or OEM
a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels simultaneously, all of the time, providing more traction when needed; generally does not activate until the vehicle requires it; different from four-wheel drive which can be switched off by the driver
a complete index of current part numbers and associated vehicle applications for ARIES parts; available online and in the ARIES catalog
View the ARIES application guide
Auxiliary Power
a secondary power source used to carry out a non-vital electrical function, such as running aftermarket lights
Available While Supplies Last (AWSL)
also called 'continued while supplies last' or 'CWSL'; the status of a product indicating that it has limited inventory (i.e. manufacturing of the product has ceased and once the current inventory is gone, the product will no longer be available)
AWD
see All-Wheel Drive
AWSL
see Available While Supplies Last
the central shaft of a rotating wheel or gear; may be permanently fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to the frame with the wheels rotating around the axle; one axle has two wheels
Bed
see Truck Bed
a type of vehicle seat that spans the full inside width of the vehicle and provides seating for two or more persons; can be in the first row but is commonly used for the rear passenger rows; also see Bucket Seat
the external structure of a vehicle that gives it its recognizable shape; may be bolted to the chassis or combined as a single molded piece with it as a unibody; also see Old Body and New Body
Body Mount Bolt
see Bushing Bolt
the unique physical characteristics of the body of a vehicle that give it its recognizable shape compared to other years of the same model; typically changed by the manufacturer every few years; may be deemed a new body style or old body style, depending on its relationship to other years within the same model
Box
see Truck Bed
typically used to refer to a grille guard; may also refer to the tubular attachments or extensions of a front-end accessory
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a type of vehicle seat that is designed to hold only one person; typically used for the first row and sometimes second row; also see Bench Seat
a type of vehicle accessory, usually with an A-shaped frame, that attaches to the front end of the vehicle and covers a center portion of the vehicle's bumper and grille; also see Grille Guard
Learn more | Shop AdvantEDGE™ bull bars | Shop Big Horn™ bull bars | Shop other bull bars
a horizontal buffer that runs the width of a vehicle and helps blunt the force of impact in the event of an accident; typcially mounted to both the front and rear of the vehicle; also see Standard Bumper, Step Bumper, Tube Bumper, Cowboy Bumper or Roll Pan Bumper
Shop Jeep modular bumpers | Shop Jeep tube bumpers
also called a 'body mount bolt'; a heavy-duty fastener used to anchor a vehicle's body to its chassis; sometimes used as an attachment point for side bars, running boards or other side accessories; also see Bushing Mount
a mounting style of side bars and running boards that uses the vehicle's bushing bolts to attach the mounting brackets; typically used for side bars with 90º bends and commonly used on aftermarket side bars as opposed to OEM; also see Rocker Mount
Cab and Chassis
see Chassis Cab
Cabin
see Truck Cab
Carriage Bolt
a type of bolt with a rounded head and a square neck to fit into a square hole and allow for one-wrench tightening
the main framework of a vehicle, consisting only of the frame and essential parts needed for operation (excludes the body); can be a unibody design, with the chassis and body as a single piece, or with a C-frame construction
also called a 'cab and chassis'; a type of heavy-duty truck comprised only of the truck cab and the chassis, without a truck bed; typically used for heavy towing and commercial purposes
Shop RidgeStep™ commercial running boards
Classic Body
see Old Body
a type of nut with an attached spring that allows it to be clipped onto the edge of an opening and held in place while a bolt is threaded through; frequently used for mounting points that are difficult to access
Club Cab
the name used specifically by Dodge for certain extended cab pickup trucks
a relatively small car typically with an interior area of 100 to 109 cu. ft.; characterized by its economical gas mileage; larger than a subcompact car
Compliance Certification Label
similar to a VIN tag; a sticker or metal plate affixed to a vehicle, usually in the door sill of the driver's door, that provides a condensed version of vital safety information such weight ratings, tire pressure as well as the make, model, year and VIN of the vehicle
Continued While Supplies Last (CWSL)
see Available While Supplies Last
also called a 'deep drop bumper'; a bumper with a particularly low center section that typically provides a platform for mounting a trailer ball for towing, maintaining a level trailer by compensating for a truck’s especially large tires; common in farming applications
also known as a 'quad cab', 'double cab' or 'dual cab'; a truck cab with four full-size, front-hinging doors and seating for five or six people; larger than regular cabs and extended cabs
Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam (XPE)
a fine-celled material comprised of linked polymer chains that provide increased rigidity, thermal insulation, waterproofing, shock absorption and sound insulation
the main, horizontal tube or bar spanning the center portion of a front-end accessory, such as a bull bar or grille guard; frequently used to attach aftermarket lights and other accessories
Shop Pro Series™ grille guards
Crossover
see Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV)
Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV).jpg)
also known simply as a 'crossover'; a vehicle that is built on a car platform using features and styling common on a sport utility vehicle (SUV)
Use the Vehicle Lookup to find a parts for your crossover utility vehicle.
CUV
CWSL
see Available While Supplies Last
Deep Drop Bumper
see Cowboy Bumper
a measurement of fabric weight, based on the fineness or thickness of the threads
Double Cab
see Crew Cab
the set of parts in an automobile that allows the engine to channel its power to the axles; typically includes the driveshaft, CV joints, differential, axle shafts and U-joints; also see Two-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive
Dual Cab
see Crew Cab
a floor liner attachment method that uses two knobs or posts, usually positioned on the driver's side near the seat, to help keep the floor liner held in place; also see Single Post
Dually
a type of pickup truck with four tires on its rear axle, two on each side; usually able to carry heavier loads compared to a regular pickup truck
Shop RidgeStep™ commercial running boards
also known as a 'king cab', 'super cab', 'club cab' or 'access cab'; a truck cab with extra seating behind the front seats, accessed by tilting the main seats forward or using suicide doors
Factory Bumper
see Stock Bumper
Factory Style
see OEM Compatible
Factory Tow Hook
a hook or ring that is included by the vehicle manufacturer and is intended for recovery towing or similar applications; usually mounted on the front end of a vehicle and typically mounted in pairs near the bumper, one on each side; may need to be removed for the installation of a bull bar, grille guard or other front-end accessory; also see Tow Hook
Shop Jeep modular bumper tow hooks
Fairlead
see Winch Fairlead
Fascia
a type of plastic trim paneling that covers the bottom edges of some vehicles, particularly in the front and rear, adding aesthetic value and deterring rust damage to the body; may require trimming on some vehicles in order to install a bull bar, grille guard or other front-end accessory
a type of truck with an open-style platform-like bed instead of sides and a tailgate; typically built with a higher load capacity for heavy-duty or commercial use
Shop RidgeStep™ commercial running boards
Fog Lamps
see Fog Lights
also called 'fog lamps'; auxiliary lights that are designed to provide a wide, flat beam for improved visibility when fog is present, compared to a common headlight or high beam; may also be used to alert other drivers on the road
a drivetrain system in which all four wheels of the vehicle are powered by the engine simultaneously; different from all-wheel drive in that 4WD can be disengaged by the driver so that the vehicle operates on a two-wheel drive system only
the part of a vehicle that serves as the base to which all other parts attach; typically used when mounting accessories on the vehicle
a drivetrain system in which the engine powers only the front wheels; common on most non-commercial vehicles that do not have four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; also see Rear Wheel Drive
FWD
Galvanic Corrosion
a type of metal corrosion that occurs when two different types of metal come in contact, such as aluminum and steel; can be prevented with proper isolation of metal surfaces, using plastic spacers or a durable powder coat finish
also called a 'brush guard'; a type of vehicle accessory that attached to the front end of the vehicle and covers a large portion of the vehicle's profile, including the grille and headlights; typically has a center section, consisting of a crossbar and two risers, as well as two side brush guards to cover the headlights
Learn more | Shop Pro Series™ grille guards | Shop other grille guards
Ground Effects
a feature found on some vehicles that uses aerodynamic body components to keep the vehicle more affixed to the road
Handle Nut
a special type of nut with a bendable handle that allows the user to hold the nut in place at the desired angle to attach a fastener in a hard-to-reach mounting place
also called a 'hardtop'; a rigid, removable cover that fastens to a convertible vehicle and encloses the occupant compartment; typically made of metal or fiberglass
Harness
see Wiring Harness
a type of pickup truck accessory that mounts at the front of the truck bed, just behind the cab, and helps protect the rear window; may also be used to attach aftermarket lights; also see Stake Pocket
Shop AdvantEDGE™ headache racks | Shop other headache racks
I.D.
see Inside Diameter
also called 'ID'; the distance measured from the innermost points of a circular opening as opposed to the outermost points along the rim or outside diameter; applies particularly to circular objects with a hole or circular opening in the center
King Cab
the name used specifically by Nissan for its extended cab pickup trucks
LB
see Long Bed
a semiconducting light source that requires less amperage for illumination than a traditional light bulb
Shop Pro Series™ grille guards | Shop fender flare side markers
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also called a 'long box'; a truck bed that is typically one or two feet longer than a short bed (compact long beds are generally 7' long and full size are 8' long); may vary depending on the truck manufacturer
Long Box
see Long Bed
a term applied to accessories that are able to be constructed with various, interchangeable pieces to product different configurations; applies to ARIES Jeep modular bumpers
Learn more | Shop Jeep modular bumpers
Nerf Bar
see Side Bar
a term used to refer to the latest body style of a vehicle or a newer body style compared to a previously manufactured body style or old body; especially applies when two different body styles are manufactured in the same year (the newer style is referred to as the 'new body')
O.D.
see Outside Diameter
OEM
see Original Equipment Manufacturer
also called 'original equipment compatible' or 'factory-style'; a term used to refer to aftermarket automotive products that are specifically designed to fit or work with components made by the original manufacturer
also called 'classic body'; a term used to refer to the previously manufactured body style of a vehicle, compared to a new body style or the latest body style that is used; especially applies when two different body styles are manufactured in the same year (the previously used style is referred to as the 'old body' or 'classic body')
Original Equipment Compatible
see OEM-Compatible
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
a term used to refer to parts that are made by the actual manufacturer of the vehicle as opposed to an aftermarket manufacturer; also see OEM-Compatible
also called 'OD'; the distance measured from the outermost points of a circular object as opposed to the innermost points or inside diameter; may refer to a circular object with a hole or circular opening in the center, such as a Wheel Bearing or lunette eye
a booklet provided by a vehicle manufacturer that contains key information about the specific vehicle, including capacities, maintenance recommendations and safe practices; also usually available for download on the manufacturer's website
Parking Lights
see Running Lights
a type of coating used on metal surfaces to protect against rust and other damage and that is characteristically more durable than most paint finishes; created by applying a layer of powder to the surface of the object and then heating the object to a certain temperature for a certain amount of time, curing the powder into a solid coating
a type of winch that operates using electricity, gasoline or pressurized air to allow for greater amounts of torque and pulling power compared to a hand winch; typically mounted on the front end of pickup trucks or other large vehicles and used for recovery towing applications; also see Winch Fairlead
Shop winch receiver plate bracket | Shop winch fairlead mount
Quad Cab
the name used specifically by Dodge and Ram for their extended cab pickup trucks; also used for some of their older crew cab trucks
a drivetrain system in which the engine powers only the rear set of wheels, as opposed to the front set of wheels or all four wheels; less common on non-commercial vehicles than front-wheel drive
a type of towing in which a tow hook, tow strap and a second vehicle are used to rescue or recover a vehicle that has become stuck and unable to drive (e.g. a car stuck in the ditch); typically used in situations where the vehicle to be recovered is off the road
also called a 'standard cab'; a truck cab with two full-size, front-hinging doors and seating for two or three people; has no extra space or seating behind the main seats, unlike an extended cab or crew cab
also called 'uprights'; the vertical members of a grille guard that make up the main structure, together with the crossbar, and which provide mounting points to attach the grille guard to the vehicle; typically protected with plastic or rubber stripping on the front edges
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also called a 'rocker panel mount'; a mounting style of side bars and running boards that uses the vehicle's rocker panels to attach the mounting brackets; may use weld nuts on the vehicle, clip nuts or other fasteners; typically used for side bars with 45º bends and commonly used on OEM side bars as opposed to aftermarket options; also see Bushing Mount
the side body panel on a vehicle, below the doors, spanning from wheel to wheel; sometimes used as an attachment point for side bars, running boards or other side accessories
Rocker Panel Mount
see Rocker Mount
a type of bumper that is flush with the surrounding components; common on lowered trucks
a type of vehicle side accessory that provides a stepping surface into the vehicle and is generally mounted flush against the body; typically wider than a side bar and equipped with a tread that spans nearly the fully length of the board
Learn more | Shop AeroTread™ running boards | Shop RidgeStep™ running boards
also called 'parking lights'; a set of secondary lights on a vehicle, usually part of the headlight and taillight assemblies, that illuminate relatively dimly to increase visibility of the vehicle for other drivers; not intended to replace the functions of headlights or brake lights
RWD
see Rear Wheel Drive
SB
see Short Bed
also called a 'short box'; a pickup truck bed that is typically 5.5' to 6.5' long, about a foot or two shorter than a long bed; may vary depending on the manufacturer
also called a 'nerf bar', 'side step' or 'step bar'; a type of vehicle side accessory that provides a stepping surface into the vehicle and that is mounted with a certain amount of space between the step and the body; typically has individual step pads to correspond to each door
Learn more | Shop Big Step™ side bars
a small running light mounted on either side of a vehicle to make it more visible to other drivers on the road; required by law
Shop Jeep fender flare side markers
Side Step
see Side Bar
a floor liner attachment method that uses one knob or post, usually positioned on the driver's side near the seat, to help keep the floor liner held in place; also see Dual Post
a type of automotive vehicle with a station-wagon-like body built on a light truck chassis; usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road capability
Shop AeroTread™ running boards
a rectangular recessed socket, accessible from the top surface of a truck's bed rail, designed to accept the mounting stakes of accessories such as tie-down anchors, ladder racks or headache racks
Shop AdvantEDGE™ headache racks
a plain bumper without a trailer ball platform for towing, unlike a step bumper or cowboy bumper; the most common type of bumper on smaller vehicles
Standard Cab
see Regular Cab
Step Bar
see Side Bar
also called a 'tow bumper'; a type of bumper with a recessed center platform with holes in it to mount a trailer ball for towing; similar to a cowboy bumper
also called a 'factory bumper'; a bumper that has been installed by the original vehicle manufacturer or OEM
essentially the smallest type of car, having an interior area that is less than 165 cu. in.; characterized by its economical gas mileage; smaller than a compact car
the portion of a vehicle's unibody frame that supports the engine and front suspension
a type of vehicle door that has rearward hinges and that opens toward the front, opposite a standard vehicle door; usually seen on extended cab pickup trucks and some classic cars
Super Cab
the name used specifically by Ford for their extended cab pickup trucks
SUV
Tail Lamps
see Taillights
Tail Lights
see Taillights
the rear wall of a truck bed that folds down or swings out for easier loading and unloading of cargo
Taillamps
see Taillights
also called 'taillamps'; a set of red lights mounted on the back of a vehicle that illuminate when the vehicle's headlights are turned on to increase visibility of the vehicle; may be combined with the vehicle's brake lights and reverse lights or may be independently mounted
a highly durable fabric made of synthetic polyester and characterized by its light weight and resistance to creasing
a hybrid of plastic and rubber, featuring the properties of both materials, being moldable, durable, waterproof and resilient to extreme temperatures
a ring or hook, mounted on a vehicle or trailer, that serves as a point to which a rope, strap or chain can be attached to help secure cargo; commonly found in utility trailers, but can also be found in the back of a pickup truck, van or utility vehicle
a measurement of the turning force on an object such as a bolt or a flywheel (e.g. pushing or pulling the handle of a wrench when tightening a bolt); all installations require a certain amount of torque (i.e. torque specifications) to be applied to the fasteners; also see Torque Wrench
Torque Specs
the amount of turning force or torque that should be applied to a particular set of bolts or other fasteners, as prescribed by the manufacturer
a type of wrench that indicates how much torque is being applied to the fastener being turned, whether tightening or loosening; used when specific torque specifications must be applied to hardware
Tow Bumper
see Step Bumper
a large metal hook or ring mounted on the front or rear of a vehicle, usually on the bumper or integrated with the bumper, for recovery towing situations; may also be hitch-mounted; typically used in combination with a tow strap
a length of heavy-duty woven fibers or other material designed to be used with a tow hook to pull free a disable vehicle in a recovery towing situation
an installation method for side bars and running boards that uses a channel and sliding bolts or brackets to mount the accessories on the vehicle; the channel typically spans the length of the board to allow for adjustable positioning and to allow one set of boards to fit multiple vehicle applications
Learn more | Shop AdvantEDGE™ side bars | Shop RidgeStep™ running boards
also called a 'truck box'; the rear portion of a truck, designed for holding cargo; usually equipped with sides and a tailgate; also see Short Bed, Long Bed and Flatbed Truck
a veneer or bracket attached to the top of a truck bed side wall to protect or enhance the truck's visual appearance
Truck Box
see Truck Bed
also called a 'cabin'; the enclosed compartment of a pickup truck where the driver and passengers sit; may be different sizes, including regular cab, extended cab and crew cab
a type of aftermarket bumper constructed of metal tubing and preferred for its strength and light weight
a drivetrain system in which the engine powers only two of the vehicle's wheels; common on most non-commercial vehicles without four-wheel drive; may be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive
a type of vehicle frame in which the bodywork and chassis are made up of a single molded piece; usually has a sub frame on the front end to hold the engine and suspension
United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR)
a group that attempts to create uniformity within vehicle components; also refers to a type of electrical connection that has been commonly used on GM, Ford and Toyota trucks since 1999 (Dodge has a distinct version)
Uprights
see Risers
USCAR
see United States Council for Automotive Research
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles; can be used to determine the year, make and model of the vehicle
see Owners Manual
VIN
see Vehicle Identification Number
VIN Plate
see VIN Tag
also called a 'VIN plate'; a metal plate or sticker on a vehicle or trailer that provides vital information about the vehicle, including the year, make, model, weight ratings and the VIN
WB
see Wheel base
also called a 'weldnut'; a type of nut that is welded to a metal surface on a vehicle and allows a bolt to be fastened directly to the surface without an additional nut; commonly used during installations to serve as a mounting place for bolts
Weldnut
see Weld Nut
a term applied to side bars or running boards that extend from the front wheel of the vehicle to the rear wheel and typically provide an additional step pad in the rear for accessing the truck bed
Shop 4" oval wheel-to-wheel side bars
the distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel on a vehicle; also see Wheel-to-Wheel
a mechanical device that uses a rotating drum and a length of cable or a strap to pull one object toward another; powered winches are usually mounted on the front end of pickup trucks or other large vehicles and are used for recovery towing or to pull the vehicle toward a fixed object; hand winches are commonly found on boat trailers to allow the boat to be pulled into the trailer at a boat landing
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an attachment for a powered winch that acts as a guide for the cable or strap, restricting it to a specific area as it feeds onto the winch drum and keeping it from jumping off the drum and damaging the surrounding components
a platform that is designed to accept a powered winch, allowing it to be mounted on a vehicle; may be mounted on a receiver hitch or attached to the vehicle's bumper; sometimes equipped with mounting tabs to accept a fairlead
Shop winch receiver plate bracket | Shop winch fairlead bracket
XPE Foam
see Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam
2WD
see Two Wheel Drive
4WD
see Four Wheel Drive