DECKED New Products and Applications Post-SEMA 2019
Another SEMA Show has come and gone. And that means, it’ll likely take us until the next one to unpack all the cool new stuff we saw at this one. But you gotta start somewhere, huh? And who better to lead the charge than DECKED—the brand that literally created a national holiday for the hard-working jobbers that make SEMA possible.
With booths both inside and outside—each featuring some sweet rigs (which we’ll get to)—DECKED products could be found throughout the entire show floor this year, featured on any number of capable builds. After all, overland was the name of the game for 2019, and DECKED’s impact-resistant, weather-proof storage systems not only maximize organization and efficiency, but also completely re-imagine the truck bed—a trait in league with the entire overland psyche.
But enough preamble; let’s get to the goods. Because, while the overall DECKED system may be familiar, there were some exciting new products and applications on the docket as well.
New DECKED Color Option
Let’s start with what’s available right now: DECKED’s new Desert Tan Cargo Boxes. “After years of forcing DECKED corporate blue on our customers, we are pleased to announce the D-Box and Crossbox are now available with an all-’Merican, military-approved desert tan lid,” says the company.
The durable, waterproof DECKED D-Box (tool box) maximizes drawer storage efficiency and organization, utilizing an interlocking, nested design. It fits all full-size truck drawers (two per drawer in a 5’5” bed length, three per drawer in a 6’6”), as well as midsize wide drawers (two boxes per drawer).
The DECKED Crossbox is like the D-box’s smaller sibling. Fitting crosswise in wide full-size and midsize drawers and lengthwise in narrow midsize drawers, the Crossbox features an easy-carry handle, a removable small tool and parts organizer tray, and multiple grip points for easy retrieval from system drawers.
New DECKED Products
Debuting at SEMA was a new addition to the DECKED modular storage family, a soft-sided relative of the D-Box, hilariously named the D-Bag. “The D-Bag is made with a hard foam base and lid that is thermoformed and covered with a ballistic kevlar/nylon fabric,” explains DECKED. “It is designed to nest in the DECKED drawers and serve as a bombproof tool backpack or gear bag, whose straps can be easily reconfigured for various carry styles (backpack, briefcase, duffle bag, dob kit). It comes with a removable tool roll and small duffle bag for complete modularity and maximum functionality.”
Available in spring 2020, these should arrive just in time for Father’s Day.
Also debuting at SEMA was a new concept product—a DECKED toolbox. Currently unnamed (the company is accepting suggestions) this rugged toolbox is constructed of 1/3″ thick pressure molded HDPE and PP, making it dent, ding, and crumple-proof. DECKED also indicates that the new toolbox will be completely waterproof, as opposed to merely weather/water resistant, and “nearly impossible to break into without some Wile E. Coyote dynamite action.”
The coolest feature, though? It has a fold-out ladder. Forget about balancing one leg on the rear tire or ungracefully hoisting your less-than-stellar physique into the truck bed. The ladder extends over the side of the bed, providing easier (and decidedly more ergonomic) toolbox access.
New DECKED Applications
Available right now is the complete DECKED truck bed system for the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator—a vehicle that unanimously overtook the 2019 SEMA show. “Much to the excitement of loyal Jeepers everywhere, DECKED’s midsize drawer storage system is custom built to fit the new JT pickup with two full bed-length drawers and a 2000-lb payload,” says the company.
Itching to see what a DECKED-out overlanding Gladiator looks like? The talented guys over at Complete Customs have that covered. Rocking one of the best-looking Gladiators at the 2019 SEMA Show, the Texas-based shop delivered an ultra-capable adventure rig for the indoor DECKED booth.
“Complete Customs took their project to the next level,” writes DECKED. “Not only with all of the best suspension, bumpers, winches and whatnot that you could hang on one of these, but they also installed a custom swing out Traeger Grills Tailgater, plus a built-in kitchen sink and propane burner drawer set up by Action Van.”
“Also adorning this sleek little Ken and Barbie rig was Leitner Designs’ brand-new bed rack which has some awesome new styling and updated hardware and manufacturing techniques,” adds DECKED. “And last but not least, Tepui’s rooftop love bungalow drew lookie-loos like flies to a picnic.”
Not to be outdone, the guys behind @IAMROAMR gave “vintage” a whole new meaning with their resto-modded 1951 Willy’s truck, also posted up in DECKED’s booth.
Resurrected from a pile of junk on the side of a road in Owen’s Valley, the rig got a body-off restoration onto a 2016 JK Wrangler. “Our favorite part of the build might have been the jerry can on the driver’s side which opened up to reveal a whiskey bar,” says DECKED. Points for ingenuity—and for perfectly preserving the OG patina!
That’s Not All…
As we said, DECKED’s products were hardly limited to its own booth. The rock-climber-themed Jeep Gladiator Gravity Rubicon concept—built by Jeep and MOPAR for EJS 2019—made an appearance at SEMA. Dripping in Jeep Performance Parts, it also features a unique MOPAR/DECKED truck-bed storage system.
And Ford featured a DECKED system on its Performance Parts SEMA build as well. It was one of six concept Rangers that made it to the show.
Featuring a variety of off-road upgrades, compliments of the automaker, the Ford Performance Parts Ranger also sported Rigid auxiliary lighting, a WARN winch, Tepui rooftop tent, DECKED truck bed storage system, RSI Smart Cap, and ARB fridge/freezer combo.
DECKED systems were also spotted on a variety of other adventure rigs in fellow aftermarket booths, including Fab Fours, WARN, and Addictive Desert Designs, proving their ability to play nice with other upgrades.
