JANUARY 10, 2010 • BANNING, CA — Poison Spyder Customs has re-engineered the way customer-weld-in cage kits are designed, manufactured and installed. The cutting edge Lazer-Fit™ system incorporates several manufacturing and design features that make installation by the customer much easier and faster, while also ensuring higher quality in the manufactured parts as well as the completed assembly. “We’ve simply brought the cage design and manufacturing process out from under the shadetree, into modern engineering and manufacturing processes,” claims Larry McRae, president of Poison Spyder Customs, Inc.

The Lazer-Fit™ system begins in the design phase, where components are CAD designed right inside a 3D model of the specific vehicle for which the kit is being designed. “By using an accurate 3D model of the vehicle,” says Kevin Dill, Poison Spyder’s product engineer, “we’re able to ensure the components precisely fit the vehicle before burning through a couple hundred feet of tubing on the shop floor.” Production of Lazer-Fit™ components takes place in state-of-the-art facilities. High strength structural DOM tubing is cut and notched by a CNC laser. The laser also etches part numbers and assembly guides directly onto the surface of the tube. Laser notching provides an exact, clean cut that fits its intended joint with no further grinding or fitting. After notching and etching, tube pieces are bent on a CNC bender that indexes off of the laser-etched markings to yield perfectly notched and bent parts.

A Poison Spyder Lazer-Fit™ cage can be installed in less than half the time it takes to install competitors’ cage kits. The Lazer-Fit™ system removes all the guesswork, grinding, notching, fitting, and opportunities for mistakes. Each piece not only comes already bent and notched to fit perfectly, but the part identification and installation marks etched directly onto each part make assembly a quick, simple process. Where a notched tube joins another, the shape of the notched tube end is etched right onto the other part, and where needed, index marks on both pieces can be lined up for proper clocking, removing all guesswork. You literally just piece it together and weld it up! The Lazer-Fit™ system makes it possible for even novice gearheads to install. And the time saving translates into significant money savings for those who have the cage installed at a shop.

“We’re excited about the Lazer-Fit™ system,” says McRae, “Nobody else does this in our market, although I’m sure the imitators will follow. But the best part is that now people with minimal fab skills can assemble their own Poison Spyder Customs cage, and if they have to take it to a shop for assembly, the cost in shop hours will be only a fraction of what it once was.” The first product to feature the Lazer-Fit™ system is Poison Spyder’s Full Cage Kit for Jeep TJ, which is currently in production and available for purchase. Poison Spyder cages for other Jeep Models will soon follow, all with the revolutionary features of the Lazer-Fit system.

DECEMBER 12, 2009 • BANNING, CA — Poison Spyder Customs is pleased to announce that veteran off-road product designer Kevin Dill has joined the company’s product development team.  Kevin’s career in engineering and product development spans 15 years and many famous products and project vehicles. 

While with Advance Adapters, Inc, Kevin led the design effort that resulted in the legendary Atlas transfer case, a product that is familiar with just about every hardcore off-road enthusiast.  While at Superlift and Black Diamond Suspensions, Kevin designed many of those two companies’ most successful suspension products for everything from Ford and Dodge pickups to the entire line of Jeep vehicles.  During this time Kevin worked closely with Chrysler’s Mopar Skunkworks and was a lead designer on many SEMA-bound project vehicles.  Among these was the “Rubicon King” JK, which was built for the 2006 SEMA show and showcased the first suspension lift designed for Jeep’s new JK Wrangler.

Kevin using detailed 3-D computer models for precise design and fitment.

The skills and relationships that Kevin has developed over this distinguished career are a major asset to Poison Spyder Customs.  His ability to model entire components systems on the computer, using detailed 3-D computer models of each Jeep vehicle, result in much faster product development cycles, more accurate prototyping and a better overall fit and finish of the final production parts.  “Kevin’s work has always impressed me, and we’re excited to now have him on our team,” said Larry McRae, president of Poison Spyder Customs Inc.  “In today’s tight marketplace, it will be our ability to quickly bring new innovations to market, while maintaining Poison Spyder’s reputation for quality fit and finish, that will ensure our success,” added McRae.  “Kevin completes a Poison Spyder team that includes a talented group of fabrication, manufacturing, customer service, marketing and now product design specialists.”

ABOUT POISON SPYDER CUSTOMS: Poison Spyder Customs has been at the forefront of off-road innovation since its inception.  From its Banning, California facilities Poison Spyder Customs designs, manufactures and markets a growing line of off-road accessories and performance modifications for Jeep® vehicles.  The majority of its sales are made through an extensive dealer network, and the company maintains a high visibility among off-road enthusiasts through heavy participation in off-road events, clubs and online enthusiast forums.

Poison Spyder Customs is making your Christmas shopping a little easier by offering FREE SHIPPING (up to $100*) on all orders placed online over Thanksgiving weekend. We’ll be taking the holiday weekend off to spend with family or out on the trails, so we’ll be letting the website do the work for us (we can not accept phone orders during this time, as the shop will be closed). Here’s your chance to get that Poison Spyder gear you’ve been wanting, or to get some as a gift for that special Four Wheeler in your life, and save some big bucks on shipping! As most of you know, body armor can be pretty expensive to ship, so this is no small offer Just place your order on the website as usual. If a shipping amount is automatically calculated, ignore it! We’ll delete it before processing the order on Monday.

NOTE: If you have technical questions about any items prior to making your purchase, place your order anyhow then send an email to brent@poisonspyder.com with your question. We’ll answer all inquiries on Monday before processing orders, and if you decide at that time to opt out of the purchase you may do so. But you must get your order in, using our online ordering system, before Monday morning when we open the shop back up for business.

*Poison Spyder will cover shipping costs up to $100 for online orders placed by 8:00 AM Pacific time, Monday, November 30, 2009. The $100 limit is per customer, for all orders placed during that time.

Now go and enjoy your Turkey!! 

NOVEMBER 24, 2009 • BANNING, CA — Poison Spyder Customs has joined forces with the recently formed “Access Army” movement in the fight for recreational access to public lands.  In an effort designed as both a fund-raising venture for the Access Army and as a way for members of the movement to show their commitment to the cause, Poison Spyder Customs is producing a limited edition Access Army version of its popular Rocker Knocker and Ricochet Rocker rocker panel protection products for Jeep vehicles.

 The Access Army Rocker Knocker or Ricochet Rocker features the Access Army logo CNC laser-cut into the rugged 3/16” plate steel.  Access Army Rocker Knockers are available with or without tubular rock sliders.  Best of all, Poison Spyder Customs is donating 10% of the purchase price for each set to the Blue Ribbon Coalition, which fights the legal battles for public access.  “We’re passionate about this issue,” says Larry McRae, president of Poison Spyder Customs, “access to public lands is what our sport is based on.  We’re proud to be a part of the Access Army!”    

 The Access Army is guided by its Joint Chiefs of Staff, veteran land use advocate Del Albright, who brings a lifetime of experience fighting to maintain public access through such organizations as the Blue Ribbon Coalition and the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs.  The Access Army brings together access advocates from all walks of life, and from across the spectrum of land use organizations, enthusiast associations and clubs.  The Access Army seeks to exploit the power of the Internet, its online forums and enthusiast groups, and social networking sites to take the fight for access on the offensive with a proactive, targeted, aggressive campaign for public access to public lands.

To learn more about the Access Army, please visit their website at www.accessarmy.com.  More information on the Blue Ribbon Coalition may be found at www.sharetrails.org.  For more information about Poison Spyder Customs products, see www.poisonspyder.com.

 ABOUT POISON SPYDER CUSTOMS: Poison Spyder Customs has been at the forefront of off-road innovation since its inception.  From its Banning, California facilities Poison Spyder Customs designs, manufactures and markets a growing line of off-road accessories and performance modifications for Jeep® vehicles.  The majority of its sales are made through an extensive dealer network, and the company maintains a high visibility among off-road enthusiasts through heavy participation in off-road events, clubs and online enthusiast forums.

Here’s the answer to the often asked question…

Won’t metal flares just fold up the JK sheet metal when a load is applied?

Well some might, but ours don’t!  Attached are photos of the Poison Spyder YJ parked on the Poison Spyder JK’s Crusher Flares.   Before anyone says, “The Crusher Flare is sandwiched between the tires,”  let me assure you the YJ drove up the JK tire to get to where it’s at in the pictures.  I’m not recommending that anyone try this, but if you had any doubts about the strength and the method of attachment of our Crusher Flares this should put your mind at ease.

For further information about these super strong Crusher Flares, please visit our JK Front Crusher Flare web page.

Larry McRae, President – Poison Spyder Customs