We've all got so used to the phrase: "There's a recession, prices are going up" that it's no surprise that when popping down to the local hardware store, prices of items such as drills, lawnmowers and even screwdrivers have tripled since you last bought them.

So the last thing you want is to fork out all that money for tools and a sticky fingered thief break into your vehicle and pinch them all. Toolboxes are a cheaper alternative by far. Whether you end up paying for the replacement of the tools and locks/glass on your vehicle or you claim on your insurance and your premiums shoot up, a toolbox will definitely far outweigh the persistent hassle of replacing, repairing and claiming.

Unfortunately, chopping fingers and limbs off is no longer legal. So thieves will persist.

Not only does Auto Styling's range of toolboxes feature heavy duty locks and sturdy thief proof shells but they also act as a visual deterrent. If you don't have window blanks or grilles in your vehicle or solid sides then it will be very easy to peep inside and see the entire contents of your vehicle. If people see the toolbox they usually think trying to steal the goods inside is definitely not worth the hassle and risk of getting caught. Anyone foolish enough to go ahead and try anyway will have a good job to try and break the toolbox open and will later find out that they will still be trying to gain entry by the time neighbours have rang the emergency services and the police arrive.

Auto Styling stocks two different brands of toolbox. The MAX toolbox range is ideally suited to pick-up trucks, fitting the load bed extremely well. The Sentribox toolboxes are more widely universal, better suited to vans and cars and are available in different sizes.

MAX Toolboxes

There are 3 different types of toolbox in the MAX range. The Concorde 1 toolbox, which features one large front opening lid, the Concorde 2, which has two front opening lids and the Phantom Gull Wing which has two side 'gull-wing' opening lids. The MAX toolboxes are high security, tough and durable products. Their high security locking system and heavy duty, slash proof shell makes them very, very hard to break into. Ribbed rains channels and a waterproof outer mean that you can be sure that your load will remain safe and dry.

MAX are a world leading automotive accessory manufacturer who carry out consistent research and development to deliver highly dependable and reliable products.

MAX Concorde 1

Due to its large opening lid, the Concorde 1 is better suited if you have larger items to store in your toolbox.

MAX Concorde 2

The Concorde 2 is ideal if you want organisation like a regular toolbox.

MAX Phantom Gull Wing

The Phantom Gull Wing is the best toolbox for saving hassle. Instead of having to clamber into the bed of your truck to open your toolbox and reach out anything inside, the Gull Wings side opening lids mean you can simply access your toolbox from the side of your vehicle.

View the AutoStyling range of Max Tool Boxes

SentriBoxes

Sentri box is a leading brand of vehicle toolboxes with an ever growing reputation. Sentri boxes are perfectly used as van tool safes due to the dimensions but the range of sizes means these universal toolboxes can also be used for cars and pick-ups. Sentriboxes feature an advanced locking system which has four 8mm thick deadlocks, two working horizontally and two working vertically, creating a four point locking system called the XLOCK. Sound complicated? Well it's far from; 1 key for 1 lock in 1 turn. All Sentri Boxes come with 2 keys, so if you're a little clumsy you have a spare.

All Sentri Boxes feature:

• Twin hydraulic arms
• Drop down recessed handles with rubber pads to stop any annoying rattles
• Full width, heavy duty piano hinge welded to the box and lid
• Tool mat
• Anti-jemmy bars
• Fork lift/pallet truck skids
• Covered power cable access point for charging tools inside the box

Van Sentri Boxes/Standard Sentri toolboxes

These heavy duty boxes have sized designed particularly with vans in mind. These toolboxes are composed of either 1.6 or 2mm sheet steel. The standard XLOCK toolboxes also come in a range of sizes which can suit different uses of the toolbox. All these toolboxes come in a black powder coat finish.

Flambox Toolboxes

Flamboxes are designed for the safe storage of chemicals, paint etc. The Flambox has a removable drip tray and loured fume vents on the sides to avoid the build-up of gases. Although these toolboxes can be used as standard toolboxes they are particularly useful if you regularly need to store chemicals. The Flamboxes also feature the XLOCK locking system and are in a red powder coat finish.

Optional Extras

6" wheels are available as an optional extra for your Sentri toolbox. The wheels come in a pack of four with two fixed and two swivel wheels which make moving your toolbox loads easier. The wheels are quickly and easily fitted into pre-drilled holes in the base of the pallet truck skids.

Auto Styling's range of toolboxes are secure and dependable. You might not necessarily want to store tools in them, a toolbox might be your safest place to store shopping instead of your pick-up bed or you may do deliveries for your local door to door catalogue and need a safe and secure storage option. No matter what you use your toolbox for; you can rely on Auto Styling's product range to keep your good safe, dry and secure at an affordable price.

View the AutoStyling range of Tool Boxes »

We often have customers ring up with a question that's been eating at their brains...

I see you're selling bullbars, aren't these illegal?

Answer: No

Auto Styling only sells bull bars that are fully legal and EU compliant. Most bull bars or nudge guards are now labelled by manufacturers as A bars or front bars to avoid associating the name with the original fitment and 'use' of the accessories.

Bull bars or nudge guards originated in Australia and were primarily used as protection for a vehicle and it's passengers in the event of a collision with an animal, 'nudging' them aside, hence the name. These sturdy bars started to become popular in Europe despite having a lack of 'wild animals'. Facts show that the rigid bars were causing accidents and collisions to be worsened, particularly where pedestrians were involved. Accidents that could have remained minor were resulting in serious injuries and even deaths due to the 'indestructible' accessories, with numbers rapidly rising in result of these increasingly popular bars.

On 25th May 2007 older style bull bars were made illegal. Any new bull or nudge guards are promoted as 'frontal protection systems' i.e. Front bars and A bars and have to be fully EU compliant.

What Does EU Compliant Mean?

All frontal protection systems now have to be EU compliant, meaning: the front bars have been tested and have ticked all boxes in compliance with the new law.

• A minimum level of protection for pedestrians
• The bar is type-approved for the vehicles they are intended to fit
• The bar has been crash tested to deem that in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, any injury caused will be reduced in comparison to a vehicle without a front bar

New EU compliant frontal protection systems are mostly fitted for cosmetic purposes. They look good on your vehicle. These front bars are simply no good as a 'nudge guard', they are not designed for rough and tumble.

Some people might think...

I would rather risk fitting an old style nudge guard, that is what I want so that is what I will have.

Think again.

In the event of an accident your insurance claim will not be accepted due to the illegal accessory fitted to your vehicle. Fitting an illegal bull bar will also make your insurance premiums sky high. But that's not all... you could face a penalty of up to 12 months in prison and a substantial £20,000 fine.

Auto Styling's range of frontal protection systems are manufactured by either Cobra or Misutonida. All of these products are EU compliant and TUV certified and each item has its own EU compliance certificate.

See the full range of AutoStyling bullbars for 4x4»

Fitting a tow bars to your vehicle could be the best thing you ever did.

Need to tow a caravan for a spur of the moment weekend getaway? Can't get all your work gear inside the car so you need a trailer?

Auto Styling's range of towbars are from the well-known Witter brand. This means you can be assured that your top quality tow bar will not let you down, whatever you use it for.

Witter tow bars have been setting standards in quality and design for over fifty years. They are manufactured with the latest CAD technology and are incredibly reliable and safe.

Auto Styling has tow bars for a vast range of vehicles including vans, 4x4s and pick-ups. To prevent your tow bar from being stolen, most of the tow bars can be removed from your vehicle and stored in a safe place while the vehicle unattended.

If it's a caravan you need to tow then our range includes towbars compatible with standard and twin electrics. Twin electric sockets enable indicators and brake lights to function on your caravan plus any electricals inside such as your fridge.

Auto Styling's Witter Tow Bar Range includes:

Detachable Flange Towbar

This towbar offers the versatility of a fixed flange towbar but leaves very little of the towbar visible when detached.

• Tow and carry cycles at the same time
• Towball is removed when not in use preserving 'shins'
• Won't trigger reversing sensors when not towing

Detachable Swan Neck Towbar

Mainly used in Europe and slimmer than a flange bar this style was the first to offer a detachable version.

• Towball is removed when not in use preserving 'shins'
• Unrestricted access to the boot
• Won't trigger reversing sensors when not towing

Fixed Flange Ball Towbar

Traditionally used in the UK for all serious forms of towing and generally the most cost effective option. A 50mm towball is bolted to a two or four hole plate.

• Tow and carry cycles at the same time
• Towing height can be adjusted on the four-hole plate

Fixed Swan Neck Towbar

Mainly used outside the UK and is the least flexible design to no additional accessories can be used.

• Less likely to trigger reversing sensors
• Cannot be fitted with a bumper shield

View the AutoStyling range of towbars »

Even though you bought a work van designed to be sturdy and indestructible, you still don't want to ruin its interior upholstery after the first day. Van seat covers will prevent you from doing exactly that.

Auto Styling's universal van seat covers will fit a wide variety of vans. Their elasticated base ensures they fit securely.

Whether you are a builder, engineer, decorator or otherwise, getting into your van at the end of the day may result in staining your pristine van seats with oil, paint and dirt. Seat covers will solve your problem. The van seat covers are waterproof and heavy duty, made from high density nylon fabric. The covers can be easily wiped clean.

The van seat covers are available in either Grey, Navy or Black and come in a set of driver's seat and bench seat covers. These easy to fit covers allow seat belt access, although they are not compatible with seat airbags.

Seat covers are a long term, cost effective means of protecting your van's original upholstery. The ideal thing is, if you decide to change your van, all you need to do is swap your seat covers to the new vehicle and you will have the same long lasting protection as before.

What's more.. as your old interior will be in such perfect condition from using seat covers, it's resale appeal and value will increase paying off the original cost of purchasing seat covers. Perfect win-win situation.

View the full range of universal-fit van seat covers offered by AutoStyling »

Fitting your vehicle with skid plates will protect the underside of your vehicle, particularly the key components, from getting damaged.

If you enjoy testing your 4x4 with challenging, rough terrain then you may find it starts to take a beating. Bouncing over uneven, jagged surfaces will not be doing your vehicle any good... unless you fit it with a skid plate.

Auto Styling Stocks skid plates for a range of vehicles. Skid plates are made from either aluminium or steel, attaching to the underneath of the vehicle to protect its key components.

Skid plates are available for components such as transmission case, transfer box, fuel tank and engine bay.

Skid plates aren’t even difficult to fit. Here’s a video we were sent of two guys fixing a skid plate to a Nissan Pathfinder.

Auto Styling also stocks skid plates for vans. Skid plates are not just for true off-roaders any longer. You may wonder why you would need one; you are never going to take your van off road. Well, skid plates are ideal from protecting the underside of your van from stones and debris or even speed bumps.

Vehicle	Engine Bay	Fuel Tank	Transfer Box	Transmission Case
Ford Ranger		-
Isuzu Rodeo		-	-
Mitsubishi L200
Nissan D40		-
Nissan Pathfinder		-
Toyota Hilux		-
VW Caddy		-	-	-

View our full range of skid plates »

Car Mats

There's nothing worse than spending your free time scrubbing the living room carpet because the kids and pups have decided to decorate it with muddy foot prints. The last thing you need is soggy, muddy stains.

You wouldn't want your house carpets left in this condition so why do it to your car?

Keeping your car's interior clean and looking new is just as important as caring for its outside. Everything is taken into consideration when your car comes to be sold. If your cars exterior is pristine but the interior is worn and stained then you might as well not have bothered at all. Besides the value of your car when you come to sell, surely it's just nice to have a bit of pride knowing your car, outside and in is looking good as new five years down the line.

Car mats are an ideal, cheap alternative to having to scrub your vehicles carpets every weekend to keep them stain free.

Auto Styling's range of car mats all come as a set of front and rear so you needn't worry about having to fork out for two sets. Car mats will catch all the dirt and mud trod into the car but all you need to do is remove them to clean them. Not hard at all, light work compared to scrubbing the floors.

Heavy Duty Floor Mats

Heavy duty mats are excellent quality, meaning your foot wells will receive long serving protection.

• Non-slip backs -
  they will not be knocked from where you place them
• Channels in the mats -
  trap any water, mud and snow to stop it from dripping off the edges of the mat
• Made from heavy duty rubber -
  will not wear out easily and the rubber surface means that washing them is easy
• Trimming guidelines -
  the trimming guidelines allow you to cut the mats to the size of your foot wells saves any folding over and a messy fit

Mud Mats

Mud mats essentially act as mud trays, providing ultimate protection. These excellent quality mats will give you long lasting protection.

• Made from heavy duty rubber -
  will not wear out easily and will be long lasting
• Non-slip backed -
  they will stay exactly where they are supposed to
• Deep protection -
  the mats act as mud trays stopping mud from escaping and spreading over the edges

Luxury Floor Mats

Luxury floor mats come in a set of four, but also include carpet inserts. This gives you the benefit of having bother rubber and carpet uppers.

• Non-slip back -
  the mats will stay exactly where they are supposed to
• Durable and waterproof protection -
  long lasting protection preventing water, snow etc. leaking through to your cars carpet below
• Luxury of carpet with the protection of PVC -
  carpet adds a touch of luxury without compromising the protection of the mats
• Easy trim design -
  easily trimmed so you can ensure your mats fit well
• Washable -
  Despite the carpet inserts the mats can still be washed as normal

View the AutoStyling range of car mats:

• BMW Car Mats
• Mercedes Car Mats
• VW Car Mats
• Universal Car Mats, Floor Mats, Mud Mats for 4X4's MPV's and Cars

Sometimes it seems that no matter what you do, your pick-up just seems to guzzle fuel like there's no tomorrow. You only filled up less than a week ago, have only been travelling to work and back yet you're going to need to fill up again soon?

Simple techniques can improve your fuel efficiency without really making a lot of effort at all.

• Making sure the tyres are at the correct pressure
• Inflating your tyres to the maximum required
• Maintaining your vehicle
• Using gears efficiently (there is no point speeding up to fourth gear with road works that will slow you down in 100 meters)
• Accelerate and brake wisely
• Smoothly changing gears

These can all help fuel efficiency of your pick-up. But factors such as weight, resistance and aerodynamic drag can reduce fuel efficiency.

So, if you have a Toyota Hilux with an open load bed you will find that drag from the wind will dramatically reduce fuel efficiency. Due to the open bed the wind will be trapped as it passes, whereas with a hardtop fitted the Hilux will be a continuous shape travelling smoothly.

We all want the best fuel efficiency, if money can be saved on fuel then why waste time?

Auto Styling UK decided to test the best type of cover for fuel efficiency in a Toyota Hilux.

We tested the fuel efficiency by only changing one variable, the type of bed cover. To get the best comparison we first tested the Hilux with no bed cover, then using different covers inlcluding:

• Truckman S-Series Hardtop -
  A cab-high top featuring roof bars
• Truckman AeroTop RS Hardtop -
  A cab-high top with solid sides
• Truckman Classic Hardtop -
  A high roof top with steel reinforcements
• EGR Soft Tonneau Cover -
  A secure load-bed cover designed to reduce wind resistance.

The test was carried out around a 2 mile track for 5 laps. Therefore each test covered 10 miles, meaning the accuracy of the test was greater improved to results taken from one 2 mile lap.

Results were as follows:

As you can see, the best cover for your Toyota Hilux would be an EGR soft tonneau cover, improving fuel consumption by a large 3.0%. This stops wind being trapped in the open load bed, although compared to the other hardtop variables, an EGR soft tonneau cover compromises the space of your load bed leaving you limited if you often need to carry larger loads. But other than that they are already much cheaper than a hardtop, aswell as much more fuel efficient so you will snatch back the costs of the tonneau cover in less than 5 years!

The Truckman AeroTop RS and Truckman ASX S-Series hardtops both improved fuel efficiency due to their cab-high, flush design. These hardtops allow for a much greater load capacity than the Toyota Hilux bed and will keep your load safe and secure while improving the fuel efficiency of your truck. The money that you save from fuel could, in-theory, pay back the cost of your hardtop at least £200 in just the first few years. Improving the aerodynamics of your pick-up and gaining all the extra load space will pay for itself over time, surely worth it?

We now move on to the Truckman Classic hardtop. This will set you back an extra 3.4% fuel costs a year, covering just 29.4mpg. At first you might be thinking... No way! A large price to pay for a hardtop. But is it really? Depending on your hardtop criteria, having to pay extra fuel costs may be worth the extra load capacity. After all, it is the hardtops high roof profile that causes the extra costs. The high roof design means that the aerodynamic shape of a flush hardtop is lost and wind resistance is increased as the shape breaks up the smooth flow of the vehicle.

The Auto Styling UK fuel efficiency test is a great guideline if you are looking to save money on fuel. The better and worse hardtops for fuel consumption are highlighted, perfect if you're not too sure which type of hardtop or cover you would like. There's nothing better than buying a new tonneau cover or hardtop than something that will pay itself off over time. An EGR Soft Tonneau cover is the most obvious option. Being under £300 but saving at least £70 a year in fuel costs it will soon pay for itself. For some however, the limited safe load capacity is simply not an option.

Although the Truckman Classic actually causes higher costs in fuel in the long run, if for example, you are a gardener or decorator by profession, you are going to need a higher load capacity to save you playing Tetris to fit all your equipment in. This will benefit you much more than saving money on fuel each year. In this instance, saving yourself the hassle each time you load your pick-up may be better than saving on fuel costs.

View the Autostyling range of Pick-up Hardtops

It's important for you to keep the inside of your vehicle looking just as good as or even better than the outside. The outside of your vehicle is designed to take all the challenges it is encountered with - rain, mud and dirty puddles. But you just wouldn't expose the interior of your vehicle to these situations. Your seats will become damp, dirty, smelly and very costly to clean.

Whether your vehicle is a working van, family car or a double cab pick-up used for both work and play, you like the keep that fresh new car smell beaming for as long as you can, so the last thing you need is your soggy dog jumping through your vehicle and that pleasant smell be replaced with a lingering wet dog smell churning from your seats.

Auto Styling UK has the perfect solution... seat covers. Our range of seat covers are available for both the front and rear of your vehicle and are waterproof and washable. Seat covers will keep your seats in pristine condition which will add to the value of your vehicle when you start to think about selling on.

Highly durable and hard wearing seat covers are ideal for builders, dog owners, parents or even if you just want to protect your seats from general wear and tear. Dusty builder's clothes and little sticky hands are no match for our seat covers.

Auto Styling stocks two brands of seat covers, ASX and Ergo.

ASX seat covers are available for both the front and rear seats of your vehicle and even for vans. Universal front and rear covers come in navy, green, red, black and grey. We even stock black and grey rear covers specifically tailored to Nissan D40/Navara and Mitsubishi L200 rear seats. The ASX van seat covers come in either navy, black or grey and are a set of front driver and bench seat covers.

Ergo seat covers are available in a pair for the front seats of your vehicle. Ergo are widely recognised as the best seat covers in the world. These seat covers are available in either black and beige or black and grey and feature storage pockets and pull cords to ensure the seat covers have a better fit against your seats.

Seat covers are a cost effective solution to protecting the upholstery inside your vehicle.

View the AutoStyling's full range of universal seat covers and Nissan seat covers.

Do you have a pick up style truck? Grab your key fob and have a look outside. Check your tailgate. Yep, it's unlocked.

Crazy hey? On any other car, your remote central locking will lock the boot. But it's a different story for the L200 or Ford Ranger. OK now have a better look. No key lock either?! Wow that is crazy.

But it's true! The only 4x4 pick up vehicles which have a KEY lock are the new Navara D40 and new Toyota Hilux. Now I can hear some of you saying "but if the truck bed is uncovered, why do I need a locking tailgate".

Just think about all of the different bed cover accessories on the market! Soft tonneau covers, hard tonneau covers, hard top canopies, aluminium chequer plate tonneaus, roller shutter tonneaus... the list is enormous! (actually I think I just pretty much 'covered' it... pun intended)

You fit your new secure locking load cover and relax... But what's stopping a passing rapscallion merely pulling down the tailgate?

Locked Jack Rabbit Roller Shutter + unlocked tailgate = vulnerable load bed

Enough of the hypothetical situations, more about the Trucklok.

Auto Styling's Trucklok is the perfect 4x4 accessory for your pick up's tailgate. Especially if you have any experience with 'did-I-turn-off-the-hob fear'- and 'did-I-lock-the-front-door fear'. Who wants to spend the day worrying about whether or not you locked your tailgate?

The Trucklok integrates your Ranger or Hilux tailgate with your own key fob's remote central locking - locking the tailgate at the same time as the cab doors. Pretty clever hey?! Even cleverer is that it can be installed in under 30 minutes.

Locking ALL your pick up's doors with one key fob?

Seems like a no brainer to me!

• Tailgate Remote Central Locking
• Uses vehicle's existing key fob
• Fast installation
• Non-Drill

4x4 Pick Up Vehicle	Trucklok
Mitsubishi L200 Mk 6 D/C
Mitsubishi L200 Mk 6 D/C
Mitsubishi L200 Mk 6 E/C
Mitsubishi L200 Mk 6 S/C
Mitsubishi L200 Mk 7 Long Bed
Ford Ranger Mk 4 D/C
Ford Ranger Mk 4 E/C
Ford Ranger Mk 4 S/C
Toyota Hilux Mk 6 D/C
Toyota Hilux Mk 6 E/C
Toyota Hilux Mk 6 S/C
Nissan Navara D40 D/C
Nissan Navara D40 E/C
Mazda BT50 D/C
VW Amarok Mk 1 D/C

Convinced? View more details on the Autostyling Trucklok - tailgate lock for pickup trucks

It's coming up to that time of year when you are trying to get all of your Christmas shopping done but are just so stuck on what presents to buy. Here at Auto Styling UK we like to be as helpful as possible so this is a perfect time to introduce you to our new range and solve all your Christmas present dilemmas in one go.

What could be a better present than snow socks? You can buy them for your Mom and Dad, your Sister, Uncle, Cousin, Grandpa Fred and even for number one; why not reward yourself for the hard work eh?

Now, when I say snow socks I don't mean things that you put on your feet to keep them warm and fuzzy while you run around invincible to frost bite in the usually dreaded weather. I mean vehicle snow socks. Whether they are for a car, van, 4x4 or pick up, snow Socks for your tyres are ideal when caught short during the winter months.

When it's cold, dark and snowing the last thing you want to do is ditch your warm, safe vehicle to walk the long, demoralising journey home. Snow socks fit to the wheels of your vehicle quickly and easily and greatly improve the grip, preventing your from slipping, sliding and wheel spinning. With snow socks your vehicle will stay exactly where it is supposed to rather than skidding into the curb.

So how exactly does a snow sock work?

The function of snow socks is explained by a tribologic system defined by three variables: Upper Surface, Lubricant and Lower Surface. On snowy or icy roads the upper surface would be the snow sock covered tyre. The lubricant is the water film formed by snow or ice fusion due to the friction and the lower surface is the snow or ice layer on the road. Depending on the amount of lubricant between both layers it would either be dry or wet friction. The drier the friction is the better the vehicle stability and smaller the braking distance will be. The snow sock increases the maximum existent dry-friction area. This is achieved by both its fabric composition and its structure.

At this point you might be wandering why bother with snow socks, I've never heard of them snow chains would be much more use.

Well...

If your still not convinced then I have more snow sock pro's.

• Snow socks are full TUV and CE tested and approved meaning they have been fully safety tested and approved for legal use in the UK
• They come with their very own storage bag and gloves for fitting to save you getting dirty
• Designed to fit a range of over 400 tyre sizes
• Quick, easy and convenient

Snow socks will save you loads of time and hassle when you are inconveniently caught in the snow. Snow socks are so good that they have even won a place on the Popular Mechanics: 2011 SEMA Editors Choice Awards.

Invest your money wisely this Christmas and boost your winter driving confidence with a pair of snow socks.

View our range of snow socks