ATS Design have released their custom fender flares for the 2007 and newer Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. Made of OEM-approved materials and designed to enhance body lines, the custom fender flares use the factory mounting locations for a clean, custom appearance, and ease of installation. All of ATS' fender flares are available in painted and unpainted versions. For more information visit www.atsdesign.com
Are you feeling the Friday Beerblog love yet? This new one was found on Gizmodo, where the latest way to lift your automobile is by hooking up a lift jack balloon to your vehicle's exhaust, using the expelled gas to inflate the bag, thus lifting the car. Is this thing not dumb-ass proof or what? Anyone in their right mind who would get near this inflated hazard, is asking for it, even if the claims are "it's strong enough to lift a three-ton vehicle 18 inches for up to 45 minutes". Videos inside.
Mopar and the Mopar Underground team showcased their customized Jeep vehicles and Dodge trucks at Moab Jeep Safari 2008 in March. Jeep engineering has been coming to Moab for years. Mopar is at Moab to test, evaluate and prove the authenticity of our Mopar Performance Parts for Jeep vehicles and Dodge trucks on the most grueling off-road trails in Moab, said Simon Boag, President Service & Parts/Mopar, Chrysler LLC.
When it comes to lifting a Ford F-450, youve got to make sure that the conversion kit can do the job right. Kelderman, known for quality engineered air ride suspension kits for light and medium duty trucks, has now developed both air and non-air lift kits for the 450 Ford Super Duty, giving the consumer more options than ever for this class 4 truck.
Anchored by three powerful, capable and durable work trucks, the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs; the 2008 Dodge Sprinter, the markets top-performing full-size van; and the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van, Dodge continues its commercial vehicle market offensive with a barrage of product enhancements that will deliver maximum uptime, capability and savings to commercial customers. Enhancements were announced this morning at the 2008 National Truck Equipment (NTEA) Work Truck Show in Atlanta.
One Up Offroad are now offering a steering differential cover for the 1999 to 2008 Ford Super Duty trucks equipped with Dana 60 front axles. The steering differential cover can be used with either a 2.0 series or 2.5 series steering stabilizer, as well as a hydraulic assist steering ram. – DrSpeed
Mopar is now making it easier for Jeep customers to modify their future vehicle, using their computerized ordering system called EASy, which stands for Electronic Accessory System.
Following our blog last week of the baja inspired, long travel Ford F-150 "Raptor", our friend Mike Levine of Pickuptruck.com has obtained new images of the off road F-150, solidifying all speculations of the F-150's features.
Reflecting upon last week, we at Truckblog delivered news about Ford's new Work Solutions line-up, a new recall from them regarding 225k vehicles, and posted information about a new lift kit for the 2007 and 2008 Toyota Tundra. Then, Suzuki stepped up into the truck relm with their new concepts, we talked about a crazy Honda Civic tractor, another hybrid truck was announced, new information about a unibody truck from GMC was released, and finally, a slick LED lightstrip was installed on Project Truckblog. Whew, what a week! Below is a list of last weeks top stories:
As an update to our blog last week about Ford releasing a long travel edition F-150, now Mike Levine of Pickuptruck.com has posted a possible image of the F-150, dubbed "Raptor". Note, the wider front suspension stance, flared fenders under the camouflage, and lifted suspension.
Walker Evans now offers a 20 inch Bead Lock offroad race wheel in their lineup. Made of a one-piece pressured cast aluminum wheel, the 20 inch rim offers a custom backspace from 4 and 3/4 inch to 6 inch spacing. The wheel comes in the standard 5, 6 and 8 lug bolt patterns and includes a bead lock ring, bolts and steel insert already installed. You also have the option of choosing a machine and shotpeen finish, polish or power coat. For more information visit www.walkerevansracing.com
Fabtech Motorsports have released their 6 inch performance lift kit system for the 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup. Providing an increased ride height and superior dampening, the Toyota lift kit includes Dirt Logic coilover shocks, extended-length steering knuckles, arched crossmembers, U-bolt and rear suspension shocks. The aftermarket lift kit allows for the use of 35 inch tall off-road tires. For more information visit www.FabtechMotorsports.com
Every Monday morning we give you a re-cap of last weeks festivities, from automotive manufacturer announcements to the hottest (and sometimes worst) products available. Below is a list of last weeks top stories:
Autoweek has published their review of the 2008 Nissan Frontier Nismo King Cab, stating "This is a nice piece to drive, solidly built, plenty of power, good steering feel and handling, given what it is, even a really nice ride for an off-roadable truck. The Nismo folks have gotten their sums right." Powered by a 260 horse power 4.0 liter V-6, this little pickup is guaranteed to handle the trails. Click Here to check out the review.
Four Wheeler Magazine has uncovered some information regarding Ford Motor Company and their long travel suspension 2009 F-150. Being codenamed "Raptor" (any Jurassic Park fans?), the program is well into development and is roughly a year and a half to two years away from being in production.
Rize Industries of El Cajon, California have launched their 2003 to 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 8 inch lift kits. The system comes with a true 8 inches of lift, enough to clear 37 inch tires.
Belltech Suspension have released their complete lowering kit for the 2007 and newer Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Providing a 2 inch drop for the front end and 4 inches of drop in the rear, the new lowering kit is bound to make your Tundra one tough truck. The kit includes lowering springs, rear relocation brackets, U bolts and all the necessary hardware. For more information, check out Belltech's website at www.belltech.com.
Chrysler have decided to update their 2008 Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass models, with new exterior colors, added interior features including air conditioning as a standard, upgraded transmission now with Auto Stick option, improved driveability and reduced powertrain noise, added packages and more. For more details, check out the releases inside.
Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords tested and reviewed a supercharged 2007 Roush Nitemare Edition Ford F-150 with the goal of reaching 13's in the quarter mile test. Ford discontinued the famous SVT Lightning in 2004, and with many disappointed enthusiasts, have now launched the high performance F-150 by Roush. Does it live up to a benchmark 13.33 second time set by its predecessor? Find out here.
Toyota Australia will unveil the supercharged TRD HiLux at the Brisbane International Motor Show ahead of its launch in the second quarter of 2008. Queensland manager Sean Hanley said the TRD HiLux had completed all testing and would begin production in the second half of February.
With its unmistakable HUMMER design and a compact, go-anywhere driving ethic, the HUMMER HX concept challenges the hierarchy of the trail. HUMMER displayed the nimble, reconfigurable off-roader at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC has announced the availability of its Ride-Rite air helper springs for the new Toyota Tundra, both 2WD and 4WD. The Ride-Rite kit provides heavy duty support for Tundra owners to safely and comfortably tow heavy loads by using air pressure to adjust Firestone's air helper springs, compensating for varying load capacities and road conditions.
Ford is meeting the demand of their customers sooner than later, with changes in their 2008 and newer Super Duty trucks to help increase gas mileage, replacing the standard 3.73 gear ratio on F-250 and F-350 models, with a 3.55 gearing ratio. Towing capabilities will not drop for either trucks, and those equipped with the 3.55 gear ratio will be able to still tow the same load as their predecessor 3.73 trucks.
Whether you drive a Ford, Chevrolet or Dodge, most enthusiasts have the urge to lift their new 1 ton class trucks before it reaches their own driveway. There are many suspension lift kit systems out there to choose from, but depending on your application and life style, some lift kits are better than others. One of the best suspension lift kit systems available on the market, is from Rize Industries of El Cajon, California. – Bear Hunter
Superlift Suspension Systems has released their high-performance lift kits for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Rubicon 2-Door 4wd jeeps. The new lift kits are available in four, and six inch applications. Each kit features a pre-set coil spring, with different ratings for 4-door models.
After reporting that Chrysler is to release the 2009 Dodge Ram with a "stampede of publicity" at the North American International Auto Show next January, Mike Levine has uncovered information regarding that Dodge will be changing the traditional rear end leaf spring set up found on almost all pickup trucks, to a new coil sprung rear axle for the 2009 platform.
Utilizing the F-650 commercial truck platform, Ford has gained control of the RV chassis production, providing chassis assemblies for nearly 69 percent of the gasoline-powered Class A motor home and 34 percent of all Class A RV's sold in this country. Ford's Class A chassis now benefit from the vast engineering performed on their Super Duty F-series pickup trucks, as well as about half the components from those trucks. "It was grown completely out of the Super Duty platform," said Rob Stevens, chief engineer for Ford's commercial truck division.
Hellwig Product Company displayed their new sway bars for the 2007 and newer Toyota Tundra at the SEMA show last week, which feature a heavy-duty rear sway bar assembly for the medium-duty Toyota Tundra. Manufactured with a CNC-laser cut heavy-gauge material, these sway bars are made of 4140 heat treated alloy steel for maximum strength and rigidity. Read on for more details.
Dubbed the H3 Alpha, the new 2008 Hummer H3 has received a 5.3-liter V-8 engine for the 2008 model year, as reported by The Car Connection. Based off of the popular H2 series SUV and classic H1 truck, the H3 Alpha new 5.3 liter produces 295 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, combined with a four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive gear box.
Nissan Motor Company have added a new model to their exsisting line of Titan pick-up trucks, called the PRO-4X package. Similar to the FX4 Package that Ford offers, the PRO-4X combines a longer vehicle wheel base with Rancho shock absorbers, skid plates, electronic locking differencial and more. Click "Full Story" for the full list of details.
The finishing touch has been released. CST has designed what every owner of Walker Evans Racing Wheels needs, our CST - Walker Wheel Cap. This custom wheel cap is constructed from 6061 Billet aluminum and CNC machined into the next generation of wheel caps. They feature stainless steel Allen head cap screws, and simply slides in from the back side with a rubber o-ring to eliminate noise while driving. It is offered With or With Out the CST Logo and fits 4.25 inch center bore wheels. Retail price is $229.95 for a set of 4. Check out CST Suspension's website for more details...
Air Lift Company announced the release of a new Super Duty air spring suspension kit for the 2007 Toyota Tundra, two-and four-wheel- drive models. This kit is one of Air Lifts many no-drill applications featuring a bolt-on assembly easily installed between the vehicles frame and factory leaf springs. The single bellow design provides brute strength capable of handling big loads with full-time load support up to 3,000 pounds, improving safety and ride quality.
Flaming River has come out with an "EZ fit" steering shaft that aids in absorbing chassis flex of up to three inches of movement. The EZ Fit shaft is available for all popular trucks, as well as specific kits for Hummer H2's and GM Trucks. The EZ Fit kit also installs on any two u-join system. There's no cutting involved and it installs within minutes. You can check out Flaming Rivers website for more details.
When it comes to lifting the 2008 Ford Super Duty, Kelderman Air Suspension Systems understands better than most that one size does not fit all. That's why Kelderman offers two systems - a 6-8" lift that is designed for tires up to 38", and a 10-12" kit designed to run for tires as large as 42".
From a stoplight, the guy next to you gives you "the look," and we all know what that means. As the light turns green, you put the pedal to the metal. In the ensuring launch, the truck shakes violently, bucks, hops, and heaven forbid, you stay on it, and eventually hear a loud "BANG" from a grenaded U-joint, followed by a "clink clink" as the driveshaft hits the pavement Perhaps if you were smarter, you would have known that the axle wrap was giving you traction problems, and you should have backed out of the throttle. But poor judgment (and perhaps a little machismo) kept you from doing otherwise. – DrSpeed
Kelderman Air Suspension Systems has engineered a new way to get the latest generation Escalades closer to the ground. The Kelderman lowering air ride kit with dump feature is a high quality bolt-in system that is fully compatible with the original leveling system.
Bilstein announces the release of their new BTS systems for 2005 and later Ford F-250/F-350 4WD Super Duty pickups. These new BTS systems include replacement front coil springs and two 5100 Series shocks. This system raises the front of the truck by 2.25, increases wheel travel and vastly improves overall handling characteristics.
When people think of Kelderman Air Suspension Systems, some of the hottest customized trucks the world has seen come to mind. This year has been no exception as Kelderman teamed up with Extreme Performance to win the 2007 Ford Styling Award at SEMAs LTAA Expo held in Atlanta, Georgia with another high-riding, one-of-a-kind 2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty jointly customized by Kelderman and Extreme Performance.
Firestone Industrial Products - long known for its easy-to-install air helper springs for cars, light trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, minivans and motor homes - has developed an innovative, new product for custom car builders. The company's Red Label(tm) high pressure series air spring is designed to appeal to the Gen X/Gen Y demographic.
Most of us know about Kelderman for their sweet suspension systems. Well, now they lift more than just trucks. Your bed is no longer safe from Kelderman! They now offer bed lifts for Ford F-650 and F-740 Super Duty trucks, as well as other medium duty trucks such as the International CXT.
Firestone Industrial Products has unveiled its heavy-duty Level-Rite spring air over damper for 1/2 -, 3/4- and 1-ton 2001-2007 General Motors pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Specifically designed for the front torsion bar/spring suspension found on both the 2WD and 4WD models, the new Level-Rite system comes complete with a monotube Bilstein shock absorber encased in billet aluminum. It replaces the OE shock absorber, helping level General Motors trucks and sport utility vehicles that carry a winch, snow plow, bull bar, slide-in camper, or any other situation where extra weight is placed on the front of the vehicle.
Kelderman Manufacturing has introduced a front and rear four-link coil over kit for late model Ford 4x4 Super Duty pickups the Kelderman Koilover Kit. Kits are now available in either 8 or 12 for 2005 and newer F-250 and F-350 Ford Super Duty trucks. The front kit replaces the factory coil springs and shocks with an engineered four-link design. The heavy-duty four link rear kit replaces the leaf spring using King coil over shocks.
A two ton truck like the Ford F-650 has many advantages over lighter duty trucks - ride comfort is not one of them. That can change easily enough with a front 4-link air ride conversion kit from Kelderman Manufacturing. This easy to install system greatly improves ride comfort, decreases shock and fatigue, and will even improve the overall look of the truck - giving it a more leveled look in the front.
Want to lift your late model GM or Chevrolet truck or SUV? Starting July 24th and continuing through October 31st, Fabtech Motorsports will be offering a $200 factory rebate when you purchase one of their complete 6" Performance lift systems for the late model pickup trucks or SUV's. This is a factory rebate so it's up to the purchaser to apply for their $200, so don't wait for your installers to hook you up. Start saving now, July 24th is less than two weeks away.
Attention FJ Cruiser owners! Adding bolt on accessories to your FJ Cruiser just got easier as aftermarket manufacturers are taking heed of the FJ Cruiser craze and developing accessories to nudge your FJ cruiser a little further into the dirt. Manufacturers such as Donahoe Racing, N-Fab and All Pro Offroad have recognized the FJ Yota rage and are stepping up to the plate with some big boy parts for these little giants.
Last week we posted some new videos from the 2006 Truck Jamboree in SoCal. Our video guy was hard at work over the long Memorial Day weekend to crank out another one for us. The Extreme Air Hopping video is now online fo' yo view'n pleasure.
Note: Video homey put in some Snoop Dizzle s-to-tha-izzong that contains some fizzoul language (tisk, tisk!) so if you're viewing in the office you might want to put your volume on the down-low, yo.
Flaming River has come out with an "EZ fit" steering shaft that aids in absorbing chassis flex of up to three inches of movement. The EZ Fit shaft is available for all popular trucks, as well as specific kits for Hummer H2's and GM Trucks. The EZ Fit kit also installs on any two u-join system. There's no cutting involved and it installs within minutes. You can check out 
From a stoplight, the guy next to you gives you "the look," and we all know what that means. As the light turns green, you put the pedal to the metal. In the ensuring launch, the truck shakes violently, bucks, hops, and heaven forbid, you stay on it, and eventually hear a loud "BANG" from a grenaded U-joint, followed by a "clink clink" as the driveshaft hits the pavement Perhaps if you were smarter, you would have known that the axle wrap was giving you traction problems, and you should have backed out of the throttle. But poor judgment (and perhaps a little machismo) kept you from doing otherwise. 
Bilstein announces the release of their new BTS systems for 2005 and later Ford F-250/F-350 4WD Super Duty pickups. These new BTS systems include replacement front coil springs and two 5100 Series shocks. This system raises the front of the truck by 2.25, increases wheel travel and vastly improves overall handling characteristics.
Kelderman Manufacturing has introduced a front and rear four-link coil over kit for late model Ford 4x4 Super Duty pickups the Kelderman Koilover Kit. Kits are now available in either 8 or 12 for 2005 and newer F-250 and F-350 Ford Super Duty trucks. The front kit replaces the factory coil springs and shocks with an engineered four-link design. The heavy-duty four link rear kit replaces the leaf spring using King coil over shocks.
Attention FJ Cruiser owners! Adding bolt on accessories to your FJ Cruiser just got easier as aftermarket manufacturers are taking heed of the FJ Cruiser craze and developing accessories to nudge your FJ cruiser a little further into the dirt. Manufacturers such as 