The last video has landed from Ford's 2011 Super Duty video series and is called Power Take Off. It's not the traditional power launch we're used to, but instead a new technology that has been introduced that generates power from the transmission itself...enough to power a snow plow, salt spreaders, and more. Very interesting technology.
Our second to last video from Ford's 2011 Super Duty video series takes a look at the New Turbocharger. Mike Rowe explains the nitty gritty about the new turbocharger from it's central position on the engine to a dual compressor wheel with single shaft design. It's only 52 seconds long but there's a lot of information packed in.
The 5th episode from the 2011 Ford Super Duty video series focuses on Durability and the "toughness" that goes into each truck. This video is a bit shorter at 1 minute but highlights the details that make each truck durable.
Today's episode from the 2011 Ford Super Duty video series is called Extreme Weather Testing, where we take an in depth look of the extreme measures Ford takes as part of the development of their trucks. Here's Episode 4: Extreme Weather Testing.
The third video from Ford's 2011 Super Duty series is called The Voice of the Customer. Hosted by Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, the video series takes a look at the development, technology, and extensive testing Ford placed into every category of the new truck. Here's Episode 3: The Voice of the Customer.
Today we are showing Ford's second video, The Powertrain, from their behind the scenes series. Hosted by Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, the video series takes a look at the development, technology, and extensive testing Ford placed into every category of the new truck. Here's Episode 2: The Powertrain.
Over the next couple of days we are going to bring you a new video series presented by Ford of the new 2011 Super Duty. Hosted by Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, the video series takes a look at the development, technology, and extensive testing Ford placed into every category of the new truck. Here's Episode 1: Capability.
I was on my way home from Las Vegas a couple weekends ago when I came across this splendor of a safety hazard. You know you need to buy a pickup truck when you own as many bikes as this guy in the photo. In fact, you could get lucky and buy a new Chevrolet Silverado with GM's new 72 hour sale offering 0 percent financing for 72 months. If that doesn't suit your fancy, well continue looking like a douche bag and creating a hazard for everyone else on the road. Full size image inside.
One of our members, Offroad250, came across some idiot that mounted his fifth wheel hitch receiver to the tailgate of his old Chevrolet Blazer. Not only is this combination ridiculously unsafe, it's just a douche thing to do. Moron.
The Smart Trailer Wireless Lighting Monitor from Valley is designed to provide constant monitoring of all trailer signal lights, including tail lights, market lights, stop and turn lights, while driving. Valley's Smart Trailer Wireless Lighting Monitor features secure wireless transmission that makes it easy to mount without complicated wiring between the trailer and tow vehicle. The kit includes an in-cab monitor - which mounts in any position above or below the dash and is powered by the vehicle's electric system - a trailer transmitter, mounting brackets and mounting hardware. The trailer-mounted transmitter is water resistant and submersible, making the system ideal for most applications, including marine use.
While posting up other stories this morning, a particular product popped up in our "Truck Swag" portion of the site that caught my eye and I instantly thought "What the hell is that?".
That product is called the Stinger Hitch Helper, a 55 pound hitch system that fits any 2 inch receiver and helps level your pickup truck. Made with a coil spring that provides a smooth ride and easy height adjustment, the single hitch is rated for 910 pounds capacity at 65 miles per hour. There's also a dually hitch available, rated at 1,800 pounds at 65 miles per hour.
Now here's the catch... the single wheel unit is available for a raping $599 dollars and the dually unit at $1,129. For that price you can get a whole different spring leaf pack and increase your load rating safely.
For more information about the Stinger Hitch Helper head on over to Truck Hownd.
Good news for those enthusiasts looking to buy a new pickup truck from General Motors, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra half ton trucks are now shipping with a 3.73 rear axle option and new 6.2 liter V8 engine. GM spokesperson Kelly Wysocki commented "The first GM full-size pickups with 6.2-liter V-8 engines and 3.73 rear axles started shipping from the factory in late January" and "they should start arriving at dealers very soon. The 3.73 can be ordered as part of the Max Trailering Package option". GM's new 6.2 liter V8 packs 403 horsepower and 417 foot pounds of torque, matched with a six speed automatic transmission, the new motor and axle combination is only available on crew cab configurations. The new 3.73 rear axle option replaces the standard 3.42, which was optimized for fuel economy standards.
Valley, an industry leader in hitches and towing accessories for more than 60 years, introduces the all new Towing Information System to provide constant checking of trailer lights, including taillights, brake lights and turn signals. The Towing Information System is a 4-flat application that installs on a trailer between the vehicle and trailer connectors. Featuring Thule's exclusive Smart Towing Technology and patent-pending Wireless Communication, the system sends a wireless signal to the receiver unit - which plugs into a cigarette lighter and is powered by the vehicle's electric system - to monitor the trailer lights and notify drivers if one goes out.
Founded in 1948, Warn Industries has gone from a small shop in the Pacific Northwest to the worldwide leader in off-road products and accessories. To celebrate the company's 60th Anniversary, WARN® is releasing a limited-edition version of its iconic M8274 electric winch, called the M8274-60. For decades, the M8274 has been a favorite of off-road enthusiasts because of its fast line speeds, extra-long rope, and exceptional durability.
A company by the name of Track Trailer in Australia have released a camping trailer called "Tvan". Selling at around $20,000 USD, the Tvan is the ultimate trail riding camper. Featuring suspension that is built to military specifications, the Tvan is equipped with long travel coil springs, custom Koni shock absorbers, and provides up to 10 inches of travel within it's suspension system. The whole trailer itself only weighs 1,650 pounds and has little bump steer. It features a roof rack, drop tail gate, and hatch assembly to get inside.
Autoblog posted information about General Motors' new 4.5 liter Duramax diesel motor that is promising a near 35 percent increase in fuel economy for their full size pickup truck segment. The new engine design utilizes an aluminum cylinder head exhaust manifold, integral cam cover intake manifold, hollow balance shaft, aluminum upper oil pan, reduction in vibration, crank journal design, and overall uses less parts within the motor. All of this combined, the new 4.5 liter is expected to produce 310 horse power and 525 foot pounds of torque. Look for the new engine next Fall where it is slated for the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
Pickuptrucks.com spotted the 2010 GMC Sierra 2500 heavy duty diesel pickup truck on the road again in Michigan last Friday. Slated to feature GM's updated 6.6 liter Duramax diesel eight cylinder motor that can produce over 700 foot pounds of torque, the truck also features an upgraded grille, head light assembly, and front bumper.
Toyota Motor Corporation have decided not to engage in the traditional "pickup truck wars" experienced between Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge every four years. With the launch of the 2009 Dodge Ram this summer and Ford's new re-designed F-150 this November, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc President, Jim Lentz, decided to hold back on their once popular Tundra pickup truck. "I don't want to get stuck in the middle of Ford and Chevy battling for the No. 1 truck this year, and Dodge launching the Ram," Lentz stated in an interview. Toyota had forecast a sale of 20,000 Tundras per month this year after a successful record last year, although September sales were in the tank with just 7,696 trucks sold.
The 2008 SEMA Show is right around the corner and we at Truckblog are anxiously awaiting it. Last week Performance West Group announced their Ford F-350 Striker pickup truck, which is one wicked ride that takes inspiration from the Shelby GT500KR muscle car. The automotive industry began to pickup again last week with updates coming from Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Jeep, and Chrysler.
It's always a good idea to have a backup plan, especially when operating with heavy machinery, automobiles, fire, cell phones, the wife, or any other life threatening situation. The operator of this (very nice) tow truck did not have a backup plan on this particular rescue operation and while flipping over a stranded semi truck on the highway, the semi begins to roll back and causes the tow truck to flip over. Epic FAIL.
At the IAA 2008 for Commercial Vehicles, ZF will present the new automatic transmission for light commercial vehicles up to 15 tons for the very first time: ZF-PowerLine, the 6-speed powershift transmission covers the torque range between 600 and 1,000 Nm (approximately 442 to 737 foot pounds) and is equally suitable for use with diesel and gasoline engines. Thus, ZF closes the gap in the product portfolio between passenger car powershift transmissions and powershift transmissions for medium/heavy commercial vehicles. Furthermore, the ZF-PowerLine aims at light commercial vehicles and small buses as well as pickups. The start of volume production for the transmission will presumably be in 2010, in the USA. Nissan will be the first customer.
Man would this suck or what. A Japanese towing company thought of a new way to commandeer (like Jack Sparrow) your vehicle using a crane to do the dirty work. I don't think this would work too well with a full size Ford or Chevrolet, but hey, I'm sure someone has tried. Check the video inside.
Two is better than one. That's the idea behind Valley's Multi-Use Ball Mount that allows motorists to tow a trailer while carrying accessories - such as bike racks or cargo carries - at the same time. Valley's strong, durable Multi-Use Ball Mount fits 2" receiver hitches and measures 10 1/2" in length. The ball mount extension creates a 3 1/4" drop and is rated for loads up to 5,000 lbs*. Atop the ball mount is a 2" receiver for attaching accessories. It is rated for loads up to 500 lbs.
During the famous Gumball 3000 race last week, one driver caught a hefty accident on tape while cruising along of a Ford Excursion towing a large trailer in the slow lane and all of a sudden, the trailer starts fish tailing and causes the Excursion to whip around, jackknife, and flip over. This video leaves me thinking, WWJD?
Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC offers its heavy-duty Level-Rite air spring over damper suspension for 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4s. The new Level-Rite product features a fully protected, reversible sleeve air spring paired with a high-performance Bilstein monotube shock absorber. It helps level the front end of vehicles that carry a winch, snow plow, slide-in camper, Texas Style bumper or any other situation where extra weight is placed on the front of the vehicle.
The right hitch isn't all you need to tow safely. Large trailers, wide loads and truck campers can obstruct your view of what's behind or parallel to you. Extension Tow Mirrors from Valley provide the added visibility you need to see all that's around. Valley offers its Extension Tow Mirror #53890 to fit most passenger car side mirrors. The 3 1/4" x 5 1/4" rectangular mirror has mounting arms that adjust to fit existing side mirrors between 3 1/2" to 7" high.
The Performance Management Tool (PMT) has raised the bar on the next level of diesel performance in the automotive aftermarket. The revolutionary PMT is an adjustable on the fly downloader, monitor and gauge all packaged into one unit and is available exclusively from Bully Dog. The easy to use interface offers both push button or touch screen navigation; both navigation styles come with each unit and are active all the time.
Pickuptrucks.com uncovered new information about the development of the new 6.7 liter eight cylinder diesel motor nicknamed "Scorpion" by Ford engineers. Set to replace the current Navistar 6.4 liter eight cylinder diesel motor, the new engine is expected to pack a hefty 390 horsepower and 720 foot pounds of torque, along with an improved fuel economy of three miles per gallon which is huge for such a heavy truck.
Towing a 5th wheel trailer safely is its own concern without having to worry the trailer will impact your truck cab when making sharp turns. Thanks to The Glider from Valley, this fear can be put to rest. The Glider prevents damage to the cab of 6 1/2' short bed pickup trucks by allowing the 5th wheel hitch to glide backward towards the tailgate approximately 9" during tight maneuvers, providing the extra cab clearance you need to park or navigate curves. It allows for greater turning radius with up to 3 1/2" of total adjustment - from 14 1/2" to 18 1/16" - in 1 3/16" increments.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for 2009 Tacoma pickup trucks, which range from $15,170 to $27,075. Tacoma greatly enhances its overall value with the addition of several new features. All Tacoma models will now feature Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and Traction Control (TRAC) as standard equipment, making Tacoma the latest model to feature Toyota's STAR Safety system consisting of Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, VSC, and TRAC.
Dodge today announced a $1,000 allowance toward the purchase of an upfit body for installation on all Dodge Sprinter chassis cab models. The term program runs from June 3, 2008 to January 2, 2009. “With unmatched versatility, the segment’s best fuel economy and the most class-leading advantages, Dodge Sprinter chassis cabs are in tremendous demand by upfitters for a host of aftermarket uses,” said Pamela Niekamp, Senior Manager – Commercial Vehicle Marketing and Product Planning.
According to the Detroit News, Dodge executives have announced a 20 percent fuel efficiency increase in the 2009 Dodge Ram, set to debut this fall. The fuel mileage increase is said to have improved in the 5.7 liter Hemi eight cylinder motor, which produces a bold 380 horse power and 404 foot pounds of torque. Chief Engineer, Mike Cairns, stated "We expect to see a 10 to 20 percent gain in highway efficiency".
Mike Levine was able to get hold of a spy shot of the 2009 Ford F-450 Harley Davidson Edition pickup truck, complete with blue tribal flames under the paint. Sold at the $60,000 dollar mark, you'll get a chromed grille, custom Harley fender vents, Harley-Davidson cargo box sides, custom emblem for the tail gate, Harley-Davidson wheels, and of course the legendary black Harley-Davidson leather. The new truck is definitely the best yet that Ford has debuted, but I don't know of anyone right now that is in the market for an 8,000 pound truck that pulls off a fuel efficiency rating of 12 miles per gallon. Is this the right timing Ford?
Edmund's Inside Line is stating that Toyota Motor Corporation is developing a plethora of eight cylinder diesel engines that are "clean burning", for their popular full-size Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Expected to be in production by 2010, the Tundra diesel pickup truck will boast a predicted 7.0 liter diesel eight cylinder engine, as well as an upgraded 4.7 liter eight cylinder gasoline motor.
Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC continues to expand its line of Ride-Rite air helper springs with a new kit for the 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 Series pickup trucks, fitting 2WD, 4WD and all cab configurations. The 07-08 Silverado/Sierra Ride-Rite kit is a no-drill application that uses the trucks' factory holes and includes all the components needed for a quick installation that typically takes less than one hour.
Mike Levine has posted an analysis of engine configurations for General Motors pickup trucks, equipped with either gasoline, diesel or hybrid setups. Choosing the right power train can be confusing, especially when it comes to fuel efficiency and gas mileage. Click here to check out his report.
General Motors Corporation and Isuzu Motors Limited announced their new joint venture, GM-Isuzu Camiones Andinos de Colombia Ltda., today. The purpose of which is to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand their truck and bus sales in Colombia. The joint venture builds on the long-standing partnership that GM and Isuzu have enjoyed in the region by establishing a company that is dedicated to the marketing, sales, service and after-sales of commercial vehicles. The new partnership is the successful result of a 2007 agreement that studied the potential of a JV and will focus on strengthening the leadership that GM and Isuzu have built in this segment.
Transporting your toys from A to B is as easy as LGA. Let's Go Aero, manufacturer of innovative Gear Management Solutions, offers a variety of compact trailers ideal for your next sand dune, lakeside, mountain camp or winter resort excursion. LGA trailers - including the GearWagon 125, GearLodge Camper, Little Giant Sport Utility Trailer and LittleGiant Trailer Xpand - are perfectly suited for dirt bike, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile and personal watercraft owners who don't want the hassle - or expense - of a large, dedicated toy hauler trailer.
The big shift is on at Ford Motor Company, as the automaker plans to more than double the number – to 1.4 million – of fuel-efficient, 6-speed automatic transmissions in its North American cars and trucks by the end of 2009. The advanced transmissions provide customers 4 to 6 percent improved fuel economy compared with typical 4- and 5-speed gearboxes, as well as better acceleration and a quieter and more refined driving experience.
Removing the heavy steel clutch fan from your 2003 to 2008 Cummins diesel equipped Dodge Ram, sounds like a strange way to make more horsepower and torque. Yet, Flex-A-Lite’s testing shows that significant performance can be gained this way, by reducing the load on the engine while improving on the cooling system for improved towing and fuel economy. – DrSpeed
The often overlooked transmission is proving to be a secret weapon for Ford Motor Company in the quest for improved fuel economy. “Transmission technology is playing a key role in bringing down fuel consumption,” said Craig Renneker, chief engineer for new automatic transmissions for Ford Powertrain Operations. “That’s why Ford is rolling out an industry-leading array of fuel-efficient, six-speed automatic transmissions on more than half of the North American product lineup, including the new 2009 Ford F-150.”
Producing 330 horsepower and 420 foot pounds of torque, the highly anticipated 2010 Ford 4.4 liter diesel engine has surfaced at last week's national dealer show, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Built for the F-150, Ford is stating that the engine is expected to be also available for the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Ford E-Series vans, and F-Series SuperDuty trucks.
To redesign the 2009 F-150, the Ford engineering team worked with its customer base to determine the needs and wants of today’s truck buyer. The 2009 F-150 gives Ford owners more choice and more options than before – with the ability to create 35 separate configurations – all delivered with Ford quality.
A hitch with the towing electrical connection built INSIDE the receiver? It's an innovation that would have others asking, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Valley, a towing industry leader for more than 60 years, did. New Integrated Trailer Wiring(tm) hitches from Valley are inventive and stylish. Advancements in manufacturing technology have allowed the towing electrical connection to be moved INSIDE the cross tube of the receiver, eliminating the need for unsightly brackets or to drape the harness outside the vehicle where it can be damaged by weather and road debris.
Back in October of last year, Chris and I were lucky enough to test drive the new 2008 Ford F-450 at an exclusive media event at Ford's proving grounds in Romeo, Michigan, just outside of Detroit. Although these heavy duty trucks were put to the test (and we were very happy with the results), we never had the chance to test them in the "real world".
When it comes to lifting a Ford F-450, you’ve 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 market’s 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.
Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords posted an installation article of a Roush, "RoushCharger" supercharger system on a 2004 Ford F-150. Boasting over 370 foot pounds of torque, the roots-style supercharger system from Roush helped meet their goal with more efficient towing power. The article is very detailed and provides a little bit of history behind the centrifugal versus roots style supercharging units, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
The deep-throated roar of a big bore diesel engine wrapped in a sleek chrome grill announced the arrival today of the world's most innovative big-rig truck. Navistar International Corp. unveiled its International brand's new flagship product, the visually stunning and technologically advanced LoneStar, at the Chicago Auto Show.
To bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company's bold and adventurous brand identity and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500 Suzuki dealers nationwide, American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuts its all-new 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck at this year's Chicago Auto Show. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki's first entry into the midsize pickup truck market and expands the company's offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.
General Motors Corp. (GM) announced today an investment of $69 million in its DMAX plant in Moraine to manufacture a new Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 turbo diesel engine that will meet stringent emissions standards in 2010. DMAX Limited is a joint venture between GM and Isuzu Motors Limited and was established as a diesel engine company in 1998.
Yahoo Finance reported this morning that diesel engine manufacturer, Cummins Inc., have extended their agreement with Volvo Trucks North America, providing one of their engines to Volvo. The deal allows Volvo customers to select the 15-liter, Cummins ISX engine for the 2010 Volvo model.
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.
Ford Motor Company has announced their plans to invest in three South African plants, Silverton, Pretoria and an engine facility in Struandale, totalling a net worth of roughly R$1.5 Billion dollars. One of the investments will go towards an engine plant which will produce 180,000 next generation turbocharged common-rail Puma diesel engines, most for export, beginning in 2010. Could the next generation Puma diesel engine be the new diesel engine expected in 2010 for the newly re-designed 2009 F-150 ? We shall see.
Our friend, Mike Levine of Pickuptruck.com, got his hands on some photos of the 2009 Volkswagen Taro pickup truck and apparently spotted some of the "Volkswagens executives checking out the 2009 Ford F-150 during the 2008 Detroit Auto Show", which leads us to believe that they are developing their new truck as a competitor to the new 2009 F-150. Maybe we'll see this new pickup being tested this summer? It should be interesting.
Valley, an industry-leader in hitches and towing accessories for more than 60 years, offers a Class III/IV receiver hitch (#82123) to fit the new body style Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500. Valley's black powdercoat, all-steel hitch looks great and outfits the 2007-2008 Silverado/Sierra with up to 6,000 lbs. weight carrying and 10,000 lbs. weight distributing capacity*.
Motor Trend's Truck Trend Magazine had the opportunity to feature and showcase, the very popular Toyota Tundra dually diesel pickup truck that we blogged about from SEMA 2007. Packing an 8.0-liter turbo diesel inline-six cylinder engine that produces 305 horse power and 610 foot pounds of torque, Toyota has emphasized that this truck is not a concept and that it is truely a one-off project truck to fantasize about. If you like this truck as much as we do, then Click here for the Truck Trend feature and Click here for our SEMA coverage of the dually diesel.
Round 'em up and come 'n' get it! Only in Texas, would someone build a grill to resemble their gun. This gigantic 19 foot barbecue grill looks like a 1917 Double Action Colt-45 caliber pistol, straight out of the wild west.
General Motors Corp. has introduced a new, state-of-the-art 4.5L V-8 Duramax turbo-diesel that improves engine fuel efficiency by 25 percent, reduces CO2 emissions by 13 percent and cuts particulates and NOx emissions by at least 90 percent for North American light duty trucks and the HUMMER H2 built after 2009.
When the re-designed 2004 Ford F-150 hit dealer lots over 4 years ago, it came with a new 3 valve 5.4-liter V8 engine that produced a decent power band, but really needed to be woken up overall. Engineers at Edge Products in Ogden, Utah helped solve this issue, with the release of the Evolution Programmer. We've been anxious to get our hands on one of Edge's new programmers for Project Truckblog, and wanted to be able to test out their programming unit.
Gale Banks Engineering have released their Big Hoss intake manifold assemblies for the 2003 to 2007 Cummins diesel engines and 2001 to 2008 Duramax diesel engines platforms. Designed for high boost and flow, these upgraded manifolds are sure to help increase your powerband on your Dodge or Chevy diesel truck.
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.
The Los Angeles Times have released a not-so-good review of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, questioning whether or not the 2008 SUV should have received the Green Car Journal's "Green Car of the Year" award. With an estimated fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway, is the $55,000 price tag ($8,000 dollar hybrid option) really worth it? See for yourself.
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.
While walking around SEMA 2007 last November, I came across a revolutionary product that eliminates any rattle caused from your trailer hitch moving while towing, as seen in our SEMA video part 2. The product is called Quiet Hitch, and it works with any 2 inch hitch receiver. Constructed of ASTM A-500 and ASTM A36 steels, the Quiet Hitch supports a class 4 rating of 10,000 pounds and is available in 2, 4 or 6 inch drops. Read on for more details.
In a series hybrid hydraulic system, the conventional vehicle driveline is replaced by the hybrid power system. The conventional transmission and driveline are replaced by the hybrid hydraulic powertrain and energy is transferred from the engine to the drive wheels through fluid power. The system is suited to a broader number of applications than parallel hydraulic hybrids, though - as with all hybrids - benefits will be highest in vehicles that operate in stop-and-go duty cycles.
New from Valley is the ultramodern Odyssey II™ brake controller loaded with special features. The Odyssey II derives much of its technology from Valley’s original Odyssey™ controller, then goes beyond with an array of exciting enhancements, including a user preset button that allows drivers to save their brake controller settings (Load Level and Output Gain) to one of four memory positions (similar to saving station presets on a radio).
Editor's from Business Week have released a full review of Chevy's biggest and baddest truck, the 2007 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500. This tonka size truck weighs in at more than 10,000 pounds and is priced for around $80,000 USD. The truck is rated for a towing capacity of 16,000 pounds and is powered with a 6.6-liter, 330-horsepower Duramax diesel V-8 or an 8.1-liter, 325-horsepower gasoline V-8. The Duramax diesel option helps boost the Kodiak from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 12 seconds, which is decent for a 10,000 pound vehicle. However, with the expensive price tag, does it hold up to Ford's F-650 Supercrewzer or International's CXT ?
Monster Bumpers have released their 2008 Stealth Bumper for all major truck makes and models. Applications include Chevy, Ford, Dodge, GMC, Hummer, Jeep, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan or Toyota trucks. The Stealth Bumper features a black textured powdercoat finish, as well as holes that are cut out for auxillary lighting. Their bumpers are also winch ready. Check out the rest of their products on Truck Hownd.
In a three part series, Pickuptruck.com has released the final results of their Heavy Duty Shootout, where America's top trucks were put to the test, in various situations, to see who really built the top heavy duty truck. "The flat asphalt strips at Milan Dragway and Ford's Michigan Proving Grounds (MPG) were perfect for testing loaded and unloaded level acceleration, but where a heavy duty pickup truly earns its keep is how well it performs climbing hills hauling and towing." Click here to view the final results.
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 Lift’s many no-drill applications featuring a bolt-on assembly easily installed between the vehicle’s 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.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for the company to sell its Allison Transmission (Allison) commercial and military business to The Carlyle Group (Carlyle) and Onex Corporation (Onex) for approximately $5.6 billion.
PickupTruck.com went to Michigan and put seven gas and diesel heavy duty pickups to the test. As part of one of their shootout, they took the group of mammoth trucks to Ford Motor Company's, Michigan Proving Grounds and performed vigorous tests. Check out the intense results.
"Toyota Tundra engineers and product managers are likely breathing a big sigh of relief after receiving the highest crash test rating of 'Good' from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In March there was much surprise that the Toyota Tundra only scored a four star safety rating in government crash tests," PickupTruck.com reports.
AdvertisingAge reports, "Toyota will be a Super Bowl advertiser again this year, Jim Lentz, exec VP of Toyota Motor Sales USA, told Advertising Age. Toyota will showcase its newly remodeled Tundra full-size pickup, he said."
So, you got a new truck and you're ready to accessorize. You have a motorcycle (that you tow). What do you do when you're not towing your "hog"? You put on your animated wheelie hog Hitch Critter, that's what you do. I'm really not kidding... this is for real. This bad ass pig does a wheelie and his headlamp lights up when the brakes are applied.
Trailer breakaway systems are becoming mandatory in more states each year. As a result, more aftermarket manufacturers are starting to offer trailer breakaway kits that contain all the components needed to automatically apply power to the trailer brakes in the event the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle. One of the newest products to come out is from Valley Industries.
It's been a while since we visited tractor pulling here at the ol' Truckblog, and to our surprise the boys runnin' the ATPA (that would be the American Tractor Pullers Association) have expanded to include trucks, thanks to our constant prodding.
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"Toyota Tundra engineers and product managers are likely breathing a big sigh of relief after receiving the highest crash test rating of 'Good' from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In March there was much surprise that the Toyota Tundra only scored a four star safety rating in government crash tests," PickupTruck.com reports.
AdvertisingAge reports, "Toyota will be a Super Bowl advertiser again this year, Jim Lentz, exec VP of Toyota Motor Sales USA, told Advertising Age. Toyota will showcase its newly remodeled Tundra full-size pickup, he said."
Remember the Ford Super Duty commercial where the mighty Ford dually pulled a massive Douglas DC4 airplane through an airport with ease?
