Truckblog.TV Episode 9 is now online where Chris and I cover the intense installation of an AMP Research BedStep and what it takes to install one on your ride. You can view our new episode by clicking here or clicking the video link in the upper left corner of the home page.
Episode 9 has also been uploaded to both of our podcasts on Apple iTunes: Our standard definition and high definition version. If you missed the details about our podcast, click here.
Dutch mobile DJ Artist Olaf Mooij (try to say that 3 times fast), is re-mixing it up (not the birthday cake kind) to new levels with extreme mobile DJ'ing. His ridiculous car (some would call it art) is inspired by the Catholic Church's Pope mobile. Complete with a PA system, two turntables and gigantor speakers, Olaf's custom talent is available to rent for parties (how bout a Beerblog party?) What do you think?
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.
The 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck has been found roaming around Southern California, baring the first glimpse of the truck based off of the Nissan Frontier pickup platform. Suzuki have not released any pictures since the Chicago Auto Show back in February so the fact that this project is live and kicking is surprising.
General Motors Corporation have extended their employee level pricing through September to help increase sales across all models. The discount program, which offers incredible discounts, is open to all 2009 model year vehicles and nearly all 2008 model years as well. Reported by Reuters.
Chrysler’s ‘Shop ’til You Drive Sales Event’ continues through Sept. 30, offering up to 40 percent off MSRP on select vehicles, and zero percent APR for 72-months on the 2008 Dodge Ram, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander. Especially strong values are available on Dodge Ram pickup trucks, with up to $9,000 discounts in select markets.
The Hummer Driving Academy will be taking 28 participants across the Sahara desert in an 800 mile, five day trip in Hummer H3 sport utility vehicles. The program costs $6,000 per team and include "luxury accomodations". Equipped with survival gear, global positioning systems, and other equipment, you will be given the chance to push your own Hummer to its limits. For more information and how to register visit www.HummerDrivingAcademy.com
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have closed an ongoing investigation of sudden acceleration problems among Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks, stating there was not enough concrete evidence to conclude an individual cause of the 400 complaints. Toyota Motor Corporation denied any accounts of their Tacoma pickups being a cause of the 51 crashes and 12 injuries. The model years effected by the investigation were 775,000 Tacomas built between 2004 and 2008.
If you thought conquering the trails with the EarthRoamer XV-JP Jeep was epic last week, take a look at the EarthRoamer XV-LT Ford F-550. The EarthRoamer XV-LT offers capability, comfort, quality and convienence unmatched by typical RVs. The EarthRoamer XV-LT is a compact, energy efficient, solar powered home, built on a Ford F-550 truck chassis, and powered by a quiet, efficient and powerful twin-turbo diesel engine. EarthRoamer XV-LTs offer unprecedented versatility, style, quality, and ease of operation, along with a heavy dose of adrenaline – this is NOT your daddy's RV!
Ford Motor Company are calling their new ethanol boosted engine "Bobcat", not the EcoBoost engine slated for the F-150 pickup truck platform, sources told Pickuptrucks.com. The new ethanol boosted direct-injection gasoline engines "will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy" thanks to ethanol boost technology. What is ethanol boosting?
Pickuptrucks.com have been able to confirm after speaking with Chrysler LLC chairman Jim Press that the next generation Nissan Titan pickup truck, slated to be built by Chrysler and based off of the Dodge Ram 1500, will receive Chrysler's 380 horse power 5.7 liter Hemi eight cylinder motor and dropping the current Nissan 5.6 liter Endurance eight cylinder motor. Production of the new "Dodge Titan" will begin in 2011 as production of the Nissan Titan ends sometime in 2010.
We already know you eat, sleep and dream Truckblog.TV all day long. You've downloaded our free podcast on Apple iTunes and recently checked out the addition of our Truckblog.TV HD (high definition) podcast as well and stored them all on your ipod, iPhone or iTouch. Truckblog.TV is everywhere in your life except one more place...besides the refrigerator...your pickup truck!
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In a battle that seems to have lasted for many light years, the pickup truck wars have raised to a new level thanks to Chrysler with their 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck. Always chasing in third place behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series trucks, Dodge have finally stepped up their game with a series of innovations such as the RamBox, rear Coil Spring suspension, interior enhancements, and more. In an article by the Detroit News, the 2009 Ram is "Better not bigger" and "Inside and out, the new Ram is miles ahead of its predecessor in ride, comfort and innovation".
Chrysler LLC has become the first automaker to offer Wi-Fi internet beginning last week on August 25. Selling the service and unit through their parts division, Mopar, the internet is accessed through a Wi-Fi hot spot which runs off of Chrysler's Uconnect web service that utilizes a EV-DO cellular connection. Essentially you are using a broadband connection, the same as cellular network connections. The actual device was developed by Autonet Mobile, whom supply the unit to Chrysler. Autonet Mobile CEO Sterling Pratz stated...
A Japanese company by the name of Weds Sport have created a full carbon fiber wheel that weighs only 2.76 kilograms or around 6.08 pounds. The custom wheels are priced at $10,000 dollars for the set, definitely an expensive purchase. Weds Sport have not announced yet whether the wheels will be available for pickup truck applications but we can imagine that such light wheels would help reduce the weight of pickups and improve gas mileage.
Microsoft is making it possible for drivers to access the internet while they drive via a vehicle Wi-Fi connection they're calling "Vi-Fi". The system allows users to be constantly connected to an internet access point for a "cheaper price" than existing cellular broadband systems. The key to making the technology work is it's steady system. Current Wi-Fi networks work based off of signal stations and broadcasts in between. If you are in an area where that broadcast is not being sent, you lose your access point.
We like to stay very busy at Truckblog and always push the envelope to bring you more complete automotive coverage, integrate the latest technologies, and try new things. We've updated our website again starting with the Truckblog.TV videos section, added our new Truckblog.TV HD (high definition) podcast, as well as added support for your Apple iPhone!
More General Motors news folks. GM is offering retirement incentives to nearly 9,000 white collar jobs or 30 percent of its United States salaried workers. The company hopes to cut at least 15 percent in efforts to reduce costs. GM has not released any specific details about the incentives yet but some salaried workers were briefed already. Those employees said "GM appears to be offering pension payments that are better than those they would normally receive. For example, a worker age 58 is expected to receive a pension payment more like what he or she typically would receive at age 62". Those who are eligible for the early retirement plan will have 45 days to take advantage of the offer. Reported by Freep.
