F-150 transmission has Mustang feel with pickup capability

Have to make a difficult choice between a Ford Mustang and an F-150? Well Ford’s new F-150 has got you covered. Kind of!

Jason Cannon

The all-new 2015 Mustang and F-150 were developed on a similar time line and share certain automatic transmission technology. Engineers often drove both vehicles on the same trips used for testing.
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“Our team realized how well the new F-150 handled and responded to acceleration due to its reduced weight,” says Karl Jungbluth, Ford transmission calibration engineer. “So we decided we could adapt the sport mode capabilities of the six-speed automatic transmission from Mustang to F-150 to enhance the overall driving experience for truck customers.”

Sport mode on F-150 is activated by pushing the tow/haul mode button twice. An amber S appears in the lower-right portion of the tachometer indicating that sport mode is active.

The feature changes the frequency of gearshifts, allowing the truck to stay in the powerband “sweet spot” and holds lower gears longer to, as Ford puts it, “make driving more fun.”

There is some practicality of Sport mode beyond fun. It provides for less shifting on twisty roads and rolling hills. Instead of shifting gears up and down for peak efficiency, the transmission holds a specific gear longer to make driving more responsive.

Sport mode also reduces the frequency of having to step on the gas pedal to reach peak torque, resulting in quicker acceleration with less pedal travel.

An advanced feature of F-150’s six-speed automatic transmission is its ability to match engine rpm as it downshifts in slowing for a corner. Electronics calibration for this feature comes straight out of Mustang.

Sport mode makes Mustang come alive, and we feel it does the same thing in F-150,” Jungbluth says.

F150 SportMode is similar to F-150’s tow/haul mode, which also changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range while driving over rolling terrain for an improved towing experience. The technology limits the transmission from shifting up when the vehicle crests a hill, and provides downhill brake support that allows engine-compression braking to slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.

Sport mode is standard with every F-150 engine and can be activated in two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive automatic and four-wheel-drive high settings.

By Jason Cannon 

Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/f-150-transmission-has-mustang-feel-with-pickup-capability/

Autogas: Propane as an Engine Fuel

Propane autogas, the term for propane when fueling an on-road vehicle, has the attention of fleet and transportation managers for a few reasons: economics, energy security, and the environment. It is a safe, sustainable, and domestically produced fuel with a robust infrastructure and economic efficiencies.

As an approved clean alternative fuel under the Clean Air Act of 1990, propane autogas qualifies as an alternative fuel eligible for various federal tax incentives and programs. Currently propane autogas powers more than 270,000 propane autogas vehicles in the U.S., including school buses, shuttle buses, trucks, vans, and taxis. More than 15 million vehicles run on propane autogas worldwide. Countries such as South Korea, Poland, Indian, and Japan have a significant percent of their transportation vehicles running on propane autogas. About 40 percent of vehicles in Turkey are fueled by propane autogas.

There are two different ways vehicles may be powered by propane autogas — dedicated and dual-fuel:

    Dedicated vehicles, fueled only by propane autogas, can be converted from gasoline powered vehicles or can be delivered direct from select original equipment manufacturers.
    Dual-fuel vehicles, installed by certified technicians, can run on either propane autogas or gasoline.

Propane autogas vehicles operate in a similar way as gasoline fueled vehicles. Only a few modifications to the vehicle must be made. The system can be a vapor or a liquid fuel injection. In a vapor injection, propane is vaporized and mixed with combustion air in the intake plenum (enclosed chamber) of the engine. Traditionally, vapor systems are less expensive but result in a loss of power. In a liquid system, liquid propane autogas is injected directly into each cylinder’s intake port. The liquid fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, cooling the air and resulting in no loss of horsepower, torque, or engine performance.

Propane autogas vehicles have the longest driving range of any alternative fuel — more than 250 percent farther than compressed natural gas, about 60 percent farther than methanol, and 25 percent farther than ethanol. This is due to a number of reasons, including the fact that propane autogas requires a smaller storage vessel than other pressurized alternative fuels to go the same distance.

Propane autogas vehicles meet the same standards for safety as conventionally fueled vehicles. Propane autogas vehicle tanks are constructed from carbon steel under code developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME4196), are 20 times more puncture resistant, and can withstand far more pressure than typical gasoline, methanol, or ethanol tanks. ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel tanks are designed to hold a capacity that maximizes the number of miles driven between fill ups.

Propane autogas offers more energy per unit mass and has a higher octane rating than gasoline. Propane as an auto fuel does have a slightly lower fuel economy, due to the lower British thermal unit (Btu) content of propane as compared to gasoline — it takes more fuel to create the same amount of power.

Many propane autogas vehicle fleets have reported two to three years longer service life and extended intervals between required maintenance when compared to their gasoline vehicles. The cleaner burning nature of propane and the lack of carbon build up in the engines leads to this unique benefit of propane autogas. ROUSH CleanTech customer testimonials prove the on-road performance of propane autogas matches research documented in trials, including the same horsepower, torque, and towing capacity as gasoline-fueled vehicles.

Ease of refueling a propane autogas vehicle has helped grow the use of this alternative fuel. With thousands of refueling stations across the U.S., a robust national infrastructure is in place to support its implementation as a primary fuel. In addition, some fleets choose to work with their local propane marketer to establish a propane autogas refueling infrastructure on-site at little or no cost.
To learn more about propane autogas, visit:

Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy

Clean Cities Coalitions

Propane Education & Research Council

Autogas for America

Chevrolet Announces 2016 Colorado Midnight Edition

Like the bigger Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the 2016 Colorado will get a special Midnight Edition package to set it apart in an increasingly competitive segment. The black-out-themed Colorado will be offered exclusively in black with smoked black 18-inch wheels and a black bow tie on the grille. Naturally, the small pickup will have a black spray-in bedliner and a soft black tonneau over the bed.

All Midnight Editions will be offered in either of the Colorado's two cab configurations (extended or crew), in two-wheel- or four-wheel drive, and will be available with any of the three engine choices: the 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, the 3.6-liter V-6 or the new turbo-diesel 2.8-liter 16-valve four-cylinder. Available on the LT trim level, pricing for the package will be announced by fall.

Source: See more Manufacturer images

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/08/chevrolet-announces-2016-colorado-midnight-edition.html

2016 Toyota Tacoma First Drive Is Coming

We will be driving quite a few of the latest-generation Toyota Tacoma pickups this week along with hundreds of other journalists in Washington state. This new truck, in the growing midsize segment, has a spotlight on it since the Tacoma has been a top seller in the midsize arena for as long as we can remember. And from the looks of it — or at least what we saw back in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit — there's plenty of new technology and upgrades to keep it the frontrunner.

Still, the big question is how well this new truck will perform against the new, strong-selling Chevrolet Colorado. If this new Tacoma doesn't go far enough, we could have quite a battle on our hands. As it stands now, through July 2015 Tacoma sales are double Colorado sales.

We'll have our written and video driving impressions ready for posting on Monday, August 17. In the meantime, let us know what you want to know about the new Tacoma, and we'll do our best to pass along the answers. Submit a question in the comment space below, and you'll help us cover all the angles. More to come.

Cars.com images by Mark Williams

 Source:see more pictires at:
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/08/2016-toyota-tacoma-first-drive-is-coming.html

Manual Transmission Gearbox, How it works ?

Working of a Manual transmission is explained in an illustrative and logical manner in this video with the help of animation. Here the working of Sliding mesh and synchromesh transmissions are well illustrated. This video also explains the working of a reverse gear.

F-150 Performance Enhanced by New Sport Mode

•     2015 Ford F-150’s 700-pound weight savings, its choice of four high-output, more fuel-efficient powertrains, and – for the first time ever – an on-demand sport mode combine to enable an improved driving experience for truck customers
•     Six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode is standard across F-150 lineup; system operates in two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive automatic and four-wheel-drive high settings
•     Automatic transmission technology used for both Mustang and F-150 was jointly created – allowing some performance advantages of the pony car to be applied to the pickup truck for a more responsive driving experience

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 5, 2015 – Crazy-smart Ford engineers have struck again – this time blending the sport mode feature borrowed from the all-new Mustang with the reduced weight of the all-new F-150 to deliver an engaged, dynamic driving experience with any of the four high-output, fuel-efficient powertrains available to truck customers.

Since the all-new 2015 Mustang and F-150 were developed on a similar time line and share certain automatic transmission technology, powertrain engineers often drove both vehicles on the same trips used for testing.

“Our team realized how well the new F-150 handled and responded to acceleration due to its reduced weight,” said Karl Jungbluth, Ford transmission calibration engineer. “So we decided we could adapt the sport mode capabilities of the six-speed automatic transmission from Mustang to F-150 to enhance the overall driving experience for truck customers.”

Sport mode on F-150 is activated by pushing the tow/haul mode button twice. An amber S appears in the lower-right portion of the tachometer indicating sport mode is active.

The feature works by changing the frequency of gearshifts, so the truck stays in the “sweet” spot of the powerband and holds lower gears longer to make driving more fun. That means less shifting on engaging drives, such as twisty roads with rolling hills. Instead of shifting gears up and down for peak efficiency, the transmission holds a specific gear longer to make driving more responsive and spirited.

Sport mode reduces the frequency of having to step on the gas pedal to reach peak torque – resulting in quicker acceleration with less pedal travel. The truck feels more responsive to the driver’s pedal inputs. When combined with the transmission changes, the result is an on-demand performance feel similar to what an aftermarket modification might add to the truck, but with the benefit of maintaining the Ford vehicle warranty.

An advanced feature of F-150’s six-speed automatic transmission is its ability to match engine rpm as it downshifts in slowing for a corner. Electronics calibration for this feature comes straight out of Mustang.

“Sport mode keeps the engine operating in the desired power and torque ranges, or what we like to call the ‘sweet’ spot,” explained Jungbluth. “It makes Mustang come alive, and we feel it does the same thing in F-150.”

Sport mode is similar to F-150’s tow/haul mode, which also changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range while driving over rolling terrain for an improved towing experience. The technology limits the transmission from shifting up when the vehicle crests a hill, and provides downhill brake support that allows engine-compression braking to slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.

Sport mode is standard with every F-150 engine and can be activated in two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive automatic and four-wheel-drive high settings.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

2016 Chevy Colorado Special Models Dressed to Impress

Midnight Edition, Z71 Trail Boss 

complement capability with customized style

DETROIT – On the street or on the trail, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado’s Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss bring bolder choices to customers looking to make a visual statement with their truck.

The special editions roll into Chevrolet dealerships this fall, with distinctly tailored appearances that blend custom design cues with Colorado’s popular options and accessories. The Midnight Edition evokes the aesthetic of an urban tuner vehicle, while the Z71 Trail Boss is designed for terrain where the pavement ends.

“These are aggressive editions of one of the country’s hottest-selling truck, demonstrating the personalization that’s possible with Chevrolet accessories, whether it’s for the street, trail or both,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “As the Colorado continues to win over new customers, the new Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss give them more choices and build on segment-leading capabilities and efficiency.” 

Colorado Midnight Edition
Echoing the blacked-out design theme introduced on the popular Silverado Midnight Edition, the 2016 Colorado Midnight Edition casts an imposing stance. Offered exclusively in black, additional exterior details such as the grille, the bowtie emblem and the 18-inch aluminum wheels are also finished in black.

Additional content includes a spray-on bedliner and soft, folding tonneau cover – both in black, of course – and Chevrolet-logo sill plates.

The Colorado Midnight Edition is available on LT models with the extended and crew cab bodies, in 2WD or 4WD, and with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines. It will also be available with the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine. Pricing will be announced later.

Colorado Z71 Trail Boss
The 2016 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss builds on the capability of Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road truck suspension package with more aggressive tires and off-road-inspired appearance enhancements.

An all-new sport bar with LED trail lighting makes the new edition of the Trail Boss instantly identifiable. It’s complemented by black-finished 17-inch aluminum wheels matched with aggressive Goodyear Wrangler DuraTec® 265/65R17 all-terrain tires, bold fender flares and tubular assist steps. It also features a black bowtie grille emblem and a spray-on bedliner, and a set of all-weather floor mats inside the truck.

The Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is available on Z71 models with the extended and crew cab bodies, and in 2WD or 4WD. Like the Midnight Edition, it will also be available with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines, as well as the 2.8L Duramax diesel. Pricing will be announced later.

Colorado at a glance
Colorado sales tallied 41,575 for the first six months of 2015, expanding the midsize truck market and driving new truck customers to Chevrolet – particularly in areas such as California and Texas, traditional hotspots for import brands.

Colorado’s sales for the first half of the year have outpaced Nissan Frontier by nearly 20 percent. 

Colorado, the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and Cars.com’s Best Pickup Truck of 2015, offers the most horsepower and best highway efficiency in the segment, as well as the highest available trailering rating – 7,000 pounds (V-6 models when properly equipped) – and higher payload rating – 1,590 pounds (V-6 models when properly equipped).

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

2015 Ford F-150 Honored for Innovation in Lightweighting with Altair Enlighten Award

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 3, 2015 – The all-new Ford F-150 – Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – earned recognition as the winner of the third annual Altair Enlighten Award from Altair and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) for the truck’s use of lightweight materials to minimize weight.

The 2015 F-150 – with best-in-class towing, payload and EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy plus five-star top government crash test ratings for every cab configuration – is being recognized for its total weight reduction of up to 700 pounds.

Starting with the signature fully boxed frame, Ford engineers increased the use of high-strength 70,000-psi steel – from 23 percent to 77 percent of the frame – to improve stiffness and durability while reducing weight. The new frame is up to 60 pounds lighter than the current frame. High-strength, aluminum alloys, already used in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and many other rugged industries, are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance, and also saving weight.

“We are excited to present Ford with the 2015 Altair Enlighten Award,” said Dave Mason, Vice President of Global Automotive at Altair. “The judges recognized Ford’s best-in-class innovation with the company’s approach to weight reduction by incorporating advanced materials and design technologies for the F-150.”

The Altair Enlighten Awards highlight industry examples focused on minimizing the weight of products through innovative design techniques, materials technology and manufacturing processes. It also looks at products that improve industry best practices to respond to the challenges of mass management and meeting fuel economy targets, and addressing increasing vehicle safety requirements.
Read more: http://bit.ly/1If2ccH 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

2015 Ford F-150 Leads Light-Duty Truck Segment in Safety Ratings

DEARBORN, Mich., July 30, 2015 – Ford’s all-new F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever is the first pickup in America to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for its SuperCrew model.

The new Ford F-150 is also the only full-size, light-duty truck in the industry to earn the government’s highest possible 5-star rating for the driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

The excellent crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by its up to 700-pound weight savings through the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering.

A cross-functional group comprised of Ford truck product development veterans and researchers worked to optimize vehicle weight savings and manufacturing design to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and crashworthiness. The team created 31 safety-related innovations including new structures, materials and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

Breakthrough innovation also applies to the reparability of the new F-150, thanks to its innovative modular structure that simplifies repairs.

Ford does not agree with the reparability costs and findings by IIHS and other stunts.  Ford’s view is based on real-world accident repair data. In fact, real-world repair costs on the new 2015 Ford F-150 average $869 less than last year’s F-150 model, according to Assured Performance, an independent body shop certification company that works with leading automakers.

Insurance companies also agree with the new F-150’s repair costs – with both Allstate and State Farm saying insurance costs for the new F-150 will remain comparable with 2014 models.

Truth About Trucks: Safety Fact Sheet (PDF)

Truth About Trucks: Collision Repair Fact Sheet (PDF)

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

New Top-of-the-Line Ford F-150 Limited Is Most Advanced, Luxurious F-150 Ever

•     New Ford F-150 Limited meets the growing needs of discerning truck customers interested in exclusivity, capability and craftsmanship – those looking to differentiate themselves from buyers of other high-series trucks
•     Innovation comes standard with new F-150 Limited – including SYNC® 3 with AppLink™, and class-exclusive1 features such as a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, quad-beam LED headlamps, remote tailgate release and multicontour massaging front seats
•     Exclusive exterior and interior design elements include raised LIMITED lettering on the hood, unique custom satin-chrome grille and tailgate, 22-inch wheels, genuine fiddleback eucalyptus, Mojave leather seating surfaces, unique instrument cluster face and laser-engraved VIN plate with production number

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 21, 2015 – Ford, America’s truck leader, introduces its most advanced and luxurious truck ever – the Ford F-150 Limited.

The new Limited expands the F-150 model lineup – Ford’s toughest, smartest, safest and most capable F-150 ever – with more standard technology and driver convenience features than any other light-duty pickup. The Limited, a 2016 model, goes on sale this winter.

“The F-150 Limited sets a new bar for what discerning customers should expect in a high-end truck,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re adding segment-exclusive technology, and features that improve productivity, convenience and capability with distinctive style.”

There’s a Ford F-150 for every truck customer, beginning with work-ready versions that have a starting MSRP below the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT, as well as the popular mid-range F-150 XLT. But the new F-150 Limited meets the growing, untapped needs of luxury customers looking for exclusivity, convenience and fine craftsmanship that’s differentiated from other high-series trucks. F-150 Limited surpasses the well-appointed Lariat, the Western-themed King Ranch and contemporary Platinum edition models.

In 1999, the company introduced the special-edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150. In 2001, the first King Ranch F-150 arrived. The 2009 F-150 took truck luxury to new heights with the Platinum model, and the first-generation Limited was added with the 2013 model year.

Exterior refinements
The 2016 Ford F-150 Limited stands out with exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels and raised dimensional LIMITED lettering on the hood, unique grille and satin-finished chrome badge on the tailgate. The chrome front bumper has body-color end caps while the rear bumper is body color; bright belt moldings visually tie the two together. The exterior is further accented by satin-chrome door handles and chrome exhaust tip.

Available colors include Shadow Black, Magnetic, Blue Jeans and White Platinum Metallic tri-coat.

Top-tier equipment
The standard equipment list is a showcase of the best F-150 Limited has to offer to make getting work done easier and with greater comfort.

BLIS® with cross-traffic alert, chrome front tow hooks (4x4 only), panoramic vista roof, power-deployable running boards, quad-beam LED headlamps, remote start and tailgate release, as well as an integrated trailer brake controller come standard. A technology package includes a lane-keeping system, 360-degree camera system and dynamic trailer hitch assist.

Interior equipment includes heated and cooled black and Mojave leather front seats that are unique in design and feature Limited badging, 10-way power adjustment and class-exclusive1 multicontour massaging. Heated rear seats and SYNC® 3 with AppLink™ are also included.

SYNC 3 is Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance, capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.3

F-150 Limited also includes a Sony® 10-speaker sound system with HD Radio™, subwoofer and single CD player paired with a five-year subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link to complete the package.

The interior is further differentiated from other F-150 models with a laser-engraved VIN plate on the center console lid including production number. Unique front and rear floor mats, unique instrument cluster face, genuine fiddleback eucalyptus, and aluminum interior accents and unique scuff plates with ice blue backlighting further distinguish the Limited model.

All-new, segment1-first Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available that makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed.

Advanced power and fuel efficiency

The 2016 F-150 Limited is powered by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6, which allows for towing of up to 10,100 pounds when properly equipped. This advanced powertrain produces 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque – the latter unsurpassed by any truck with a comparable engine in its class1 – and has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined.2

The engine is paired with an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul and sport modes that features SelectShift® with progressive range select. Four-wheel-drive models are equipped with two-speed automatic four-wheel drive that automatically shifts between two-wheel and four-wheel drive depending on driving surface traction conditions.


2016 Ford F-150 Limited Standard Features Comparison

Standard high-end features	2016 Ford F-150 Limited	2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country	2016 Ram 1500 Limited
Leather	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chrome	Yes	Yes	Yes
High-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body	Yes	No	No
Advanced gasoline turbo direct-injection engine	Yes	No	No
Quad-beam LED headlamps	Yes	No	No
Adaptive cruise control	Yes	No	No
Multicontour massaging seats	Yes	No	No
360-degree camera system	Yes	No	No
LED side-mirror spotlight	Yes	No	No
Remote tailgate release	Yes	No	No

The 2015 F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn the highest rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a five-star crash test rating for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.^4
1Class is full-size pickups under 8,500 pounds GVWR. Premium performance engines.
²Two-wheel-drive, 2015 model tested.
³Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use SYNC/other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. Some features may be locked out while vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones. Message and data rates may apply.
⁴Government five-star safety rating is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Tests include driver and passenger front, side, side barrier and pole tests.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

2.8L Duramax rounds out the 2016 GMC midsize pickup power offerings

GMC introduced the 2016 Canyon diesel today – featuring an all-new powertrain that expands the Canyon’s already class-leading capabilities, including trailering capacity of up to 7,700 pounds in the 2WD model and 7,600 pounds in the 4x4s.

The new 181hp 2.8L Duramax diesel, which is shared with the Chevrolet Colorado and adds $3,730 to the sticker price, pumps out 369 lb-ft of torque and will be available this fall.
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It’s estimated to deliver greater highway fuel economy than the Canyon’s segment-topping gas engines, with highway estimates nearing 30mpg.  The new Duramax is also the cleanest diesel truck engine ever from General Motors.

Several new technologies and supporting features complement the Duramax diesel’s capability while helping ensure GMC’s trademark refinement:

•     Standard Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission matched with a Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber in the torque converter, which reduces powertrain noise and vibration
•     Smart diesel exhaust brake system that enhances vehicle control and reduces brake wear on steep grades
•     An all-new integrated trailer brake controller is standard and exclusive on diesel models
•     A new, electronically controlled two-speed transfer case on 4WD models.
• 
  
•       2016 GMC Canyon SLE and SLT models will get the option ($3,730) of the 2.8L diesel this fall.

2016 GMC Canyon SLE and SLT models will get the option ($3,730) of the 2.8L diesel this fall.

“The new Duramax diesel takes the GMC Canyon’s award-winning capabilities to a new level in its segment,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing.

The new Duramax diesel is offered on SLE and SLT Crew Cab models, with 2WD or 4WD. It is priced $3,730 more than a comparably equipped Canyon V-6 model.

All diesel-equipped models feature the Trailering package, which includes a hitch receiver and seven-pin connector, as well as the segment-exclusive automatic locking rear differential, a 3.42 rear axle ratio and four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife™ brake rotors. Capacities include:

•     Maximum trailering rating of 7,700 pounds (3,492 kg) for 2WD models and 7,600 pounds (3,447 kg) for 4WD
•     Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) for 2WD and 6,200 pounds (2,812 kg) for 4WD.

Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/gmc-canyon-duramax-diesel-arrives/

Rack-it Forklift Loadable Square Tube Racks for Service, Utility Bodies, Flatbed, Contractor Bodies

 

 Right Rear Corner - Forklift Loadable Style

 RR Corner View - Service Body

Rack-it offers HD Square Tube  Racks for Service Bodies, Utility Bodies, Flatbed, Contractor Bodies and more. These super HD racks are designed for long-term heavy-duty use in commercial applications.

Give us a call at 800-445-7666 and we will be glad to build one or more for your fleet.

To find out more, you may call Rack-It truck racks at 800-445-7666.

Also find us at http://rackitinc.com/

2016 Toyota Tundra mpg

Mike, an engineer at Toyota explains features of the Toyota Tundra.

From Autoguide.com Forum Network

GMC Dually Rear Sway Bar Install

LEAN ON ME:  Adding Hellwig Big Wig rear stabilizer bar improves load control and reduces body lean on heavy-duty pickups

by Bruce W Smith

Heavily loaded pickups and service bodies tend to lean a lot in corners, especially if the load in the bed is a bit top-heavy. Body lean (sway) isn’t a particularly a good thing.
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The good news is it’s easy to get under control: add a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar.

Our 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually, Big Red, has more than 130,000 miles under its tires. The suspension is stock (sans the 6″ Cognito lift) and it still retains the firm one-ton dually ride.

But we wanted to make sure when 1,800 pounds of service body and equipment are in the bed that our Dually stays stable thorugh corners, dips and over off-camber sections on- and off-road.

So we added both front and  rear Hellwig Big Wig stabilizer bars. The bars are designed specifically for heavy-duty and lifted applications and they are built out of 4140 chromolly steel.
Hellwig Big Wig rear stabilizer bar being installed on Project Big Red at Truck Supply & Outfitters.

Stabilizer bars are an excellent suspension upgrade for a heavy-duty pickup because performance improves in several ways:

•     Reduces body roll so you benefit from better vehicle control
•     Improves cornering traction for safer driving and cornering capabilities
•     Distributes weight evenly

Installing them is one of the easiest suspension upgrades. The average shop mechanic about 45 minutes to install both front and rear bars. It’s a straight-forward bolt-in upgrade.

Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/sway-control/

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Reveals New Styling

The design gurus at General Motors are giving their GMC pickup trucks a new look, retouching the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 with a few front-end and tailgate upgrades. Like clockwork, now that the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 made its debut earlier this week, it's GMC's turn.

The 2016 GMC Sierra half-tons will get a larger grille and freshened look on all 2016 models (to go on sale by October). The new models revealed in this just-released YouTube video (see below) show that the new Denali, SLT and All Terrain trim levels have bolder grille designs, each offering a unique flavor.

The Denali will continue to lead the way with the most chrome and the flattest grille surface. The SLT will likely continue to be the most popular mid-trim model, and the All Terrain will fit into that mix as the new entry-level trim, with a unique color-coded bumper and grille. All grilles have a deeper trapezoidal cut into the lower bumper, a larger GMC logo and newly harmonized LED projector headlights. Additionally, all rear taillight designs have a C-shaped LED look to match the front daytime running lights.

Although not announced yet, we would expect GMC to follow with powertrain changes similar to Chevy's recent moves, making the eight-speed transmission more widely available for the smaller V-8 (5.3-liter) option. The V-6 and 6.2-liter V-8 engine options remain unchanged.

Manufacturer images

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/07/2016-gmc-sierra-1500-reveals-new-styling.html#more

2016 Silverado: The New Face of Strong

• ·         Bolder, more sculpted look reflects Silverado strength, dependability
• ·         Available support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• ·         Expanded use of 8-speed transmissions; additional safety technologies

 

DETROIT – Chevy Trucks are on a roll, with Chevrolet pickup sales up 32 percent so far this year. Chevrolet intends to strengthen this momentum with significant updates for the 2016 Silverado 1500 full-size pickup.

“The redesigned 2016 Silverado will build on Chevy Trucks’ legacy of dependability. It will feature a more muscular appearance and offer new customer-focused technologies,” said Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevy Trucks.

“New front end designs with bold horizontal elements, sculpted hoods and dramatic lighting reflect the strength and refinement that have helped make Silverado the fastest growing full-size pickup brand this year.”

Other changes for 2016 will include expanded use of 8-speed automatic transmissions, updated Chevy MyLink with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and additional safety technologies.

The redesign of the 2016 Silverado 1500 is part of an aggressive strategy to build on Chevy Trucks’ momentum.

Since the introduction of the all-new Silverado 1500 in the spring of 2013, Silverado sales have grown by double digits, on a percentage basis, each year. Through June of this year, Silverado sales are up 14.6 percent. Chevrolet also sold 41,575 midsize Colorados during the same period.

More product details will be available this fall, closer to the public debut of the redesigned 2016 Silverado 1500.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive & active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.