Truck Accessory Guide — Truck appearance, performance and 4x4 accessories, for your Ford, Dodge, Chevy or import.

Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Navistar Study Aerodynamics for Fuel Efficiency

by Paul Crowe on February 17, 2010

in Truck Accessories, Truck Body Kits, Truck Business

Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Navistar work on aerodynamics

There's a lot of work going on these days to increase fuel efficiency, but most folks tend to think more about cars or light trucks, but think instead about the amount of fuel burned by the big rigs and you'll realize the benefits of making them more efficient. Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Navistar are putting the 18 wheelers in a wind tunnel to test various methods of reducing aerodynamic drag. At highway speeds, 50 percent of engine power is used just to push the truck through the air, rolling resistance accounts for only 30 percent by comparison.

Streamlining has been gaining ground for some years but the trailers are still, basically, a big box, inducing large air pressure differentials. With properly designed devices attached below and behind the trailers, drag can be substantially reduced. The benefit could be at least a 12 percent increase in fuel economy, with ever improving results down the road. Even better, these add on devices could be installed on trucks currently on the road, not just on new trucks meaning the results could come fast.

Many companies or independent operators would love to see those kinds of fuel economy gains and these kinds of aerodynamic body and trailer kits could be on the market in just a few years.

Link: Lawrence Livermore National Lab via Forbes

International Introduces LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition

by Paul Crowe on March 19, 2009

in New Trucks, Truck Business

International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition

International has introduced the International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition, a limited edition of their popular LoneStar model and it has all of the Harley Davidson badging and special touches that will make it stand out.

A special paint scheme, headlamps, Harley badging on the chrome fuel tanks, Harley gauge faces and more will identify this as the home on the road of a Harley rider. The sleeper only model will be limited to 250 units with production beginning in June. 40 customization options will most likely raise the base $155,000 price tag to something well north of that figure but if you spend more time in your truck than in your house, why not make it something special?

Link: The Kneeslider

Stacey David’s Copperhead Chevy C-10 For Sale

by Paul Crowe on March 13, 2009

in Performance Trucks

Copperhead Chevy C-10

If you ever watched the TV show Trucks a couple of years ago, you probably remember Copperhead, the Chevy C-10 pickup Stacey David built up over a long series of episodes. Powered by the very first 620 horsepower 572 GM crate engine offered to the public, Copperhead had the power to back up its show truck looks.

An absolutely stunning truck from end to end, Copperhead is now for sale on eBay, so if you think it might look good with you in it, check it out.

Link: Copperhead - listing has ended

Vapor Fuel Technologies Improves Ford F150 Fuel Mileage 30 Percent

by Paul Crowe on January 27, 2009

in Electronics, Engines, Oil, Diesel Fuel and Gasoline

Vapor Fuel Technologies is developing technology which can dramatically improve fuel mileage by heating both the fuel and incoming air before being introduced into the combustion chamber. Independent verification by California Environmental Engineering (Santa Ana, Calif.), which is certified by both the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, found both a 30 percent increase in mileage while simultaneously decreasing emissions by 30 percent.

Previous work with fuel vaporization has been based on a lean burn condition which can increase oxides of nitrogen, one of the combustion byproducts regulated by current emission law. The system developed by Vapor Fuel Technologies reduces these emissions along with all other components associated with normal exhaust.

The system is planned to be available sometime in 2010, first to fleets and eventually to the public through installing distributors. Approximate cost is expected to be around $900.

VFT has decided to introduce the system in stages based on engine platforms. The first retrofit packages will be for the larger 8 cylinder Trucks and SUVs. We believe this will make the largest immediate impact to the economy concerning gas prices and environmental issues.

This is an extremely interesting technology which could have a substantial impact all around, lowering fuel consumption, lowering emissions and most impressive, making these improvements available to existing vehicles, which could have a dramatic positive impact on resale value.

Vapor Fuel Technologies is also working with OEMs to make this technology available on new vehicles.

Link: EETimes via Next Big Future
Link: Vapor Fuel Technologies

2005 Dodge Durango Recall

by Paul Crowe on January 14, 2009

in Truck Recalls

2005 Dodge Durango

Dodge has issued a recall for 2005 Dodge Durango for a fuel filler check valve problem. Please read below for details.

Manufacturer: Chrysler LLC
Model year: 2005
Models affected: Dodge Durango
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V003000
Potential Units Affected: 19024
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 19,024 model year 2005 Dodge Durango vehicles. The fuel tank filler tube inlet check valve may not fully close at the end of refueling. This could allow some fuel to escape from the vehicle through the filler neck at the end of refueling. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank inlet check valve. Vehicles found to have a suspect inlet check valve will have the fuel tank assembly replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Dodge Ram 2500 3500 Steering Linkage Recall

by Paul Crowe on January 14, 2009

in Truck Recalls

Dodge Ram 2500 3500 steering linkage recall Dodge has issued a recall for Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 models for a steering linkage problem. Please read below for the specific models and details.

Manufacturer: Chrysler LLC
Models affected:
2008-2009 Dodge Ram 2500
2008-2009 Dodge Ram 3500
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V005000
Potential Units Affected: 32865
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 32,865 model year 2008-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks equipped with Powers and Sons steering linkage. The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud may fracture. Also the steering linkage damper attaching the bracket may yield and shift on the linkage. This could result in a loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle in one direction increasing the risk of a crash without warning.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Nissan Frontier Pathfinder Xterra Airbag Sensor Recall

by Paul Crowe on January 6, 2009

in SUV Recalls, Truck Recalls

Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, Xterra Recall

Nissan has issued a recall for 2005-2009 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra models for a corrosion problem affecting the front crash zone sensor that deploys the airbags. Please read below for details.

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Models affected: 2005-2009 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V690000
Potential Units Affected: 242720
Problem: Nissan is recalling 242,720 model year 2005-2009 Pathfinder, Frontier and Xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. In those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow/water and salt can enter into the front crash zone sensor (CZS) housing. If this occurs, the CZS may internally rust resulting in a signal interruption. If this happens, the red air bag warning light will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator. This issue could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the front CZS with a redesigned sensor. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

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