Archive for February, 2011
NatGasCar Announces CNG Conversion Kit for Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota
Posted on 28. Feb, 2011 by admin.
We’re still years away from seeing electric-powered, zero-emissions pickup trucks towing and hauling across the U.S., but if you’re looking to clean up what’s coming from your tailpipe while reducing dependence on foreign oil, NatGasCar has a new compressed-natural-gas conversion kit for 2009-11 Ram 1500 half-tons with 4.7-liter V-8 engines.
NatGasCar recently received approval from the EPA to start sales of its CNG kits. The Ram 1500 is the first truck for which the kit is available, in either dedicated CNG or bi-fuel gasoline-CNG configurations. The conversion kit will also work with the 2010-11 Dodge Dakota with the same engine.
“We starting with the 4.7,” said John Webster, NatGasCar’s spokesman. “It’s a popular engine with fleet [buyers].”
Compressed natural gas is an odorless and colorless gas that consists mostly of methane. CNG burns almost completely during combustion and also emits less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides while returning slightly better mileage than gasoline. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. has abundant natural gas reserves. As of 2009, there were 255 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves still in the ground.
Photo: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company
Despite CNG’s huge untapped reserves, distribution and refueling points are limited in the U.S. Fleet operators, like municipalities and large businesses, are likely to have CNG refueling facilities, though CNG has moderate public availability in some states, like in Utah and Oklahoma.
To solve CNG’s distribution challenges, NatGasCar is also working on a home refueling appliance for private consumers, called the EcoWise, that it hopes to sell by the end of 2011.
NatGarCar’s 4.7-liter V-8 conversion kit includes hardened exhaust valves and intake and exhaust valve seats, plus special acoustic and thermal insulating shields that cut down on noise and high temperatures. It also comes with a tank mounted in the cargo box that’s required to store the CNG under high pressure. The company says driving range with the CNG kit is 250 to 325 miles.
“A [CNG] version is also a possibility for the 3.6-liter [Pentastar] V-6,” Webster said. “We are also working on a version for the Ford F-150 with the 5.0-liter V-8.”
The starting price for the conversion packages is $5,400, according to Webster. It comes with a five-year, 120,000 mile warranty, according to NatGasCar's website.
Photo: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company
Other companies, like Roush, previously have offered liquid propane injection systems similar to CNG. Roush performed all of the testing on NatGasCar’s system, according to Webster.
[Source: NatGasCar]
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Ford Ranger Wildtrak Debuts at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
Posted on 28. Feb, 2011 by admin.
We're not at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, but our friends from Jalopnik are, and they just sent us photos of the new 2011 Ford Ranger Wildtrak double cab making its debut there.
The Ranger Wildtrak is Ford's top-of-the-line midsize truck for markets outside North America. It's a stylish version of all-new Ranger “T6″ that goes on sale later this year.
There's no official word yet on the Ranger Wildtrak's powertrain, though we expect there's a five-cylinder 3.2-liter diesel with a robust 197 horsepower and 346 pounds-feet of torque under its hood. It's rated to tow up to 7,385 pounds (3,350 kilograms).
The Wildtrak rides on unique 18-inch alloy wheels and also receives a roof rack and “sports hoop which enhances its profile,” according to a Ford press release.
Inside, the Wildtrak features a special “hydrographic finish” on the centre console surrounding the audio controls that looks similar to carbon fiber. The seats are trimmed with a combination of leather and woven cloth inspired by athletic clothing with ventilated sections. Contrast stitching and a discreet strip on the seat upper and bolster, in distinctive Wildtrak Orange, accentuate the premium feel of the interior.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak also comes with Bluetooth audio streaming, USB and iPod connectivity and an optional rearview camera (similar to the Ford F-150's) to help with visibility when hitching a trailer.
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2011 Jaguar XF Supercharged Review
Posted on 25. Feb, 2011 by admin.
The first issue that any reviewer must face is perspective. Whether it’s a $70,000 Jaguar or a $15,000 Chevy you have to maintain an appropriate perspective. You have to be fair to the product you’re reviewing while putting it into proper context for your readers. When Jaguar told me that a 2011 XF Supercharged was [...]
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Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept Headed to 2011 Geneva Motor Show
Posted on 25. Feb, 2011 by admin.
Korean automaker Ssangyong will use the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show to unveil its SUT 1 sport utility truck concept before a similar vehicle goes on sale in Europe and other markets next year.
The SUT 1 looks similar to a Honda Ridgeline pickup but appears to be based on Ssangyong's new Korando C midsize crossover. It's wheelbase is 120 inches, just 2 inches shorter than the Ridgeline's.
Power will come from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder clean diesel rated at 153 horsepower and 265 pounds-feet of torque. The powertrain will be available with a choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Given that Ssangyong was recently acquired by India's Mahindra & Mahindra — which is in arbitration with its U.S. distributor over delays bringing its TR Series small-diesel pickups to these shores — we'd guess Mahindra would rather sell this pickup here instead of the TR20 or TR40.
[Source: Ssangyong via Autoblog]
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Keeping Score: Which One-Ton Heavy-Duty Pickups Tow and Haul the Most?
Posted on 24. Feb, 2011 by admin.
Ram has released the full towing and hauling specs for its 2011 Heavy Duty pickups armed with the new High Output 6.7-liter Cummins ISB six-cylinder diesel. We've created an updated comparison chart to see how the final numbers stack up against Chevy's and Ford's HDs.
The HO Cummins diesel increases torque 23 percent to 800 pounds-feet (at 1,600 rpm), up from today's rating of 650 pounds-feet (at 1,500 rpm). It will be standard on all 2500 and 3500 models equipped with Chrysler's 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission also gets a new torque converter with updated shift calibrations to handle the increased power settings. The only mechanical change to the Cummins is a new crankshaft damper that's said to reduce engine noise and vibration.
When the HO Cummins is paired with the new Max Tow Package option for Ram HD pickups, the Ram 3500 claims bragging rights among one-ton pickups for the highest fifth-wheel towing figure — 22,700 pounds.
The Max Tow Package for the Ram adds a beefed-up rear axle with a new 4.10 gear ratio, new rear-axle pinion, new helical gears, upgraded bearings and an aluminum differential cover with large cooling fins. There's also a new water-to-oil transmission cooler and new power steering cooler to help manage the higher trailer towing ratings.
This table compares the 2011.5 HO Ram vs. the early 2011 Ram with the standard Cummins diesel, plus competitive Chevy and Ford trucks
A two-wheel-drive, regular cab, dual-rear-wheel Ram 3500 can tow up to 22,700 pounds, beating a similarly configured Ford F-350 by 100 pounds and the Chevy Silverado 3500 by 1,000 pounds.
Among two-wheel-drive crew-cab dually heavy-duty pickups, Ford still claims the top fifth-wheel towing rating at 21,800 pounds, beating the Silverado by 300 pounds and the Ram by 2,600 pounds.
Ford can also lay claim to the highest payload and conventional towing figures for one-ton trucks. The Ford F-350 Super Duty can haul up to 7,070 pounds in a regular cab, two-wheel drive, DRW configuration. The Silverado 3500 crew cab can haul the most cargo among four-door HD pickups, at 6,223 pounds.
It's interesting to see the differences in ratings among crew and regular cab trucks, but it's difficult to tell among all the heavy-duty truck makers where engineering capability is outperformed by marketing wizardry to lay claim to best-in-class bragging rights.
[Sources: Chrysler, Ford, General Motors]
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Review: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and Boss 302 “Laguna Seca”
Posted on 23. Feb, 2011 by admin.
Ford’s Jim Farley is well-known among autojournos for off-the-cuff remarks, but as he stands in a Laguna Seca garage, facing approximately twenty members of the Press As A Whole, he manages to deliver a real bunker-buster, one which speaks directly to this humble writer’s heart. “This car… it isn’t meant to be stored in a [...]
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Ford to Recall 2005-2006 F-150 Pickup Trucks to Fix Airbag Problem
Posted on 23. Feb, 2011 by admin.
Ford said it will recall about 144,000 F-150 half-ton pickup trucks from the 2005-2006 model years to fix a problem that can cause the driver-side airbag to deploy without warning.
The recall is the result of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year. According to NHTSA's investigation summary, the inadvertent airbag deployments are most likely caused by a sharp edge on the airbag's horn mounting plate that can chafe an airbag wire leading to an electrical short that may trigger a deployment. More than 1.56 million trucks from 2004-2006 were part of the investigation.
Ford made an interim design change to the horn mounting plate in January 2006 and redesigned it, along with the airbag module and wiring, in June 2006 for model year 2007.
There is “a relatively low risk of inadvertent airbag deployments,” Ford safety spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Detroit News. “Ford is committed to safety and will continue to work cooperatively with NHTSA in addressing any further questions.”
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Pickup Trucks 101: Choosing the Right Winch
Posted on 22. Feb, 2011 by admin.
By Dan Sanchez for PickupTrucks.com
When you take your truck into the backcountry, it’s more than likely you’ll encounter large rocks, mud, snow or sand. Although your off-road driving skills may allow you to conquer this type of terrain, you may want to consider some insurance in the form of a self-recovery winch.
A winch mounted on your truck will allow you to get out of just about any stuck situation. You may not use it often, but it will more than pay for itself the first time you really need it.
A winch is definitely an investment in your off-road adventures, so it’s wise to do your research before buying one. A variety of winches can handle everything from a lightweight ATV to a full-size truck, like a Ford F-150 SuperCrew or Chevy 2500 HD. Some trucks, like the Ram 2500 Power Wagon, come equipped with a Warn 12,000-pound front-mounted winch that’s integrated into the factory front bumper. But to attach a winch to your pickup, you’ll have to consider using a new bumper or push bar with a winch mount. Another option is to use a hidden winch mount that will allow you to attach and remove the winch to the front and/or rear of your pickup, much like a towing hitch.
Choose the mounting method first, as not all winch manufacturers work with every bumper or push bar available. Most advanced off-road enthusiasts and professional off-road racers recommend starting with a front-mounted winch. Mounting the winch at the front of the vehicle allows a better line of sight to help you drive out of a situation, using the winch as an aid.
Capacity
Winches vary in size and capabilities, so the next step is to narrow down your choices by properly matching the unit’s pulling strength to your pickup truck. A common rule of thumb is to simply double the weight of your vehicle. Midsize pickups like a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier can use a 9,000- to 9,500-pound-capacity winch. Full-size trucks like a Ford F-150 or Chevy 1500 require at least a 12,000- or 12,500-pound-capacity winch. For a bigger truck — such as a diesel with lots of accessories, big wheels and more — there are winches that can handle 16,500 to 18,000 pounds.
If you’re still not sure, consider getting a winch with more capacity. Bigger is better in this situation, and it can also put less strain on the winch and extend its service life. But you don’t need to go overboard and consider the unit’s physical size. Typically, larger-capacity winches have larger motors and line spools, so you’ll have to compare information from various winch makers to see what works best with the weight of your truck and how it will be mounted.
Photo courtesy of Sean Holman
Electric or Hydraulic?
Winches are powered two different ways. The most common are electric winches, which use the vehicle’s battery power to turn the motor. Electric winches typically have faster winding speed and are somewhat easier to install. They also offer the advantage of using a remote control that allows you to stand safely away from the winch and vehicle during recovery.
Because an electric winch draws lots of power from your truck’s electrical system, it’s important to make sure there’s enough power to operate it. Look at the winch manufacturer’s amperage rating and make sure your vehicle’s battery and alternator can deliver the necessary amperage to run it at full capacity, even with the headlights on. If not, you may need to upgrade to a dual-battery system or a higher-output alternator.
Hydraulic winches typically use the vehicle’s power steering pump to wind up the winch line. Many enthusiasts swear by hydraulic winches, as they are extremely reliable and not affected by water or low battery power. This is a reason why they are commonly used in areas with lots of mud or water. As long as the truck’s engine is still running, a hydraulic winch can pull you out of any situation. But since there’s extra plumbing and hydraulic lines to add, not all hydraulic winches fit on every truck or mounting application.
Steel Cable or Synthetic?
Winch manufacturers now offer a choice of using a steel or synthetic winch line. Steel is the most common, and for obvious reasons. It’s incredibly strong, lasts a long time and resists abrasions against rocks. Over time, however, steel cables will corrode, fray and sometimes break. If this happens under tension, a steel cable can cause serious injury because of the amount of potential energy stored in the cable.
This is why many off-road-racing sanctioning bodies and off-road events require using only synthetic winch lines. By far, synthetic lines are lighter and hold less potential energy. So if they snap under tension, there’s less chance of injury or damage. While a synthetic line is much lighter than a steel cable, it is also much stronger. But a synthetic line doesn’t resist abrasions well and will eventually snap if it’s constantly rubbed against rocks or dirt.
Most experienced off-road enthusiasts recommend learning safety self-recovery techniques with a steel cable first. Once you’ve learned how to secure the line and care for it properly, you can move to a lighter synthetic line and avoid any unnecessary contact to minimize abrasions.
Winches
There’s a wide range and variety of winches. We’ve compiled some of the newest with some of the features that most pickup truck owners like. Contact the manufacturers to get more info, and talk to other truck owners to see which winch they prefer and have experience with. This information — along with assisting or learning proper winch techniques from an experienced enthusiast or off-road backcountry guide — can help you tremendously before you buy your first winch.
Warn XC9000i
Touted as one of the premium winches in the Warn line, the XC9000i has a 9,000-pound pull capacity and runs cooler with a low amperage draw (maximum 460 amps at 9,000 pounds of pull, 6.38 feet per minute line speed). This winch uses a three-stage planetary gear system and weighs 85 pounds. It comes with a remote control and comes in a full-metal protective housing. www.warn.com
Warn PowerPlant HD
This heavy-duty winch comes complete with an integrated air compressor, and the unit weighs 115 pounds. It features a three-stage planetary gear system, a very high duty cycle rating and a low amperage draw of 416 amps at 12,000 pounds of pull (3.6 feet per minute line speed). The built-in air compressor puts out 5 cubic feet per minute at 90 pounds per square inch. It also has a 4.6-horsepower motor and an air tank and intercooler that allow the unit to fill up four 35-inch-diameter tires in eight minutes or less. www.warn.com
Superwinch Talon 12.5 SR
This 12,000-pound-capacity winch features a 6-hp motor and a two-stage planetary gear system that makes it fast and lightweight. The SR designation means it uses synthetic rope, Superwinch’s AmSteel Blue with a Samthane coating that helps the rope resist abrasions. At 12,500 pounds of line pull, the Talon 12.5 draws 530 amps and has a line speed of 3.25 feet per minute. The Talon 12.5 is also available with a steel cable and weighs 94 pounds. www.superwinch.com
Superwinch Talon 9.5i
Midsize and some full-size trucks can take advantage of the Superwinch Talon 9.51’s lighter weight. This winch has 9,500 pounds of line pull and draws 430 amps with a line speed of 5 feet per minute. The Talon 9.5i uses a two-stage planetary gear system and is also available with synthetic rope (Talon 9.5i SR). The winch weighs 67 pounds installed. www.superwinch.com
Mile Marker V-10
Mile Marker’s V-Series winches feature solid-state Mi-Fi electronics that allow you to control the line speed with a hand-held remote. This technology eliminates the traditional solenoids that can wear out or fail over time. The V-10 model uses a three-stage planetary gear system and a 6.5-hp motor and weighs 102 pounds installed. It pulls 10,000 pounds, drawing 385 amps at a maximum line speed of 8.1 feet per minute. The V-12 model pulls 12,000 pounds, weighs 102 pounds and draws 380 amps with a line speed of 6.1 feet per minute. www.milemarker.com
Mile Marker H1200
This hydraulic winch has a 12,000-pound pull rating and uses a separate solenoid control valve that gives it more mounting options. This two-speed winch has a line speed of 5.65 feet per minute in low gear (12,000 pounds) and 31 feet per minute in high gear (maximum 2,000 pounds). The ductile iron body is corrosion-resistant and weighs 98 pounds. The winch can also be operated if it’s fully submerged in water. www.milemarker.com
Ramsey Patriot 9500 UT
The Ramsey 9500 UT has a 9,500-pound pull rating and weighs 93 pounds. At maximum load, it has a line speed of 7.8 feet per minute (at 9,500 pounds) and draws 430 amps. Ramsey’s semi-automatic clutch and 5.5-hp motor reduce winching time, and a wireless remote control key fob can operate the winch from up to 50 feet away. www.ramsey.com
Ramsey Patriot 15000
This heavy-duty winch pulls up to 15,000 pounds and weighs 120 pounds installed. At maximum load, it draws 460 amps and has a line speed of 3.9 feet per minute. The Patriot 15000 uses a 5.5-hp motor and a three-stage planetary gear system. It also features a compact body with an integrated solenoid system, and it has a four-roller fairlead. It can be used with a wired or wireless remote control. www.ramsey.com
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Review: 2011 Ford Explorer Take Two
Posted on 21. Feb, 2011 by admin.
I thought the Ford Freestyle would sell well because it was so incredibly functional. It didn’t, even if I bought one myself (in updated Taurus X form). I thought the Ford Flex would sell well because it combined even more room and comfort (if inferior visibility) with the style of a MINI. It hasn’t done [...]
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Smart Forspeed Concept: 2011 Geneva Motor Show
Posted on 21. Feb, 2011 by admin.
Following on from its Escooter electric two-wheeler concept at last year’s Paris Auto Show, Smart has rolled out a new open-top ‘speedster’ based on the brand’s Fortwo Electric Drive minicar. The new vehicle is called the Forspeed and it’s scheduled to make its world debut in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show…
