10/30/16

Ram reveals summary of options, features for its trucks and vans

 

Keeping up with the latest pickup innovations can be tough. To help you keep track Hard Working Trucks recently asked OEMs to tell us about their best work truck options.

Dave Sowers, head of Ram Commercial Marketing, went a couple of steps further and listed both features and options for Ram trucks and vans. Here’s his list:
  •     Light and heavy duty truck – available factory spray in bed liner for protecting the business’ investment under harsh working conditions
  •     Light and heavy duty truck – bed lighting to make working in and around the bed easier in low light situations
  •     Light and heavy duty truck – crew cab in-floor storage for storing common work items out of the way
  •     Light duty truck – Four Corner Active Level Air Suspension: lowers up to 4 inches for easier loading and unloading, automatically load levels with payloads up to GVW, and allows for lowering to connect trailers.
  •     Light duty truck – Ram Box Cargo management system (weather tight, lighted and power locking with the doors) maintains 49 inches between the bed walls for loading quads and building materials, but making better storage use of the space above and fore and aft of the wheel wells.
  •     Heavy duty off road – Power Wagon disconnecting sway bars, low range transfer case, 12,000 lb. winch and locking axles for businesses and agencies needing access to the most demanding terrains
  •     Chassis Cabs – right and left side PTO in 4X2 and 4X4 configurations allows the ultimate in flexibility, including industry unique under-deck mounted compressors, pumps, and generators
  •     ProMaster City – 60/40 rear doors for improved visibility and better curb side loading and unloading
  •     ProMaster vans – lowest load floor height by 6 inches, highest standard cargo height (65 inches), nearly vertical side walls widest cargo area.
We’ll take a look at Ford’s options next and feature a link to this story so that you can compare the two.

See more:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/ram-reveals-summary-of-options-features-for-its-trucks-and-vans/


10/28/16

Filter Types



Baldwin training videos are designed to help you understand equipment systems and the importance of proper filtration and maintenance practices.

10/26/16

Fitness Goes on Tour with New #FitTruck Transit Van as Ford and Reebok Team Up on Tough Road Trip with Fitness Stars

  •     New FitTruck, powered by Ford and Reebok, is going on the ultimate road trip, bringing some of the most influential names in fitness – Emily Skye, Jamie Eason, Ashley Horner, Cory Gregory, “Silent Mike” Farr and others – to cities across the eastern United States
  •     Tour kicks off Thursday, with FitTruck driving more than 2,000 miles over seven weeks, bringing to life Reebok’s mantra that the gym is everywhere and fitness can happen anywhere
  •     FitTruck builds on Ford Transit’s tough, customizable platform with an eye-catching exterior and four rear seats for the influential fitness instructors who will be joining the tour along the way, as well as a gym’s worth of fitness equipment and more
BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2016 – What do you get when you combine one tough van, some of the world’s most influential fitness pros and an undying commitment to fitness?                                                        

FitTruck, powered by Ford and Reebok, is hitting the road on one of the most pumped-up fitness tours ever – spanning more than 2,000 miles during seven weeks this fall. The truck will pop up in locations across the eastern U.S. using Reebok’s world-class instructor network to take fitness beyond the gym with the help of the extremely customizable Ford Transit.

“FitTruck embodies the idea that the gym is everywhere and fitness can truly take place anywhere – a city, a park or your own home,” says Steve Robaire, Reebok director of instructor engagement and global events. “Today, everything can be made mobile, from food trucks, to retailing clothing and accessories, to basic health care and beyond. It just made sense to take this concept and use it to promote something healthy.”

The crew

FitTruck is bringing some of the world’s most renowned names in fitness to pop-up events, fitness boot camps and wellness clinics. Reebok’s wide instructor network, Reebok ONE, includes more than 106,000 fitness trainers from around the world.

Special guests from Reebok ONE’s network on the FitTruck tour include:
  •     Emily Skye: Australian fitness star and founder of the hugely popular F.I.T fitness workout
  •     Jamie Eason: International cover model and co-creator of Lean Body for Her natural supplementation
  •     Ashley Horner: Official female spokesperson for Bodybuilding.com
  •     Cory Gregory: Creator of the Squat Every Day program
  •     “Silent Mike” Farr: Co-host of the popular fitness podcast Powercast and a world-renowned powerlifting expert
Athletes will share on-tour experiences via social media. Follow the tour’s progress using the hashtag #FitTruck.

One wild ride

FitTruck’s multi-state tour will take it through a number of stops:
  •     Oct. 20-21, Boston: Reebok headquarters will get the tour started right with a celebration. From there, FitTruck will be making stops along the way to its next stop in Virginia Beach for pop-up activations at Reebok FitHubs in cities including New York and Washington, D.C.
  •     Oct 24-30, New York, Washington, D.C.: FitTruck will host popup activations at Reebok FitHubs
  •     Oct. 30 – Nov. 6: Virginia Beach, Virginia: FitTruck’s next stop takes it to the East Coast, where it will be hitting local gyms. Ashley Horner will host a Facebook Live training session, and FitTruck will be right there as she runs a 50-mile ultramarathon through the mountains. Plus, the winner of the Win a Day to Meet and Train with Ashley Horner contest will receive a one-day training with the fitness pro herself
  •     Nov. 8, Raleigh, North Carolina: Touring North Carolina’s capital city, FitTruck will feature a workout with adaptive fitness athlete and professional Logan Aldridge and other local grassroots events
  •     Nov. 12, Charlotte, North Carolina: Next, a trip through the Queen City as FitTruck parks outside a local gym, encouraging people to stop and join fitness competitions and apparel giveaways throughout the day. Don’t miss out on the chance to win prizes for doing burpees
  •     Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, Columbus, Ohio: It’s game day for FitTruck, which will be tailgating outside the Ohio State University-University of Michigan football game, hosting fitness competitions and giving away prizes to students. Plus, Cory Gregory will host a Squatlife seminar. And check out the big appearance from “Silent Mike” Farr, who will shoot a YouTube video onsite
  • Built Ford Tough
  • Just as Reebok encourages people to enhance their lives through the physical, mental and social benefits that fitness provides, Ford empowers fleets and tradespeople every day with tough vehicles built to take on demanding jobs.
  • Ford Transit features high-strength unibody construction and gives customers flexibility with 64 available configurations for 2017 – the most in its class. Built on a Transit 250, FitTruck has a high roof and 148-inch wheelbase, and is powered by a 3.2-liter Power Stroke® I5 Turbo Diesel with a six-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission.
  • Two of Ford’s qualified vehicle modifiers, TransitWorks and Adrian Steel, worked together to transform this Transit cargo van – with 404 cubic feet of cargo space – into a relentless fitness machine.
  • TransitWorks fitted the front of the van with four removable seats to comfortably transport the influential fitness instructors on tour, as well as a custom floor, lighting, headliner and partition. Adrian Steel custom-designed and built storage for a variety of fitness equipment, including dumbbells, barbells, weight plates, battle ropes, resistance bands, yoga mats, medicine balls and kettle balls.
It’s just another example of how Ford’s upfitter network can equip the flexible Ford Transit for any job – even if that job is a grueling 2,000-mile fitness road trip.

“When duty calls, business professionals and commercial fleets want a vehicle with the rugged reliability to get the job done and a feature selection customized to their specific needs,” said Julie Ellenberger, Ford marketing manager for Transit. “Transit has a track record of taking on the toughest situations drivers can throw at it, whether navigating a construction site or an urban landscape. Likewise, embracing a healthy, fit lifestyle allows people to handle the toughest life can throw at them, both mentally and physically.”
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

About Reebok

Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Canton, MA, USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of fitness and lifestyle footwear, apparel and equipment. An American-inspired global brand, Reebok is a pioneer in the sporting goods industry with a rich and storied fitness heritage. Reebok develops products, technologies and programming which enables movement and is committed to accompanying people on their journey to fulfill their potential. Reebok connects with the fitness consumer wherever they are and however they choose to stay fit ­ whether it¹s training, running, walking, dance, yoga or aerobics. Reebok Classics leverages the brand¹s fitness heritage and represents the roots of the brand in the sports lifestyle market. A subsidiary of the adidas Group, Reebok operates under the multiple divisions of the Reebok brand, Reebok-CCM Hockey and the Sports Licensed Division. Reebok is the exclusive outfitter of CrossFit and the CrossFit Games, the official title sponsor of the Reebok Spartan Race; the exclusive authentic global outfitter of UFC, and exclusive apparel provider for Les Mills. For more information, visit Reebok at www.reebok.com or for the latest news at news.reebok.com.

Or, discover Reebok at the following locations: facebook.com/reebok; twitter.com/reebok; and youtube.com/reebok.

10/24/16

Silverado: The Journey to ESPN College GameDay Week 7 | Chevrolet



Made with tough, proven high-strength steel for high strength dependability, the Silverado is the best truck to get your precious cargo to its destination. Where is the team headed this week? Watch and find out.

Learn more about the Silverado here: http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado-15...

10/22/16

GMC Introduces Sierra HD All Terrain X


Third model in brand’s X series offered 
with all-new Duramax 6.6L diesel

 

AUSTIN, Texas — GMC today introduced the 2017 Sierra HD All Terrain X, the most off-road-capable model in the Sierra HD lineup, and one that matches its enhanced capability with trail-ready style and the brand’s signature refinement.

It joins Canyon and Sierra 1500 this fall as the third model in GMC’s distinctive, limited-edition All Terrain X series, offered on the Sierra 2500HD crew cab 4WD with a 6.0L gas V-8 engine or the all-new, next-generation Duramax 6.6L V-8 turbo-diesel. More powerful than ever, the new Duramax delivers a segment-topping SAE-certified 445 hp (332 kW) and an SAE-certified 910 lb.-ft. of torque (1,234 Nm).

“The new Sierra HD All Terrain X’s powerful attitude reflects a popular trend in very capable off-road trucks, executed with a range-topping level of refinement — a combination of attributes GMC has cultivated for years,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “And with the new, available Duramax 6.6L, this truck more than matches its bold good looks with true professional-grade capability.”

The All Terrain X’s customized appearance blends a premium package of monochromatic exterior trim and special equipment, complemented with GMC’s latest technologies. Content includes:
•    18-inch black-painted aluminum wheels
•    LT275/65R18 Goodyear Duratrac MT-rated tires that feature an aggressive tread pattern for outstanding off-road performance
•    A unique body-color grille surround with All Terrain insert
•    Body-color door handles and bodyside moldings
•    Black power-adjustable heated and power-folding trailering mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED rear guidance lamps and LED amber clearance lamps
•    Black belt moldings, front bumper skidplate and B-pillars
•    4-inch black sport side steps
•    Black sport bar (mounted in the bed) designed to support available GMC Accessories LED off-road driving lamps
•    Offered in Black Onyx and Summit White exterior colors

Additional All Terrain equipment includes a spray-on bedliner, Front and Rear Park Assist, the Z71 off-road suspension package, underbody shield, heated steering wheel and all-weather floor liners. The Eaton automatic locking rear differential is also standard.

The 2017 Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X also features GMC IntelliLink with an 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen, Teen Driver, remote-locking tailgate, remote starting system, Rear Vision Camera, adjustable pedals, leather-appointed seats, heated front seats and wireless charging.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

10/20/16

ISUZU ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF ALL-NEW F-SERIES TRUCK


2018 FTR is set to change the class 6 market


ANAHEIM, Calif.—Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of America’s best-selling low-cab-forward trucks, today announced key specifications of its all-new entry in the Class 6 medium-duty truck segment, the 2018 Isuzu FTR. The company made announcements to their dealers at a series of Isuzu Whistle Stops around the country the last two weeks.

Among the highlights:
•    25,950 pounds GVWR
•    The FTR will be available in eight wheelbase lengths ranging from 152 to 248 inches, accommodating bodies from 14 to 30 feet long
•    The FTR is a dock height class 6 truck
•    The turbocharged Isuzu 5.2-liter 4HK1-TC engine propelling the FTR will generate 215 horsepower and 520 lbs.-ft. of torque
•    The engine will be mated to an Allison six-speed automatic transmission with power take-off (PTO) capability
•    Dana axles will have capacities of 12,000 pounds up front and 19,000 pounds rear  suspension
•    Bridgestone or Continental 11R22.5 tires will be fitted to 22.5" × 8.25" steel wheels

The FTR is slated to go into production at a new facility in Charlotte, Michigan in mid-2017.

When Isuzu announced the truck at NTEA’s 2016 Work Truck Show in March, Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, said, “This truck represents our vision of the future of the medium-duty truck industry. The overall concept of the FTR is to bring to our customers the next generation medium-duty low-cab-forward truck, one that features a clean, durable, highly-efficient four-cylinder engine and is the best Class 6 choice for urban pickup and delivery. The letters ‘FTR’ don’t stand for ‘future,’ however this truck represents the future, and it will be here—soon.”


About Isuzu Trucks:

Isuzu commercial trucks have been the best-selling low-cab-forward trucks in America every year since 1986.  Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. is the distributor of Isuzu commercial trucks in the United States. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

10/18/16

Fuel savings with APUs


What makes auxiliary power units (APUs) such a good investment today? Bill Gordon, division president of Bergstrom Parts LLC, says that the primary reasons are “fuel savings and less wear on the engine as a result of reduced idling. The fuel savings associated with reduced idling are significant. Omnitracs released a whitepaper recently that quantified the amount of money spent on idling per year at roughly $14 billion. Battery-powered systems like the NITE unit play a huge role in reducing that number and represent big savings for fleets.”

“The Carrier Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is an integrated heating and cooling system that provides up to 12,000 British thermal units per hour (Btuh) of cooling and 10,000 Btuh of heating,” explains David Kiefer, director of sales and marketing for Carrier Transicold, Truck/Trailer/Rail Americas. “The Carrier APU also charges truck batteries, warms the truck engine and is compatible with shore power.” He adds that APUs offer potential for fuel savings as well as compliance with more prevalent and more stringent idling regulations. In addition, fleets understand the impact an APU can have on reducing truck engine maintenance. Fuel prices continue to make compelling financial incentives to use an APU.”

“In addition to the fuel savings, with which everyone is familiar, the TriPac Evolution decreases tractor maintenance costs due to reduced idle time, which increases tractor resale value,” says Steve DeLarosby, product manager of APUs at Thermo King. “Perhaps one of the biggest benefits is how the APU helps with driver retention. Our customers are experiencing a significant shortage in drivers. The TriPac Evolution allows drivers to have access to the comforts home while still being on the road, which helps improve driver satisfaction and reduces turnover. By having APU on a tractor, companies can save money by decreasing recruiting and training costs.”



“While not technically an APU, our product line provides three things: heat, air-condition and alternate power,” shares John Dennehy, vice president marketing and communications for Eberspaecher Climate Control Systems. “Eberspaecher manufactures ‘Fuel Operated Heaters’ that can heat two mediums, air or water (coolant). We don’t produce cool or additional power. We all know that fleets are having a tough time attracting and holding drivers. These heaters can defrost your windshield keeping you safe, they use minimal fuel and they work just like a home furnace, where you set the temperature and let the heater do the rest.”

10/16/16

The Work Truck Show® 2017 registration and housing open

 

Registration and housing for The Work Truck Show 2017 are available at worktruckshow.com. The event is scheduled March 14-17, 2017 at the Indiana Convention Center (Indianapolis, Indiana). Educational sessions and the Green Truck Summit begin March 14, and the exhibit hall is open March 15-17.

Note: this year, we're offering more streamlined registration packages to make it even easier to select the options you want. Already know you want to register? Click here.

Not yet an NTEA member? Join today to receive discounted member pricing on registration.

Book your room at discounted, NTEA-negotiated rates by calling 317-262-8191, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. EST or visiting worktruckshow.com

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10/14/16

10/12/16

2017 GMC SIERRA HD: PRECISION-ENGINEERED DIESEL PERFORMANCE



A professional-grade heavy duty pickup is designed to work hard, without making the driver work hard behind the wheel. That’s where the updated 2017 GMC Sierra HD excels – whether you’re trailering a boat or carrying a heavy payload, GMC’s heavy-duty pickup trucks deliver an unrivaled blend of capability and driver confidence. Our latest Duramax Diesel, available in Sierra 2500 HD and Sierra 3500 HD, is our most powerful ever, with 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque on tap. But power is but one piece of the puzzle – Sierra HD also offers a full array of available features, like an integrated exhaust brake and Digital Steering Assist -- designed to raise driver confidence and control.

10/10/16

Ford Police Interceptor Utility Goes Deeper Undercover



Ford is debuting Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights to complement the “no-profile” Front Interior Visor Light Bar on Police Interceptor Utility. The feature integrates bright LED lighting into the vehicle’s rear spoiler, providing law enforcement with a highly effective tool to alert drivers of emergency roadside situations while affording officers full visibility out the rear window. When deactivated, the lighting is difficult to detect for someone approaching the vehicle from the rear.

10/08/16

66th IAA International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles: Off-road and on-road: news on Mercedes-Benz construction vehicles

  •     Latest engine generations now also available for the Arocs
  •     New flagship engines: OM 470 with 335 kW (460 hp) and OM 471 with 390 kW (530 hp)
  •     Approval for alternative fuels to prEN 15940 standard and biodiesel
  •     New variants with low exterior height
  •     Latest safety technology also available for construction vehicles
Hanover – At the 66th IAA International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz presented a cross-section of its wide range of two, three, and four-axle chassis, tractor units and tippers for the construction industry and ancillary trades. The range of models on show featured a wealth of technical innovations and customer-oriented advancements.

The centrepiece was the Arocs - the specialist construction vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. A consummate construction professional, the Mercedes-Benz Arocs is available with two, three or four axles, with drive configurations from 4x2 to 8x8. With versions ranging from the Arocs Loader tractor unit and concrete mixer for on-road use to the Arocs Grounder for frequent off-road use, it covers all the bases for building contractors.

Latest engine generations now also available for the A

10/06/16

Loading paint with a BEDSLIDE



Loading 19 five gallon paint buckets made easy with a BEDSLIDE. Make your truck bed easier to access. Slide all your card under the tonneau cover on your BEDSLIDE. For more info visit BEDSLIDE.com

10/04/16

Ford Super Duty Customer Embodies Built Ford Tough Spirit



To help guide the design and engineering of the all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty, Ford connected with customers through a special “Insiders” program to focus on receiving honest feedback from owners who use Ford trucks every day for everything from ranching, to farming and industrial work. Nate Berges, a participant in the Insiders program, owns several Super Duty pickup trucks, in addition to a fleet of chassis cabs for his family’s awning company, of which he is the fourth-generation owner. “Ford trucks are the only trucks I will every buy,” said Berges. “Ford trucks get the job done – period.” Berges had the rare opportunity to watch UAW-Ford employees build his new F-350 at Kentucky Truck Plant, where he was able to drive it off the end of the line.

10/02/16

New Duramax 6.6L Diesel Offered on 2017 Silverado HD

Next-generation redesign is stronger, 
with more power and greater refinement 



DALLAS — Chevrolet today announced the redesigned Duramax 6.6L V-8 turbo-diesel offered on the 2017 Silverado HD. This next-generation redesign offers more horsepower and torque than ever — an SAE-certified 445 horsepower (332 kW) and 910 lb.-ft. (1,234 Nm) — to enable easier, more confident hauling and trailering.

Along with a 19 percent increase in max torque over the current Duramax 6.6L, the redesigned turbo-diesel’s performance is quieter and smoother, for greater refinement. In fact, engine noise at idle is reduced 38 percent.

“With nearly 2 million sold over the past 15 years, customers have forged a bond with the Duramax diesel based on trust and capability,” said Dan Nicholson, vice president, Global Propulsion Systems. “The new Duramax takes those traits to higher levels.”

The new Duramax 6.6L shares essentially only the bore and stroke dimensions of the current engine and incorporates a new, GM-developed control system. The Duramax’s signature low-rpm torque production hasn’t changed and still offers 90 percent of peak torque at a low 1,550 rpm and sustains it through 2,850 rpm.

“Nearly everything about the Duramax is new, designed to produce more torque at lower rpm and more confidence when trailering or hauling,” said Gary Arvan, chief engineer. “You’ll also notice the refinement improvements the moment you start the engine, and appreciate them as you cruise quietly down the highway — with or without a trailer.”

Additional highlights include:
•    New, stronger cylinder block and cylinder heads
•    New, stronger rotating and reciprocating assembly
•    Increased oil- and coolant-flow capacity
•    New EGR system with single cooler and integrated bypass
•    New electrically actuated/electronically controlled turbocharging system
•    All-new advanced solenoid fuel system
•    All-new electronic controls
•    New full-length damped steel oil pan that contributes to quietness
•    New rocker cover/fuel system acoustical treatments
•    B20 bio-diesel compatibility
•    SAE-certified 445 net horsepower (332 kW) at 2,800 rpm
•    SAE-certified 910 net lb.-ft. of torque (1,234 Nm) at 1,600 rpm

A new, patent-pending vehicle air intake system — distinguished on the Silverado HD by a bold hood scoop — drives cool, dry air into the engine for sustained performance and cooler engine temperatures during difficult conditions, such as trailering on steep grades. Cooler air helps the engine run better under load, especially in conditions where engine and transmission temperatures can rise quickly. That allows the Duramax to maintain more power and vehicle speed when trailering in the toughest conditions.

The intake design is another example of the advanced integration included in the 2017 Silverado HD that makes it over-the-road capable.   

A strong foundation
As with previous versions, the new Duramax block features a strong cast-iron foundation known for its durability, with induction-hardened cylinder walls and five nodular iron main bearings. It retains the same 4.05-inch (103mm) and 3.89-inch (99mm) bore and stroke dimensions as the current engine, retaining the Duramax’s familiar 6.6L (403 cu.-in./6,599 cc) displacement.

A deep-skirt design and four-bolt, cross-bolted main caps help ensure the block’s strength and enable more accurate location of the rotating assembly. A die-cast aluminum lower crankcase also strengthens the engine block and serves as the lower engine cover, while reducing its overall weight.

The new engine block incorporates larger-diameter crankshaft connecting rod journals than the current engine, enabling the placement of a stronger crankshaft and increased bearing area to handle higher cylinder loads. 

An enhanced oiling circuit, with higher flow capacity and a dedicated feed for the turbocharger, provides increased pressure at the turbo and faster oil delivery. Larger piston-cooling oil jets at the bottom of the cylinder bores spray up to twice the amount of engine oil into oil galleries under the crown of the pistons, contributing to lower engine temperature and greater durability.

A new, two-piece oil pan contributes to the new Duramax’s quieter operation. It consists of a laminated steel oil pan with an upper aluminum section. The aluminum section provides strength-enhancing rigidity for the engine, but a pan made entirely of aluminum would radiate more noise, so the laminated steel lower section is added to dampen noise and vibration.

There’s also an integrated oil cooler with 50 percent greater capacity than the current engine’s, ensuring more consistent temperatures at higher engine loads.

Segment firsts
•    Re-melt piston bowl rim
•    Venturi Jet Drain Oil Separator
•    Closed-loop glow plug temperature control

Stronger pistons with remelt
A tough, forged micro-alloy steel crankshaft anchors the new Duramax’s stronger rotating assembly. Cut-then-rolled journal fillets contribute to its durability by strengthening the junction where the journals — the round sections on which the bearings slide — meet the webs that separate the main and rod journals.

The connecting rods are stronger, too, and incorporate a new 45-degree split-angle design to allow the larger-diameter rod bearings to pass through the cylinder bores during engine assembly. They’re forged and sintered with a durable powdered metal alloy, with a fractured-cap design enabling more precise cap-to-rod fitment. 

A new, stronger cast-aluminum piston design tops off the rotating assembly. It features a taller crown area and a remelted combustion bowl rim for greater strength. Remelting is an additional manufacturing process for aluminum pistons in which the bowl rim area is reheated after casting and pre-machining, creating a much finer and more consistent metal grain structure that greatly enhances thermal fatigue properties.  

Additionally, the Duramax’s pistons don’t use pin bushings, reducing reciprocating weight to help the engine rev quicker and respond faster to throttle changes.

Lightweight cylinder heads, solenoid injectors
The redesigned engine retains the Duramax’s signature first-in-class aluminum cylinder head design, with six head bolts per cylinder and four valves per cylinder. The aluminum construction helps reduce the engine’s overall weight, while the six-bolt design provides exceptional head-clamping strength — a must in a high-compression, turbocharged application.

A new aluminum head casting uses a new double-layer water core design that separates and arranges water cores in layers to create a stiffer head structure with more precise coolant flow control. The heads’ airflow passages are also heavily revised to enhance airflow, contributing to the engine’s increased horsepower and torque.

The Duramax employs a common-rail direct injection fuel system with new high-capability solenoid-type injectors. High fuel pressure of 29,000 psi (2,000 bar) promotes excellent fuel atomization for a cleaner burn that promotes reduced particulate emissions. The new injectors also support up to seven fuel delivery events per combustion event, contributing to lower noise, greater efficiency and lower emissions. Technology advancements enable less-complex solenoid injectors to deliver comparable performance to piezo-type injectors.

Electronically controlled, variable-geometry turbocharging system
A new electronically controlled, variable-vane turbocharger advances the Duramax’s legacy of variable-geometry boosting. Compared to the current engine, the system produces higher maximum boost pressure — 28 psi (195 kPa) — to help the engine make more power, and revisions to enhance the capability of the exhaust-brake system.

Along with a new camshaft profile and improved cylinder head design, the Duramax’s new variable-vane turbocharger enables the engine to deliver more power with lower exhaust emissions. It uses a more advanced variable-vane mechanism, allowing a 104-degree F (40 C) increase in exhaust temperature capability. The self-contained mechanism decouples movement from the turbine housing, allowing operation at higher temperature. That enables the engine to achieve higher power at lower cylinder pressure. Additionally, it has lower internal leakage, allowing more exhaust energy to be captured during exhaust braking.  

The integrated exhaust brake system makes towing less stressful by creating added backpressure in the exhaust, resulting in negative torque during deceleration and downhill driving, enhancing driver control and prolonging brake pad life.

Venturi Jet Drain Oil Separator
A new Venturi Jet Drain Oil Separator employed with the Duramax 6.6L is the first of its type in the segment and is designed to ensure oil control in sustained full-load operation. The totally sealed system collects the fine mist of oil entrained in the blow-by gas and uses a small portion of the boosted air generated by the turbocharger to pump the collected oil back to the engine oil sump for re-use by the engine. Less sophisticated systems are not able to return this oil during full-load operation, which can result in oil carryover into the cylinders during combustion.
  
Cold Start System
The new Duramax also provides outstanding cold-weather performance, with microprocessor-controlled glow plugs capable of gas-engine-like starting performance in fewer than 3 seconds in temperatures as low as -20 degrees F (-29 C) without a block heater. The system is enhanced with ceramic glow plugs and automatic temperature compensation — a first-in-class feature providing improved robustness and capability. The automatic temperature compensation assesses and adjusts the current to each glow plug for every use, providing optimal temperature for cold start performance and durability.     

Electronic throttle valve and cooled EGR
Unlike a gasoline engine, a diesel engine doesn’t necessarily require a throttle control system. The Duramax 6.6L employs an electronic throttle valve to regulate intake manifold pressure in order to increase exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates. It also contributes to smoother engine shutdown.

Additionally, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system enhances performance and helps reduce emissions by diverting some of the engine-out exhaust gas and mixing it back into the fresh intake air stream, which is fed through the cylinder head for combustion. This lowers combustion temperatures, improving emissions performance by reducing NOx formation.

The exhaust is cooled in a unique heat exchanger before it’s fed into the intake stream through a patented EGR mixing device, further improving emissions and performance capability. An integrated bypass allows non-cooled exhaust gas to be fed back into the system to help the engine more quickly achieve optimal operating temperature when cold.

B20 Biodiesel Capability
The new Duramax 6.6L is capable of running on B20 biodiesel, a fuel composed of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent conventional diesel. B20 helps lower carbon dioxide emissions and lessens dependence on petroleum. It is a domestically produced, renewable fuel made primarily of plant matter — mostly soybean oil.

Manufacturing
The new Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine is produced with locally and globally sourced parts at the DMAX Ltd. (GM’s joint venture with Isuzu) manufacturing facility in Moraine, Ohio.

Allison 1000 Automatic Transmission
The proven Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission is matched with the new Duramax 6.6L. A number of refinements have been made to accommodate the engine’s higher torque capacity, including a new torque converter.

The Allison 1000’s technologically advanced control features, such as driver shift control with manual shift feature and a patented elevated idle mode cab warm-up feature, haven’t changed. Also, the Tow/Haul mode reduces shift cycling for better control and improved cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.

There’s also a smart diesel exhaust brake feature that enhances control when descending steep grades.

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 more than 4.0 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.