Here in NZ we are stuck with puny small/med size pickup trucks while over in the states they enjoy heavy-duty machinery like the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and the Ram 1500. The latest model to be unveiled by Ram is the 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty.

This new pickup combines the budget focus of the standard Tradesman with a new towing and cargo capacity. Ram is claiming that its new truck is now the segment leader in both of those categories. With a maximum trailer weight of 5216kg, the Tradesman HD trumps the Ford F-150 by 90kg and the Chevrolet Silverado by a massive 360kg. But its not that simple for this big hauler, the Tradesman HD is only available as a two-wheel drive truck with a regular cab and an eight-foot bed. (more…)

Ford’s iconic F-150 pickup Truck has been updated for the 2012 model year with mechanical and equipment tweaks.

As the most popular truck in the Ford range the F-150 has been only subtly revised with styling updates that include a new FX Appearance Package. This cosmetic upgrade is available on both FX4 and FX2 models and includes tinted headlights, graphics on the body, special badging, smoked lights and flat-black 20-inch alloy wheels.

In the cabin, the FX model receives black leather seating surfaces with red piping, black-painted dash accents, brushed metal surfaces and a satin gear stick.

Mechanically, Ford has replaced its electronic shift-on-the-fly system with an enhanced two-speed automatic 4×4 set up that has an automatic mode for Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels. A Hill Start Assist feature has also been added across the range to help prevent the heavy truck from rolling backwards.

The SVT F-150 Raptor also gets some treatment with restyled wheels, revised graphics and a new Torsen front differential. There’s also a clever front camera system that allows drivers to view obstacles through the eight-inch cabin mounted screen. It can display at speeds up to 25 km/h and has a dedicated washer system to keep it clean. (more…)

They’re a funny bunch over in Sweden. Perhaps it’s the weather or the cold climate but they aren’t afraid of doing things a little bit different.

Putting a Ferrari 360 Spider up against a Volvo big-rig truck in a drag race isn’t exactly normal. But at the recently held Mantorp Trucking Festival in Sweden, that exactly how things went down. On the surface this race seems like an obvious miss match but the truck involved isn’t your average long distance hauler. Called the Mean Green hybrid racing truck this Volvo VN comes packing a 16-litre twin-turbo engine that pumps out 1,900 horsepower and is further boosted up by a 200 hp electric motor. As for the Ferrari – it looks pretty stock. (more…)

Name: Shane Kilgour
Vehicle: 1986 Chevy C20

That doesn’t sound like it looks. What’s in there?
It’s a GM Performance Parts 572ci, 620hp crate engine. But I’ve got a dyno sheet from an article in which these engines were tested, which shows them making 701hp. The company called GM and told them they had sent the wrong motor. But they hadn’t. Without admitting it in these words, GM just under-rates them, so that it doesn’t get caught out by the engine not making the claim and get sued. So they’re around 700hp and 935Nm of torque. But the carb that I’ve got on it must be worth about an extra 20hp; it makes a hell of a difference. It sure gets up and goes.

What gave you the idea of putting that motor into a vehicle that just looks like an old work truck?
I wasn’t going to buy a new vehicle, so figured I may as well buy a new motor. And Clive from AWFE suggested it. I was looking for a 502, but he said why don’t I go for the 572 instead. Go to the top of the range. So I did.

Any dramas with fitting it in there?
No, it bolts straight up ” to the original engine mounts and everything!

It’s pretty shiny in the engine bay. You’ve spent a bit of time in there.
Well, I changed the rocker covers, as when I open the bonnet at the gas station, I don’t really want people to know what it is. The stock covers are bright orange with 572 written on them. But now it looks like a standard big block. I’ve used the braided hoses for 30 years, not because it looks good but because they last.

What reaction does it get when it starts up? People must look twice.
Yes, they do. It scares the hell out of little old ladies and children in car-parks.

Have you got any plans to do anything to the exterior of the vehicle?
One day I’ll paint it. In the army green it’s got on it. I don’t want it too shiny, as I don’t want to have to be washing it or polishing it all the time. I can’t remember the last time I washed it.

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It’s been all about the iconic American pickup truck – the Ford F-150 this week on NZV8. First, we brought you news of the latest F-150 Harley Davidson edition (read here), and now Ford have officially revealed a lineup of four all-new F-150 engines for the 2011 model year.

The new engine range includes two V6s and two V8s and according to Ford the entire new engine family will be more fuel efficient than the outgoing 4.6-litre and 5.4-litre V8 engines by at least 20 percent. The same 3.7-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 found in the 2011 Mustang will be available in the 2011 F-150, as will the 6.2-litre V8 from the 2011 Super Duty truck. Early next year the F-150 will become the first rear-wheel-drive application for the much anticipated 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6.

The V6 engines are expected to be popular but the highest volume selling engine will most likely be the new 5.0-litre V8 unit.

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Jet-powered, 36,000hp truck with 3 huge engines pulls a 7-second pass