2018 Ford F-250 Super DutyDerek McNaughton / Driving Ford is recalling more than 56,000 Super Duty trucks in Canada because, in a collision, the seat belt pretensioners might spark and cause a fire, the automaker said mid-December.Some 56,112 examples of Super Duties built between October 2015 and October 2019 are affected in Canada, part of a total 547,538 trucks recalled across North America altogether. In some of these trucks, the front seat belt pretensioner could throw off excessive sparks during a collision, possibly igniting the vehicles carpeting or carpet insulation around the B-pillar. Ford has, in fact, already received one report of a post-collision interior fire happening in just this way.Dealers will correct the issue by adding a foil tape over the carpeting and insulation in the area that could
Origin: Ford recalls more than 56,000 trucks in Canada over fire risk
trucks
Ford recalling 30,000 heavy-duty trucks in Canada for tailgates falling open
2018 Ford F-250 Super DutyDerek McNaughton / Driving Ford is recalling more than a quarter-million heavy-duty trucks in North America over concerns their tailgates could fall open while driving.Some 29,953 Ford F-250 and F-450 pickups from model years 2017 through 2019 are affected in Canada, and another 231,664 in the U.S.On affected vehicles, the electric tailgate latch release switch inside the tailgate handle could short circuit when it comes in contact with water, letting the latches the loose and dropping the tailgate unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is sitting still or driving.Only trucks with an electronic tailgate handle are affected, of course.A separate recall the automaker also announced early December will see some 4,000 new Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs recalled in North America over a possible fuel leak risk.On 2020 models, a protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line may be too short, allowing it to contact a vapor fuel line and, over time, possibly rub through it. If this happens, it could create a gas
Origin: Ford recalling 30,000 heavy-duty trucks in Canada for tailgates falling open
Trucks at SEMA 2019: Chevy’s electric vs Dodge’s diesel
Las Vegas, NEVADAMopar or Chevy? Diesel power or electric energy? Battery versus brawn? Old rivalries were made new again at the 2019 SEMA show in Las Vegas, as GM and FCA each breathed new life into a couple of their old trucks.Dedicated to the automotive aftermarket, the SEMA show is jammed with modified vehicles showing off new products. Some of the major automakers get in on the action, creating or commissioning their own builds for the show. This year, that included transforming two trucks a 1962 Chevy C-10 and 1968 Dodge D200.Both drew the crowds, but they were as different as they could be. The Chevy had a couple of electric motors under the hood, while the Dodge went old-school with a diesel. See how they stacked up and which do you prefer?1962 Chevrolet E-10 Chevy changed C-10 to E-10 for what the company dubbed its E-Crate motor, and its basically made by stacking electric motors together and with components from the Bolt electric compact car.The E-10 has a dual-stack system, and GM claims more than 450 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque at the wheels. Zero to 96 km/h is about five seconds, and the truck is estimated in the high 13-second range for the quarter-mile. But dont expect it to do it silently: theres an emulator on board that churns out the sound of V8 induction and exhaust.A custom truck is more than an engine, and the E-10 has an adjustable air suspension, 20- and 22-inch wheels, illuminated bowtie badges and a digital instrument cluster. The hood and tailgate have been smoothed out, the drip rails have been shaved, and the 62 grille has been replaced with one used in 1964. The E-10 isnt just for show. GM says the E-Crate is a concept but its also a fully-functional prototype that could one day be available to drop into anything that is currently set up for a Chevy LS engine currently (no pun intended) the engine of choice for most hot-rod and custom-car conversions.These next-generation electric motors can be stacked three-high for more than 1,000 horsepower. Right now the E-10s box is taken up with the battery, but the E-Crate can run on a range of 350 to 800 volts, so the battery can be sized for practicality or performance.Mopar Lowliner Concept The Lowliner also has a battery, but its just there to turn over the trucks 5.9-litre Cummins engine. The inline-six is considered legendary by diesel fans, and was first put into a Ram truck in 1989; the Ram brands current 6.7L diesel choice initially appeared in 2007.The 5.9L started with 12 valves but went to 24 valves in 1998, and its the 2-4 thats in this truck now. And heres the best part: the transmission has to be manually shifted through its six gears.The designers started with a 1968 Dodge D200 Sweptline heavy-duty Camper Special that they found in Ohio. They boxed the frame, and in addition to extending the wheelbase, pushed the front axle forward 76 millimetres. An adjustable air suspension on both axles gives it low, driving height, and driving height-plus positions.But while the trucks been lowered, the bed heights been raised by welding in the box floor from a new Ram 1500 and that was done to accommodate the air suspension and the fuel cell.Just about everything on the outside has been customized: the front end flips forward electrically, the handle-free doors open with electric poppers, the badges and chrome have been shaved off, the headlights and taillights are LED, the fuel fillers now mounted in the bed, and the Candied Delmonico red paint has the Mopar M subtly ghosted into the fenders.Take Our Poll The wheels are styled on the smoothie stamped-steel design that was popular in the 1960s, but while those were usually 15 inches, the Lowliner rides on 22s, with wide enough tires that the rear wheel wells have been widened. The interiors done in distressed-look leather, the shifter ball has a Cummins logo, and the original 1968 steering wheel is still in place.Unlike the E-10, which could potentially spin off a production aftermarket conversion, the Lowliner is all about the show. But we like em both, and really like that two old trucks that were already cool have been made even
Origin: Trucks at SEMA 2019: Chevy’s electric vs Dodge’s diesel
Ford recalls more than 30,000 new trucks in Canada over a fire risk
2019 Ford F-150Handout / Ford Ford is recalling more than 30,000 new F-150 trucks in Canada because an improperly attached battery terminal fastener could lead to the engine stalling, the brakes power assistance failing or even to a fire.Some 30,073 F-150s from model years 2019 and 2020 are affected here, as well as about 135,000 units in the U.S. Specifically, the issue is with trucks built between June and October in the Dearborn or Kansas City plants.On affected vehicles, a fastener on the positive terminal of the battery may not be attached properly; if left alone, this could lead to the engine losing power and then stalling, or to the brakes and steering losing their power assistance.While there is also an increased risk of fire, the company has yet to receive any reports of incidents related to this defect. Ford also issued a battery-fastener-related recall on older Lincoln MKX SUVs that may have led to three fires so far.In Canada, that recall concerns 5,253 MKXes from model years 2016 and 2017 equipped with the 3.7-litre V6; and just under 50,000 of the same in the U.S.A fastener on the battery terminals in affected vehicles could short circuit if it contact a transmission cable mechanism, increasing the chance of a fire. Ford says its received three reports of fires likely attributable to the issue, though none resulted in accidents or
Origin: Ford recalls more than 30,000 new trucks in Canada over a fire risk
Ford’s 2019 SEMA scheme is all about heavy-duty trucks
This new 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty debuts in Tremor off-road trim with Black Appearance Package by Ford Accessories as the most capable four-wheel drive Super Duty ever.Ford Ford is bringing no fewer than five truck concepts to this years SEMA show in Las Vegas, and they range from mild to way wild.First up is the LGE-CTS Motorsports Baja Forged Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab XLT; its list of upgrades is as long as the name itself.The standard cargo bed was replaced by a Pronghorn modular utility flatbed, and a special canopy installed on top. A custom roof rack also holds a Tepui tent, and an integrated light bar. A 4.5-inch lift an 18-inch wheels complete the package. According to Ford, its a mobile command center, campsite and workshop. This LGE-CTS Motorsports Baja Forged 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab XLT is the Swiss army knife for the modern adventurer – functioning as a mobile command center, campsite and workshop. Ford Up next is the Ford Accessories F-250 Super Duty Tremor Crew Cab with Black Appearance Package, pictured up top. This concept features the new Tremor off-road trim and pairs it with the Black Appearance package to give it a subtle but purposeful look.A winch is built into the front bumper, 35-inch tires are present, and a front-axle LSD and rear locker make this a formidable truck on the trail. The ultimate in workplace trucks, DeBerti Design takes this seriously capable 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum Crew Cab and ups the storage and styling to levels never before seen. Ford The third concept looks like pretty much every modified F-450 on the planet, but this time, its built by DeBerti Design. The dually truck features huge 22-inch wheels, a ridiculous light bar, and an air ride suspension. Dual pullout fender cabinets are included in the bedside.Built by BDS suspension, this F-350 Super Duty has pretty much every bell and whistle you could want. BDS Suspension’s project Go Beyond is outfitted as the ultimate off-road adventure 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab XLT Ford Theres a tent above the utility bed, which is complete with drawers and gas cans; theres a Warn winch in the front bumper; and the whole thing is lifted to fit the huge tires wrapped around the 20-inch wheels.The final truck is another F-250 with the Tremor and Black Appearance packages, but this time built by CGS Performance Products. Its painted red instead of blue, and features 20-inch wheels and 37-inch tires. No winch here, just a light bar. Check a Seismic monitor, CGS Performance Products dials up this 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab Tremor with Black Appearance Package into a full-on earthquake. Ford Look for all five of these trucks at next months SEMA show for the automotive aftermarket in Las Vegas. Well be covering some of the neatest vehicles from the floor of the industry exhibition, so keep your eyes on this
Origin: Ford’s 2019 SEMA scheme is all about heavy-duty trucks
Ford recalling 4,300 heavy-duty trucks in Canada because axle may fracture
Ford is recalling 4,316 new heavy-duty trucks in Canada because an axle shaft made from a bad batch of steel may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash in traffic, or of a rollaway in park.A total 28,579 examples of 2019 model year Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups are also affected by the recall in the U.S.On affected vehicles, the electronically locking rear-axle assembly may have been assembled with a passenger-side axle shaft made from a steel not up to Fords specifications, which may fracture.If the vehicle is driving in two-wheel-drive mode when this happens, it could stop or slow the truck in traffic; if stopped without the parking brake applied, the vehicle may be unable to hold park and could move.Ford is advising owners to use the parking brake when the truck is parked until dealers inspect and repair the axle shafts in affected
Origin: Ford recalling 4,300 heavy-duty trucks in Canada because axle may fracture
GM expands Sierra, Silverado brake-issue recall to 3.4 million trucks in U.S.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado Under pressure from the U.S. federal government, General Motors is recalling roughly 3.46 million big pickup trucks and SUVs Stateside to fix a brake problem.The roughly 300,000 trucks affected in Canada were already recalled this past summer.The recall covers the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2014 through 2018 model years.Also included are the Cadillac Escalade from 2015 to 2017, and the GMC Yukon and Chevy Suburban and Tahoe from 2015 through 2018.GM says that as it ages, the pump in the power-assist brakes can put out less vacuum power than needed, increasing stopping distance and the risk of a crash.The recall comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the problem in November of last year.Dealers will recalibrate the electronic brake control module at no cost to customers. Owners were to be notified starting Sept. 6.NHTSA, the U.S. governments road safety agency, began investigating the problem last year after getting 111 complaints from owners of poor brake performance. At the time the agency had nine reports of crashes that had caused two injuries.GM says the problems occur rarely and mostly at low speeds like driving in parking lots. Even with the problem, the brakes continue to function and exceed the requirements of the appropriate federal motor vehicle safety standard, GM spokesman Dan Flores said.The vacuum pump is lubricated with engine oil that flows through a filter screen. In some of the trucks, oil sludge or other debris can clog the screen, reducing oil flow and causing the pumps vacuum output to drop, Flores said.The trucks, he said, have a secondary power brake assist system which works when there are problems with the main system, but it is limited at lower speeds. The reprogramming will activate the secondary system faster.GM isnt replacing the pumps because pump failures are rare and already are covered by an extended warranty, Flores said. This remedy will improve brake performance in any situation where brake vacuum drops, he
Origin: GM expands Sierra, Silverado brake-issue recall to 3.4 million trucks in U.S.
Ram trucks add new options and packages for 2020
2020 Ram 1500 Night EditionRam Ram truck fans will have a few more choices for 2020, as the company has announced its bringing Night Edition and Rebel Black trims to the 1500, and offering new options and colours on the 1500 and Heavy Duty models.The Night Edition, available on the Laramie, includes a monochromatic design with 22-inch black wheels, black grille and badges, black exhaust tips and dark bezels on the headlamps and taillights.The Ram Rebel Black Appearance returns for 2020, adding Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat paint, 18-inch black wheels and black front spoiler, skid plate, badges, tow hooks and exhaust. LED headlamps with black bezels are standard, as is an all-black interior, with a black-and-red interior available as an option. Also available on the Rebel is a new safety package that adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and hold, emergency front braking, lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam headlamps.Other new options include a comfort package of power tailgate release, wireless phone charging, rear heated seats and 12-way power drivers seat on the Sport and Rebel; blind-spot monitoring on the Tradesman; new graphics on the Rebel; and available 22-inch two-tone wheels on the Longhorn. The 2020 Ram Heavy Duty now offers lane-keeping assist and adaptive steering on all trim levels; blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage as an option; optional trailer tire pressure monitoring system; connected service on all radio options; dual auxiliary camera capability; and Olive Green and Hydro Blue exterior paint, while the Ram Power Wagon comes with a black wheel option.Ram has already announced the return of the 3.0-L V6 EcoDiesel in the 1500, a third-generation version making 480 lb.-ft. of torque and with a top towing capacity of 12,560 lbs (5,697 kg). Its starting price is $49,395.In the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty models, the optional Cummins inline-six turbodiesel engine makes up to 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque, currently the highest in the
Origin: Ram trucks add new options and packages for 2020
Lawsuit claims GM trucks don’t run properly on American diesel
2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD General Motors line of diesel-powered heavy duty trucks are billed as workhorses, able to haul tens of thousands of pounds with impunity. Endless wells of hairy-chested torque from a 6.6-litre Duramax gets things rolling in a hurry.However, a class action lawsuit filed this week in Detroit seeks to put the brakes on certain models of GMs heavy-hauler, reports the Detroit News.Plaintiffs allege problems with the powertrains high-pressure fuel pumps, units manufactured by Bosch and installed in Duramax-equipped trucks from the 2011 to 2016 model years. According to the suit, the pump introduced metal shavings into the fuel injection system, leading to catastrophic and expensive damage.GM and Bosch declined to offer the Detroit News comment.At the root of this issue, say the complainants, is the composition of American diesel fuel. They claim it to be thinner than European diesel, a trait that allows for less lubrication and eventual degradation of the Bosch pumps. Plaintiffs in the suit say once this happens, debris finds its way into the engine.Lets examine this claim. As we all learned in Gearhead 101, modern diesel fuel is ignited under compression without a spark. A key indicator of diesel fuel quality is its cetane number, a measure of the fuels ignition speed that is, how long it takes to go bang! under compression. A higher cetane number indicates the fuel ignites more readily when sprayed into hot compressed air, such as the environs of an engine cylinder.Generally, diesel in Europe has a cetane rating of approximately 51, while the stuff on this side of the pond is generally rated around 45, except for a few areas in which a minimum of 48 is mandated (not to mention California, whose diesel fuel has a cetane rating of 53).For about the last ten years, all the American highway diesel fuel has been classified as Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), a blend which lowered the measured sulphur content to less than 15ppm. This, the suit claims, is the root of the problem. The fuel pump used in the trucks in question, a Bosch CP4, was introduced in 2011. Plaintiffs claim it was designed for the European market and didnt play well when swilling American ULSD. This may be so, but it would behoove the smart lawyer to also note that the Duramax engines in question are not fitted with a lift pump. This is a bit of tech that takes some of the workload off the main pump the Bosch CP4, in this case.Without a lift pump, a low-pressure unit which pulls the fuel first, the CP4 is under constant suction and tasked with two jobs, drawing fuel and pressurizing it. This situation may introduce air bubbles into the mix since the pump is located waaaay up in the engine bay, a long distance from the fuel tank. The presence of air means the absence of liquid, and could help explain the production of metal shavings, which are claimed to be causing the expensive damage mentioned in this lawsuit.Regardless of the reason for the fuel pumps alleged degradation diesel quality or being overworked well be keeping an eye on this case as it works its way through the
Origin: Lawsuit claims GM trucks don’t run properly on American diesel
Ford sued for allegedly falsifying fuel economy ratings on F-150 trucks
Canadian auto sales were very strong through March, thanks to strong performers like the Ford F-150 – which itself saw sales increase 37 per cent. A lawsuit against Ford alleging the automaker falsified F-150 fuel economy tests is seeking US$1.2 billion in damages, The Detroit Free Press reports.The class action lawsuit was filed by Seattle law firm Hagens Berman on behalf of truck consumers and claims drivers of the truck could be paying up to US$2,000 extra in fuel over the vehicles lifetime as a result of the apparently falsified economy tests.The lawsuit estimates the lifespan of an F-150 is 150,000 miles (240,000 km).We did the math and based this lawsuit on our own independent research. Fords fuel economy promises are all smoke and mirrors, said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman.Fords lies about the F-150 are masking the truth: Consumers are paying far more for these trucks than meets the eye. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, we believe F-150 owners are paying more than $2,000 more for fuel.The lawsuit is based on anonymous complaints about the way Ford estimates road load, which the EPA defines as the force imparted on a vehicle while driving at a constant speed over a smooth level surface from sources such as tire rolling resistance, driveline losses, and aerodynamic drag. This estimation is what the EPA uses to calculate fuel mileage.F-150 truck mileage has been overstated 15 per cent for highway mileage; and 10 per cent for city mileage, according to the lawsuit, via inaccurate drag and resistance figures (meant) to boost the vehicles EPA mileage ratings.The automaker has not been served the filing yet, and Ford spokesman T.R. Reid says what was announced today appears to be similar to two other filings by the same law firm in the same court. Id ask you not to confuse claims with merit.The lawsuit could expand to include other Ford
Origin: Ford sued for allegedly falsifying fuel economy ratings on F-150 trucks
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