Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
Old Chevy trucks are easy to find all over North America and in fact all over the world. For instance, our own 1954 1/2 ton pickup came from Brazil… It is also easy to find anything you need for these trucks in the classic truck parts market.
The first model of Chevrolet truck was made in 1918, about two years after the company became part of General Motors.
At first they were mere automobiles with a bed in the back and didn’t carry much weight. Naturally they were extremely useful specially in the rural areas of the country, but they couldn’t be considered real “trucks”. By 1931 Chevrolet began to offer their pickups in two different wheelbases, with single or dual rear wheels. In the 1930’s Chevrolet built some beautiful trucks of which there are many wonderful restorations to be found.
Right after World War II, General Motors produced a series of pickup trucks for sale they called “Advanced Design Cab” trucks which had many improvements over previous models.
The “Advanced Design” series included the GMC pickup trucks which were virtually identical to their Chevy siblings, with only minor changes to the front grill and the dashboard. This series came out in 1947 and lasted for almost eight years. The last model of the series was produced in 1955. In that same year GM came out with a completely redesigned truck which is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the classic Chevrolets.
The Advanced Design may be the most popular series of old Chevrolet pickup trucks to be found today. The models didn’t change much from Chevrolet to GMC and from 1947 to 1955. Today most of the classic Chevy and GMC trucks in America are of the “Advanced Design” variety and it’s not hard to find an old Chevy for sale. Beautiful restorations of these old Chevy trucks are found everywhere.
Among the many places where you can find parts for old Chevy trucks one of the biggest and most respected is Jim Carter Classic Truck Parts, located in Independence, MO, just outside Kansas City. They have catalogs for Chevy and GMC pickups made between 1934 and 1972 and they also have a huge junkyard full of old Chevy trucks.
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Friday, October 24th, 2008
In need of a pickup truck to help your business needs, yet bounded by limited budget? Then, buying used pickup truck is a great money-saving option. Trucks, like any other vehicles, depreciate in value once you used it on the road, thus you can squeeze your allotted budget by buying used pickup trucks for sale. There are many used trucks that you can buy like ford, GMC, chevrolet etc.
However finding used pickup trucks may be far more difficult than looking for a recently built truck, but there are many sites which you can look for and also can buy from truck dealers.
First off, you have to know what you are looking for. In buying a pickup truck, first thing to take note is the size. It is, of course, essential to know just how big the truck you need. Another consideration and perhaps the most important that you need to look for when buying used pick-up truck is its engine. V6 engine is what most pickup trucks have. This is so, because V6 engine consumes just a fair amount of fuel, which is dependent on the items that you will be shipping. On the other hand, V8 engine, which consumes fuel faster, is used by full sized pickup trucks, which is advisable if your shipment requires lots of power.
After knowing what kind of engine your pickup truck needs, it’s time to determine the size of the truck’s bed or the part of the truck that is used for shipping things.
Also, you may want to take into consideration if you would be using the truck to transport people. If so, then consider how many people the pickup truck can carry. Extended and crew cab pickup can carry at least five people. However, if you intend to transport things rather than people, then a regular cab pickup truck will do. It can carry at least two people.
You should also know what drive train option you want for your pickup truck–do you want manual or automatic transmission? You may also want to think about if you want a two-wheel or four-wheel driven pickup truck.
One good quality of online buying is that you can immediately get feedback and read past reviews from past costumers, thus you’ll at least gain an idea of your seller. Online, you’ll be bombarded with a lot of choices, what’s important is you get what you paid for.
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Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
General Motors is the world’s biggest truck manufacturer and this reputation shows in their lineup of passenger vehicles. They have a lineup of large and tough pickup trucks for sale making them one of the top choices for buyers who wants a vehicle that can conquer not only natural terrain but also has good off-road driving capabilities. Their trucks are known not only for their high performance rating but more so for their size. The size of a truck after all plays a big role especially for those consumers who need a lot of space for their luggage. The size and the strength of the truck are also essential when towing is called for especially when driving on off-road terrain.
One such truck from the ranks of General Motors is the Sierra Crew Cab. This pickup truck defines large in its 20-foot long frame; it can come with an 8-foot bed if consumer opts for the Sierra Extended Cab Version. This vehicle has cargo space at the back of the pickup truck is good for those who need to carry around a lot of stuff. With the Crew Cab Version the space is down to 6.6 feet, but still offers adequate room for normal cargo loads. The shorter bed of this version is still longer and offers more space than some of its competitors.
Size of the truck is evident in its adequate legroom and headspace for passengers and the driver alike. The Crew Cab can sit up to six, thanks to the large space that is common to GMC produced trucks. Next to the driver’s seat up front, a bench is present with a fold-down armrest that can be converted to seat two passengers in the front except the driver of course. The second row of seating also has the same feature meaning three passengers maximum can occupy that space or the armrest can be folded to give more space if only two passengers are present at the back.
The enormous dimension of the truck means that it needs a hardworking powerplant that can give out high power output whenever it is needed. GMC has given this lengthy pickup truck with a massive 6.0-liter V8 engine that can churn out 345 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque which can power the truck through some of the toughest terrain. This much power is what EBC Redstuff brake components are made for. The powerful engine gives the tuck close to a ton of payload capacity. That is where its size and toughness plays a major part. And if the Extended Cab Version is the way a consumer wants to go, the payload capacity goes up to over one ton.
In spite of the trucks power hungry engine, its fuel economy is relatively better than similarly sized trucks with equipped with a V8 engine. It has a fuel economy rating of 14.8 miles per gallon on mixed driving, meaning both on the open highway and for shorter trips or city driving. The truck’s powerplant, though it is huge and noisy at times especially on slower speeds is much quieter than a diesel engine that consumers can also go for with the Sierra. The vibration of the engine and the noise it made though does not affect the performance of the truck and the comfort of the engine. This fact is due to the design of the body and frame of the vehicle. To add to the comfort of the trucks occupants especially on extended trips, the Sierra comes with an optional ride control suspension that makes the ride quite car-like.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Pickup trucks come with a variety of features, designs and luxury options. They are heavy duty trucks with enough space for a big family and enough power to complete heavy tasks. The most famous among them are made by Ford truck, Chevy truck and GMC truck . Choose your next pickup truck by following these guidelines.
Step1
Determine your budget and look for a pickup truck for sale that falls within your affordability range. Also decide the size of the vehicle that you need depending upon the number of passengers or load size. Choose from standard pickup trucks, no second rows or trucks that offer extended row seating options.
Step2
Make a list of all the makes you are interested in. Read online reviews and ratings or talk to the owners of these pickup trucks to narrow down your choice.
Step3
Choose a pickup truck with a four, six or eight engine gasoline or diesel cylinder depending upon your engine preference. For heavy work related purposes, the bigger the engine the better.
Step4
Pick a truck which is either a two wheel (2WD) or a four wheel drive (4WD). Apart from that, look for a truck that has various traction control options with manual or automatic transmission choices.
Step5
Select a pickup truck with a five to eight foot long bed if you want to use it to haul heavy material or supplies of different lengths. If you need a truck for a towing business, get a towing extender attached to the end of the vehicle.
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Monday, October 20th, 2008
GM Pressured by Bloating Inventories of Trucks and SUVs. The continuous declining sales is felt not only by US automakers but even by German automakers such as BMQ the producer of BMW 325xi parts but unlike German automakers, US car manufacturers particularly GM is experiencing great pressures brought about by its bloating inventories of SUVs and trucks that remained unsold.
For this month the automaker is expecting a 19 percent drop as compared to the same period last year. GM sales have declined by 21 percent last June that is aside from the double digit dropped in sales of both full-size trucks for sale and SUVs for sale that were recently launched in the market.
Meanwhile two of GM’s rivals, Toyota truck for sale and Ford truck for sale appear to be having better luck in managing the depressing sales return of trucks and SUVs in the market. GM as a solution has tried to launch a blowout clearance campaigns like the one it has employed in the past years but unfortunately the automaker got stuck with an overabundance of inventory forcing it to raise incentives or to cut production.
The problem with cutting production is that GM’s book revenues are affected since it is based on the vehicle produced and stopping production could jeopardize the chance of the company to stabilize its earnings in North America. And that’s not all, an increase in incentives would also have an effect on profits.
According to consumer research firm Edmunds.com, Toyota has been ramping up incentives for this month on year-over-year basis meanwhile its rivals Ford truck and GMC truck has lessened spending on discounts and rebates.
It can be noted that the past incentive deals such as the 2005 employee-discounts-for-everyone together with last summer’s 0 percent financing for 72 months has been very costly for the automaker. Although those campaigns have boosted sales but it has greatly affected the figures in the final months of the year since people were pulled into the market sooner than the normal time that they would be purchasing for a vehicle.
Last June, according to Autodate Corp. GM had the most supply of pickup trucks and SUVs, it was 30 percent higher than what the automaker had last May and almost 40 percent higher than the entire industry.
Jon Rogers Citigroup analyst said in a note last Wednesday that the truck inventories that GM have appear to be high while production schedules remains to be optimistic. Other analysts say that excluding the blowout month in July, GM’s inventory levels will remain under pressure in the coming years.
GM is scheduled to announce its second-quarter financial results on Tuesday a day before the July auto sales data are released. The automaker has been in restructuring mode for the past two years now is hoping to report a profit for the latest period despite of the weak sales that it has gotten in North America. GM is also hoping to secure big concessions from the UAW to sustain its restructuring programs.
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Friday, October 17th, 2008
The latest version of Toyota Tacoma is a completely redesigned one. Its quirky and brawny aura is retained only that its dimensions are expanded to accommodate bigger loading capacity. At first glance, it can be ascertained that the Tacoma these days are bigger and also said to be better than its predecessors.
Toyota Tacoma come in two choices – the 2WD and 4WD. The two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models are available in all body styles. Both are sophisticated and powerful. However, between the two, Tacoma’s 4×4 is getting more sales than the former. Toyota revealed that 40 percent of Tahoma’s sold are 4×4 pickup trucks for sale. The latter feature a two-speed transfer case, optional locking rear differential and a heavy duty chassis. Toyota Tacoma is said to challenge the trucks made by DCX truck, Ford truck and GMC truck.
Toyota Tacoma is ruggedly designed to give comfort and remarkable performance while conquering the road. Its double-wishbone type suspension and air shocks provide a smooth ride like that of passenger cars.
On the road, Tahoma can deliver a first rate all-round drive ability. It is also manufactured with powerful Toyota Tacoma performance parts to complement its sturdy built. The rear step bumper, front tow hook, and its 6-foot cargo bed are also made lighter. They are made from durable composite materials to support its purpose and goal as a real truck. V6 Tacoma can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Alternatively, its four-cylinder models can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Tacoma has 2 standard airbags, ABS and brake assist and anchor points for child restraint seats. The four-cylinder Tacoma engine produces 164 horsepower and features 16 valves, DOHC, and variable valve timing with intelligence.
In essence, Tacoma accounts for nearly 10 percent of US Toyota truck for sales. Moreover, the driving factor of Tacoma is the celebrated Toyota build quality and reliability. History reiterates that with Toyota you will lose a lot less bucks.
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Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
Toyota Motor Corp. has gone a long way and it is determined to make the most out of every segment in the American auto market. This time around, it attempts to conquer the full-size truck market.
As perceived by auto analysts, Ford trucks for sale, GMC trucks for sale and Dodge trucks for sale have already established loyalties among its customers. In fact, they account for more that 90 percent of the entire full-size truck sales in the United States. The Detroit brands have the upper hand in full-size trucks.”
The people who bought American full-size pickup trucks for sale, regardless of truck manufacturer, or full-size sport-utilities are deliriously happy with their products.”The American truck owner — Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC, it doesn’t matter — is intensely loyal and enormously satisfied with the truck.”
Full-size truck market is far different from many industries. Ford trucks for sale, GMC trucks for sale and Dodge trucks for sale have loyal customer base. So far this year, 672,700 units of world’s best-selling F-series trucks from Ford were sold. GMC comes next with Chevy Silverado trucks for sale of 539,300 . Dodge Ram, landed on the third place with 303,500 sales. Ford F-Series pickup parts seem to be never waning. Chevrolet, on the other hand, is holding on tight to its standing. Consequently, Dodge truck parts are refined to do better.
Toyota started its production of new Toyota Tundra trucks for sale last week. Vehicle uses improved Toyota Tundra high performance parts to boost its capabilities. The new Tundra is the most significant vehicle of the year. “Toyota’s first true full-size truck, the 2007 Tundra is a signal that Toyota is ready to compete head-on with the domestic automakers.”
Toyota will have a tough time taking customers away from Ford, GM and Dodge. The competition has a tremendous reputation. They have strong loyalty among working-truck buyers. That’s a tough thing to crack.
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Monday, September 8th, 2008
The current economy is making a lot of people consider the benefits of hybrid vehicles, including hybrid pickup trucks and already they are considering a switch over. Some people, however, are not very well informed as to what hybrid vehicles even are or what they do, which can make them a bit leery about even considering for one. Between the faltering economy and gas prices constantly on the rise, a lot of the people who rely on pickup trucks, for whatever reason, may want to consider the possible advantages of switching to hybrid pickup trucks.
One of the benefits of even considering hybrid pickup trucks is the sheer cost of gas for trucks in general, especially those which are used to haul heavy loads. In understanding hybrid vehicles, it is important to realize that not all of them are “fully” hybrid. For instance, GM Chevrolet, which is one of the Big Three of trucks and a favorite among truck drivers, recently came out with a hybrid version of their Chevrolet Silverado. It is marketed as a “mild” hybrid, which means that it utilizes its electric motor for such things as the power accessories and assistance with the engine.
Ford F-Series also implements hybrid technology. The GMC Sierra is another model which has gone at least partially hybrid. As for the Silverado, reviews indicate that it comes with extra batteries which store extra power; these kick in to help when it is necessary, which can come in handy when you are carrying a heavy load. As well, on its own, the Silverado comes with a V8 engine. This is actually quite common for a lot of hybrid 4×4 pickup trucks, so by all indications, buyers would not be giving up much in the way of power.
Many consumers who rely on or simply prefer pickup trucks also worry that hybrid pickup trucks will not have the features they have come to know and enjoy, but by all accounts, hybrids have most, if not all, of the same features and accessories that traditional trucks have. As mentioned, quite a few of them come with a V8 engine; it is simply a Hybrid Vortec 5.3 liter engine. They still look as rugged and powerful as “regular” trucks, and the same safety and luxury features are included, such as power windows, mirrors, and locks, anti lock brake systems, and air bags. Many of them also include the popular navigation systems, as well as DVD entertainment capabilities.
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Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008
Buying a new pickup truck can be very confusing. Of course one could go for a well known brand or a manufacturer but still there are many options that one can consider. The first thing that you should consider is size. Ask yourself just how big a pickup truck do you need? This shouldn’t be a very difficult decision for you to make. All you have to consult are your needs and your budget. Keep in mind the price of a new pickup truck varies. It can range from the affordable to the very expensive. A good basic pickup truck can be owned for around $20,000 while a full sized fully loaded 4×4 pickup truck can go for as much $30,000 or more.
One should keep in mind one of the most important features of a pickup truck is its engine. So the engine should be a primary consideration when buying a pickup truck. Most pickup trucks will have a V6 engine. This type of engine consumes a fair amount of fuel depending on what you will be hauling or pulling. However, full sized pickup trucks usually have V8 engines that use up gas pretty fast. A diesel engine is recommended if you need lots of power for towing things around. Another consideration is the number of people a pickup truck can carry. Would you be using the pickup truck to transport people? Then you would be better off buying an extended cab pickup truck which can carry 5 or more people. You could also get a crew cab which can be a very good replacement for a car and can also seat up to 5 individuals. But if you are basically using the pickup truck to tow and transport things, then you could just buy a regular cab pickup truck which can hold two to three individuals.
Determine the size of bed you will need. The bed is the part of the pickup truck used for transporting things. Pickup trucks usually are equipped with 6.5 to 8 foot beds. Look at the drive-train options. Pickup trucks come with either a manual or automatic transmission and you could choose between a two wheel driven or a four wheel driven pickup truck. Many pickup trucks offer limited-slip or locking differentials and electronic traction control. Check the truck box configurations. Trucks come with different cargo box. Most have fairly straight exterior sides, with arched areas just inside the bed to accommodate the rear wheels. Many also have spaces in front and behind each arch so there’s more room to tuck shorter cargo. On the other hand, some pickup tucks have flared fenders to provide more storage space. This type of cargo box is called a step-side box.
The Internet is a very good source for new and used pickup trucks. There are many websites specially dedicated to pickup trucks. One such highly recommended site is http://www.4×4pickuptrucksforsale.com. This site has an extensive list of new and used pickup trucks by all the famous manufacturers like Ford, GMC, Dodge, Chevy, etc. From there, you can get in touch with local dealers. And even read reviews of the vehicles for sale. Using this website is very easy for both sellers and buyers. Using this website can definitely save your time when buying a pickup truck.
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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Pickup trucks have long been a mainstay of American byways and highways, and GMC has been there from day one. Originally used and respected by farmers, construction workers and small-business owners, GMC’s hauler was a basic workhorse known for its reliability and longevity. More recent times have seen GMC’s full-size pickup truck adopt the name Sierra, which was previously an upscale trim level. As with its rivals, the modern-day GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is available with a wide variety of body styles, power trains and trim levels. Thanks to this flexibility, the half-ton Sierra pickup is just as adept at serving as the weekday family car as it is at transporting home-improvement supplies or towing a boat on the weekends. Older versions of the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup have been praised for their strong work ethic, but soundly criticized for their bland, often overly plastic-endowed cabins. With the current model, fit and finish has improved to the point where the Sierra now stands proud in that area. Of course, there are other choices in the full-size pickup truck market, but the half-ton GMC Sierra remains a solid pick no matter what the intended use.
The current GMC Sierra 1500, introduced for 2007, is much improved over the past version in terms of cabin materials and build quality. Where there was once an abundance of lackluster design, hard plastic and uneven panel gaps, there’s now richly grained upholstery, softer materials and precise fitments. The lineup offers three body styles regular, extended and crew cabs and trim levels ranging from no-frills “Work Truck” to ultra-plush Denali. The most popular trim is the mid level SLE, which provides most features people want as standard. A recent addition to the lineup is the rugged “All Terrain,” which is essentially a fancier version of the Z-71 Off-Road package. Power train choices, traditionally a strong point, encompass everything from a frugal 4.3-liter 195-horsepower V6 to a muscular 6.2-liter V8 with 403 hp. Most Sierras, however, will be fitted with either a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 or a 315-hp 5.3-liter V8. A four-speed automatic is standard across the board (except for the GMC Denali, which gets a six-speed unit) and one may choose either rear- or a 4×4 pickup truck.
Calling cards of the GMC Sierra 1500 include strong performance, a refined and quiet ride and a comfortable, well-finished cabin. The few downsides we’ve noted in reviews include minor interior ergonomic issues and the hesitant response of the four-speed automatic transmission in downshift situations. We have no quibble with GM’s excellent six-speed automatic in the Denali, as it is smooth and spot-on in its performance. The previous generation of GMC Sierra 1500 pickups ran from 1988-’98. Standard cab and extended cab body styles were offered, as was a crew cab, though the latter was actually from the previous 1981-’87 generation. Although six-cylinder and diesel V8s were offered, chances are strong that most GMC trucks from these years will have either a 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic. In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Trim levels for these 4×4 pickup trucks include the bare-bones Special, base SL, mid level SLE and top-line SLT. Strengths of these trucks include powerful, durable power trains while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and sub par materials within the cabin.
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