Frank Oresnik’s trusty pickup truck passed the 1 million-mile mark with a camera crew filming the event, and a public-radio audience listening in. Oresnik lives in Catawba in Price County, he passed the million-mile mark Friday in southeastern Wisconsin while on his way back home.

This is a great accomplishment for the silverado line, as the commercials say “Like a Rock”. Well this sure puts those words into stone. Oresnik plans to aution off his prize vehicle on ebay to itchy car collecters around the world waiting for this one to come on the floor.

He was on County Highway V southeast of Fond du Lac. On hand was a film crew from Chevrolet’s public relations and advertising company, and he was speaking live to Robert Siegel, host of National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.”

© dave82689 for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Chevrolet, Frank Oresnik, Million Miles, Silverado

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

The economy is less than perfect at the moment for many of us. Especially for those who are driving around in the large SUV’s and pick-up trucks. Yet, there might just be a small silver lining to it all. Dealers are working over-time to try to get rid of the 2008 Dodge Rams so that they will have room for the 2009 models that are arriving any day now. How are they pulling people in? Taking $13,000 off the price tag is a sure fire way to attract most anybody.

This means that your wife might actually let you buy the 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4×2 Dodge Ram for $19,995 instead of $32,795. Consumers can’t help being picky about what they are driving on the road thanks to the increase in gas prices – but dealers are also reluctant to trade in any trucks.

Dodge is hoping that the large discount is enough to bring in consumers. For now the Dodge Ram has been discounted the most. Yet, in the end it will all come down to the gas prices. A dealer in Ohio said it all, “Until we get gas under three bucks a gallon, these pickups are not going to move.”

© Naomi West for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2008 dodge, 2008 ram, 2009 dodge, 2009 ram, dodge ram, ram

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

A war is about to erupt in the diesel-powered half-ton pickup truck segment. GM has recently released details on the weapon in its arsenal, a 4.5L Duramax diesel. Due to a narrow angle V-block, this motor is small enough to fit in the same space as many of GM’s small block gasoline powered V8s. This provides hope for applications other than half ton pickup trucks. Surely GM’s large SUVs will see this motor under the hood.

“This premium diesel engine is expected to deliver the power, torque and refinement our customers expect,” said Tom Stephens, executive vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Global Quality.

Utilizing an electronically controlled 25,000psi common-rail fuel injection system this engine is able to produce 310hp and 510 foot-pounds of torque, while increasing fuel efficiency by 25% compared to other comparable diesels. This motor will be 50 state legal and pass stringent BIN 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards by utilizing a diesel particulate filter, and a urea injection system to cut down on NOx emissions.

“This new V-8 diesel meets the toughest emissions requirements in North America, and it also delivers an effortless performance feel because of its high torque across the speed range,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Powertrain Diesel Engineering. “It is also significantly quieter than many other diesels on the road today, with noise and vibration performance approaching gasoline V-8 levels.”

GM has reduced production cost, parts count, and weight by implementing such innovative features as exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder heads and cam shaft cover being built into the intake manifold. This 4.5L turbo diesel will be available in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra half ton pickups for the 2010 model year.

© 06RedfireGT for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: diesel, Duramax, GM

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

The brains at GM have decided it would be a good idea to bring back the El Camino style automobile in the form of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck. From the front it looks just like the G8 GT but when you look around back you will find a 73.9 inch cargo area (bed), which is barley 6 foot. In this article I am going to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly about this truck hitting show room floor in 2010.

The Good: The truck will be getting its performance from the same LS2 6.0L V-8 as its sister G8 GT. This means it will be putting down 361 horsepower and 385 lb./ft of torque which is not bad in today’s market. With the 6 speed automatic and Active Fuel Management technology, it will provide both a sedan like fuel-economy with small truck capabilities while still posting a surprising 5.4 second 0-60 time. The truck is based on the same rear wheel architecture as the G8 sedan so obviously they had to reinforce various aspects of the truck to handle cargo. On the insider the Sport Truck will have all of the same comforts and amenities as the G8 sedan with A/C, cruise control, driver information center, Bluetooth connectivity, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry and remote start, and others. The truck will be sitting on 18-inch, machine-faced wheels with P245/45R18 summer tires.

The Bad: As I stated earlier it has a 6 foot bed which makes the truck not exactly ideal for hauling anything more then groceries or boxes. Keep in mind you will have to use tie downs and or drop the tail-gate to haul most standard ladders. The total length of the truck is 118.5 inches which is 4 inches longer then the G8 sedan. With fancy styling and design of this truck I can’t really see anyone buying it as a work truck for the fear of scratching or denting a car you paid from the rest of the G8 line approximately 30-40k (actual price has not been announced at this time). If you want leather seats or all season tires that will cost you extra. There is also going to be a Sports Package available which includes 19 inch wheels. I wonder why a Sport Truck does not include a Sports Package.

The Ugly: Well just look at it. GM’s approach of bringing back to life the El Camino, I feel, is going to fall flat. You would have thought they learned when the SSR sold well below expectations and was discontinued in late 2006. You have a 2 seat vehicle with the ability to at most haul a couple of jet ski’s its not practical in any way. I see a loosing battle in the works for the folks at GM. You won’t see me moving to Adelaide, Australia, to seek a long term job.

© Dennis for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: g8, G8 sport truck, pontiac truck, Sport Truck

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh