The 7th Annual Great Lakes Truck Show, Cabela’s, Dundee, MI. June 4-5-6
Note: A photo shoot for the 2011 NAST calendar is scheduled for this event.

NAST/Eau Claire Truck Show, Carson Park, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  May 21-23. For more info, contact Bo Trout at 734-323-3397.

GRAPEVINE, Texas – GM announced today that its new lineup of heavy-duty diesel pickups will have B20 biodiesel capability. B20 fuel is a blend of 20-percent biodiesel and 80-percent conventional diesel, which helps lower carbon dioxide emissions and lessens dependence on petroleum. The announcement was made at the National Biodiesel Conference.

To make the Duramax 6.6L and its fuel system compatible with B20, GM upgraded some seals and gasket materials to withstand the ester content of biodiesel and included an upgraded fuel filter that includes a coalescing element.

GM’s new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel engine has been substantially revised to include B20 capability, as well as meet strict new emissions standards effective this year.

The new Duramax will power the redesigned 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups, as well as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Chevrolet will unveil the 2011 Silverado heavy-duty trucks at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 10.

“B20 capability in our new heavy-duty trucks is the latest addition to a growing number of alternate fuel options offered by General Motors,” said Mike Robinson, vice president, Environment, Energy and Safety Policy.

“We are seeking different paths to fuel solutions in order to maximize efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize the dependence on petroleum.”

GM already leads in the marketing of FlexFuel vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol with more than 4 million vehicles on the road today. Like ethanol, biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel made primarily of plant matter – mostly soybean oil. In pure form, biodiesel lowers carbon dioxide emissions.

“The 2007 federal energy bill mandates increased biodiesel production and more states and municipalities are requiring it,” said Robinson. “Biodiesel production is growing and GM is excited and ready to satisfy demand with our new B20 capable Duramax 6.6L engine.”

Estimates by National Biodiesel Board indicate about 700 million gallons of the fuel were produced in 2008 – up from about 500,000 gallons in 1999. Market fluctuations caused production to decrease in 2009, but it expected to rise with more mandates and the availability of approved vehicles, such as the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks.

Validated and approved fuel

Extensive testing and validation was performed on the Duramax 6.6L using B20 that meets ASTM International’s standard D7467, which covers biodiesel blends between B6 and B20.

“True biodiesel is created through transesterfication and that’s what the Duramax 6.6L is designed to use,” said Coleman Jones, GM biofuels implementation manager. “Strict testing and validation was performed to ensure the new engine is B20-capable, however approved biodiesel is the only way to guarantee engine performance and longevity.”

The Duramax diesel is covered by GM’s five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

To make the Duramax 6.6L and its fuel system compatible with B20, GM upgraded some seals and gasket materials to withstand the ester content of biodiesel and included an upgraded fuel filter that includes a coalescing element. It improves the separation of water that may be present in the fuel, because biodiesel can attract and absorb water. Also, additional heating of the fuel circuit was added to reduce the chance of fuel gelling or waxing that could plug filters.

The Duramax 6.6L’s diesel particulate regeneration system features a downstream injector that supplies fuel for the regeneration process. This greatly reduces potential oil dilution, important with using biodiesel. Downstream injection saves fuel and works better with B20 than in-cylinder post injection.

Truck Customizers Can Put Custom Parts On Fast Track At 12ga Customs

New computer-imaging/design  system allows customers to quickly see concept in 3D along with stress testing

by Bruce W. Smith

It was just an idea scratched out on a piece of paper until Ken Wirth handed the crude drawing to 12ga Customs’ Jeff Battler. A short time later what was little more than a concept for a tailplate was now floating in 3D color on a big computer screen looking as real as ever.

A  click of the mouse and a full parts list appeared, each piece in detail. Another click and the results of a computer-simulated stress test showed up.

If what Wirth was seeing met his approval, the 12ga Customs fabricating shop could be building his one-off idea with another click of the mouse.

Design program allows the part to be viewed and stress-tested with other components to ensure both fit and durability before any metal is touched.

The 3D CAD program, combined with the mechanical engineering and mechanic backgrounds of the 12ga design staff, allows individual  owner-operators and chrome shop retailers alike to quickly bring their parts from concept to reality.

Battler says they can design and “test”  just about any part large or small, be it a door handle to throttle pedal, visor to bumper.

“This new technology allows us to give our customers/dealers a full view  as well a mechanical break down and a stress test of the finished part prior to ever cutting a piece of metal,” explains Battler.

Ken Wirth's concept in reality thanks to 12ga Customs' new computer-aided design offering.

“Keeping current on the newest technology in this arena allows us to build even  more creative parts for the owners of custom rigs,” he says. “It’ll also significantly speed up the process of updating parts to accommodate  [truck] model changes, which gives our dealers more support to help their customers.”

According to Battler the benefits of having an in-house 3D design program are numerous, including being able to check all mounting points of the new part in its virtual environment, which will show obstructions that might not have been considered.

“Being able to preview the installation and fit of the custom part on the  computer ensures a good fit and reduces installation time,” says Battler.

“It also allows us to explore different manufacturing procedures,” Battler explains, ” ensuring our customers/dealers have the ability to have their part made without ever having to shut down their truck for the manufacturing of personalized parts.”

For more information contact: www.12ga Customs.com; (519) 766-0943

Welder Comparison Chart

Which is best for your custom fab job: MIG, TIG, FCAW or Stick?

by Larry D. Walton

You don’t have to look very hard to find welds on your rig and probably don’t have to think long to remember the last time you needed some welding done on one of your custom projects. Welding is as much a part of owning a custom rig as polishing.

Many of us remember all the old stick welders you could find in practically every garage. Heck, some of my buddies are still using their dads’ old Lincoln arc welders around the farm to repair equipment or build trailers for some specialized purpose that has to do with spreading manure, hauling silage or other stinky job.

Stick welders are still available and work great for fixing farm equipment and making the occasional repair on one of your old trailers.

But for show-quality custom work using today’s alloys, it’s time to take a good look at the portable TIG and MIG welders. Affordable and relatively easy to learn, these new wire-feed welders can be a great addition to the home shop for the owner-operator.

Here’s a handy comparison chart to help you decide what type of welder is best for your application:

Mid-America Truck Show

The Mid-America Trucks Show kicks of the truck beauty show season. The Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Show is always a big attraction as are the rigs competing in the annual Big-Rig Build-Off.

Location: Kentucky Exposition Center
937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY  40209; http://www.truckingshow.com

Show Hours:
* Thursday, March 25
o VIP [10 AM - 1 PM]
o General [1 PM - 6 PM]
* Friday, March 26 [ 10 am - 6 pm ]
* Saturday, March 27 [ 9 am - 4 pm ]

July 23-24

Expedite Expo and Old Time Trucks Antique Show at the Roberts Convention Centre, Wilmington, Ohio. Antique Trucks showcased along with Expedite job fair.  Free antique truck registration.

Contact: www.expediteexpo.com,  or www.oldtimetrucks.org; (765)935-5301

INDIANAPOLIS, IN–(Marketwire – February 1, 2010) – Starting today, one of North America’s leading truck and trailer dealers is using its new website and social media to grow market share while servicing its commercial customers more efficiently.

With the trucking industry being one of the more connected segments of the economy, this investment by Stoops Freightliner – Quality Trailer is expected to be well received throughout the heavy duty channel.

“The challenge to my team was to build a website that not only highlights the commercial equipment, truck parts and service capabilities of Stoops Freightliner but to become a destination for our heavy and medium duty customers,” explains Jeff Stoops, owner of Stoops Freightliner – Quality Trailer.

“Visitors to Stoops.com will be able to browse inventory at any of our six locations, receive real time heavy duty and logistics news, access links to industry resources and learn all about the Stoops Freightliner brand.”

Stoops Freightliner did not stop with just a new website. There is also a new Facebook page and Twitter account for fleets and truckers that enjoy real-time updates from Stoops Freightliner on the latest equipment news and service specials. Convenient links from Stoops.com provide quick and easy access to the company’s Facebook Fan Page and Twitter page.

Both social media sites make it easy for Stoops Freightliner – Quality Trailer to stay virtually connected with current and potential customers from truck drivers and owner operators to fleet managers. All members of the media, transportation, trucking and logistics communities are invited to visit the new Stoops.com today.

Stoops Freightliner – Quality Trailer is one of the largest dealerships in North America with a combined six locations in both Indiana and Ohio. Stoops offers a complete line of Freightliner, Sprinter, Western Star, Wabash, Timpte, Transcraft, and East products in addition to selling new and used equipment. Its portfolio of products and services includes truck and trailer sales, leasing, parts and service and collision repair. More information on Stoops Freightliner’s products and services is available at www.stoops.com.