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EPA Certifies High-Output Cummins Motor – 2019 Ram Heavy Duty Production On Schedule

By
Zach Butler
-
2019 Ram 3500

The EPA has now certified all 2019 Ram Heavy Duty engines.

As the month-long government shutdown drew to a close, the Environmental Protection Agency certified the high-output 6.7-liter Cummins engine in Ram 3500 trucks. HDRams.com and Mopar Insiders initially reached out to FCA regarding the status of the new Ram’s EPA certification in the wake of the shutdown. At the time, FCA’s 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and standard output Cummins were certified. However, now they’ve gotten certification for the high output engine as well.

They issued another response to HDRams.com, saying, “FCA US has received certification for its new 2019 Ram 3500 pickup — gasoline and diesel-powered models…The new vehicles remain on schedule for their planned Q2 [2019] launch.”

This is the new Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel and there’s some serious numbers being generated by it. Photo: TFLtruck

Ram has been making headlines since the Heavy Duty’s Detroit launch with that high output engine. The new standard engine is more powerful as well, managing 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. However, the High Output Cummins makes 400 horsepower. As for the torque? 1,000 lb-ft of torque. That engine mates up to a six-speed AISIN AS69RC automatic transmission.

2019 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Limited Crew Cab. [Photo: FCA]

Now that the engine is certified, Ram can focus on its intended launch schedule in summer 2019. As for how the engine actually performs in the real-world, you’ll have to wait until we take it on the Ike Gauntlet, the world’s toughest towing test.

Stay tuned to TFLtruck.com for more news, views and real-world, Ram Heavy Duty reviews!

Ford Is Adding On Overtime Shifts To Keep Up With New Ranger Demand

By
Zach Butler
-

Ford expects to sell 1,200 examples of the new Ranger in January.

Demand is ramping up for the new Ford Ranger, as the company plans to add on overtime shifts. Next week, Ford’s Michigan Assembly plant will stack on extra shifts to keep up with the Ranger’s growing demand. Automotive News reports that Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford’s North American division, said about 300,000 people expressed interest in buying the truck.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 Dirt & Mud Review: Here Is How It Does When the Going Gets Sticky (Video)

[Photo: Ford]

Ford currently builds the Ranger on a single shift at the plant, but orders are quickly outstripping supply. “Based on the orders coming in, and based on the hand-raisers, we think the demand’s going to be so strong, that starting in February our assembly plant will be going into massive overtime,” Galhotra said.

The company didn’t outline specifically what that would look like, but it’s clear demand is present for the return of Ford’s midsize contender. Ford previously produced the Ranger from 1983 to 2011, when it exited the small truck market. Since then, Toyota has dominated the market, and the question remains as to whether that’s about to change. Only time and sales reports in 2019 will tell.

2019 Ford Ranger

Midsize truck buyers will have plenty of choice in the coming months. From perennials like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier and Honda Ridgeline to new players like the Ranger and Jeep Gladiator, the expanding market may hit a fever pitch soon. Sticking with the 2019 Ford Ranger, prices start from $25,395 including tax and rise to more than $45,000 for a fully loaded Lariat.

Check out our 1,100-mile road trip in the new Ranger and plenty more on TFLtruck’s YouTube channel and TFLtruck.com.

Ford F-150 V8 and EcoBoost V6 Trucks Take On the World’s Toughest Towing Test (Ike Gauntlet Video)

By
Andre Smirnov
-

Which truck does better at towing? Is it the new Ford F-150 5.0L V8 or a Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6? Both trucks are crew cabs and feature a 10-speed automatic transmission. We hitch up a 8,900 lbs horse trailer and take them on the Ike Gauntlet – world’s toughest towing test.

Ike Gauntlet Towing Test

The Ike Gauntlet is an 8-mile stretch of the steepest interstate highway (7% grade) with a maximum elevation of 11,158 ft above sea level. It’s a grueling test of trailering capability because of the steep incline and reduced air density that robs engine of power.

We test the transmission and engine calibration of the trucks on the downhill by counting brake applications. We specifically do not manually shift gears. We let the truck and its grade shifting/engine braking features do the work.

On the way up, we test each truck’s power, ride, control, and refinement. We aim to maintain the 60 MPH speed limit on the way up and the way down. On the way up, the benchmark time is 8 minutes even.

Ford F-150 V8 vs V6

While we have tested many twin-turbo V6 trucks on this Rocky Mountain highway, this is the first time that we have an opportunity to test the 5.0L “Coyote” V8 combined with a 10-speed automatic.

Ford F-150 V8Ford F-150 V6 TT
Power395 hp @ 5,750 rpm375 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque400 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm470 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
Transmission10-speed auto10-speed auto
Max Towing9,200 lbs (2WD + 3.15 ratio)12,700 lbs (4×4 + 3.55 ratio)

Yes, the V8 2WD truck you see here has a weight advantage over the twin-turbo V6. The V8 2WD XLT truck is about 700 lbs lighter than the loaded Lariat V6. However, the EcoBoost has the advantage of two turbo that partially compensate for the massive power loss at high elevation between 9,000 – 11,158 feet above sea level.

While both trucks were stable and comfortable while towing a 8,900 lbs trailer, the difference between the two first became apparent on the downhill. The V8 truck performed better with 9 brake applications versus 11 with the V6 TT. The V8-powered truck was able to hold the speed down the mountain just a little better.

On the uphill, the EcoBoost V6 truck showed its power. This 3.5L engine has plenty of power in reserve to maintain speed, and provide passing power. The V8 was very close. The 5.0-liter is not shy for power. It was just a few seconds behind, although it kept higher rpm and sounded like it was working a bit harder. Although, the trip meter MPG did not show it. The V8 showed a better 4.0 MPG on the climb versus the 3.5 MPG for the EcoBoost.

Between Kent Mr. Truck Sundling, Stephen Elmer, and I – we voted 2 to 1 in the favor of the Coyote V8.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Toyota Teases 2020 Tacoma Ahead of Chicago Auto Show: What Do You Think?

By
Zach Butler
-
2020 toyota tacoma chicago new

The king of the midsize hill gets an update to take on the competition.

For years, the Toyota Tacoma has had it all its own way in the sales charts. It is by far the best-selling truck in the segment. Let’s face it, though: It’s been a few years since we’ve seen a significant update in the Tacoma, and it’s facing stiffer competition. The 2019 Ford Ranger and 2020 Jeep Gladiator are here to try and muscle in on the growing market. That’s to say nothing of its perennial competition, like the Chevy Colorado and Nissan Frontier.

  • Current-generation Tacoma.
  • 2020 Tacoma – can you spot the differences?

Admittedly, this teaser image isn’t much to go on. From what we can see, however, It isn’t a revolution from the current Tacoma. Toyota trucks rarely see radical changes, and the 2020 Tacoma appears to be no exception. There are some smart touches, though, like redesigned LED headlights and perhaps a fresh grille. The front fascia by and large retains its overall shape, and the ridges on the roof appear to be gone.

Current-generation Toyota Tacoma. [Photo: TFLtruck]

Powertrains?

Beyond that, we can’t say much about the 2020 Tacoma. Current engine options include a 2.7-liter inline-four with 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Alternatively, you can also get the much more powerful (and popular) 3.5-liter V6, with 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Both options currently mate up to a six-speed automatic, although some grades have a six-speed manual option as well.

Toyota usually features truck news at the Chicago Auto Show, so we’ll definitely know more at the press conference on February 7th. What’s more, we know you all are looking forward to news on the Tundra as well. While we’ve recently seen a prototype roaming the streets, we can’t confirm whether Toyota is bringing a new Tundra to the show. Stay tuned for more updates!

Check out the current Tacoma against the new Ford Ranger off-road below:

New Chevy Silverado 1500 3.0L Diesel May be Delayed by the Government Shutdown

By
Andre Smirnov
-
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 turbo diesel Duramax prototype
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax prototype (by Dax S.)

If you are wondering when the new Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks will get the anticipated 3.0L Duramax straight-six engine, it may take a little longer than initially estimated. An inside source familiar with the matter says “The new diesel is ready, and we are still waiting for the EPA to verify and certify it. We submitted it, but the agency was closed.”

It’s not clear whether this may cause a significant delay for the truck to reach the market, but the closed EPA agency did not help matters.

Chevrolet initially said the new I6 turbo-diesel will be available in the new generation truck for the 2019 model year. There is still time for this as the new 2019 Silverado and Sierra 1500 truck sales are just getting into the full swing.

2019 chevy Silverado 1500 Duramax turbo diesel
2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 : 3.0L I6 Duramax turbo diesel

We received some preliminary and unofficial specifications on the 3.0-liter half-ton diesel. The numbers are 282 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The unofficial fuel economy estimate is listed at 28 MPG on the highway. The engine is officially confirmed to be paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

A similar co-developed 10-speed transmission can also be found in the 2018 Ford F-150 Diesel that went on sale last year.

There does not appear to be a significant cause for concern, but the we will have to wait for the straight-six Duramax engine just a little longer while it gets certified by the government.

There was a recent report that the new Ram HD trucks may also suffer a certification delay due to the government shutdown.

Here is some unofficial specifications and information on the new upcoming 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo-diesel in the video below.

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