Tag Archives: Trucks

NHTSA Investigating Ram’s Diesel Pickups

<img data-attachment-id="1776420" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups/2019-ram-2500-hd/" data-orig-file="http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-5.png" data-orig-size="1420,937" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2019 Ram 2500 HD" data-image-description="

Ram

” data-medium-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-2.png” data-large-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups.png” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1776420″ src=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups.png” alt width=”610″ height=”403″ srcset=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups.png 610w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-1.png 75w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-2.png 450w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-3.png 768w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-4.png 120w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nhtsa-investigating-rams-diesel-pickups-5.png 1420w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into nearly 605,000 heavy-duty Ram trucks. A report from the regulator’s Office of Defects Investigation has tabulated 22 complaints from the 2019 and 2020 model years, all of which use 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engines, spurring the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation. Complaints revolve around loss of motive power, with most incidents occurring above 25 mph and resulting in the “permanent disablement of the vehicle.”

While the public was not made aware of the investigation until Monday, the agency launched its probe last Thursday on October 14th. The goal will be to establish how widespread the presumed defect is, what exactly caused it, and any potential safety hazards relating to the issue. Some headway has already been made, however. 

Back in 2019, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) issued Warranty Bulletin D-19-02 to dealers. The memo requested stores participate in a campaign to “collect, monitor and correct quality issues” on certain MY 2018-2020 Ram trucks equipped with the 6.7-liter Cummins. The NHTSA’s action summary states that this resulted in FCA and an unnamed supplier collecting and inspecting high-pressure fuel pumps.

Vehicles under suspicion include all Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 HD pickups from the 2019-2020 MY. The NHTSA plans on looking into the trucks to determine whether or not it needs to press Stellantis to launch a recall. That means asking the manufacturer to give its take on the situation while it compiles warranty claims, injury reports, and whatever FCA previously had on those suspect fuel pumps.

Regulators have been incredibly hard on diesel vehicles ever since Volkswagen’s emissions scandal upended the industry in 2015. While a part of me wants to believe the NHTSA just has it out for Ram’s HD lineup (since a few have asked), it seems far more plausible that this was a standard, shrug-your-shoulders defect. Selective environmental regulations have made diesels cost more as they’ve gradually amassed a bevy of pollutant controlling hardware while also complicating powertrains to a point that has lessened their overall effectiveness. But the impact this has had on their reliability is less obvious and may have nothing to do with a bunch of subpar fuel pumps.

Let’s face it, U.S. regulators haven’t been shy about hitting manufacturers with emissions-focused recalls backed by the Environmental Protection Agency and/or California Air Resources Board in the past. If they wanted to chide Cummins or FCA/Stellantis over pollution, they could have done so overtly.

Stellantis has said it plans on cooperating with the NHTSA fully, launching an investigation of its own for good measure. So we should have some answers soon, including the name of the supplier. In the meantime, you might want to keep a closer eye on how your HD Ram is running if it falls under the purview of the investigation.

[Image: Stellantis]

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GMC Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX Off-Road Concept

<img data-attachment-id="1772618" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept/revealed-today-at-overland-expo-mountain-west-the-gmc-canyon-at-3/" data-orig-file="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GMC-Canyon-AT4-OVRLANDX-Concept-005.jpg" data-orig-size="5700,3800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 5DS","caption":"Revealed today at Overland Expo Mountain West, the GMC Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX concept elevates Canyon\u2019s capability while exploring GMC\u2019s vision for the nameplate\u2019s future. Designed for the premium overlanding enthusiast, the concept vehicle shows how Canyon could be customized for ambitious off-road adventures.","created_timestamp":"1627949812","copyright":"","focal_length":"58","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.0025","title":"Revealed today at Overland Expo Mountain West, the GMC Canyon AT","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Revealed today at Overland Expo Mountain West, the GMC Canyon AT4" data-image-description="

GMC

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GMC introduced an interesting concept at Colorado’s Overland Expo Mountain West 2021 this week and the timing couldn’t have been better. While North America has always appreciated off-road vehicles, there’s been an overnight explosion in the number of people considering 4×4 adventuring as a hobby. Troubled times have encouraged individuals to embrace the kind of cars that can tackle any terrain while doubling as a mobile campsite, and the Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX Off-Road Concept certainly seems capable.

Although the hypothetical production model probably has a better chance of becoming canvases for online influences than carrying anybody through a genuine disaster. This is something GMC likewise appears hip to, as the whole point of the concept SUV is to show what can be done with the Canyon, a little creativity, and a wad of cash reserved for aftermarket accessories. 

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GMC

” data-medium-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-11.jpg” data-large-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-1.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1772616″ src=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-1.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”407″ srcset=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-1.jpg 610w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-10.jpg 75w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-11.jpg 450w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-12.jpg 768w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-13.jpg 120w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

While the pickup starts at $28,000, the OVRLANDX Off-Road Concept defaults to the 3.6-liter V6 that’s standard on the AT4 variant (MSRP $40,195, including destination). Considering the base model is still pretty large for a “midsize” pickup and comes with an anemic 2.5-liter, the decision to go with the 308-hp V6 makes sense. Ditto for sticking with the AT4, which is effectively a budget version of the off-road-friendly Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. However, the torque-rich 2.8-liter Duramax diesel (181 hp/368 lb-ft of torque) would have been a similarly good fit, if not better for overlanders interested in maximizing their fuel economy and towing proficiency.

“We wanted to showcase GMC Canyon with this concept and punctuate GMC’s commitment to premium, off-road capable vehicles. Consumer reaction to this concept’s design will help us further serve the growing market of buyers leading authentic outdoor lifestyles,” said Buick and GMC Global Vice President Duncan Aldred upon the concept’s introduction.

But what kind of items does one require if you’re interested in leading an “authentic outdoor lifestyle?”

According to GMC, a factory-lifted, extra-wide, off-road chassis with enhanced underbody coverage is the place to start. Then they add rocker panel protectors, cast-iron control arms, Multimatic DSSV dampers, and upgraded front bumper with a winch, some integrated recovery points, electronic locking differentials, wheel flares, a swivel mount for the full-size spare tire you’ll be needing, and guylines to protect your windshield from branch attacks.

Minus the tree protection, which doesn’t look as though it would stop anything more serious than a twig, the resulting package seems like a competent off-road vehicle and the AT4 was already a solid place to start. GMC said the OVRLANDX Off-Road Concept yields a 27.7-degree approach angle and a full 10 inches of ground clearance thanks to the 33-inch BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires on 17-inch AEV Crestone wheels. It’s also supposed to be able to make it through over 32 inches of standing water thanks to its custom snorkel intake.

It sounds pretty good. But remember this isn’t a real product, just a vehicle the manufacturer hopes you’ll try to recreate with your own GMC Canyon. And the brand had plenty of recommendations for roof-mounted tents, solar panels, places to affix jerry cans or traction boards, and just about every other item one might want when camping in or driving through an untamed environment.

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GMC

” data-medium-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-23.jpg” data-large-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-4.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1772620″ src=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-4.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”407″ srcset=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-4.jpg 610w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-22.jpg 75w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-23.jpg 450w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-24.jpg 768w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-25.jpg 120w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

If you’re wondering why the Caynon and not something larger, like the Sierra, it’s all down to the demographics. The smaller of the two pickups is helping GMC rake in new customers, specifically younger adults who are the most inclined to build their truck up into an end-times 4×4. This Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX Off-Road Concept is simply a template for them to use in a bid to procure more sales and it certainly seems to have done its job.

It’s not going to get everyone, particularly those who are seeking longer-term solutions to vehicular living or a tiny home on wheels. But it’s bound to get the creative juices flowing for someone interested in driving to remote destinations without relying on the surrounding infrastructure more than absolutely necessary — perhaps netting the Caynon a few more sales in the process.

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GMC

” data-medium-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-27.jpg” data-large-file=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-5.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1772614″ src=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-5.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”407″ srcset=”http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-5.jpg 610w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-26.jpg 75w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-27.jpg 450w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-28.jpg 768w, http://lntransportation.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gmc-canyon-at4-ovrlandx-off-road-concept-29.jpg 120w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

[Images: GMC]

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