Autoblog

2013 Ram HD and Chassis Cab pickups are ready for work [UPDATE]

Chris Paukert — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Diesel, Off-Road, Ram

Auto enthusiasts often point to the pony car wars as the last bastion of one-upsmanship among Detroit's automakers, but the truth is, the pickup wars are every bit as competitive - if not more so. Auburn Hills keeps a ready eye on what their rivals in Dearborn and Detroit are doing, and vice-versa. Today, that battle is renewed with the introduction of Ram's 2013 Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab lines at the State Fair of Texas. Why a state fair? The Banner State is the perfect battleground for pickup supremacy, as Texas accounts for one of every five pickups sold in the U.S.

Towing and hauling metrics are poised for a substantial improvement. "... and not just by a little bit."

On the HD front, Chrysler is boasting that its brand-new heavies will bring best-in-class towing, torque, payload and Gross Combined Weight Rating, but thus far, it's declining to cite what those figures are. For the moment, though, Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram told us at an Auburn Hills background event earlier this month that key towing and hauling metrics are poised for a substantial improvement. "And not just by a little bit. I think we're going to shock the world," said Diaz.

Visually, not much has changed over the outgoing models - Ram customers told Chrysler not to mess with their distinctive drop-shoulder look. On 2500 and 3500 HD models there's a new, taller grille, which necessitated a new hood as well. SLT trims and above receive LED corner lamps and certain models receive LED taillamps as well. Other changes include redesigned wheel choices, a new power fold mirror design and - to show you how carefully automakers think about intended use - redesigned badges on the bodyside. Why? Because the new "portrait-style" badges better accommodate the signage that many commercial truck buyers add to their doors.

But far more important than stinkin' badges for work trucks is what's underneath, and to that end, there are some significant changes to report from the House of Ram. For 2013, HD models get essentially all-new frames with wider front rails to accommodate new suspension design geometry. Front suspension on the 3500 goes to a three-link design to accommodate heavier loads and weighty front-mounted accessories like snow plows. As one would expect, the rear still rides on leaf springs, but Ram says they've been redesigned to improve handling and hauling ability.

Continue reading 2013 Ram HD and Chassis Cab pickups are ready for work [UPDATE]

2013 Ram HD and Chassis Cab pickups are ready for work [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford F-150 King Ranch bows in Texas, V6 claims towing title

John Neff — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Luxury

The 2012 State Fair of Texas is set to fire up this weekend in the Lone Star State, which means domestic automakers are in the mood to talk about trucks. Ford is using the occasion for two major announcements, the first being that the F-150's standard 3.7-liter engine can now pull a class-leading 6,700 pounds. That's 200 pounds more than the 2013 Ram 1500 and its 3.7-liter V6, and a whopping 1,300 more than the Chevy Silverado when powered by General Motors' 4.3-liter V6.

The second announcement is the debut of the 2013 F-150 King Ranch. The King Ranch has been offered by Ford since 2000 when the Blue Oval and the very large, very old and very much still in operation Texas-based King Ranch partnered up, making this year's model the 12th edition.

The 2013 F-150 King Ranch features its own version of the truck's new three-bar grille, and its two-tone exterior can be complemented with optional 20-inch machined aluminum wheels. Buyers can also opt for monochrome paint, HID headlamps, as well as a unique King Ranch chrome package. The interior features all of the latest Ford tech, including MyFord Touch and ambient lighting, and can be ordered in the King Ranch's trademark Adobe colors or black. Powering the King Ranch are your choice of Ford's 5.0-liter V8 or 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, though both are mated to the same six-speed automatic transmission.

So yes, the King Ranch is not much more than an F-150 with an earthy color palette, lux'd up interior and a unique set of wheels, but it's also one helluva handsome truck in our eyes.

Continue reading 2013 Ford F-150 King Ranch bows in Texas, V6 claims towing title

2013 Ford F-150 King Ranch bows in Texas, V6 claims towing title originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota teases 4Runner in advance of debut deep in the heart of Texas

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Toyota

2010 Toyota 4Runner teaser - Click above to expand and enlarge

Toyota is using the occasion of the annual State Fair of Texas - an event automakers commonly use to unveil new pickup trucks (as Toyota itself did with the Tundra back in 2006) - to launch its latest 4Runner SUV for the 2010 model year.

While Toyota isn't yet ready to unleash all the details on its newest body-on-frame 4Runner - which is scheduled for its official unveiling in late September - the Japanese automaker has decided it is high time to tease America's remaining SUV fans with a lone image showing a new 2010 4Runner perched atop a rock with what appears to be an appropriately beefy and heavily-protected undercarriage.

Toyota promises that the fifth-generation 2010 4Runner will be "more rugged than ever" and will offer "sure-footed off-road capability and increased comfort with added roominess." Mini press release after the break.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota teases 4Runner in advance of debut deep in the heart of Texas

Toyota teases 4Runner in advance of debut deep in the heart of Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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