EDITOR'SNOTE
2014:
A YEAR OF
BIG CHANGE
C
hange is a good thing. At least it
is in the automotive world.
With every new model year the
vehicles become more efficient, smoother, powerful and capable. When one style
or particular offering is dropped, it seems
another that's far better takes its place.
Sometimes there's a technology gap,
sometimes not.
For example, when the Corvette Stingray ceased production in 1976, there
were a lot of moans from 'Vette aficionados. An iconic symbol was lost forever.
Low-and-behold, Chevy has brought
it back in 2014, and it's a true beauty.
Faster. Leaner. Stronger. Bolder. Smarter.
Much the same has happened with
½-ton diesels.
Before Y2K GM offered a Detroit diesel
in all their ½-, ¾- 1-ton and full-size SUVs.
The 6.2/6.5L had a cult-like following that
winced when GM pulled the plug, leaving
nothing but gas engines powering lightduty trucks and SUVs.
That old V-8 diesel made a whopping
215hp in its last years of production. It was
prone to over-heating and other issues
and never set the world on fire for either
its economy or performance. But it was
still loved by a lot of GM truck owners.
Well, as you know, the ½-ton diesel is
back for 2014. But GM isn't leading the
charge. It's Ram Truck.
The first ½-ton diesel of this decade is a
240hp V-6 delivering great fuel economy
and performance. (You can read our "First
Drive" impressions in this issue.)
Ram's EcoDiesel marks the beginning of a new era for work truck users,
especially landscapers who don't need a
heavy-duty pickup with a $9,000 diesel
option for their towing needs.
4 PROPICKUP December 2013
There's also another player entering
the ½-ton diesel engine market: Cummins.
Cummins is partnering with Nissan
with a 300hp V-8 so we could see a
diesel-powered Titan probably in production by the end of 2014.
We've covered its technical aspects on
ProPickupMag.Com, but the story of how
that partnership came to be in this issue
should be an interesting read for both
those in the Dodge Ram/Ram Truck camp
as well as those who are Cummins fans.
Nissan and Ram Trucks ½-ton diesels,
the second generation of GM's EcoTech
5.3L/6.2L V-8s and 2014 pickups, and
the upgrades Ford brings to the Power
Stroke bode well for anyone who is in the
market for a new pickup.
I see 2014 as the Year of Big Change.
Good change.
If there ever were a time to think fresh
and take that big step getting rid of the
old wheels for a set of new ones that'll
make you smile, this is it.
These types of major technical advancements in the pickup world are a
rarity, coming about once a decade.
Speaking of big changes in 2014, this
is the final printed issue of ProPickup
magazine.
Beginning in January, you'll find our
pickup coverage in the pages Equipment
World and Total Landscape Care and
online at HardWorkingTrucks.com.
Bruce W. Smith, Editor
propickupmag.com
/ProPickup-magazine
@ProPickupMag
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