WHAT'S new for 2002?
Ford, GMC, and Dodge were scheduled to announce their offerings at the National Truck Equipment Association's Fall Truck Product Conference in Dearborn, Michigan, in September, but the terrorist attacks forced the cancellation of the conference.
So we're here to give you the lowdown:
FORD
The E-550 Super Duty Cutaway made its debut and is scheduled for production late in the first quarter of 2002.
The new cutaway chassis will provide GVWRs of 17,500 lb and 19,000 lb, allowing it to accommodate larger payloads. With five wheelbases ranging from 159½" to 233½", E-550 will be the vehicle of choice for a greater range of commercial applications.
“You can easily put a 20' van box on it,” says Bill Chew, supervisor of Program Management, Body Builder Advisory Service, and Product Information. “We expect at least half of the business will come from van-type operations: pick-up and delivery. Based on builder feedback, we also expect the shuttle bus to be a strong segment. You can put 30 passengers in without stretching the wheelbase. There also will be some ambulance-rescue applications.”
The front axle now has a GAWR of 6,000 lb, with the rear axle available at 11,500 or 13,500 lb. Engines for the E-550 include the 6.8L V10 gas or 7.3L diesel, with a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with overdrive (4R100) and a fuel tank of 55 gallons aft-of-axle.
New steering — a 40-degree wheel cut — will provide reduced turning diameter versus the E-350 and E-450, making it suitable for navigating city streets for local pick-up and delivery.
The exterior features new trailer tow mirrors as standard equipment — the manually telescoping mirrors have electrically adjusted glass and are perfect for 96"-wide second-unit bodies. Standard running boards make ingress and egress easier, and the new Super Duty grille and lower bumper fascia add to the appearance.
The frame is stiffer than the E-450 Super Duty Cutaway and features a common section around the rear axle with an hourglass shape and flat frame design to facilitate ease of body installation, plus a removable engine crossmember for servicing the front engine oil pan.
The front axle is a solid forged I-beam with tapered leaf springs, gas shocks with 35mm bore and 580mm extended length, and 36mm diameter torque bar.
The rear axle is a Dana 135 Medium Duty (13,500-lb capacity) with tapered leaf springs (11,500 lb standard, 13,500 optional), gas shocks with 35mm bore and 703mm extended length, and 31mm diameter torque bar.
Higher GVWR on F-150
On the F-150 pickups, the GVWR is now 6,050 lb instead of 5,600 on the Regular Cab and 6,000 on the SuperCab as standard with the 4.2L engine. The optional 6,000-lb GVWR payload package No. 2 is no longer available on the Regular Cab.
The 7700 Payload Group has been renamed 7700 Lb Payload Group A (7,700 lb GVWR/3.73 axle/13,500 lb GCWR/8,800 lb maximum trailer weight). The new 7700 Lb Plus Payload Group B is available on 139" wheelbase Regular Cab and SuperCab 4×2 models only, and includes Group A content plus upgraded 22-plate auxiliary transmission oil cooler, Class III Trailer Tow Group, and 4.10 limited slip axle (7,700 lb GVWR/4.10 axle/15,000 lb GCWR/8,800 lb maximum trailer weight).
The Heavy Duty Electrical/Cooling Group has been cancelled, and a 72-amp-hr battery and auxiliary automatic transmission oil cooler are included with Class III Trailer Tow Group and 7700 Lb Payload Groups A and B. The 7700 Lb Payload Groups also include an upgraded radiator with 1.42" core thickness.
For lighter applications, the 4.6L engine includes new integrated air fuel module (IAFM) to include air cleaner assembly, air filter, mass air-flow sensor, and AIT sensor to meet 2002 emissions requirements.
The pickup box delete option is now available on long wheelbase (8-foot box) F-350 SRW models.
The new F-450-550 SuperCab dual rear wheel 161.8" WB/60" Cab-to-Axle (CA) Chassis Cab configuration is now available on all F-Series from F-250 to F-750, with back seats that can accommodate three passengers and also are suitable for stowage of tools or cargo.
The Super Duty F-series Gross Combination Weight Rating of 10,000 lb has been increased to a maximum of 12,500 lb, with 6.8L V-10 (4.30 axle) and 7.3L diesel engines.
The maximum GVWR has also been increased to 12,500 lb from 11,500 lb on F-350 dual rear wheel pickup models with 7.3L diesel engine (172.4" WB Crew Cab remains at 11,500 lb GVWR; California remains at 11,000 lb GVWR).
Conventional trailer tow ratings have been increased to a maximum 23,000 lb GCWR/13,500 lb trailer weight from 20,000 lb GCWR/12,500 lb maximum trailer weight on F-350 dual rear wheel pickup models from 6.8L (4.30 axle) and 7.3L diesel (4.10 axle).
Synthetic oil lubrication is included with all 30,000-lb GCWR option packages, with all other applications receiving mineral oil lubrication. The 6.8L Bi-fuel (Gas/LPG) Vehicle Program has been canceled. The G05 Hybrid/OA long life coolant (100k miles) is standard for all applications.
On the F-650 Super Duty, a six-rib serpentine belt replaces the eight-rib belt/pulley; Caterpillar 3126 Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) is available; Allison AT545 automatic transmission is now standard with Cummins 210 HP/520 lb-ft torque; and aluminum low-profile wheels are available as a stand-alone option.
The F-750 tractor package, targeted at the beverage industry and single-axle tractor applications, includes a 158" WB Regular Cab and 179" SuperCab and is available with Caterpillar and Cummins diesel engines, and MD automatic transmission. On the 30,000-lb GVWR units, Allison AT545 automatic transmission is now standard with Cummins 210hp/520 lb-ft torque, replacing the manual transmission as standard. On the 33,000-lb GVWR, Allison MD-3060CR automatic transmission is now standard with Caterpillar 210hp/605 lb-ft torque, replacing the manual transmission as standard.
GMC
The Chevrolet Silverado pickup, GM's best-selling vehicle, enjoys its first full production year for the 1500 HD model, which includes repackaging options for customer ordering convenience and more value, upgraded emission-control systems, and improved compressed natural-gas fuel capabilities.
“Chevy Silverado isn't resting on its reputation for 2002 as the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup,” says brand manager Rick Scheidt. “We continue to refine Silverado for the very competitive full-size pickup market.”
The S-10 pickup will have a third door on all extended cab models for easier loading and access to the cargo area on the driver's side, and all models will have air conditioning and a tachometer as standard equipment.
The optional Vortec 4300 V6 engine features an available four-speed automatic transmission, and a flexible fuel version of the 2200 L4 is also available for reduced emissions.
The G3500 Cutaway Van Chassis comes in three wheelbase lengths: 139", 159", and 177", with optional dual-wheel axles. Load-carrying capacities range from 9,500 to 12,300 lb GVWR, allowing a variety of commercial body upfitters to create business vehicles. The G3500 RV Cutaway combines up to 12,300-lb GVWR with a cab that includes standard driver and front-passenger air bags, air conditioning, intermittent windshield wipers, and four-wheel antilock brakes.
C3 is Now Denali
The Sierra C3 is now badged Sierra Denali, featuring revolutionary Quadrasteer four-wheel-steering (4WS) system, which it says is the first ever on a conventional truck. Using conventional front-wheel hydraulic power steering in combination with an electrically powered rear-wheel steering system, Quadrasteer adjusts rear-wheel angles, turning them opposite to the front wheels at lower speeds and in the same direction as the front wheels at higher speeds for improved maneuverability and control.
At lower speeds, the system reduces Denali's curb-to-curb turning diameter by 21% to 37.4 ft. Drivers can change lanes more quickly and safely with hardly any trailer sway, even at speeds of 65mph with an 8,000-lb trailer.
“The impact of four-wheel-steering is enormous,” says Sam Mancuso, Sierra brand manager. “It changes the new Sierra Denali's entire driving dynamics. Full-size truck customers can now get the kind of small-car maneuverability and on-highway control whether trailer or not that has never been offered before, and that they never thought possible. GMC and Sierra Denali are poised to forever change public perception that big trucks are hard to handle.”
As a result of Quadrasteer, Denali features chassis enhancements, including a higher capacity rear axle and increased GVWR. A larger 9.75" rear ring gear is used to increase the rear axle's gross weight rating by 250 lb to 4,000 lb. Coupled with the extra capacity already available in the Denali's 51mm twin-piston caliper front and 45mm twin-piston caliper rear brakes, the larger rear axle provides a higher 7,200-lb GVWR, 400 lb more than before. Trailering capacity has been increased by 1,300 lb to 10,000 lb.
Two new Sierra Professional models are available in 2WD or 4WD 2500 Series Extended Cab short box configurations (C/K 25753). They have a 9,200-lb GVWR and are custom-designed to expand the work capabilities of contractors, builders, and other tradesmen who carry equipment and/or are prone to use their trucks as portable offices. Both the Vortec 8100 and Duramax 6600 provide 12,000-lb trailering capability with either of their available transmissions.
DODGE
The all-new Ram pickup has a “big rig” design, a new Quad Cab model with four standard doors, two new Magnum engines, and a new automatic transmission.
“With the changes we've made with the total redesign of Ram, we have huge hopes for the new model,” says Jim Julow, vice president of the Dodge Division Global Brand Center, DaimlerChrysler Corp.
When the previous Ram was introduced in 1994, sales rose from 70,000 a year to more than 350,000, and it became the corporation's best-selling product.
The Ram 1500 offers two new Magnum engines that are more powerful and fuel efficient than the engines they replaced, and a new 45RFE automatic transmission that is smoother and more responsive. The 3.7L Magnum V-6 replaces the 3.9L V-6. While smaller in displacement, the new V-6 is more powerful and delivers better gas mileage, producing 210 hp compared to 175hp with the 3.9L. The 4.7L Magnum V-8 replaces the 5.2L V-8 and has 235hp as opposed to the 5.2L's 230. Dodge says the 45RFE transmission is the only one in its class with the reverse gear ratio equal to the low gear ratio, and it also features an alternate second gear ratio for use in difficult towing and grade-climbing situations.
Maximum towing on the Quad Cab increases to 8,350 lb from 7,650. Maximum towing on the regular cab is now 8,660, up from 7,950. Payload on the Quad Cab goes from 1,567 to 1,750. Both the GCW and GVWR increase on both trucks.
An all-new Quad Cab model boasts four standard doors, while regular- and extended-cab models are considerably larger than their predecessors. The chassis and suspension have been totally redesigned to optimize ride quality, quietness, towing capability, and durability.
All-new versions of the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models will follow for the 2003 model year.
The new Dakota introduces the value-priced SXT model, which has a bold new look featuring graphite bumpers, fascia, grille and fender flares, and 16" aluminum wheels. Larger P235/75R15 tires are now standard on the two-wheel-drive Quad Cab. Dodge says Dakota offers the only V-8 engine in its class. There are two V-8 options for Dakota, including the 250hp 5.9L Magnum V-8.
Pickup Boxes: Which Ones are Removable
Which pickups are being offered with pickup-box removal programs? Here is a brief summary of the models that manufacturers are allowing commercial truck bodies to be installed in place of pickup boxes.
Every effort has been made to provide the most current list. As always, however, those modifying completed vehicles must check the body builders book published by the pickup manufacturer for details regarding models and restrictions.
Chevrolet/GMC will offer pickup box removal on its S10 compact truck in addition to its full-size trucks in 2002. The S10803 with a 4,900-lb GVWR and 117.9" wheelbase can accept bodies with relatively low overall heights (22" maximum) and body weights under 710 pounds. For full-size pickups, the models are shown in the table on the top right.
Dodge Truck will allow pickup box removal on its Ram full-size models equipped with 8-ft boxes. Here is the model lineup:
Regular cabs: 2500 HD and 3500 models (135" wheelbase) two- and four-wheel-drive models.
Quad cabs: 2500 HD and 3500 models with 155" wheelbase. Two- and four-wheel-drive models are allowed.
Ford will allow pickup boxes to be removed from its compact and full-size models when those modifying the vehicle comply with Ford guidelines.
Ranger SuperCab pickups, two- and four-wheel drive, are eligible. Minimum weight of the commercial body is 230 pounds. Maximum body weights range from 833 to 1,040 pounds, depending on the SuperCab model.
For the Super Duty F-Series, Ford places limits on the minimum and maximum weight for the body.