Genral Motors Fleet representatives supplied updates on medium-duty trucks, full-size pickups, vans and upfitter integration at NTEA’s Truck Product Conference.
The Chevy low cab forward (LCF) comes with a 6.0-liter gas engine for the 2019 model year and 5.2L diesel engine for the 2020 MY, both entering production in the first quarter of 2019. GM Fleet is discontinuing the 3.0L engine.
For the 2019 MY, 3500 and 4500 gas models have virtually no factory specification changes.
But the 2020 MY 5.2L diesel 4500HD/XD and 5500HD/XD feature a new transmission, new cold weather pack and tire changes. The Aisin A465id automatic transmission, which replaces the A465, is designed to improve fuel economy (reduced rotation, drag resistance; lockup range increase) and drivability (added skip shift).
New Bridgestone and Dunlop tires are intended to reduce rolling resistance, further improving fuel economy by up to 10%.
Port installed option (PIO) changes for the LCF include 35- or 55-gallon left-side aluminum tanks that deletes the rear tank (targeted for production in January 2019), and 17-inch remote mirrors with offset pivot point.
The Chevy LCF 6500XD gets a new rear axle for 2020, with a Dana S19-140 providing 86 pounds in weight savings and a final ratio of 6.14, along with optional 50-gal aluminum fuel tank and lower-profile tires—all in April 2019.
New PIOs for the 6500XD include Alcoa aluminum wheel options and Mobileye forward collision warning system.
The new Chevy Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD feature a wide front bumper, strong center bar with unique “flowtie,” standard black grille and bumper, and available fog lamps and recovery hooks.
The Silverado chassis cab boasts a gross vehicle weight rating ranging from 15,000 to 22,900 pounds, a wide range of front and rear axle weight ratings, rear multileaf or air suspension, and painted frame and chassis components.
Regular cab wheelbases range from 141 to 243 inches.
The powertrain features a Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine with 350 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque, and a variety of Allison 1700 and 2700 series transmissions for many vocational applications.
Upfitter enhancements include one-piece straight frame rails, clean top-of-rail and back-of-cab, Huck Bolts for added durability, easy-to-access engine compartment, and a dual battery box under the driver’s side of the cab.
Production of all three Silverado’s was expected to begin in late 2018.
With full-size pickups, GM Fleet is planning all-new light-duty models in the 2019 MY and heavy-duty models for next year.
The company is using a “mixed materials strategy” to optimize performance, cost and strength in the 2019 MY Silverado/Sierra LD, including a mostly steel body and aluminum hinged panels (hood, door, tailgate).
Other LD options and features include new 10-speed transmission with auto stop/start function; dynamic fuel management; newly available snow plow package; available upfitter switch kits; wider, longer and taller pickup box with improved LED lighting; and water-tight, lockable box-length accessory storage boxes.
Van enhancements include a commercial upfitter connector (WRF), new LED cargo lamps and a rear isolated battery (TP3) for the 2019 MY.
GM upfitter integration updates include an electronic math data process, new technical bulletins, body builder manuals for the 2019 MY (online now) and information about invite-only measurement sessions.
Visit gmupfitter.com for more information.