Light-duty Truck Offering Expands

The 2007 model year ushers in more choices.

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For 2007, there are more viable choices than ever for the contractor. The following provides an overview of the 2007 light-duty trucks. We have omitted compact trucks and full-size vehicles not specifically targeting the commercial work truck market.

General Motors

The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups are built on a new platform that includes a fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.

Wider front and rear tracks — approximately 3 in. wider in the front and 1 in. wider in the rear — enhance stability and driving confidence. A revised Hotchkiss-type rear suspension features a splayed arrangement for the shock absorbers for isolation.

Five suspension systems are available, each tailored to meet specific driving requirements. They include:

  • Z83 — Delivers a solid, smooth ride with monotube front shocks and twin-tube rear shocks
  • Z85 — Designed for enhanced handling and trailer towing, with monotube front and rear shocks
  • Z71 — Delivers enhanced off-road capability; features specific monotube front and rear shocks
  • Z60 — Designed for maximum street performance and offered with 20-in. wheels
  • NHT — Designed for maximum towing capacity; includes monotube rear shocks, 17-in. wheels and off-road tires and high-capacity rear springs

A four-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS) is standard on all models. The General Motors StabiliTrack electronic stability control system is standard on Crew Cab models and is available on extended cab models. When linked with the four-channel ABS, the StabiliTrack helps mitigate the occurrence of rollover events.

Active Fuel Management (AFM) and variable valve timing (VVT) are designed to help fuel economy. And a FlexFuel engine allows customers to power their trucks with either E85 ethanol, gasoline or a combination of both fuels.

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups also feature new, distinctive exterior designs that set them apart from previous models. The interiors are more spacious with more storage capacity. Extended cab models feature 170° opening rear access doors, while extended and crew cab models offer a power sliding rear window.

A new cargo management system is available on all Silverado and Sierra models. This is complimented by a range of dealer-ordered accessory packages. Upper and lower rails enable the use of an overhead utility rack rated at a 500-lb. capacity; a sliding diamond plate toolbox; a sliding diamond plate divider, etc.

A new tailgate design includes a lock and an available EZ Lift feature with torque rod assist. The tailgates are easily removed by opening to 45° and pulling straight out and away from the vehicle.

The 2500 and 3500 models start production the first quarter of 2007.

Click here to view PDF version of the Chevrolet Pickup Trucks chart.

Click here to view PDF version of the GMC Pickup Trucks chart.

Dodge

For 2007, Dodge introduces the Ram 3500, a purpose-designed Class 3 chassis cab. It boasts a 10,200-lb. single-rear wheel GVWR and a frame made of a one-piece, 50-ksi steel C-channel.

The flat frame rails are configured with industry-standard 32-in. spacing, and all chassis components are below the frame surface. There is U-bolt access every 18 in. along the length of the frame, and shear plate mounting locations are identified. Bolt-on exhaust hanger brackets provide increased flexibility. Riveted crossmembers behind the cab allow for easier modification.

An exhaust brake option that helps increase brake pad life should contribute to a low cost of ownership. A 52-gal. fuel tank is standard.

The Ram 3500 Chassis Cab will be available in several configurations, including two-wheel and four-wheel drive, single- and dual-rear wheel, regular cab and Quad cab models. There are two power choices: a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gas engine or a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel that will produce 305 hp at 6,000 rpm and 610 ft. lbs. at 1,600 rpm in this application. Transmissions with PTO capability, including a new six-speed automatic, are also available.

Beginning in January, the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel will replace the 5.9-liter Cummins turbo-diesel in the Dodge Ram lineup. For heavy-duty pickups, this engine will produce 350 hp at 3,013 rpm and up to 650 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm, an increase of 25 hp and 40 lb.-ft. over its predecessor. It can be mated to an optional six-speed automatic transmission, and it features an integrated exhaust brake.

The 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel engine will feature life-to-major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, as well as standard-duty oil change intervals of 7,500 miles. Matched to the six-speed automatic, it also promises increased fuel efficiency.

The Dodge Ram 1500 also offers a new powerplant option, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with fuel saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) that can convert from eight cylinders to four for fuel efficiency gains up to 20%. Also available is a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine or a new E85-compatible, 4.7-liter V-8 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) engine. An Electronic Stability Package (ESP) is also optional.

Click here to view PDF version of the Dodge Pickup Trucks chart.

Ford

Ford expands its F-250 and F-350 single rear wheel (SRW) pickup offerings with the Lariat Highline SuperCab and Lariat Outlaw Crew Cab trim levels. The Lariat Highline SuperCab features chrome on its billet-style grille, 5-in. tubular step bars, tow hooks, mirror caps, exhaust tips and accenting the instrument cluster. Seating consists of Captain's chairs with black leather seating surfaces.

The Lariat Outlaw Package boasts a black monotone paint treatment with a red stripe. The black theme is carried inside with black and red leather-trimmed Captain's chairs with center floor console and FlexFold 60/40 rear bench seat. There are ebony accents on the carpet, door trim insert, scuff plates and B-pillars.

The Super-Duty continues to offer three engine choices: the 6.8-liter, three-valve Triton V-10 gasoline engine; the Power Stroke diesel; and the 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton V-8 gasoline engine. All of the engines benefit from electronic throttle control, which provides economy and performance benefits.

For commercial users who need elevated engine speed to run aftermarket power takeoff (PTO) systems, the stationary elevated idle control feature is standard on all models. Power is transferred to the ground through either a six-speed manual or TorqShift five-speed automatic.

Ford's optional TowCommand System features a factory-installed and warranted electronic trailer brake controller. It includes a special trailer brake strategy when the truck's anti-lock braking system detects poor traction. The TowCommand System also includes the TorqShift transmission with tow-haul mode and telescoping trailer tow mirrors.

According to Ford, dual-rear-wheel (DRW) pickups with the 6.8-liter, 3-valve Triton V-10 and 6.0-liter Power Stroke Turbodiesel engine have the ability to tow up to 15,000 lbs. on a conventional hitch when properly equipped.

Click here to view PDF version of the Ford Pickup Trucks chart.

Nissan

Drawing power from its 317-hp, 5.6-liter DOHC V8 engine, which pumps out 385-lb.-ft. of torque, the full-size Nissan Titan offers a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 lbs. With the Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) feature, the engine can run on E85 gasoline, standard gasoline or any mixture of the two fuels.

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is also available. If you start to over- or under-steer, VDC will reduce engine power and/or apply braking pressure to specific wheels to keep the truck under control.

The truck bed has many unique features. Less intrusive wheel wells give you more usable space. A 12-volt outlet is offered just inside the bed and near the tailgate. A climate-resistant bedside lockbox is located just behind the driver's side rear wheel well to keep items outside the bed. A Utili-track bed channel system accommodates a range of accessories, from a sliding toolbox to a sliding overhead rack system.

A lockable tailgate has dampening assist. It can be opened with one hand and drops down slowly and gently. An available rear sonar system beeps according to how close you are to an object to ease backing up in a parking lot or connecting to a trailer.

On the Titan King Cab, the rear doors swing open to 168° for accessibility. The 60/40 split rear bench seats three. You can flip up one or both seat bottoms for extra cargo space. When you flip down the front passenger seat on the SE and LE models, you will find a tabletop workstation designed into the back.

Click here to view PDF version of the Nissan Pickup Trucks chart.

Toyota

Toyota is shaking up the market with a new full-size Tundra, which will be built exclusively in Princeton, IN, and San Antonio, TX. The new design targets the commercial customer. It will carry a towing capacity in excess of 10,000 lbs. To accomplish this feat, every major component had to be designed for maximum strength, durability and reliability.

It starts with the powertrain. Three engine choices will be available: an all-new 5.7-liter iForce V8 built in Alabama; an updated 4.7-liter V8; and a fuel-efficient 4-liter V6. The new 5.7-liter V8 will transmit power to the ground through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Brakes have also been upgraded. Heavy-duty front brakes feature four-piston calipers and rotors that are nearly 1 1/2 in. larger than the previous Tundra. Standard rear disc brakes are nearly as big as the front.

The frame has been strengthened and widened, with 30% higher tensile strength steel. To ensure trouble-free towing, the truck features a rear differential with a 10 1/2-in. ring gear, plus extra-duty cooling and an electrical system that accommodates Class IV towing.

The trailer hitch is not an afterthought with the new Tundra. It was built right into the frame for better stability when handling heavy loads.

The lockable all-steel tailgate has been designed to open and close with just two fingers. A damper was added on the hinge to cushion the tailgate when opening, as well as reduce bouncing when you are driving with it in the open position.

The Tundra will be available in over 30 different models, combining three different engines, three cab configurations, two- or four-wheel drive and three trim levels.

Detailed specifications were not available at this time, so stay tuned for upcoming information.

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