Nissan And Toyota Diesel Pickup RumorsNow that both Nissan and Toyota are offering four-door fullsize trucks in North America, it's only a matter of time before one (or both) of them comes to market with a diesel engine option. We've heard-and are now spreading-rumors that the Nissan is toying with the idea of offering the International 4.5L twin-turbo V-6 diesel in its Titan pickup. This engine, originally slated to go in the '04 Ford F-150, is called the VT275 and is rated for 200-250 hp and 400-450 lb-ft of torque. If Nissan engineers could package the 930-pound engine and back it with a drivetrain that could handle the torque, we think it'd have a winner.
We wish we could tell you that Toyota is planning a Caterpillar engine for its next generation Tundra to be built in Texas. But, if we did, we'd just be making it up. If Toyota has plans for a diesel engine in its future, it's keeping its powertrain plans a lot more secretive. We heard way back in 2002 that Toyota had a 3/4-ton Tundra in the works that would offer a diesel engine option. But, seeing as how Toyota has been on a strong hybrid kick lately, it's possible that it's putting all its eggs into a gas-electric drivetrain.
Biodiesel From Chicken Fat?Thanks to the recent increases in crude oil prices, the day may come when you stop at KFC for dinner-and a full tank of fuel!
Chemical engineering researchers associated with the Mack Blackwell Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas have developed a method of converting chicken fat into biodiesel fuel. "We're trying to expand the petroleum base," said Brian Mattingly, a graduate student in the UA Department of Chemical Engineering. "Five to 20 percent blending of biodiesel into petroleum-based diesel significantly reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and we're using a renewable resource."
Supported by the national transportation center, the research will lead to Mattingly's master's thesis in chemical engineering. The study provides data that allows researchers and biodiesel producers to evaluate material, processing costs, and product yields for two conversion methods and two types of fat. Mattingly said the research will help producers choose the most economical conversion method based on specific composition of different grades of chicken fat.
Duramax Type-R Hits The TrackThe Banks Sidewinder Duramax Type-R endurance road race truck continues its rigorous development. "Our goal with this project is to continue successfully demonstrating diesel as an all-encompassing fuel," noted Gale Banks. "This truck will successfully compete heads up against the best in gasoline-powered road race cars but will get better fuel mileage and produce less pollutants." Plans are set for the Type-R to race the entire '06 season of the National Auto Sport Association series, www.nasaproracing.com.
Caterpillar Automatic Transmission, Anyone?If GM guys can have an Allison, and Ford guys get their Torque Shift, why can't Dodge step up and offer this new Caterpillar automatic behind the 5.9L Cummins in a Ram 3500? Technically speaking, Caterpillar is producing the CX28 and CX31 automatic transmissions for use in RV motor homes behind its own Cat C7 and C9 diesel engines beginning in 2006. The CX28 has six forward speeds and is rated for as much as 400 hp and 1,250 lb-ft of torque. But, if that's not enough for your twin-turbo diesel dream truck, there's also the CX31 that's rated for 600 hp and as much as 1,850 lb-ft of torque. "For decades, Caterpillar has been building planetary transmissions for its construction equipment. We are now leveraging this expertise and applying it specifically to the transmission needs of RV manufacturers and their end user customers," said Chris Schena, vice president, Motion and Power Control Division. So, it may not be suited for a light-duty truck, but with some refinement, you never know.