Chevrolet Trucks Blog

Customization of Chevrolet trucks or any truck for that matter do not only end with manual tinkering here and there. With the advent of technology, present day upgrades for vehicles can already be assisted with a personal computer.

A 2001 Chevrolet S10 owner decided to add a supercharger in the vehicle’s heart with hopes of matching up the truck’s 4.3-liter stock. From the name itself, superchargers will help this mini Chevrolet truck to produce as much power needed. There was a downside, however, in equipping the Chevrolet or Chevy S10 with this supercharger because a technology like this needs the services of a computer. Engine gurus noted that tuning the supercharger has to be the first step before even achieving a beefed-up horsepower.

With the mystery solved, the Chevrolet truck was immediately brought to one of America’s distributor for perfect power called the Ida Automotive. The Chevy S10 owner and the Ida owner immediately sat down to discuss the procedures to be done. With much thinking, the two agreed on utilizing the Perfect Power SMT-6 piggy-back computer. This powerful computer has the ability to tune almost any engine. Moreover, this high-technology gadget can also work on three separate maps-fuel, timing, and ignition-with the capability to fire extra injectors, nitrous, or other performance accessories.

The Chevrolet truck soon hit the operating room as 271-lb-hr Pico-style injectors, a two-bar 28-psi MAP sensor, and finally an E3 spark plugs were installed and tuned with the computer. The new spark plugs of the Chevrolet S10 will produce larger and warmer spark for the supercharged 4.3-liter application.

The worsening state of global warming has pushed General Motors Corporation (GMC), which is the producer for Chevrolet trucks and other vehicles, to develop green technology for vehicles especially to trucks, such as the hybrid vehicles.

By the third quarter of next year, eight hybrid models will be released. These models will be equipped with three different systems. If that is not enough, GMC plans to have a plug-in hybrid before the decade closes.

The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, however, will be already released. These trucks will be installed with hybrid systems that are still capable of towing heavy loads and deliver a 25 percent boost in fuel economy. These vehicles will take pride in the 320-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 and a four-speed automatic transmission that has two electric motors. The motors propel the vehicle from a stop to 20 mph. Moreover, the engine incorporates cylinder deactivation, and the vehicle body has aluminum panels to reduce weight. Another Chevrolet truck, the Chevrolet Silverado will follow suit by 2010.

Trucks are usually given the notion that these big-build vehicles emit more than the car average exhaust. This belief may be because of the heavy tasks placed upon the trucks which are almost always geared with powerful engines. The General Motors Corporation (GMC)-produced Chevrolet, however, has veered away from that truck notion as it came out with a fuel efficient 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

This qualities of the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is considered to be the world’s first light-duty two-mode full hybrid propulsion system in this type of vehicle. Another GMC product that was made to be environment-friendly is the GMC Yukon, which boasts of a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy and superior driving experience.

“The Tahoe and Yukon Two-mode Hybrids combine the functionality and comfort of a full-size SUV with a two-mode full hybrid system that optimizes fuel efficiency in city and highway driving, the way most Americans use their vehicles,” said Carl Stephens, who tested the two light-duty trucks.

The Chevrolet truck and the GMC truck were geared with a Vortec V-8 powered two-mode hybrid that is expected to give off a composite fuel efficiency improvement up to 25 percent. This achievement is also made possible when combined with the Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology inside the trucks. The hybrid systems utilized by the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are also being used and improved by the BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, and GMC. Improved systems will then be used for a wider array of cars such as cars, trucks, and SUVs. Great minds from these three companies are set to develop a more powerful and more compact system that can be utilized by both gas and diesel engines.

Chevrolet trucks continue to set the pace for the serious truck as the General Motors Corporation (GMC) produced trucks emerged as one of the top choices.

The Chevrolet Silverado boasts of high performing engine and suspension systems, amongst others, which makes it really fit for its heavy duty demands. This full-size pick-up truck boasts of a 315-horsepower and 5.3-liter V8 engine, thanks to its beefed up engine. Hauling, towing, and other full-size truck duties can now be easily done. With this powerful engine, the Chevoret Silverado has been equipped with an equally high performing suspension system. Now, extra movement and noise are lessen and maneuvering is made easy, thanks to this Chevrolet truck’s improved suspension. The Silverado with its GMC counterpart, Sierra, are the best full-size truck picks.

Another Chevrolet truck chosen was the Chevrolet Avalanche. It has unified cab and bed help give it a more comfortable ride than the other trucks tested. The Avalanche takes pride in its Z71 suspension, high-pressure shocks, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and Vortec 5.3L V8 with NEW Active Fuel Management and NEW E85 FlexFuel capability1. These Avalanche parts are standard on 4×4 models, but also made available on 2WD models.

Other top truck choices include the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, and other GMC produced trucks like Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500.

Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford trucks have higher towing and payload capacities fit for domestic manufacturers. These pick-up trucks, however, are not only destined to haul and tow a wide array of equipment, but are also tasked for family stuff. Big families are sure to fit comfortably inside these roomy trucks which will in turn equal to a blissful ride. At present, trucks are now manufactured and designed with luxurious interiors that balance out the tough exteriors of these vehicle. Added amenities include satellite-radio and navigation systems.

Chevrolet truck owners may have a manly feel to it. These powerful trucks like what Chevrolet offers is not solely for the male specie no more as Mississippi native Jennifer Lacey did her own tweaking and customized the 1991 Chevrolet S10.

“I’ve loved trucks since I was a kid. This is my first truck and I got it when I was 16. I added new rims and had the truck lowered. At age 19, when I got my first good-paying job, I added an air-ride suspension and became hard-core,” said Lacey.

Showfest crowned queen Lacey wanted to improve the then beaten state of the 1991 Chevrolet S10. The almost vintage Chevrolet truck was then modified to her liking. The Chevrolet truck has been improved to look better and to run like its present day truck counterparts in the market. This transformation did not happen overnight, in fact 15 months of hard work was behind this truck wonder. Every step made has to be done properly starting from the body frame.

The modification of the mini truck all started with the then bagged and body-dropped frame of the truck. Detailing the chassis was the very first step for Lacey. In order to uplift the sagging frame of the truck, a good number of chrome, aluminum coating, and paint were utilized. The Best of Show winner wanted to achieve a clean and smooth look for the Chevrolet truck, thus a lot of the dangling Chevy truck parts were removed such as roof lines, cowl, antenna, door handles, locks, taillights, and gas door. The next step for the detailing team was smoothing out the wheel tubs, roll pan, tailgate, and front fenders. Moreover, all the cracks and seams were filled between between the door jambs, rockers, and cab. The doors can now fully open up to 90 degrees and the front full size Chevy bumper was narrowed to 12 inches to fit properly. The dragon’s fire breath-like body paint of the1991 Chevrolet S10, however, was done by the Volusia County Customs this time around.

For that tougher look for the Chevrolet truck, the team had to pick the perfect set of wheels for the Chevrolet S10. The truck now runs with 20×8.5-inch Boyd Coddington chromed tubines wrapped with 245/35R20 Nitto tires. These flashy yet tough set of wheels made this Chevrolet truck even more good looking.

Moving over to the Chevrolet S10’s interior, the detailing team went under the hood and rebuilt the truck’s old 2.8-liter V-6 engine. The old engine had to be tore completely apart and was made it into a new one geared with a lot of chrome and aluminum plates. Chevrolet S10’s engine was totally unrecognizable thanks to the paint job. With this kind of engine, the team then geared the truck with a five-speed transmission shift.

A Chevrolet truck or any truck for that matter cannot go away with just a powerful engine. A true powerful truck has to be equipped with an equally beefed up suspension system, just like what Lacey’s team did. The truck’s frame was utilized as the reservoir for the air suspension. The reservoir can hold up to seven gallons of air and two Viair 450s do the pumping.

To finish the improved 1991 Chevrolet S10 exterior and interior, the team added a clean stereo set up which can brag about its Pioneer head unit and Audiobahn chromed four-channel amp. Not only that, a single 10-inch Audiobahn subwoofer was also installed between the seats for that added rumble.

Fifteen months of hard work has truly paid off for this woman who has loved trucks since she was a kid.