When BIG just isn't enough!!

[JonD]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040916/capt.dn10209162157.big_truck_dn102.jpg
International Truck and Engine Corp. is producing what it calls the world's biggest production pickup, a 14,500-pound monster capable of towing 20 tons. The 5- passenger 5-passenger CXT is nine feet tall, eight feet wide, 21 1/2 feet long and gets about seven miles on a gallon of diesel. The truck is manfactured in Garland, Texas. (AP Photo/Ketchum Communications, File)

Full Article (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040916/ap_on_bi_ge/big_truck&e=4)
Does anyone really need a pickup this big? LOL

[Big_V]

I saw that truck in the paper last night. Its getting rediculous how big SUV's and trucks are getting. Its getting to the point where we need to save on the environment a little more and this truck is surely not doing that. But I must add it looks really cool.

[Samba]

I don't NEED one but, man! Could I have some fun in that!!!

[Derrick]

hehe ya i saw that on the international site. my favorite quote from the article is:
"Anybody can lease a Hummer now for $500 a month. Soccer moms are driving them," he said. "This is not a soccer mom's vehicle."

I've only seen 2 hummer H2 in my city and both were dropping kids off at school:D

[marisa]

It makes me sick to see a "Soccer mom" driving a hummer.

In MHO the BIGGEST car and/or truck that ANYONE needs is a regular pick up (chevy or what not) or a mini van for daily use.

On the other hand, that truck is sweet looking! lol

Marisa

[Ptindy]

Waste of money, and is killing the environment. One gallon of diesel for 8 miles? That's rediculous. 99 percent of people driving SUV's and the like don't even need them. It's a symbol of status in our society and it's sad. I'll stick with my little 4 popper. Maybe get an SUV when I'm older but not to drive in the city. Only for snowy days when the 4x4 is needed. Toyota (I love toyota's tacoma) makes a full time 4 by 4. What's the point in full time?? It's getting rediculous how much pollution is being put into the environment for people to signify their status in society. My opnion.

Mike

[Bartman]

Ive got alittle Toyota Peseo (98) and it gets, id say, a record to the gallon. 27 bucks for a full tank (from empty to full) and it lasts me a damn long time. Thats what we all need to drive..or those new smart cars :)

[photoboyjet]

I can top the soccer mom driving a Hummer to drop the kids off at school story. In my town there is a little shop that sells ladies' purses and handbags. The place is maybe 15x25 feet -- if it is that big. Their "company car" is black Hummer with flowers painted on the side.

Doug

[Tim and Julie B]

Wow try taking that through a drive thru! Interesting concept..looks good.......wouldn't buy one though. I would rather have a Humvee (not a Hummer) Army surplus style. TB

[paul vader]

JonD...just wondering why you were showing off your new truck to us the other day...? :D

http://www.terex.com/image.php?imageID=f5c124b1444371883e7297bad50f615c
and I found out that it ISN'T electric...liar liar...:D

[Samba]

LOL A Hummer with Flowers painted on the sides??? EWWW!!!

[Shane Tesser]

Im lovin this thread, very interesting. Being a heavy truck mechanic im well versed in those internationals. Actually that model is still fairly small compared to their other models, but as a pick up.....pretty cool.

I read someone remarking on the poor fuel economy of the vehicle and relating it to polution. I think its kinda sad ppl equate mileage to environment. If you look at the diesel engine and the way its made, study the actual emissions that come out of the tail pipe, you'll begin to understand why crowded areas like europe use probably more diesel vehicles then they do gas ones. The truth is that not only is diesel more efficient, its emissions are actually friendlier to the environment. A gas engine produces carbon monoxide....this stuff is very bad, where as diesels produce very little of that. Instead, carbon Dioxide is the biggest by product of diesel. The fact that a diesel uses compression to burn its fuel and not an open spark like gas does, actually means that the fuel burns as close to 100% as it possibly can....gas does not. Furthermore, this is a speciality truck, and they are probably rating its mpg with city driving....something cars are usually rated at. Now get this thing on the hiway and then see. Most of your Large hiway tractors come close to doubling this fuel economy......and your talking pulling 80,000 pounds or more behind you....lets see your gas engine do this. Volkswagen for those who don't know makes a very popular TDI diesel engine. It gets roughtly 1000-1100 Km's to a tank....at about $35 to fill......depending on where you live and which model you have....again, lets see your four banger produce those numbers with the same emissions output! This is why the trend now by the auto manufacturers is to Bio-Diesel.....fuel thats produced by rotted vegetable and garbage waste....so don't knock the diesel....Embrace it!!! :)

As for the rock truck...the company im currently working for has lots and lots of these things. None are solely electric...at least not that ive come across in the field so far. However, several of the bigger models are diesel over electric. They have a Diesel that runs the hydraulics and also turns an electric generator to produce power to turn the wheels. Its probably different with every mfg, but the majority have electric drive once they hit a certain size....kind of like trains :)

[Lisa]

I'd love to get a small truck with diesel... that or drop a diesel engine in my little blazer, though that would probably be cost prohibitive, but it would be fun. The north american market is too gas oriented.

[Siretsap]

I bought a focus 2 years ago cause the damn buick was a gaz addict, wouln't stop drinking... ;-)

My initial choice was to get the jetta tdi that does 1200km on a tank but the price was 10 grands more than my focus not to mention the insurances on it that were 800$ more per year...

So at the moment I drive a ford focus that gives me almost 800 km on highway, and about 650km in town driving. still pretty good. But I know diesel is better for then environment.

Just to mention, there was someone in montreal a few years back that modified his car to run on a mixture of canola or corn oil and diesel, don't know what happened to this guy, the oiling companies prob shot him ;-)

Also, I do not know if you guys saw the Toyota Prius. Well my neighbor bought one, I got to drive it, it's really kinda odd when you accelerate and the car always stays in the same gear. And it's a hybrid electricity/gaz. Very interresting seeing all the technology put in it, no buttons for the fan or radio, it's all on a touch screen and the hologram display on the window is awesome also for the spedometer.

[Tim and Julie B]

Damn good post Shane! A Toureg Deisel would be sweet!!!!! TB

[Ptindy]

Well the fact that this is aimed towards the normal market like the hummers, tells us that it WILL be driven in the city. I am not saying that diesel is better then my four popper. But things are getting blown out of proportion in the market. Why do people need this huge vehicles? 99 percent of it is for status and the odd day when your moving big loads. I would love to have a Jetta that ran on diesel and for everyone else to drive one. But, the big status cars are being produced running on gas. Take the Porsche Cayenne 8 banger. 450 horse, 100 litres. Will eat the 100 litres twice as fast as my 4 banger eats 40. Or the Escalade. Vehicles like this will never even see a dirt road. That truck just helps escalate this whole issue and other manufacturers are going to compete. K well I'm done, society sucks.

Mike

[daver676]

My mother drives a 2001 Jetta TDI. This is a sweet little car. And don't be fooled. This little car is peppy! And the economy is phenominal!

I myself drive a 92 Jetta 1.8 gas with 345000 K on her. This car still gets 750-800K on a 50 litre tank. Still a great car. My daily driver still after 6 years. :D It was because of my car that my mother bought her TDI.

[Shane Tesser]

Ptindy, i totally get what your saying. The fact though really is, this thing will be too heavy for most driveways to begin with. Its Tare weight alone would detract most. Plus, due to the weight of the vehicle you will require a D/Z license to drive it. The up keep and general cost of repairs on these monsters is 100% more expensive then something the size of say a hummer as they use diesels, but small chevy 6.9 litres generally. Im sure IHC will use their DT466 engine....which is a great motor by the way, but they may run their newer design. I think even though they are somewhat gearing them to the general public, im sure you'll find they will end up being used more so as a general purpose truck for trades...Ie local municipalities for whatever...gardening etc. Another big draw back to this thing would be the dual wheel law. Due to the fact this thing ways so much, here in Ontario it would have to have a commercial vehicle statis with an annual inspection for safety....plue an annual emissions test ( Something cars are not even as strict in). Since it would have a commercial decal, it would fall under the dual wheel bylaws. This in my area, and most urban area's is strickly enforced. Basically, it is illegal to keep a dual wheeled vehicle in a residential area....and the fines are huge. This machine would also be past its weight for alot of roads...therefore in the case of alot of areas with a load in its box it would exceed its 5 tonne per axle maximum....therefore again...illegal to drive in most suburban areas. :)

I agree with your big vehicle argument when it comes to fuel economy....bigger is going to eat more fuel...no doubt about it....thats why diesel is king...its actually extremely efficient when considering the weight of the vehicle as is! But the fact is...those with money for large vehicles must love to give out money at the pumps as well....thus why even though i could afford a vehicle such as a hummer...i would never buy one! For now im happy with my new volkswagen Gti, its a v6, 200hp, and still gets 700kms to a tank on $42 bucks with high grade gas! Long live the Vw Tdi :)

[noname]

People make me sick...first of all, the people who could actually use a vehicle like that for their jobs, are the ones who will never be able to afford it. 20 bucks says that Missy Elliot has one within the next month, simply because she can afford it. Hey, it would look pimpin' parked next to the H2 in the driveway of her mansion. People are supposedly "smart creatures", yet we're slowly destroying ourselves, for the sake of fashion. I drive a '95 Ford Escort, and couldn't be happier. It gets me from Point A to Point B, and frankly, I couldn't care less what society thinks of me for driving it. Well, I suppose when we have no trees, animals, or fresh air left, at least the people driving that truck will still look cool. So stupid...

[adamofsound]

hi all,

not much to say, you have all said it before I got here, just check out the website www.fuh2.com its too funny

adam

[Shane Tesser]

Cool link....3.4 metric tons of carb a year??? Im baffled by that...it would take me hours to explain that measurement and why i just can't see that being factual! Emissions are based on particle per millions...which is extremely tiny...so im wondering how long you would have to run that vehicle to make 3.4 metric tons a year...im thinking with rough math several hundred years!!! I'll have to dig further into that site and see where they get their info from...it's kinda of funny actually, seeing that they stated that Gm doesn't give a fuel economy reading.....but then they later list one :P

[ladyluck]

I bought a New Civic SIR a few months ago and LOVE it. (I modified the engine and put a ground effects package on it) (NO< NOT THE CHEEZY KIND)

But, Dodge has the new Magnum with the HEMI in it. I have been thinking about trading in.

That would be sweeeeeeeet!

[ladyluck]

Also, noname, you sound angry? No Date? No Friends?

Breeth deep!

[treegirl]

Hummers and now that big stupid gas hogging truck?!
Go Bush go! Tear up the Alaskan wilderness...do whatever you have too to feed those moronic Americans ---anything to fill your pocket.

bytheway

weren't you banned ib_inked?---ooop, I mean ladyluck....

[treegirl]

:mad:

[treegirl]

I have a friend who drives a Mecedes and he converted the diesel engine to accept oil from french fries. He's got a big tank in his yard and goes to fast food places to get his fuel.

[nita]

Cool looking truck but totally impractical. On the other hand I would love to own GMC or Chevy 3/4 tonne Truck. My dad always had one and I love the bigger trucks. Unfortunately I will be settling most likely for a Ford F150 Extended or supercab (much cheaper to buy) whatever as long as I can get 3 booster seats in the thing. Also has be from the early 80's or earlier. Love the old trucks.

[noname]

Originally posted by ladyluck
Also, noname, you sound angry? No Date? No Friends?

Breeth deep!

Haha, I'm fine thanks. I have plenty of friends, and a killer boyfriend. I am angry though...the stupidity of some people just astounds me. Why kill the environment, simply for the sake of supposedly improving ones status? I just don't get it.

[Ptindy]

Yea ladyluck, I am her boyfriend, nice try though! Come out of the clouds and we'll talk.

[crucified]

Originally posted by ladyluck
I bought a New Civic SIR a few months ago and LOVE it. (I modified the engine and put a ground effects package on it) (NO< NOT THE CHEEZY KIND)

But, Dodge has the new Magnum with the HEMI in it. I have been thinking about trading in.

That would be sweeeeeeeet!


any ground effects package is a cheezy kind...
they arent cool and never will be.. :D

if you're gonna modify the engine why not just buy a better car? its helluva a lot cheaper.. maybe that truck for instance... hahahaha...

[Samba]

Crucified - Civics are a dime a dozen; let the owners think they are making theirs special *LOL*.

Also, you don't need a better car to modify the engine; I had a Custom Built $4000.00 (USD) motor dropped into this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/sambagurl/pLaYtHiNg/MVC-045F.jpg

I am the second owner of this 4WD 1985 AMC Eagle LTD. I paid $650.00 cash for it and drove it for a year on 5 cylinders (the number 5 had no compression) before getting the new motor. So far, everything except the engine is all-factory (soon to change). People laugh, but my wagon can whoop 'em!

[JonD]

Samba, don't the AMC/Jeep 360's fit right into those? I know the its the case with the older CJ's. GM 350s are and easy swap too!!!;)

[JonD]

Oh and by the way I love those old wagons...sans the fake wood paneling.... ;)

[Samba]

LOL I HATE the paneling!!! The car will be painted, paneling REMOVED, the trim replaced, doors fixed (both driver side doors do not open from the outside! It's a pain just to get in), it'll also get a system, rims, a lift (3 to 5 inches), etc. So much that needs to be done! It also needs a new exaust kit, muffler, and I'll put money on the fact that the tranny will probably need to be replaced soon as well (it's almost 20 years old and still goin' strong!).

As for the GM/Jeep parts, yes I believe most are interchangable... at least between older models. I wanted a custom build, though, instead of just picking up a motor and paying for the R&R, if that's what your asking... Oh, yeah, and that's the original paint on that car... a nice, ugly, dirty penny kind of color... LOL =)

BTW, My car's name is "PlayThing" =D

[JonD]

That thing is gonna be sweet. I was just saying that I think the AMC 360 V8 engine drops right in the engine bay and bolts right up to the tranny. That engine has gobs of torque stock, now a custom built one...yikes!

[Samba]

It's a monster! Like I said... it's so cute and unsuspecting (kinda like the driver *LOL*) I get laughed at, but let me tell you it's left more than it's fair share of 'stangs and civics eating dust! My boyfriend calls me "Parnelli" because of the way I drive... =D

(Let it be known that I have a squeaky clean driving record, as well).

The vanity plate I hope to get for it will be "SikBich" hopefully... they'll probably catch that one, though.... I got more pix if you ever wanna see them...

[JonD]

Originally posted by Samba
It's a monster! Like I said... it's so cute and unsuspecting (kinda like the driver *LOL*) I get laughed at, but let me tell you it's left more than it's fair share of 'stangs and civics eating dust! My boyfriend calls me "Parnelli" because of the way I drive... =D

(Let it be known that I have a squeaky clean driving record, as well).

The vanity plate I hope to get for it will be "SikBich" hopefully... they'll probably catch that one, though.... I got more pix if you ever wanna see them...
Hahahaha, hope they'll let you get that vanity plate, that'd be funny..U gotta post some pics when you get it painted!!;)

[Samba]

Definately! I'll post them here, and keep your fingers crossed so I can get that plate! LMAO! =)