Diesel Power no.2 Hits the Stands! Our youngest sib, Diesel Power magazine, is on its way to establishing itself as the authority for the diesel performance aftermarket. Check out the latest issue of DP if you want to stay on top of the latest OEM and aftermarket developments in the high-compression world of diesel trucks and SUVs.
The second issue of DP dominates the newsstands with two lifted F-650 and F-550 heavy-hitters on and between the covers. Additional features include SSB's diesel dualie, Kelderman's project pickups, and Axis' F-350 diesel. DP has tech on exhaust upgrades and powerplant pump-ups, and don't hit the road before reading DP's road tests of the '05 F-250 Power Stroke and the new diesel Hummer H1.
Spiking this punch is a high-octane mix of diesel-related regular departments that tackle diesel history, towing tech, travel, diesel basics, new products, and much, much more.
Don't miss the second issue of Diesel Power!
Best Rig Brian Newton won Truckin's Best Rig at last year's Nordic Powerboats Jamboree.
We visited Lake Havasu City, Arizona, for the Nordic Powerboats Jamboree from July 9 to 11. Sleek boats and fast money highlighted this event as Nordic patrons zoomed across the lake during the poker run and reveled with fellow boat owners at an evening banquet.
We trolled the show for cool boating highlights and the best truck/boat combo. Brian's '00 Ford Excursion and 28-foot '02 Nordic boat stood out. Beneath the Excursion's KR500 Good Hood is a ten-cylinder powerplant manhandled by a Kenne Belle supercharger. A 6-inch Pro Comp lift elevates the Excursion above the hot Havasu pavement. Rancho long-travel canister shocks smooth Arizona's rougher roads. Rolling mass includes 17-inch Weld Ultra MTK wheels and 35x12.5-17LT Dick Cepek F-C II tires. APC projector headlights and park lamps and Lumi-Logo logos on the grille and tailgate light the way. Brian customized the taillights with a Nordic logo. PPG paint and clear dress up the SUV.
As for the boat, Brian's Livorsi boost and fuel pressure gauges, Gaffrig factory gauges from Nordic, 425hp 496 HO with a procharger, 28-pitch Bravo One Mercury Marine propeller, and Bravo One X-Drive I/O shower are what make Brian's 82-mph runs across the lake possible.
Brian did all the work at his shop in Colorado before moving to Arizona to open Havasu Customs, where he works on trucks and boats and sells other cool toys (like sandrails).
'07 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Even though it was draped in camouflage, we were excited to get the first pictures of the upcoming Tahoe and Yukon SUVs from Chevrolet and GMC. And now, we're just as pleased to get the first unmasked pictures of the Tahoe. Granted, this is camera phone quality, and we've had to take out the background, but we were assured that these were shot in a publicly accessible area and that no one trespassed or did anything illegal to obtain this (grainy) photograph.
Not much is known about the major overall on the GMT800 platform SUVs, which, with the revamped models, will be known as the GMT 900 platform, but we are expecting a hybrid version to be added to the lineup. Watch for the new Tahoe to go on sale in the fall of 2006. - Brenda Priddy & Company
More Free Stuff Hankook USA is giving away a set of Ventus V4es tires. Available in sizes from 16 to 22 inches, the Ventus V4es has a 420/A/A rating with a specially augmented tread pattern for exceptional all-season traction.
This contest is over, but keep an eye on Truckin' to meet the winners of the grand prize-a trip to a Four Seasons Hotel & Resort within the United States or Puerto Rico. Go to www.hankooktireusa.com for more details about all of the products Hankook has to offer.