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Category: Truck News & Info

The End of Regular Cab Tacomas

Posted on by Magnum

regular cab tacoma Although there has been no official statement from Toyota at the present time, a number of otherwise credible sources have reported that the once popular Toyota Tacoma regular cab truck will be discontinued for the 2015 auto year.

Slacking sales and recent trends in consumer preferences have made regular cab trucks seemingly obsolete in terms of profitability and consumer value, replaced by larger models such as crew and extended cab models. In fact, competitors of the Toyota Tacoma such as the Nissan Frontier have already jettisoned their mid-size models in pursuit of a larger market – and now Toyota is poised to follow.

From an objective overview Toyota is making a prudent business decision in this instance for a number of valid reasons. Not only have sales fallen in recent years on the Toyota Tacoma regular cab but the gap in consumer prices between extended cab and regular cab trucks regardless of make have closed considerably.

To the consumer this means a few extra thousand dollars spent at the dealership equates into a larger truck with greater seating capacity and a much wider possibility of potential uses. While the overall gas mileage of the extended cab vehicles may be reduced the inherent advantages make them a prudent purchase on several economic levels.

Within the automotive industry the move is simply a matter of survival in keeping up with the competition. Truck manufacturers in general and Toyota specifically can no longer afford to absorb the production costs associated with catering to a niche market that is shrinking annually – namely fuel conscious small business owners and private owners with limited expectations. Although a quality truck in it’s prime, in essence the regular cab Toyota Tacoma has outlived it’s acceptance in the current marketplace plain and simple.

For loyal fans of the Toyota Tacoma the 2015 model will be eagerly anticipated and should hold a number of interesting and useful upgrades designed to accommodate consumer needs and choices. Unquestionably Toyota possesses the knowledge and creativity to produce yet another outstanding Tacoma model, the only real differences in the next generation will equate to a larger size and a expanded range of uses.

Photo credit: Scott Butner / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

 

Replace Your Pick Ups Exhaust Tips

Posted on by Magnum

pickup exhaust tips An average person can install an aftermarket chrome tip onto their truck exhaust system with basic auto supplies. However, in some instances, a professional auto shop might be the best route for installing an aftermarket muffler tip.

The first thing that a person will need to do is to choose which type of exhaust tip that they would like to install onto their truck. There are different sizes of exhaust tips, which range from slimmer tips to larger tips, and even dual tips. Furthermore, there are also different materials that exhaust tips are manufactured from; while chrome tips are sought after, they’re more expensive and are prone to dulling. Meanwhile, stainless steel exhaust tips give the look of chrome, while still being capable of maintaining a shine.

After the person has chosen the type of exhaust tip that they would like, they might need to obtain welding equipment, if the exhaust tip the person chose is a weld-on tip. Meanwhile, there are also other exhaust tips that are able to be bolted-on. If the exhaust tip is bolt-on, the individual can simply obtain some WD-40, auto gloves, as well as various sizes wrenches and pliers if needed.

Also, the person should take care to only install an exhaust tip onto their truck after it has been allowed to cool for the proper amount of time first. Alongside the truck being allowed to cool for the proper amount of time, the person should also ensure to engage their truck’s emergency brake so that the vehicle does not have a possibility of budging.

After the individual has put on their auto gloves, they may go ahead and lube the end of the exhaust with WD-40 so that the exhaust tip is able to slip on more easily. If the exhaust tip is a weld-on tip, after the individual has put on their welding mask, they can position the exhaust-tip onto the exhaust and begin welding the tip into place.

However, if the exhaust tip is a simple bolt-on, the individual may also lube the exhaust end with WD-40 so that the exhaust tip will fit on more easily. After the exhaust tip has been secured into place, it can then be secured onto the exhaust using the supplied bolts.

The bolts may be tightened using various sizes wrenches or pliers, depending on the bolt sizes. If all attempts have failed and the individual can simply not weld or bolt on their exhaust tip, they should opt to take their truck to a professional auto shop to install their exhaust tip for them.

Photo credit: istargazer / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

 

Aluminum Pickup Dump Body

Posted on by Magnum

dump body truck bed If you have a need for a dump body on your pickup truck you should seriously consider an all-aluminum dump body from DuraMag. By using aluminum we maximize the performance of your pickup truck by keeping the weight to a minimum. Plus our aluminum dump bodies are built to outlast your pickup.

Dump bodies can be built with our overhead racks and headache racks built in along with plenty of storage compartments to hole tools and accessories for any type of job you need done.

Never Rust Dump Bodies

By making our beds and bodies out of aluminum we not only offer the advantage of lighter truck bodies we can also say that they will never rust. We also don’t like to brag but they make your pickup truck look mighty nice! Do you carry a lot of dirt? Do you haul gravel or other material that can wear out the finish on a dump body? If so the aluminum body from DuraMag is your solution.

Our designs have been tested and re-tested until we were satisfied with a product that we knew would stand up to the types of work trucks these bodies are going to be placed on. We understand that if our products are not satisfactory than there is no sense building them in the first place.

Style and Functionality

Our dump body products are made to have the most functionality possible while giving your truck style and longevity. If you own your own business you don’t want people to see you driving around with a rusty old dump body, especially if it is only a few years old. Instead you could have a shiny aluminum body with diamond plate outer panels. Protect your investment as well as your reputation with an all-aluminum dump body from DuraMag, part of the Shyft Group family.

Best Diesel Pickups of 2012

Posted on by Magnum

2012 F 250 When it comes to the best diesel pickup truck we know better than to try and tell you what is the best truck, instead here are a few facts about some of the 2012 diesel models and you can decide for yourself who you think has the best diesel pickup truck

2012 Diesel Truck Statistics

First of all let’s look at the facts, which truck has the most power. When it boils down to it trucks are made for working. Towing, hauling, pulling, it all depends on how much power and torque your truck has. Although power stats are not the end all be all of pickup comparisons, it is fun to know the stats so you can win that argument with your buddies.

Looking at the top 3 diesel truck makers, Chevy, Ford and Dodge here are some results. The 2012 Ford Super Duty F-250 boasts the most horsepower at 400, is tied with the Dodge Ram 2500 for the most torque at 800 lbs/ft. It is about a ton heavier than the Dodge but it has a much heavier payload capacity.

The Chevy weighs 300 pounds more than the Ford and has almost as much horsepower at 397. It was a little off Ford and Dodges torque number as well with 765 lbs/ft. The Chevy had a payload capacity of 4,192, about one hundred pounds less than Fiord but still over a thousand pounds more than Dodge.

So it seems like the Dodge Ram 2500 is a truck if you want a light duty diesel. Maybe it gets better fuel mileage with a less powerful engine and lighter frame. Either way the lighter Dodge truck still builds impressive torque for towing.

No matter which truck you like best they are all great vehicles. Ford wins out the statistics battle but only once they are tested in action will you truly now which diesel truck performs the best.

Custom Truck Beds

Posted on by Magnum

At Magnum Manufacturing we put the same process for making trucks racks into designing and making truck beds. We don’t do this to be cool or gain a leg up on the market. We do it because we think we can make a better truck bed for the working person. These truck beds will never rust and they will most likely outlast the vehicle they are fitted on.

If you want a light weight, rugged truck bed that is functional and will last forever, check out our line of custom truck beds.

Custom Series Truck Bed
No matter what industry you are in, a custom series truck rack can make your life easier while keeping your presentation professional. Custom series truck beds can have as much storage as you need for your business. Our custom series beds were built, torn down and re-built until we came up with the perfect combination of lightweight, durability, usability and style.

Heavy Duty Series truck Bed
This series truck bed is made for medium duty trucks. The Heavy Duty truck bed comes with 3 inch sills and has an option to go with 6 inch sills. The HD series bed now comes with a taller head board to keep up with the taller cabs of today’s medium duty trucks. Also a standard feature of the Heavy Duty series is 12 inch spacing from center on the cross member.

Standard Series Truck Bed
The Magnum Standard Series truck bed is designed for box tube extrusion. Using 6005 T6 extrusion we have created the toughest extrusion truck bed on the market. The bed floor is created using 8 inch interlocking planks for strength, reliability and a rugged look. Sill options are 3 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch sills. While the 3 inch sills are standard, longer sills can be welded at the factory or shipped loose.