Archive for January, 2010

Truck Safety Then And Now – 1990 vs 2010

Pickup trucks have evolved quite a bit in the last 20 years. In 1990, fuel injection and automatic locking hubs were “new” technology, most trucks were available with manual transmissions, and the most powerful engine in a half-ton was Chevy’s 454 V8 with 255 hp. Safety standards have changed a lot too – a 1990 Toyota pickup had just a one-star safety rating in a driver’s side frontal-impact test (yikes!).

Trucks have changed a lot in the last 20 years

Pickup truck safety, along with fuel economy and performance, has improved a LOT since 1990.

New Toyota Accelerator Mechanism Recall A Bad Sign

For the last few months, Toyota has led the public to believe that any incidents of unintended acceleration were caused by out-of-position floor mats. While this was most likely the cause of a fatal Lexus crash in California last August, many investigations failed to prove that floor mats were the root cause of unintended acceleration complaints. Today, Toyota has announced yet another recall (on top of the original floor mat recall) to repair or replace approximately 2.3 million throttle mechanisms. From Toyota’s press release:

Gale Banks Engineering Monster Exhaust System

There are a lot of performance companies out there hawking parts for your Toyota Tundra, but not all of them boast the kind of history that Gale Banks Engineering can claim. Headquartered in Azusa, California the man behind the company is Gale Banks himself, a legendary figure in the world of automotive performance who began setting records with his outlandish vehicles in the 1960’s. Not only did Banks compete in NHRA drag racing, but he also tackled powerboat racing and top speed titles on the Bonneville salt flats.

Motorsports icon Gale Banks

Staying at the helm of his own company longer than most other go-fast magnates of his era, Gale Banks has seen his vehicles top 275 miles per hour in street trim, while specialized record-setting models have gone as fast as 432 miles per hour on their way into the record books.

Youth Model Off-road Vehicles Banned Due To Lead Paint

Here’s a story from the Department of Ridiculous and Absurd:

As a result of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, sales of youth-model off-road vehicles (ATVs and motorcycles) were banned in February, 2009, because the vehicle’s paint contains lead. The ban was temporarily lifted last April, but the lift on the ban is almost over.

Seriously?

Undercover Tonneau Cover For The Tundra

Choosing a tonneau cover for your Toyota Tundra is often about compromises. Choose the least expensive tonneau cover, and you end up with a limited versatility accessory that doesn’t protect your cargo. Choose the most expensive tonneau, and you start to approach the price of a full-size topper without many of the benefits of a full-size topper/shell.

Undercover's tonneau is a decent option for covering your Tundra's bed.

One of the best middle of the road solutions when looking for affordable and effective cargo protection is a solid, hard plastic tonneau cover. Unlike a vinyl or cloth tonneau cover, hard plastic units are lockable and extremely resistant to cutting or “smash and grab” style thefts. Hard plastic tonneuas are also waterproof, impact and stain resistant, and unlike vinyl/cloth tonneaus, they won’t start to sag after a few years of ownership. Finally, solid hard plastic tonneaus are the most secure tonneau cover option – slightly more secure than any folding tonneau covers (like Extang’s Solid Fold Tonneau).