Super-Sized Pickups: The Next Big Thing PICKUPS Miscellaneous Truck manufacturers and dealers are turning commercial-sized trucks into super-sized pickups that give you the versatility of a pickup with the power of a truck     The super-sized pickups rival semi-trucks in pulling capacity but they don t come cheap Prices start at $60 000 to $70 000 and go up from there     International Big Red The Big Red 7300 pickup shown at right was put together by an International Truck dealer in Phoenix Arizona The base truck comes standard with full-time 4-WD and is powered by a 215hp DT 466 diesel engine that cranks out 540 ft -lbs of torque between 1 400 and 2 100 rpm s It has an Allison 5-speed automatic transmission a manual transmission is optional A big chrome stack and other bright metal work on the rig make it somewhat resemble a semi tractor The bed is a full 10 ft long and will accommodate a fifth wheel for pulling big trailers     With a gross axle weight rating of 10 000 lbs in front and 17 000 in back this truck is a Class 7 vehicle by GVWR standards Its GVWR means the driver needs a Class B commercial driver s license a requirement that kicks in at 26 001 lbs Class 7 vehicles can carry 33 000 lbs on two axles and up to 70 000 with a trailer which is just 10 000 lbs less than a Class 8 semi tractor and trailer The pickup can also be purchased with a 16 000-lb front axle and 30 000-lb rear axle giving it full Class 8 capability     The truck can be de-rated to 25 999 lbs if the customer desires turning the pickup into a Class 5 vehicle that can be legally driven with a standard driver s license     At 96 in the cab is 44 in longer than the standard cab in International s 4000 7000 and 8000 series tractors so it has plenty of legroom     The Big Red can be equipped with the same standard of luxury you might expect to find in high-end pickups including keyless entry power windows excellent sound system and air-brake buttons on the dash     Contact: Wayne McGee I-10 International Trucks Inc 22025 Central Ave Phoenix Ariz 85004 ph 602 254-9241; website:www i10international com     Chevrolet Kodiak The C4500 is the entry-level unit in the Kodiak line of Chevy commercial trucks with a starting GVWR of 16 000 lbs     The C4500 comes standard with an Allison 1000 5-speed automatic transmission and 8 1-liter Vortec engine rated at 225 hp with 350 ft -lbs at 1 200 rpm s or 325 hp and 450 ft -lbs at 2 800 rpm s It s also available with a Duramax 6600 turbocharged diesel engine that comes with 210 or 300 hp ratings both with 520 ft -lbs of torque Either engine can be matched with a 6-speed manual transmission; pto drive is an option A Caterpillar 3126E diesel engine is available for C6500 through C8500 models     The pickup is more than 7 ft 6 in tall with the first step 19 in off the ground and the next step 35 in off the ground working up to a driver s seat cushion that s 52 in off the ground - a foot higher than a dualie pickup More clues about the pickup s size: It has three Group 31 batteries the radiator holds 27 quarts of coolant the pan 14 6 quarts of oil and the fuel tank 40 gal     The pickup features a new standard hydraulic four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system that provides a big reduction in stopping distances with lower pedal effort and quieter operation It also has new body-mounted side mirrors that are larger than the old door-mounted mirrors     The Kodiak is not available with 4-WD at this time although it s under development     Ford Super Duty F-650 The Super Duty F-650 is part of the biggest line of F-Series pickups ever built An F-750 model is also available     The F-650 is available with 11 different cab and wheelbase combinations wheelbases stretch from 158 to 260 in The pickup has an aerodynamic sloping hood design Comes with a choice of three diesel engines - a Cummins 205 hp engine with a choice of a 6 or 7-speed manual transmission; Cummins 225 hp engine with choice of 5-speed automatic or 6 or 7-speed manual transmission; and Power Stroke 7 3-liter 210 hp turbocharged engine with choice of 5 or 6-speed manual

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.