•Here's one about a guy named Roy Wireman, who has developed a new twin cluster gear manual trans (like what's in an 18-wheeler). He says his design doubles the torque capacity and can accommodate synchromesh gear synchronizers. He built the prototype based on a Richmond street five-speed-which has a 450 lb-ft torque rating, but Roy says his is ready for 900 lb-ft. He also promised it's adaptable in place of most conventional manual trannies, including the Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed: "The Magnum carries a 700 lb-ft rating, which jumps to 1,400 with my twin cluster design!" Look for more on this in Jp in the future.
You Have a Small Package?
AutoPacific conducted a study that claims American consumers desire fuel-efficient cars, but don't want to drive something much smaller than what they currently have. The study was called Small Cars in the USA-Planning for the Coming Boom, and surveyed more than 32,000 new car and light-truck buyers. Among the least shocking revelations? "This survey shows that present owners of the smallest cars like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Chevrolet Aveo want more power and acceleration, more technology, and more cargo room next time they buy," explained George Peterson, AutoPacific's president.
Cash for Clunkers Boosts Truck, SUV Sales
Oops. The master plan was for people to turn in "gas guzzlers" for more "fuel-efficient" cars, but the Associated Press reports that for those $3,500-$4,500 rebates, the better-gas-mileage-than-the-trade-in protocol for cars was at least 4 mpg, while people buying SUVs and pickups needed only a 2 mpg improvement. So, the CARS/clunker program sold 16,330 Chevy Silverados, 16,263 Ford F-150s, and 15 Hummer H3Ts. Those numbers include two- and four-wheel drive and various engines. There were 15,013 Prius models sold. The U.S. transportation secretary has called the program "wildly successful" and said there were nearly 700,000 "car sales."
"Moparized" Liberty and Wrangler
"Right after Dodge Ram, Jeep Wrangler is our most accessorized vehicle," said Pietro Gorlier, who is president and chief executive officer of Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care. "We're going to ignore the chrome part," he said after that. So, running with that argument, Pietro and his team "Moparized" (really, it's their word, not ours) a Wrangler Unlimited and Liberty for the International Motorshow in Frankfurt, Germany. Jeep claims that Wrangler owners spend about $325 on Mopar stuff. And one more fun fact: Mopar distributes close to 280,000 parts and accessories to more than 90 countries.
Things to Do With Your Jeep
January 9: Tread Lightly Tread Trainer Clinic hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA, 4x4training.com
January 10: 4WD Spotting Skills Clinic hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA, 4x4training.com
January 23-24: Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA, 4x4training.com
January 25- 26: Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA, 4x4training.com
January 30: Rocks Skills Clinic hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Calico near Barstow or Johnson Valley near Lucerne Valley, CA, 4x4training.com
January 31: Picking Lines hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Calico near Barstow or Johnson Valley near Lucerne Valley, CA, 4x4training.com
January 30-31: AMVCC 19th annual Papago Military Vehicle Show, Phoenix, AZ, armytrucks.org
February 24-27: Chile Challenge hosted by Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club, Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds, Las Cruces, NM, lascrucesfourwheeldriveclub.com
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