We ask manufacturers to put more and more gadgets into our implements and vehicles. We want voice recognition, hard drives to store client lists and our favourite music. The climate control has to have zones and work automatically. Remote start is a must, as is the built-in garage opener. The list goes on. One thing […] Read more
Stories by Charles Renny
This pick-up truck goes big — really big
Because of rain, I had trouble getting quality time in my regular dusty green fall office. So to fill the days, Chrysler Canada sent me a Ram 3500 Mega Cab in premium trim with the Cummins diesel coupled to a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission. Mega Cab really is mega. The cabin is 20 inches longer […] Read more
The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO, more North American
My buddies gave me grief about driving a Japanese pickup when I showed up in a Tundra. Just to set the record, and them, straight, Tundras are built in San Antonio Texas and have 73.5 percent North American content. For all the Big-Three fans out there, Tundra has more North American content than any other […] Read more
Honda Ridgeline remade into a whole new truck
Honda isn’t the only company with truck news, but last year when Honda introduced the second-generation Ridgeline as a 2018 model, the redesign was so radical you might say that Honda picked up the radiator cap and slid a new truck under it. If you were blindfolded and put into the truck, you wouldn’t believe […] Read more
Vehicle restoration means that old is new — again
Restorations are not new. People have been finding and fixing things for years but we’ve recently taken this concept to a different level. There are shows for almost anything. Shows where enthusiasts mix with curious show goers and have a pleasant day talking to old and new friends. In addition, we have all watched auctions […] Read more
Power wagon comfortable but load capacity is weak
Once I’m in the 2017 RAM Power Wagon, it is great to be in. The seat is comfortable and fully power adjustable. All controls are right at hand and just about everything is a dial type switch, from the gear selector to the 4 X 4 system. The centre console is large enough to hold […] Read more
A tale of two trucks: performance starts from the ground up
Never before has it been so important to pay attention to which truck package was tested when you read a review. For example, take the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. I first drove the Tacoma TRD (Toyota Racing Department) as part of a test of small trucks for the Canadian Truck King Challenge. The challenge is designed […] Read more
Truck wars take a twist
Rather than duke it out over who has more torque or better anti-sway control, Ford and General Motors are sniping at each other with television ads over what their trucks are made out of. Ford makes extensive use of aluminum, while GM says it uses aluminum where needed and steel where it matters. Let’s look […] Read more
Ford King Ranch changes to Power Stroke diesel engine
Having driven Ford’s F350 each year for many years, it can be difficult to tell what really is new and improved season to season. Several years ago, the underpinnings were the news of the day. Rear springs, including the overloads, were widened to about 7.6 millimetres and the bolts that hold the truck together were […] Read more
General Motors’ Ecotec 3 engine offers pulling power
General Motors is the last of the big three Detroit vehicle manufacturers to redo their light truck line. Sales have slowed due to the knowledge that an all-new truck would be available soon. Ecotec 3 is the name of the new generation of engines at GM. Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will have engine choices […] Read more
