The Worst Used Diesel Trucks Not Fit For Work

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A little research is all it takes to avoid buying one of the worst used diesel trucks on the market. Some engines aren’t built the same and should be passed over in favor of more reliable options. Diesel trucks are known for their low-end torque and hard-working power, but some were barely as powerful as the average sedan. A shortlist of engines should be avoided at all costs, and every used diesel truck shopper should familiarize themselves with it.

Dangling GMC logo | Robert Alexander via Getty Images

1994-2001 Chevy & GMC 6.5-L Pickup

This Detroit 6.5-L offers slightly more power than its smaller 6.2-L predecessor. It put out 180hp and 360 lb-ft. Even turbocharged, this engine could not compete with its Powerstroke or Cummins rivals. This truck won’t impress on the job site or off. Rife with frequent mechanical failures, the Detroit 6.5L can cause a lot of headaches. Problems from stalling to refusal to start are common for owners of this underperforming truck.

Ford Super Duty 6.4-L

A row of Ford trucks for sale at a dealership
Ford Trucks | Joe Raedle via Getty Images

After the failures of the 6.0-L Powerstroke, Ford had high hopes of repairing its reputation. Its 6.4-L successor would dash those hopes. This engine has several major flaws, including oil dilution. Oil dilution can cause a lack of engine lubrication and lead to seizing or failure. To compound frustration, this engine carries the same critical fuel system issues as the 6.0-L before it.

1982-1993 Chevy & GMC 6.2-L Pickup

This engine was a step in a new direction for Chevy and GMC. In the early 80s, the automaker had a string of unsuccessful diesel engine builds. In an attempt to pivot and increase the quality of its diesel trucks, engine maker Detroit was hired. The resulting engine was a massive disappointment.

The 6.2-L is a massive engine that puts out very little power. It puts out 130 hp, just 40 more than a Smart Car. This is not the indomitable workhorse that diesel truck buyers expect. This engine also guzzles fuel and is prone to oil leaks from its rear main seal. This is a very costly repair that involved removing the transmission. Buying this used truck will leave most buyers disappointed.

2003-2007 Ford Super Duty 6.0-L

The 6.0L Powerstroke is infamous. The engine is so bad that Ford and Powerstroke parent company Navistar were engaged in a serious legal battle. Ford alleged Navistar built a defective engine. Evidence came to light that Ford had ignored poor test results for the 6.0-L Powerstroke, which could have prevented post-production failures.

Expensive engine replacement warranty claims poured in at the Powerstroke suffered catastrophic failures. Most of these repairs meant the cab of the truck had to be removed. Many owners lost confidence in the brand over this engine. Consumer Reports lists a series of recalls that affect this famously unreliable truck.

1978-1981 Chevy & GMC 5.7-L Pickup

An illuminated Chevrolet logo
Chevrolet Logo | Mandel Ngan via Getty Images

RELATED: Are Diesel Engines More Expensive to Maintain?

This engine began its life as a gas-powered 5.7-L. Converting the gasoline-powered version to diesel did this engine no favors. Issues with head bolts and burns beset this engine through oil. Its cylinder heads lifted off the block and could cause catastrophic failure.

Each of these trucks serves as a reminder that not all diesel trucks are powerful and reliable. As with any class of vehicle, there are specific bad apples to watch out for. For used diesel truck shoppers, knowing what to avoid can save a lot of headaches later on.

The post The Worst Used Diesel Trucks Not Fit For Work appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Fiat Will Become All-Electric by 2030

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The announcement of the new all-electric Fiat 500e heralded some other exciting news. In keeping with what has become a bit of a trend in the auto industry, the Italian automaker announced on Friday that it will be going all-electric by 2030. At this point, announcements like this are becoming an industry standard. The trend was first started by Volvo a few years back. It’s an interesting change of pace for the Italian marque and could hint at the future of other Fiat-Chrysler brands like Jeep and Alfa Romeo.

What about Fiat’s gas-powered cars?

A 500e on display | Mauro Ujetto via Getty Images

Just like other automakers, the Turin-based carmaker said on Friday that the changes will not be sudden. They’ll be a gradual shift that starts with the new 500e. The 500 badge isn’t a bad place for Fiat to start to be sure. However, the 500e is a far cry from the uber-hot Abarth version of years past. It’s a recognizable badge that still sells well despite its small size.

Of course, that small size makes it one of the better city cars out there and electrifying the model only adds to the Fiat’s appeal. However, current 500 models can still be had with a gasoline-driven powerplant for at least a few more years. According to Fiat, this decision was made before the global pandemic, which forced Fiat boss Olivier Francois to take a harder look at what the brand is doing to contribute to a more sustainable climate for everyone.

How the move will change Fiat

A gas-powered black Fiat 500 with other 500 models in
A gas-powered 500 | Daniel Leal-Olivas via Getty Images

The way the Italian brand tells it, the circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic are exactly what spurred on this announcement. Francois states “We were reminded of the urgency of taking action, of doing something for the planet Earth.” Bearing this in mind, the brand will continue to increase focus on small city cars. Oddly enough, there are no new plans for a second fully electric vehicle. That said, some concept models like the Centoventi EV have made appearances.

This likely means that there are indeed new EV models in the works in Turin. They’re just not ready yet. This isn’t uncommon; the rapid shift to EV technology has certainly caught some brands off-balance. Thankfully, building EVs isn’t the only focus for Fiat. They look to also increase charging availability, a classic struggle in the tight cities of Italy and the rest of Europe.

What this means for FCA

The red and silver Fiat logo on a glass building
A Fiat office | Kenzo Tribouillard via Getty Images

Whether Fiat’s shift to electric power is telling of other FCA plans isn’t a sure thing yet. However, in some ways, it feels almost inevitable- especially for European labels like Alfa Romeo. Tighter emissions laws on a global scale could certainly force traditionally gas-powered brands to go electric, but right now Fiat stands alone at FCA. It’s a good thing brands like the Turin-based automaker are also beginning to focus on infrastructure improvements for EVs, as that is a key part of making Fiat’s electric transition stick.

RELATED: The 2021 Fiat 500X Pop Offers Just Enough for the Price

The post Fiat Will Become All-Electric by 2030 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Jay Leno Drives a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud That Chauffeured Film Stars

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Considered special even amongst other luxury car brands, Rolls-Royce’s products have a well-deserved reputation for quality. That extends even to the ‘baby’ Rolls, the Ghost. But while classic Rolls-Royce cars aren’t as advanced as their successors, they can still chauffeur A-list clientele in luxurious comfort. And as Jay Leno explains in his latest video, that’s exactly what John Frankenheimer’s 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III did.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was the end of an era and the dawn of a new one

1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III | Bring a Trailer

While it’s not impossible to order a coach-built Rolls-Royce today, it’s the exception rather than the rule. But it was exactly the opposite in the automobile’s early days when automakers sold bare chassis and coachbuilders like Mulliner added the body and interior. For Rolls-Royce, that tradition essentially ended with the Silver Cloud, specifically the later models, Hagerty explains.

However, while the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud more or less closed the book on one hallmark, it opened the door to another. The earliest examples—the Silver Cloud I models—have inline-six engines designed by W.O. Bentley, Automobile reports. Yes, the same W.O. that founded Bentley; remember, the two brands have a common history.

The blue-leather-upholstered and walnut-wood-trimmed front interior of a 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III front interior | Bring a Trailer

But in 1959, the Silver Cloud II introduced the Rolls-Royce 6.2-liter V8, “literally transforming the car,” RM Sotheby’s says. This V8 would later become the venerable 6.75-liter Bentley V8 used in cars like the Arnage. In period, Rolls-Royce never described the engine’s output as anything other than “adequate.” Nevertheless, a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III was capable of triple-digit speeds back in the day.

Speed, though, isn’t the point of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III. While you won’t find massaging seats in these cars, there are power windows, power steering and brakes, a power-operated sunroof. There’s also plenty of leather, metal, and wood as well as wool carpeting. The rear passengers also enjoy fold-out wood writing tables and rear speakers. Plus, in addition to more power, the later Silver Cloud IIIs have more interior space, Hagerty notes, and optional A/C.

A 1965 Silver Cloud III is “what people think of when they think of a Rolls-Royce,” Jay Leno says

The rear 3/4 view of a white 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III with its doors open on a beach
1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III rear 3/4 with doors open | Bring a Trailer

That last feature was the main reason why Hollywood director John Frankenheimer bought his 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III over a Bentley, Hagerty explains. He didn’t fit well behind the wheel of the latter. But as Jay Leno explains in the video below, Frankenheimer’s car is about more than space.

Frankenheimer loved his Silver Cloud III so much, he had the car shipped to “all the film sites,” Jay Leno says. And many of his films’ stars were driven around in it over the years. Robert F. Kennedy would have been, too. But despite its age, the Rolls only has 27,000 miles on the clock. As a result, it’s in remarkably good shape, with a 100% original interior. Even the paint is likely original, Jay Leno notes, though the radiator is likely a replacement. And the radio is a modern unit.

There are a few downsides to the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, Jay Leno says. That 6.2-liter V8 is more powerful than an inline-six, but it’s also “kinda crammed in [the engine bay],” making maintenance more difficult. And the electric motors for the windows are noisier than you might expect; it’s why the Mercedes-Benz 600 uses hydraulics. But the powertrain mechanics are fairly robust and simple to maintain.

On the road, the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III has what Jay Leno calls “the Grey Poupon look.” To paraphrase, it looks like a stereotypical “rich guy’s car,” he says. But that’s because it has the material quality and comfort to back the image up. There’s no plastic anywhere and everything fits together tightly. And while it’s not the best-handling or fastest car, the Silver Cloud is still impressively comfortable with an SUV-like seating position. Jay Leno describes it as “like being in your library at home.”  

A well-maintained example doesn’t necessarily cost a lot

As Jay Leno notes in his video, the interior of a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud is significantly more expensive to refurbish than the powertrain. And it’s not unusual, he says, to pay more to restore the interior than for the whole car. But a good-condition Silver Cloud is still relatively affordable.

Although convertible (‘drophead’) models command a noticeable premium, hard-top Silver Clouds are easier on the wallet. A good-to-excellent condition Silver Cloud III costs anywhere from $60K-$90K, Hagerty notes. It’s not the cheapest old Rolls-Royce, but it’s still a classy luxury car with star power.

Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.

RELATED: Jay Leno’s Bristol 403 Is “the Most British of British Cars”

The post Jay Leno Drives a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud That Chauffeured Film Stars appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

How Big of an ATV Do You Need to Plow Snow?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s summertime, and the last thing you might be thinking about right now is snow. But if you’re thinking about buying an ATV, you might also be planning ahead for winter use. After all, all-terrain vehicles are made for just that, all-terrain. And millions of people contend with drifted driveways and impacted snow during the winter season.

Today’s ATVs come in a wide range of sizes and offer a host of capabilities – ideal for off-road and mudding fun. However, when it comes to snow plowing in the winter, there are a few suggestions worth considering. According to some of the industry professionals, ATV size may not matter as much as you’d think when it comes to pushing snow. So, just how big of an ATV do you need to blast through the snow with a plow? 

Buying right now for winter use can be smart

‘Tis the season for blazing trails, getting muddy, and zooming around on the ATV. But for many Americans, all-terrain vehicles are a must-have for more than just fun. Snowplowing during the winter months is a necessity too. So, buying an ATV now means understanding what you’ll need it to do for you later.

GoodMuddin.com says the best time to buy an ATV, regardless of how you plan to use it, is right now. May and June typically represent the time of year that next year’s models are released by manufacturers. Usually, manufacturers authorize great warranty offers and rebates too. 

ATVs come in a variety of sizes

Buying an all-terrain vehicle may kind of feel like buying a car. There are plenty of styles, sizes, brands, and capabilities from which to choose. Generally, buyers look at the core differences in horsepower and engine size. You can find 400cc models, 800cc models, and monster 1000cc models.

A 400cc ATV will work great as a fun, backyard adventure ride. It will also, according to BootsATV.com, do just fine with plowing snow. But they also suggest there’s more to it than just size and ATV weight.

ATVs have been long used for fun and work for decades. And there are a host of reliable brands you’ve come to know and trust. Polaris, Arctic Cat, Suzuki, and Yamaha are just a few names that tend to have the most loyal customers. Knowing which will be best for your snow plowing job boils down to a few key features.

What you need to plow snow

If your ATV needs to be snow plow-ready, there are a few things to consider. The ideal size for a 48-inch or 60-inch plow would be a 500cc quad, according to industry enthusiasts like GoodMuddin.com. It might also be worth looking at a side-by-side ATV with a 500cc motor to bring more weight and push capability to your snow plowing projects. 

Weight means better traction, which is why most will tell you to find an ATV that weighs 400 to 700 pounds. Having the right weight and not so much engine power will translate to better turning traction. And for the heavier, wetter snow you might face, it’s the weight that will provide the momentum your quad needs to get the job done.

If you only need your new ATV for snow pushing next winter, there’s no real need to get an 800cc or bigger. The 500cc will work just fine. But you may have other requirements, including summer fun and work worth considering. Before you buy, know what you’ll need your ATV to do for you year-round. And get busy shopping because now is the perfect time to bring home a new quad, whatever you need it to do.

RELATED: Recall Alert: ATV Steering Problem Could Cause Riders to Lose Control and Crash

The post How Big of an ATV Do You Need to Plow Snow? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by