LINE-X TEAMS WITH CONCEPT VEHICLE BUILDER TO SHOWCASE 2017 FORD RAPTOR AT SEMA
LINE-X, a global leader in extreme performance automotive coatings complemented with top shelf Truck Gear by LINE-X accessories, teamed up with custom car and concept vehicle builder, Kenny Pfitzer, to create one of most dramatically customized builds at this year’s SEMA Show: A 2017 Ford Raptor with completely machined body parts and stunning Truck Gear by LINE-X off-road accessory prototypes.
The LINE-X Widebody Raptor is entirely coated in LINE-X ULTRA—a groundbreaking thin-build, low profile coating that is only available through the LINE-X network. LINE-X ULTRA, characterized by eye-catching smooth textures, strong UV protection, and universal fit for tight clearances, offers superior durability with major style points. ULTRA is the first polyurea coating of its kind that exceeds the standard properties of paint and powder coat. In physical tests, LINE-X ULTRA is 15 times stronger than standard thin film coatings.
The Raptor is one of several vehicles built for LINE-X by Pfitzer, president of Zero to 60 Designs, who entered in this year’s Battle of the Builders competition with four different entries. Spanning a 20 year career in the automotive industry, Kenny Pfitzer’s fingerprints have been on thousands of custom projects and concepts. Pfitzer and his new Zero to 60 Designs design shop fabricated several prototype Truck Gear by LINE-X accessories: front and rear bumpers, side steps, and other touches to accentuate the Raptor with elevated style and functionality. Completely machined quarter panels and fenders made this monstrous machine a full 6-inches-wider than a stock Ford Raptor.
“I have to say this has been one of my most ambitious projects to date. Improving an already iconic vehicle like the Raptor was extremely challenging, but my design elements and the way we were able to incorporate LINE-X ULTRA—as well as never-before-seen Truck Gear by LINE-X accessory concepts—into this build really makes it stand out against other Raptors at SEMA,” Pfitzer says. “LINE-X is a bold brand that’s constantly pushing the limits of extreme design, protection, and style, so it was my mission to create an equally aggressive truck that evokes that same level of attitude.” For more, visit www.linex.com.
PPG PAINTS WORLD’S FASTEST DIESEL TRUCK
The world’s fastest diesel truck now sports a stunning red and two-toned gray paint job achieved with PPG commercial coatings products. The truck, named Joint Venture, is a 1997 Freightliner highway hauler owned by Don Lemmons and his Kelso, Washington-based company, Joint Venture Race Truck. It holds the Bonneville Salt Track record for the world’s fastest modified diesel truck—228.8 mph—set in 2006.
Lemmons recently decided Joint Venture needed a new finish. With 4,000-plus hp pouring out of the big rig’s stout 1,952-cubic-inch MTU Detroit Diesel engine boosted with two Garrett intercooler turbochargers to pack a huge punch, he knew no ordinary paint job would suffice. Something special was called for. Lemmons turned to two local companies for assistance—Wheeler’s Collision & Paint, a PPG customer also in Kelso, and Bob’s Paint Land, a PPG Platinum Distributor in nearby Vancouver, Washington.
Lemmons was acquainted with Wheeler’s Collision & Paint and Bob’s Paint Land, having worked with the companies to maintain the truck fleet in one of his other businesses. Recognizing an opportunity to be part of a true joint venture, Bob’s Paint Land owner Mike Stillman and general manager Jared Sellers donated the PPG paint needed for the refinish. Joe Wheeler at Wheeler’s Collision & Paint then had painter Kody Price spray DELFLEET® Evolution FBC Basecoat and a double coat of DELFLEET ESSENTIAL® ESC621 Urethane Clearcoat to give the truck its dramatic look.
Joint Venture was on display in October in the lobby of the Portland, Oregon, headquarters of Daimler Trucks North America LLC—Freightliner Trucks’ parent company. Employees and visitors had the chance to see what Freightliner trucks could be if they weren’t hauling cargo.
PPG offers a full range of coating technologies for the commercial transportation and light industrial markets including polyurethanes, alkyds, epoxies, polyurea, waterborne, pretreatment chemicals, and powder coatings. For more, visit www.ppgcommercialcoatings.com.
ROAD READY™ TELEMATICS SYSTEM FEATURED AT 2017 IFDA EXPO
The Road Ready™ system by Truck-Lite Co., LLC, a worldwide leader in heavy-duty lighting, mirror, telematics, and visibility systems, was featured at the 2017 International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) Expo in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
The Road Ready system appeared on Morgan’s medium-duty Final Mile refrigerated truck body and the prototype NexGen multi-temp Home Delivery body, which made its public debut at the IFDA expo.
The Road Ready system creates the industry’s first true “smart” body with its solar-powered Master Control Unit (MCU). With a military-grade solar panel and an up-to-10-year, quick-charging battery, the MCU continually monitors and transmits crucial data from customizable, peel-and-stick Road Ready sensors to an intuitive user interface, providing greater insight into a trailer or body environment and helping to lower maintenance costs and CSA scores.
“The adaptable and customizable nature of the Road Ready system works with both trailers and truck or van bodies,” says Jim Latona, US OEM sales manager for Truck-Lite. “The variety of possible configurations makes it an ideal solution for any diversified fleet.”
Truck-Lite’s Road Ready system is a solar-powered, wireless, multi-functional telematics solution and is easily customizable for any fleet requirement. For more, visit www.roadreadysystem.com.
AIR LIFT COMPANY INTRODUCES NEW HEAVY-DUTY COIL SPRING INSERTS FOR RAM 1500 PICKUPS
Air Lift has created an upgraded version of this best-selling kit. The Air Lift 1000 HD(tm) load support kit is Air Lift’s heaviest-duty coil spring insert, providing up to 2,500 lbs of load-leveling capabilities. Specifically engineered for 2009-2018 coil-sprung RAM 1500 pickups, these custom-molded polyurethane air springs are simply inserted into the rear coil springs, no vehicle modifications required.
All Air Lift air springs are backed by an industry-exclusive lifetime warranty, which covers the entire contents of the air spring kit, and the company also ensures satisfaction with a 60-day money back guarantee on load support air springs and on-board compressor systems. For more, visit www.airliftcompany.com/products/air-springs/air-lift-1000-hd.
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE
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