Allison Transmission
With the launch of the 2011 Silverado HD right around the corner, I felt it was appropriate to talk about the Allison Transmission that is going to be in it! There are so many great things to say about an Allison Transmission, that I do not know where to start…I will probably make this into a two part post about Allison..
Allison has been around since 1909 (so basically when the automotive industry began), and has stayed on top of the transmission manufacturing business for the past 95 years. Its headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana, where the company actually started off as a racing company and was one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! After a few years of being in the racing business, Allison moved on to manufacturing parts, masters and tools for the Liberty airplane engine. In 1928 Allison’s founder, Jim Allison, died and the company was taken over by General Motors. With time, Allison grew to be a huge player in aviation, as well as motor vehicles – which we know it to be today.
The Allison Transmission that we know and love is a one of a kind machine built specifically for performance. Be on the look out for another post about the workings of the Allison Transmission tomorrow!!
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD: Lives Bigger, Drives Better, and Works Harder for YOU [Reason 2]
Okay, as promised, here is reason #2 for why I think the new 2011 Silverado Heavy Duty truck will crush any other heavy duty truck on the market!
Reason #2: New & Strong Independent Front Suspension
The 2010 Silverado Heavy Duty has a completely redesigned front suspension system! It offers up to 6,000 pounds front gross axle weight rating (a 25-percent greater front axle weight rating than before) – great for a snow plow to be used on all 4WD cab configurations with the snow prep package.
Silverado’s signature short-long arm/torsion bar front suspension design features new, forged steel upper control arms that are stronger and lighter than their predecessors. The new lower control arms are made of precision-machined cast iron to handle the greater loads. Five different torsion bar rates support five different front gross axle weight ratings – this helps stabilize the range of trim heights of various models under load, while enhancing appearance, handling, durability, tire wear and alignment. The trim height is adjusted on each bar via a single bolt, easily allowing the height to be changed to account for the weight of a snow plow or other accessories.
The Silverado HD’s new design eliminates squeaks and clunks, while supporting higher load capability and increased durability. The front suspension now uses a pair of urethane jounce bumpers on each side, instead of one, for improved load management; and there’s a new upper shock mount attachment design that’s positively connected to the frame with two fasteners.
The Silverado’s independent front suspension provides a better ride, more accurate trim height control and greater flexibility to adjust the alignment for weight and tire sensitivity!
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD: Lives Bigger, Drives Better, and Works Harder for YOU [Reason 1]
Over the next few weeks I will be outlining 11 reasons why the new 2011 Silverado Heavy Duty truck will crush any other heavy duty truck on the market. I have studied this truck…and have studied this truck…and for a change of pace, I have studied it some more…and I can not find a single job that this truck can not do – and I want nothing more than to share all of its glory with you!
For a little background on the 2011 HD:
Comprised of the broadest lineup of Silverado Heavy Duty trucks Chevrolet has ever provided, the new 2011 Silverado HD has something for everyone – literally. There are 19 models available, with 3 different trims to choose from, and a ‘Silverado-Extended-Cab-full’ of features for you to think about. Jim Campbell, Chevrolet’s General Manager, made sure that Chevy “…sought the input of [its] customers during the development of the 2011 Silverado HD to deliver a truck that meets or exceeds [the customers’] every need”, and, “…offers greater strength and capability – including class leading fuel economy, trailering and payload ratings – and has more power, accelerates quicker and has lower emissions” to those customers.
Reason #1: New Frames
The engineers determining the design of the HD’s frames were extremely attentive to its common customer and after uses. So much that they added access holes to the rear frame section for easier installation of 5th wheel or gooseneck style hitches and made sure that the frame mounted hitch for conventional trailering was stronger (made with a box-tube design), supporting up to 16,000 pounds.
Eleven all-new, fully boxed, frames have been engineered to improve durability and ride, while also supporting increased capability. The engineers added hydroformed front sections, increased cross sections and used high-strength steel for greater durability, higher towing capacity and improved ride and handling. The frames can bend up to 92% and 20% more, respectively, with the fully boxed sections enhancing torsional stiffness by a factor of 5.
Be on the look out for reason #2!
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