Lug Nuts - TS Performance Rocks - December 2008

TS Performance Rocks
The event that TS Performance puts on in Bowling Green, Kentucky, every year is a pretty special thing. The '08 TS Outlaw event provided lots of action, good-looking trucks, and more. If you were there, you know what we mean. You'll no doubt want a copy of the DVD that chronicles the event. If you weren't there, you can find out what it's all about and then make plans to be there in 2009. The DVD has more than an hour of drag race and sled pull action, along with driver and vendor interviews. Order the DVD directly from TS Performance at 270/756-9999, or visit tsperformance.com.

Nissan Diesels
Commercial versions of Nissan's next-generation Titan pickup will be aimed at the Chevy 2500 and Ford F-250 pickups, according to a story in Automotive News by Rick Kranz. The new Titan pickup will debut as an '09 model and will be "heavier than we have today; more substantial," Jed Connelly, Nissan's senior vice president of sales and marketing, said at the Geneva auto show. The Automotive News article also quoted Connelly as saying it will be a truck that requires a diesel application.

First-Ever Planting Of Pennycress To Produce Biodiesel
Innovation Fuels is a rapidly emerging New York-based renewable fuel company that manufactures, markets, and distributes biodiesel fuel to customers around the world. Recently the company planted the oilseed crop pennycress to produce biodiesel-the first time that has ever been done in the U.S., Innovation Fuels claims. "This marks the first effort in United States history where non-edible pennycress has been planted to produce an alternative energy fuel such as sustainable biodiesel," the company says. Innovation Fuels has a global reach and touts the mission to replace diesel fuel with sustainably produced biodiesel.

Cool Toolboxes
Starbucks Customs, a premier car customizing and paint shop in Southern California, has a complete line of distinctive toolboxes that might help set you apart. These cool toolboxes feature a custom paint scheme to highlight your custom truck. The boxes are made in the USA from solid steel, and feature a heavy-duty plated latch and comfort grip handle. Each box is hand painted with the same high-quality work that Starbucks Customs applies to its numerous show-winning vehicles. Boxes start as low as $49 for pre-painted models, or Starbucks can customize your box to exactly match your vehicle's color code and graphics. For more information on the various styles and colors available, contact Starbucks Customs, 951/735-6053, starbuckscustoms.com.

Exhaust Fluid Infrastructure
Pilot Travel Centers, the nation's largest retail operator of travel centers with more than 325 owned or licensed retail interstate locations in 40 states, recently announced plans to be the first to carry diesel exhaust fluid "at the pump" for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipped trucks. The company's initial rollout plans call for the fluid to be economically available in bulk at more than 100 Pilot Travel Center locations nationwide beginning in mid-to-late 2009.

Pilot's decision to offer diesel exhaust fluid at the pump will maximize affordability and convenience for truckers and is one of the final infrastructure elements to be put into place for truck fleets and owner-operator customers planning to use SCR emissions-control technology to meet 2010 emissions standards. The company's commitment ensures supplies of the fluid will be conveniently available during normal fuel fill-ups by truck drivers anywhere in the country, and will help to lead the way for new '10 SCR-equipped trucks to run at near-zero emission levels.

Virtually all of the heavy-duty engines in volume production today-that will continue to be sold after the new standards take effect-will utilize SCR to comply with the standard, optimizing fuel consumption and driveability for their owners.