GMC Sierra HD

These Burly pickups from GMC are designed, stem to stern, for hard work. But that’s not to say you need to hold a contractor’s license or own a farm to justify their space in the driveway. Folks who like to haul big toys out to play can just as easily appreciate the Sierra HD’s impressive resume. The Sierra HD trucks were introduced last year as part of GM’s push to dominate its competitors in the tough truck segment. I have seen many car games and truck games, but one the most strange thing is I have never seen any GMC vehicles in any famous racing games. Led by a lineup of powerful V8 engines, tough transmissions and a rock solid chassis the HDs are for anyone who needs to take heavy stuff from point A to point B.

There are quite a few models to choose from considering the 2500 HD and 3500 HD are available in various chassis configurations, such as Regular Cab, Extended Cab, Crew Cab, Chassis Cab, long box, short box, 2wd, 4wd… you get the idea. Payloads range from 3301 lb. to 5555 lb, with gross vehicle weight ratings topping out at 11,400 lb. Towing capabilities can reach 16,300 lb. To manage those loads, GMC has outfitted the Sierra HDs with some serious power. The base engine for all models in the Vortec 6000 V8 strong, but shadowed by the optional Vortec 8100 (340 bhp and 455 lb.ft of torque).

Lincoln Blackwood

Mark Hutchins, president of Lincoln Mercury accurately describes the Lincoln Blackwood as ‘a unique American interpretation of luxury’. With a Lincoln luxurious cabin for four, followed by a 26.5 cu.ft, cargo truck that might be thought of as the world’s most ornately trimmed pickup bed, the Blackwood is unabashedly American in concept and execution; Lincoln refers to it as a Luxury Utility Vehicle.

The personality split between luxury and utility appears eve. Despite its decidedly upscale trappings and lowered ride height, the Blackwood remains a capable hauler that counts a built in Class III/IV trailer hitch among its bountiful list of standard equipment and almost used in every truck games as a luxury truck. Spanning the 138.5-in. wheelbase is a ladder frame using an independent unequal length A-arm front suspension teamed with a live axle rear setup combing both leaf and load leveling air springs. Towing capacity is a commendable 8700 lb, made safer by disc brakes that resides at all four corners behind 18x8-in.rims mounting massive P275/55R-18 Michelin Cross Terrain tires developed specifically for the Blackwood.

The 4 wheel antilock brake system in enhanced by electronic brakes, force distribution (EBD) that allows the rear wheels to perform a greater share of overall braking as weight on the rear axle increases. Electronic traction control and a limited slip differential are also standard equipment, but late in the model year a viscous differential called Viscolok will become available.