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2019 GMC Sierra carbon fiber bed: How it's made

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The redesigned 2019 GMC Sierra has some pretty nifty features, and the one that has had the most attention is the MultiPro flipping and folding tailgate. But the Sierra also features the first-of-its-kind carbon fiber truck bed. It's interesting, of course, for its capabilities, such as being 62 pounds lighter than the all-steel box. It even adds more cargo volume since the material can be assembled and shaped differently from steel. As it turns out, the assembly process is cool, too, which we learned when GMC invited us to see the beds being made. Every GMC carbon fiber bed starts out as perfectly flat sheets of thermoplastic carbon fiber. The sheets consist of a mix of fibers and resins, a bit like the molded carbon fiber parts Lamborghini uses. The sheets are manufactured by Japanese company Teijin, which collaborated with GMC to develop the bed. They're all delivered to Continental Structural Plastics (CSP) in Fort Wayne, Ind., for construction into the actual bed. The company, a subsidiary of Teijin, makes a wide variety of composite and plastic parts for the car industry, including body panels for the C7 Chevy Corvette. The rectangular sheets are cut to shape and stacked up at a giant stamping press. Robots pick up sheets and slide them onto a conveyor that goes into a large oven. The heat softens the parts so they can be stamped. The large primary bed parts such as the base are stamped by CSP's enormous 3,600-ton press, and the smaller ones go through a 1,000-ton press. Each press can do different parts using different stamping dies, and CSP switches between dies to produce different batches of parts. After stamping, the parts roll out mostly ready for assembly, but there are rough edges that are trimmed off by water-jet cutters. These cutting machines also create holes for fasteners and for parts such as tie-down hooks and lights. The stamping process also provides the carbon fiber bed with a unique Easter egg. On the bottom of the base of the bed, there are two words: "Connors Way." This is a tribute to Tim Connors, who was the chief engineer of manufacturing at GM and a strong proponent of the carbon fiber bed. He was tragically killed in a motorcycle crash a few years ago. The words were added to honor him, and they were fortunately approved for production. There are some components to the bed that aren't stamped from the flat sheets of material.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

Judging by your continued enthusiastic response to configurator notices, dear reader, you enjoy speccing out new cars as much as we do. Better still, there tends to be even more ways to personalize, configure and bloat theoretical MSRPs on full-size trucks as there are with more ordinary passenger cars. In addition to trim level, engine and transmission choices, truck buyers usually have to specify items like cab configuration, bed length, number of driven axles, tow packages, gear ratios and all sorts of bits and bobs.
That's why we're pleased to see the DIY specification utility for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado come alive so soon after this week's Detroit Auto Show debut. While the configurator lacks pricing (General Motors hasn't announced numbers yet) and full options, you can still spec out your half-ton rig, and even print it out or email it to your friends. Beyond the configurator, the new model-specific site is pretty cool, too, with various videos and closer looks at the truck's new features.
The new Chevrolet pickup range won't be on dealer lots until sometime this summer, so whether you're a building contractor, an avid sportsman or just a guy or gal that loves full-size trucks, you might want to check out the link below to keep your appetite whetted. If you're more of a Sierra fan, well, it looks like you're going to have to wait a while - GMC hasn't updated its site yet.

GMC Canyon AT4X rumored to get more extreme AEV Edition

When GMC debuted the new 2023 Canyon pickup in August, the midsize lineup gained the hardcore AT4X off-road trim the brand has been spreading throughout its wares. The new top-of-the-line model is GMC's version of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and features the same off-road goodies, like the Multimatic DSSV suspension, unique front fascia, more skid plates, front and rear locking differentials, and a Baja drive mode turning the 33-inch tires. The Edition 1 launch model adds to the production goods by bolting on a front safari bar with a 30-inch light bar, a Comeup winch, an upgraded front skid plate, reconfigurable bed rails, front and rear underbody cameras, and special badging. The Canyon AT4X Edition 1 was gone almost immediately, because of course. However, Muscle Cars & Trucks reports that something just as special could be coming for buyers in the form of a Canyon AT4X AEV Edition. American Expeditionary Vehicles already breathed all over the last-gen Chevrolet Colorado and the current Chevy Silverado, looks like GM not only intends to keep the relationship going but expand it. MCT credits a source for news that the AEV-worked Canyon will get a snorkel and 35-inch tires. Chevrolet offered a snorkel as an aftermarket piece for the Colorado ZR2 Bison, and AEV sold a ZR2 Bison version with a snorkel attached. The new report claims GMC will make the elephant trunk a factory option, fitted to the driver's side this time instead of the passenger's side because of the new engine. The 35-inch tires would be a huge add-on, giving the Canyon the same kind of footprint as the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon and a couple of Ford Bronco trims. The additional two inches over the 33-inch tires on the AT4X make a big difference when the trail gets dicey. MCT says the AEV will get the same bumper as the Edition 1, which means a reduced approach angle in return for an integrated winch. The standard AT4X bumper permits a 36.9-degree approach angle, the winch-equipped Edition 1 drops that to 32.8 degrees. It's not clear which winch would hide behind that bumper, though. GMC factory fit is the Comeup Seal Slim 9.5rs rated at 9,500 pounds. AEV offers a Warn 9.5 XP-S with the same weight rating for its Colorado ZR2 Bison.  Speaking of which, since the Colorado arguably started all this, Chevy fans can expect their midsizer to acquire the same bundle as the Canyon AT4X AEV.