To begin our daily coverage of the year's biggest auto expo, we will take a look at the multitudes of vehicles outside and in the mobile electronics hall. Be sure to come back tomorrow for even more coverage and check out our social media channels for live updates from the 2016 SEMA show.
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“Our roots at ICON Vehicle Dynamics are in the hard core, high speed west coast desert off-roading,” explained Jeremy Headlee, Marketing Manager for Icon Vehicle Design. “But we have been noticing a different kind of off-road activity in the middle of the country and on the east coast that involves more rock crawling, mud bogging, and expedition kind of stuff. Our goal is to have a vehicle that can do both the high-speed desert running and the slower creepy, crawly kind of off-road and expedition travel.” So what ICON has developed is a hybrid vehicle with the type of suspension that can take the extremes of rugged high speed off-road and rock crawling with accessories like a rooftop tent, plenty of storage capability, a refrigerator and other amenities that makes it a self-sustaining vehicle. “We wanted something that can get you there fast and then allow you to pull out a tent, set up camp and do what you want to do including sleep there overnight,” added Headlee. “We’ve named the vehicle the Icon ExpoRunner Toyota Tacoma. Expo meaning expedition.” ICON Vehicle Dynamics chose the 2016 Toyota Tacoma to serve as the platform for its hybrid vehicle because the company has used Tacomas for previous projects. “We have a lot of experience with the Toyota Tacoma,” said Headlee. “It’s been the staple of Icon’s product line. The Tacoma is such a robust platform. It’s very easy to get a lot of wheel travel with it with very little modification. It is also the perfect vehicle to serve as an off-road machine and still be an efficient Monday through Friday daily driver. “ Prepping Prior to the build, ICON engineers tested a stock Toyota Tacoma in desert off-road driving to ascertain the limitations it had in such an environment.
The truck was put up on a lift and disassembled and the suspension components were studied to identify where the limitations were. Loaded with all sorts of data, the Icon Vehicle Dynamics’ engineers inspected the components to determine how the limitations could be reduced and then designed and constructed new components that perform better. “We measured travel, looked at the chassis to see where we could work around the limits, and more,” said Headlee. “For example, the stock upper control arm of the Tacoma is very good. However, we determined that a uniball upper control arm would perform better and offer a little more droop to the vehicle.” The engineers designed and manufactured new components for the Tacoma. Moreover, ICON Vehicle Dynamics obtained products from other companies that give it the functionality and appearance it needs to be an off-road expedition vehicle and improve the performance of the engine. For example, the vehicle includes the AIRAID 510-309 MXP air intake system that boosts the engine power of the Tacoma an estimated 8 horsepower and improves the airflow that had been restricted by the stock air intake system. “The 3.5-liter engine on the Tacoma is a great engine in stock form,” said Headlee. “However, when we put all sorts of other accessories on the vehicle the engine got a little sluggish. The AIRAID cold air intake system has been a great improvement. It feels like the vehicle is breathing now. It’s woken up the Tacoma and has given it some extra grunt. AIRAID has a great reputation for putting out a great product that fits well with what we wanted to do, performs well and can stand up to abuse over time. So it was a no-brainer for us to select the AIRAID intake.”
The build was divided into two stages. The first stage addressed the suspension, wheels and tires and the second stage dealt with the accessories. The ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspension components were bolted on and tested to assure that the vehicle performed well. The new suspension equipment lifted the vehicle, so the company created 17-inch alloy ALPHA wheels paired with 285/70R17 Nitto Ridge Grappler tires to match the look they were trying to achieve. “The tires and wheels allow the vehicle to work 100% with the new suspension,” noted Headlee. The off-road related parts were then added including Demello Offroad frame sliders and front bumper, CBI Offroad rear bumper, and a WARN M8000 winch with synthetic line.
“The 30-inch FLEX light bar in the front bumper puts out a great pattern of light and the KC HiLites Cyclone LED lights work well from the A-pillars of the Tacoma,” added Headlee. An sPOD 8 Circuit SE system with touchscreen was included to command the lights. “The system is very easy to use and allows full control of the lights from both inside and outside the vehicle,” said Headlee. Next, the components that give the vehicle its expedition characteristics were installed. They include a Leitner Design Active Cargo System; roof rack with expedition rail and cargo and fridge slide from Front Runner Outfitters; 37-quart fridge and Kakadu rooftop tent from ARB; and finally RotopaX fuel cans. “The bed rack is extremely modular and allows us to attach anything from storage bins and shovel holders to MAXTRAX recovery mounts,” said Headlee. “The active cargo system allows us to put anything on the side or in the bed of the truck. The ARB rooftop tent allows driver and passengers to stay at a location in the middle of nowhere overnight. The Front Runner Outfitter roof rack is above the cab and offers expedition vehicle functionality. You can put just about anything that won’t fit anywhere else in the truck into the roof rack. The fridge slide allows us to tuck the fridge into a corner of the bed and slide it out on to the tailgate for use.” ICON Vehicle Dynamics is already offering products that are a part of the Tacoma including a suspension system that has been available since last February. ICON Vehicle Dynamics partnered with Toyota USA on the project. The ICON ExpoRunner will be displayed in the AIRAID booth, #22755 at the 2016 SEMA show. If you will be in Las Vegas for the show, be sure to swing by and see it first hand. Also, while you're there, grab an autograph from off=road racers Jeremy McGrath, Matt Lovell, and Corry Weller. A full list of products on the Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2016 ExpoRunner Toyota Tacoma follows. • ICON Vehicle Dynamics Stage 7 Toyota Tacoma 0-2.75” suspension system with billet UCA’s • ICON Vehicle Dynamics Stage 3 S2 Performance secondary shock system with Omega bypass • ICON Vehicle Dynamics rear hydraulic bump stop system • ICON Alloys 17” satin black ‘ALPHA’ wheels • 285/70R17 Nitto Tire Ridge Grappler tires • KC HiLites FLEX LED light bar • KC HiLites Cyclone LED • AIRAID 510-309 MXP cold air intake system • SDHQ ditch light brackets • sPOD 8 circuit SE system with touchscreen • Demello Offroad front bumper • Demello Offroad frame sliders • CBI Offroad rear bumper • Leitner Designs active cargo system • Front Runner Outfitters Slimline II roof rack with expedition rail • Front Runner Outfitters cargo/fridge slide • Factor 55 flatLink • Factor 55 hawse fairlead • WARN M8000 winch with synthetic line • ARB 37-quart fridge • ARB Kakadu rooftop tent • RotopaX fuel cans • MAXTRAX MKII vehicle recovery system | |||||
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The then new Duratec 3.7 liter V-6 engine produced 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 285 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. Owners of 2011 – 2014 Mustangs can boost that output even further with installation of a simple, no-hassle 450-745 AIRAID Jr intake kit. Despite the fact that the 3.7 liter V-6 engine was used initially in transversely mounted front-drive crossovers, engineers converted it to a rear-drive engine for the Mustang with a forged steel crankshaft with six bolt mains, and connecting rods, unique four valves per cylinder heads, a new heavily ribbed and reinforced cylinder block, a 10.5:1 compression ration with flycut pistons for valve clearance at maximum lift, a new front cover and accessory drive, new composite intake manifold. What makes the AIRAID Jr kit so effective on the 3.7 liter V6 Mustang is how Ford engineered the engine and the car in the first place. First, the fuel injection system is adaptive so it can deliver additional fuel as the engine needs it. Further the ECU has been upgraded with very rapid tip-in for street performance. On the flip side, the ECU has been reprogrammed with adaptive-knock spark control. If the two knock sensors embedded in the cylinder block don’t hear knocking, the ECU will keep advancing the spark until it does. Finally, the V-6 Mustang is fitted with a dual exhaust system. A key to making power is to get spent gases out of the combustion chamber as quickly and efficiently as possible and dual exhaust go a long way to help the cause. To improve the inflow of air into the engine, AIRAID has developed the AIRAID Jr kit, which replaces only those components in the intake system that most limit performance, while leaving the other, less critical, parts in place. While the AIRAID Jr kit is a more affordable solution, you won’t achieve quite the same power gains as a full-on AIRAID kit. Though it’s a great starting point for enthusiasts on a budget or for those who’ve never installed an aftermarket intake system and want to see what kind of difference one can make. The application for this AIRAID Jr kit is the fabulous 2011 – 2014 Ford Mustang, equipped with the 3.7 liter V6. With its four valve per cylinder, high-capacity fuel injection, and sophisticated ECU an engine with the breathing ability of the 3.7 liter V-6 could make good use of a larger quantity of intake air. And this is where the 450-745 AIRAID Jr kit, comes in. The system specifically targets the most restrictive elements of the Mustang’s factory intake system, the intake tube and the paper filter, in order to help boost power and mileage. The AIRAID Jr kit consists of an AIRAID premium dry synthetic direct-fit replacement filter and an AIRAID modular intake tube. As with other AIRAID intake systems, the AIRAID Jr kit helps to straighten and improve air flow to the engine for improved throttle response, plus it helps boost horsepower and torque. The 450-745 kit is custom made to fit 2011 – 2014 V-6 Ford Mustangs and is easy to install, comes with detailed instructions, can be installed in a morning with only common hand tools, and requires no drilling. And something not all cold air intake system manufacturers can claim: the 450-745 AIRAID Jr air intake system for the 2011 – 2014 V-6 Ford Mustang is street legal in all 50 US states. And of course the 450-745 is backed by AIRAID’s “No Hassle” Lifetime Warranty, which is simple. If you are ever dissatisfied with the materials, workmanship, or performance of this air filter, call us at 800-498-6951 and we will be happy to assist you. You don’t have to worry about a warranty card; AIRAID filters are warranted for life. All AIRAID premium filters are proudly manufactured at AIRAID facilities here in the USA using only the finest materials available and highly specialized manufacturing equipment to ensure a level of quality control no other filter company can match. This is just one of many reasons why all of AIRAID's filters are backed by our "No Hassle" Lifetime Warranty. The AIRAID 450-745 fits the following vehicles: 2014 FORD MUSTANG 3.7L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models | |||
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Introduced in the 2001 model year, the Chrysler PT (or Personal Transport) Cruiser is a front-wheel drive retro styled compact car that was available in three styles – a 5-door hatchback and a 2-door and 4-door convertible. Its appearance was intended to invoke an old gangster car or 1930s-style street rod. Originally, the car was to be released as a Plymouth before Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz. At the time, Chrysler was creating a new look for Plymouth that was personified by the debut of the Plymouth Prowler “hot rod,” the Plymouth Pronto and Pronto Cruizer concept cars, which included cues that would later appear on the PT Cruiser. However, the final design utilized a different platform and it was decided that the car would be released as a Chrysler because the executives of the new DaimlerChrysler did not have faith in Plymouth as a separate entity. Eight styles were introduced –- the Classic Edition, Limited Edition, Touring Edition, “Dream Cruiser,” “Street Cruiser,” “Pacific Coast Highway Edition,” the PT Cruiser GT and the non-GT turbo, which was powered by a 2.4-liter turbo engine that produced 180-horsepower. A 2.4-liter turbo high output engine powered the GT model and delivered 215-230-horsepower when it was introduced in 2003. The PT Cruiser experienced a freshening in 2006 to include scalloped headlights, a revised grill that no longer extended below the bumper, a new lower front facia, which eliminated the patented brake cooling ducts, and redesigned taillights. There is also an audio system with line-in jack for MP3 players integrated into the dashboard. U-Connect, hands-free Bluetooth for cell phone integration, satellite radio, premium Boston Acoustics speakers, external amplifier, and subwoofers became available with the release of the 2006 model. A Mopar cruise control was available as an aftermarket product during the 2007 model year.
2010 was the last year that the PT Cruiser was produced and the PT Cruiser Classic was the only trim available. A 2.4-liter Inline 4-cylinder engine that generates 150-horsepower powered the last model that also included a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The AIRAID 302-138 cold air dam air intake system is specifically designed and engineered for the 2003 through 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser with the 2.4-liter turbo engine. The air intake system is designed to go into the original location of the factory air filter. It includes a large open-element air inlet that is protected by cold air dam panels that assists to provide a steady, free-flowing supply of cooler outside air into the engine. The panels mount in the factory air box location and integrate any factory cold air inlet ducts that are present. In addition, the system provides more cold air passages to the air filter. The panels also keep the air filter isolated from the hot air of the engine compartment by sealing it to the underside of the hood with blade-style weather stripping. The 360° oval tapered air filter is washable and reusable and is less restrictive than the common paper filter and provides excellent filtration. AIRAID also offers the AIRAID 790-558 air filter cleaning kit that is formulated to clean the filter every 30,000 to 50,000 miles of normal driving. If the filter is properly cleaned when it is supposed to be, then it can be reused over and over again. The AIRAID 302-138 air intake kit is easy to install using common hand tools and it is backed by AIRAID’s exclusive No Hassle Lifetime Warranty. The AIRAID 302-138 air intake system is designed to fit the following vehicles:
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The Lucas Oil Off Road Silver State Showdown was a weekend filled with excitement for Jeremy McGrath Motorsports, and it was the kind of excitement that wasn’t what they were thinking of when going into the weekend. Between Jeremy McGrath in the Pro 2 and Brock Heger in the Pro Lite, they can say they did almost everything possible at an off road race in just one weekend. In the ICON Vehicle Dynamics Pro Lite, Brock Heger had a great weekend of racing. Brock started out the weekend with a race many fans and himself won’t forget anytime soon. Starting a few rows from the front, Brock was able to battle his way to the front while keeping the rest of the trucks behind him. About half way through the race he made it to second place and battled for the lead. With four laps remaining in the race he made his move and took over first place, but he also got a flat front tire in the process. Luckily a caution also came out, but he had to go and change the tire.
Staying on the lead lap he now started in 16th position with three laps to go. With a very fast truck Brock charged hard towards the front where he was able to pass seven trucks on the first lap. Brock didn’t just stop there, he fought his way all the way back to the leaders and was able to take over the second spot by the end of the race. If he only had a few more laps who knows what he could have done. Brock said, “That was so much fun! I was laughing and smiling all the way around the track. I was really comfortable in my truck and Jeremy was on the radio giving me great advice on where to go. There is no better feeling than passing the competition! I can’t wait for tomorrow.” On Sunday Brock was extremely fast and had the lead over three fourths of the race battling for a top position. There were so many cautions throughout the race, and Brock had all the trucks charging at him going into turn one over a half dozen times, with one of them having him pushed out of his line causing him to lose tons of speed and allow several trucks to pass. He had a great performance over the weekend with his second place finish and also Fast Lap Award for both races.
Jeremy McGrath had some bad luck and good luck as well. The weekend started out with a motor change after Friday’s practice. Then in qualifying on Saturday he lost the steering and caught a rut causing him to go up on two wheels and hit the barrier. With all his speed heading towards the barrier, it sent him up and over the barrier going through the track banner, and finally flipping him over and landing on the front corner damaging everything. The team had to rebuild the entire front suspension and surrounding areas, and they got everything put back together and the body mounted with only minutes to spare. Jeremy had a strong race even with a wounded truck to finish in fifth. Jeremy said “I was really surprised to even make the feature today after that crash. The truck was struggling with a few issues in the race, but overall I’m happy with a fifth place finish today. I gotta give it up for my crew and the ICON Vehicle Dynamics guys. They worked really hard and were very efficient to get me back on the track today.” After the race the team was able to go through the entire truck and find all the little things that got missed and fix all the bugs that were caused by the wreck. He came back for Sunday’s race and showed everyone how fast his truck was. Jeremy had a great battle with RJ Anderson and Rob McCachran for the entire race for the lead. Jeremy and RJ fell back just enough that they battled for second for most of the race, putting on a great show for the fans. Then Jeremy was able to separate himself from RJ to chase down Rob. Every lap he was able to cut his lead down, making it almost zero at the end of the race. Jeremy finished the crazy weekend with a second place finish and a Fast Lap Award. The weekend in Reno had everything for the JM2 Team, and the only thing they didn’t have to worry about was making sure their motors stayed clean. Knowing they had their AIRAID filters on with the protectant foam, it was one stress they left in the pits. Check out Jeremy McGrath and Brock Heger in Lake Elsinore, California, in September to make a strong appearance and strive for that first place finish. |
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