word on the street | The Latest News, Rumors and Changes in the Truck World

Hill’s Hot Rods Gettin’ Down on a C30

The guys at Hill’s Hot Rods just can’t seem to help building beautiful square-bodies. One of their latest will be this ’76 C30 owned by Chance Gesch, which has been named #GoldDigger. This rendering by “Pinstripe Chris” Dunlop gives us a sneak peek into what the dually will look like in its shaved body and PPG Gold and Cream goodness. The truck is being built with all LMC Truck restoration bits, a monster fuel-injected 632-CID BluePrint big block, GC Cooling drop in radiator/fan combo and 24-inch American Force Quake wheels with Nexen N’Fera tires. 

The down-low stance will come courtesy of a Porterbuilt front dropmember and a RideTech four-link setup, with the latest air management system from Switch Suspension. The interior will be fully reworked by JD Glassworks and will sport a new audio system, electronics and upholstery, along with Snowden custom seats and Classic Instruments gauges. 

We’ll keep an eye on Chance’s truck as it progresses and will hopefully get the chance to see more of it soon!

GM Designates $10 Million to Promote Inclusion and Racial Justice

General Motors announced today it has designated $10 million to support organizations that promote inclusion and racial justice. An initial $1 million will go to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Recipients of additional funding will be determined with input from GM’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the recently announced GM Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB). GM’s IAB will consist of leaders from inside and outside the company, with the goal of making GM the most inclusive company in the world. GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra will chair the IAB.

The GM program includes the opportunity for employees to give to organizations with the company matching those employee contributions. The employee contributions and the GM matching funds are part of the $10 million. Program details will be distributed to employees when finalized.

“Through today’s donations, GM is taking action in helping root out intolerance—and that means racism, bigotry, discrimination and any other form of hatred,” said Barra. “We want to be part of meaningful, deliberate change and we will not allow ourselves the passivity of urging others to act. We are taking action.”

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 75 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.

Barra was also recently named to the Business Roundtable’s Special Committee for Racial Equality and Justice.

Nissan Announces U.S. Pricing for 2020 Frontier

Yup, you read that right. With so much going on in the world, the release of the 2020 Frontier had been delayed by months, but it’s finally happening!

The 2020 Nissan Frontier pickup will go on sale in July with a starting MSRP of $26,790 for the King Cab 4×2 S model.

The 2020 Frontier is available in King Cab, Crew Cab Short Wheelbase and Crew Cab Long Wheelbase bodies, and in a choice of 4×2 and 4×4 drive configurations. The Desert Runner trim, SL trim, manual transmission and I-4 engine options are no longer offered in an effort to simplify the model lineup.

All 2020 Frontier models will feature an all-new, 3.8-liter direct injection V-6 engine and 9-speed transmission, which were developed for U.S. customers and will be key elements of the all-new, next-generation Frontier.

The 2020 Frontier offers best-in-class 310 horsepower, an increase of 49 horsepower over the previous V-6, while also providing improved fuel economy and emissions performance. The new 9-speed automatic is similar to the one introduced on the 2020 TITAN and is designed to maximize powertrain efficiency and provide enhanced acceleration feel.

The 2020 Frontier offers a number of other upgrades for the new model year, including standard push-button start. In addition, a number of features are now standard for all grades: leather shift knob, manual tilt steering, power door locks and power windows with driver side auto-down.

With improved power and performance, new standard equipment and better fuel economy than the previous model year trims with V-6 engines and automatic transmissions, the 2020 Frontier carries an average price increase of under $2,000.

Two previous option packages have been added to 2020 Frontier Crew Cab SV grades at no additional charge. The Midnight Edition includes special black exterior treatments and 18-inch gloss black aluminum-alloy wheels, while the Special Edition Package features trip computer, Satin Chrome grille, body-color rear bumper and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (listed in US dollars) for the 2020 Nissan Frontier King Cab:

Frontier S King Cab 4×2                $26,790

Frontier SV King Cab 4×2              $27,670

Frontier S King Cab 4×4                $29,680 

Frontier SV King Cab 4×4              $30,560 

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (listed in US dollars) for the 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab: 

Frontier S Crew Cab 4×2               $27,900 

Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×2 SWB   $28,800 

Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×2 LWB   $31,410 

Frontier S Crew Cab 4×4               $31,290 

Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 SWB   $31,990 

Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 LWB   $32,410 

Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4   $37,490