Check this out:
Next Dodge Truck Frame To Be Hydroformed. [PARA]Author/s: Lindsay
Brooke[NL]Issue: Nov, 1998[PARA]Not to be outdone by General Motors' massive
GMT800 light truck program, Chrysler will also feature Hydroformed tubing as
part of the next (2002) Dodge Ram's ladder-type frame. As reported recently
in AI's sister publication, American Metal Market, Chrysler has awarded the
2002 Ram frame contract to Tower Automotive, the current Ram, Dakota and
Durango frame vendor.[PARA]An executive in Chrysler's Jeep/Truck engineering
group confirms that decision to AI.[PARA]The 1999 Chevy Silverado and GMC
Sierra pickups utilize Hydroformed main members -- steel tubing shaped to
final form in a die using internal water pressure. The process, sourced by
Magna and using Dofasco tubing, yields more consistent parts that are
lighter, stiffer and provide more opportunities for component integration
than traditional steel channel. GM will spread Hydroformed frames to many
other GMT800 programs, including SUVs, and is expected to introduce it on
the next S-10 compact trucks.[PARA]Chrysler is also looking to raise the
Hydroformed content in the next (2003) Jeep Grand Cherokee, the source says.
[PARA]COPYRIGHT 1998 Cahners Publishing Company[PARA]COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale
Group[PARA]
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Steven St.Laurent
Test Engineer
Test Branch, GSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, USMC
760-725-2506 (DSN 365-2506)
Work:mailto:stlaurents@mctssa.usmc.mil
Home:mailto:saint1958@home.com
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