Just in Time for Christmas: The 2020 XDP Diesel Performance Catalog

When I was young my dad would bring home a three-inch thick Sears Catalog with the toy section bookmarked. That was fun. Our eyes would get wide as we perused those pages, making our little Christmas lists for Santa. 

Today, our interest has turned to big boy toys. Maybe we don't believe in Santa anymore but we can still make Christmas list ideas, can't we? 

I mention all this by way of introduction to this guest post by The Car Guy.

The 2020 XDP Diesel Performance Catalog.   
https://www.xtremediesel.com/manuals/2020_XDP_Parts_Catalog_WD_final.pdf

Looking back; the advent of catalog shopping brought emerging trends, products, and technologies as a new marketplace for the consumer. It comes as no surprise that the pioneer of catalog merchants was likely Benjamin Franklin who, like Amazon today, first sold books by mail back in 1744.

But it wasn’t until the post-Civil War era when Aaron Montgomery Ward cut out the middle-man pricing by taking manufacturer discounts straight to the mail order consumer. While his focus was on anything sold in his stores, it was more of the enterprising spirit of Richard Warren Sears and his partner Alvah C. Roebuck, who added Christmas specific items in the form of decorations, lights and trees to their catalogs at the turn of the century.

The very first Sears Wish Book, known as the Sears Christmas Book catalog, came out in 1933. Featured items in this first catalog included the “Miss Pigtails” doll, a battery powered toy automobile, a Mickey Mouse watch, fruitcakes, Lionel electric trains, a five-pound box of chocolates, and live singing canaries.

But that wasn’t their first. The 1896 Sears general catalog included wax candles for Christmas trees. The 1898 Sears catalog added Christmas cards, and the first Christmas tree ornaments appeared in 1900. Sears began selling Christmas stockings and artificial Christmas trees in 1910. Electric Christmas tree lights made their debut in the catalog two years later.

The 1933 Christmas Book catalog started a tradition that made the Sears Wish Book an American icon. The Sears catalog and the name Wish Book were closely linked over the years. Prior to 1933, Sears customers often affectionately referred to the large, semi-annual, general catalogs Sears issued as the “Wish Book” or “Book of Wishes.” 

Many people nostalgically think of the Wish Book as filled with nothing but toys. The 87-page 1933 Christmas Book catalog featured 25 pages of toys and 62 pages of gifts for adults. In 1968, the Wish Book totaled 605 pages, with 225 pages devoted to toys and 380 pages to gifts for adults.

A discussion of Christmas catalogs would be incomplete without an exploration of Neiman Marcus, famous now for not only operating snooty department stores but also for publishing an annual catalog of the outrageous in Christmas gift giving.

Neiman Marcus launched their catalog as far back as 1926 but it wasn’t until a radio interview with radio legend Edward R. Murrow asking Stanley Marcus if the store would be offering anything unusual that might interest his radio listeners; Marcus invented on the spot an offering of a live Black Angus bull accompanied by a sterling silver barbecue cart, subsequently altering the catalog to include his new idea, priced at nearly $2000. In 2005 they offered a private concert with Elton John for $1.5 million.   

Toys and gifts for adults are still really popular. Check out the 2020 XDP Diesel Performance Catalog.   

Will Cummins Ditch Diesel for Hydrogen?

Industry watchers who follow current trends with regard to alternative power sources recognize that a sea change has been taking place with regards to the move away from carbon-based energy. The question right now is not If but When. 

There are still a lot of unanswered questions as regards How, but there's plenty of thought being given to the possibilities of tomorrow, and a lot of money being invested in this rising tide of interest in alternative technologies.

At the beginning of the week Cummins hosted a virtual live-streamed Hydrogen Day event. Having recently purchased Hydrogenics, a fuel cell developer, Cummins wanted to show the world that there is real power in hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. A Fox Business story by Gary Gastelu featured highlights from Monday's event. 

The article, titled Cummins Is Starting to Ditch Diesel for Hydrogen, states that Cummins has a high degree of confidence that if they build it, people will come. 

CEO Tom Linebarger told Fox Business that he's personally been thinking about hydrogen power since 1999 when he first began working on fuel cell technologies. 

One of the big hurdles is creating the infrastructure to become "electric." It will be possible, Cummins executives indicated, for OverThe-Road fleets to be all electric one day, but only if the power grid gets upgraded. To do so we need a 50% increase above today's levels in electricity output. In other words, government will have to invest in producing more power to power an electric-powered future on our highways.

During one of the presentations it was noted that people driving Teslas today are powered by electricity that comes from coal. Most people do not think about that. 

Cummins' goal is carbon neutrality by 2050, which seems a long ways off. Then again, I suspect that for those of us here to see it, it might come faster than we think.

Another hurdle will be the production of lighter weight batteries. If you are hauling heavy loads, you don't want to also be loaded down with a ton of batteries. 

I remember about 5 years ago at SEMA when I saw a new battery concept which was one-fifth the weight and half the size of our current car batteries. People smarter than you or I have been working on these problems for a long time. This is what keeps them awake at night, and it's a good thing.

You can read the full story here:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/cummins-to-start-ditiching-diesel-for-hydrogen 

RELATED
The Future of Diesel

Looking for Diesel Accessories?

Here’s a FREE Digital Diesel Builder’s Guide, compliments of Diesel World Magazine.  

Diesel World Magazine offers complete coverage of diesel-powered vehicles including trucks and diesel-powered cars. 

They also have a YouTube Channel that we hope develops further in 2021.

Diesel World Magazine is now available on Apple Newsstand, Google Play and Kindle. Get your favorite issues now or get a deal on a subscription at:

http://engagedmediamags.com/magazine-subscriptions/automotive/diesel-world

 

To get The Ultimate Builder’s guide from Diesel World Magazine, CLICK HERE.

Do you have a favorite Diesel Publication you'd like us to tell your friends about? Leave a comment below and we will share.

The Future of Diesel

Interest in the future goes back to the dawn of man, no doubt. 19th century visionary Jules Verne, whose books took readers 20,000 leagues under the sea, to the center of the earth and around the moon, had his sights set on the future. H.G. Wells' Time Machine carried readers far into the future. And a whole host of 20th century sci fi writers have given us visions of a tomorrow filled with robots, androids and pre-cogs. 

These thoughts crossed my mind as I read this article about commercial trucks of the future. The headline asks, Does Diesel Have a "Sell By" Date? 

The article, appeared in the Diesel Technology Forum this week, notes that 90% of the trucks on our nation's highways and byways are currently diesel. Based on current trends, what will be the configuration of diesel technology and trucking in 2040? This is the author's prediction:

Fast forward twenty years from now, and trucks will most likely be powered by a diversity of fuels and technology. Some may be powered by hydrogen and fuel cells, some may be battery electric, some may be operating on renewable natural gas or renewable diesel fuel. In any event, according to many sources, rather than having a “sell by“ date, diesel will remain as the dominant technology moving the nation’s freight for decades to come. 

Despite California's efforts to the contrary, industry insiders seem to agree that a majority of over-the-road transporters will still be diesel powered. 

Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that less than 20% of our heavy-duty commercial trucks will be powered by electricity in 2040. IHS Markit makes a similar estimate. Others make similar proposals. 

As one who has been paying attention to these issues--emissions and fuel economy--for more than a quarter century, I believe that there is a disconnect between what the public understands and what is really happening. Diesel engine manufacturers have made remarkable strides toward cleaner production of efficient power. 

This is by no means an attempt to derail efforts to improve. The article goes on to note that diesel engines have the advantage of being adaptable to alternative fuels that can reduce emissions.

Diesel trucks also have the capability of operating on advanced renewable biofuels that drive down greenhouse gas emissions, operating on high quality blends of biodiesel or 100 percent renewable diesel fuel. These are fuels that have at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum, with renewable diesel fuel, GHG emissions are reduced by at least 80 percent.

Whereas it's impossible to forecast the future with perfect 20/20 vision, that doesn't mean we can't have inklings. The stories that fill the headlines don't always reflect the realities. I remember the 1970's when  it was said that we will run out of oil in 10 years. They said it again in the 80s and 90s. Now, some say, there is more oil in the ground than we will ever take out. 

I'm not losing sleep over it. Full article here: https://www.dieselforum.org/policyinsider/what-do-the-commercial-trucks-of-the-future-look-like-in-2040-does-diesel-have-a-sell-by-date

Photo credits: corey-oconnell-EPYIbF8ly14-unsplash
and brian-wangenheim (lower photo)

Champion Oil Expands Contingency Program to Include Truck and Tractor Pullers

The other day I wrote about the Blue Flame contingency program for diesel drag racers. Evidently, someone down in Clinton, Missouri believes there's light at the end of this Covid-19 tunnel. Kudos to Champion for adding these incentives for Truck and Tractor Pullers as well. 

Here's the press release that came across the wire and fell into my inbox yesterday:

Champion Oil Expands Truck and Tractor Pulling Contingency Program

(Clinton, Mo / 11.18.20) Champion Oil, a globally recognized industry leader in performance lubricants for over 64 years, recently announced the expansion of their Racing Contingency Program for 2021.The all-encompassing marketing program is designed to link Champion performance products directly with truck and tractor pullers in all racing classes of competition and in most sanctioned events in North America. https://www.championbrands.com/racer-contingency/

 

The 2021 Champion Truck and Tractor Pullers Contingency Program includes, but is not limited to racing events such as:  National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), WNY Pro Pulling Series – NY & Canada, Outlaw Pulling Series, Hot Farm Pulling Series Club, Diesel Motorsports (NADM), SS Pulling Series, Smoke & Speed, Northwest PA Tractor & Truck pullers Association, Truck & Tractor Pulling (TNT), Mid Missouri Pulling, Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS), Texas truck & Tractor Pullers Association (TTTPA), Pro Pulling League, Illinois Tractor Pulling Association (ITPA), Rudy’s Diesel Truck Jam, etc.

https://www.championbrands.com/racer-contingency/

 

Trucks or tractors pull a heavy drag sled along a 35 ft. wide, 330 ft. long track, with the winner being the vehicle that pulls the drag sled the farthest. The sport is known as the world's most powerful motorsport, due to the use of multi-engine modified tractor pullers.

 

The drag sled is a weight transfer drag sled as it is pulled down the track, the weight is transferred with gears to the sled’s wheels from over the rear axles and towards the front of the drag sled. In front of the rear wheels there is a "pan". This is essentially a metal plate, and as the weight moves toward it, the resistance between the pan and the ground builds. The farther the tractor pulls the drag sled, the more difficult it gets.

 

Champion Racing and Performance products are the choice of champions in racing events nationwide. Champion’s new 2021 expanded contingency program supports race teams from dirt track to pavement, gas to diesel, and circle track to tractor pulls with contingency cash pay-out awards.

Racing teams and racers can apply for the Champion Racing Oil Contingency Program now through June 30th, 2021.  -->Click on the Orange Button in the right hand column here.

About: Champion Brands, LLC, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 64 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, 64735 or go to  http://www.championbrands.com

Things Change: Ford Scraps Bi-Turbo Ecodiesel Engine for U.S. Ford Transit

It's been an unusual year all around, what with the global pandemic and a variety of other upheavals. When things get challenging, it's nice to have other things to look forward to, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

For some, what gets them jazzed about auto shows is watching the future get unveiled. New styles, new technologies, and even new engine designs. Last year Ford announced that it would be offering its 2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine in the U.S. market late this year. It was to be a big development for its Ford Transit cargo vans. 

According to a story at Ford Authority, this new development has been scrapped. It's simply not to be.

Personally, I liked the idea of Blue Flame diesel oil in an EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine. I was thinking of the visual harmonics generated by the blue oil and cool blue power plant.  

Ford spokesperson Elizabeth Kraft specifically cited the coronavirus as culprit in the delays that kept Ford from achieving its introduction deadlines. Once the delays became extensive, Ford execs decided there was insufficient market demand to complete the project. 

For what its worth, this is the same engine used in the Ford Ranger Raptor, and European Transit. 

The gasoline-powered Transits will have various conversion options. They will be assembled in Ford's Kansas City plant in Claycomo, Missouri. You can see photos and read more details here.

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Rudolph Diesel and the Birth of Diesel Power

I've always loved reading biographies. Perhaps it's because every person has a history and it's intriguing to learn about the early influences of people who have later become influential. Rudolf Diesel is one of these.

The name sounds so German you would think he was born in Munich or Heidelberg, but no, he was born in Paris, to German immigrants there, in 1858. A few weeks later he was given away to a farmer family in Vincennes, only to be returned nine months later.

How this experience informed his later development is unknown but when the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870 the family was forced to leave France. Why they did not return to Germany but instead went to London is also a curious development. Instead, they sent young Rudolf back to Germany to live with relatives in Augsburg. At age 14 he wrote a letter to his parents saying he wanted to be an engineer.

For what it's worth, this incident reminds me of a joke, if I may digress here. 

What is European Heaven? British humor, French cuisine and German engineering.

What is European Hell? British cuisine, French engineering and German humor.

To verify the facts of these stereotypes, my father wished me to also be an engineer, so while in high school I was encouraged to study German.

Diesel proceeded to study engineering in Munich, where he graduated with honors. His first efforts upon graduation were related to refrigeration, which he pursued with his former professor, now in Paris. After acquiring numerous patents in that field he went on to do research and development on steam engine technology. This ultimately led to the development of an internal combustion engine, since his ultimate goal was the maximum efficient production of power.

Because he understood thermodynamics and the practical limits of fuel efficiency he knew that steam power wastes as much as 90% of the power potential of the fuel. This knowledge is what inspired him to do whatever it would take to develop the engine that now bears his name.

Diesel power is the result of applied science, at the dawn of an emerging scientific era. The first successful Diesel engine, now on display at the German Technical Museum, ran in 1897.

There's little doubt in my mind that Rudolf Diesel would be astonished to see how far his original ideas have been developed and the power supplied by a diesel engine today

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Diesel