half ton diesel - why?

[Bob4x4]

This is VERY interesting to me, I own a JEEP Liberty with the V-6 gasser and MIGHT get 18MPG on a tailwind downhill drive, more like 16 for short hops. These are the numbers some folks dont understand when diesel efficency is mentioned. THERE is a huge MPG gain possible with the right diesel engine VS a gas rig. .

I added an AFE cold air kit and Borla Cat back system on my Wifes 3. 7 Libby. Those upgrades were able to allow for 16mpg city with her driving. Trips will get it up over 20+ with ease

 

[Bob4x4]

Yeah the 2. 6 was a good Motor

Yes they ran great with a few mods they screamed. John Baker tore up Baja in the Mitsu montero. My 84 with almost smog legal(invisible)mods would hit redline in 5th gear up hill, (6k)

 

[TCDiesel]

Yep,I had the D-50 2. 6 AT In High School, It was Called "Little Pickup EM Up" Bill H call it that BC of All the High School babes Kissed in the Back (I,Bill,Craig,and Al) In the Early 80s. It was all deck out.



At any rate,Like I posted in the Spec Thread,As soon as Ram will Take Orders I will place one . I have never care for any V Diesel,I will have to see on this one (The D-Max has proved to be R&D)The HPCR is made by Bosch So it won't take long (Many) Mods will be available before the Truck hits the Lot.



My guess is the Truck will sell,and the other maker will follow suit. By the Way My 2012 Hemi gets 10-12 City and 14-17 Hwy HC. if you stay under 65 MPH Hwy 16-18, 55 MPH it gets 20.

 

[HBarlow]

My 2. 0 liter TDI will deliver 50 mpg at a steady 55 mph cruise and around 40 mpg at 70+. It's lighter and presents less frontal area and resistance to air flow but perhaps the new Ram 1500 with VM Motori will be capable of 30 mpg at a steady state 55 mph and upper 20s at 60 mph.

 

[TCDiesel]

My 2. 0 liter TDI will deliver 50 mpg at a steady 55 mph cruise and around 40 mpg at 70+. It's lighter and presents less frontal area and resistance to air flow but perhaps the new Ram 1500 with VM Motori will be capable of 30 mpg at a steady state 55 mph and upper 20s at 60 mph.

I hope so,Americans NEED to get weened of gas, I think that how its spelled. Chris the other owner of TC Diesel has the TDI, it gets great Mileage BC I see the Bill... ... ... ... ...

 

[mwilson]

My 2. 0 liter TDI will deliver 50 mpg at a steady 55 mph cruise and around 40 mpg at 70+. It's lighter and presents less frontal area and resistance to air flow but perhaps the new Ram 1500 with VM Motori will be capable of 30 mpg at a steady state 55 mph and upper 20s at 60 mph.

It is a good feeling to be at this mileage with just under a 1/2 tank of fuel still at one's disposal.....

Edit. The tank holds 15 gallons BTW.



This particular tankful last week netted me 42MPG. That's at 75 mph with daily temps between 15 - 30 degrees. It will drop into the 37-38MPG range at colder temps, 10 degrees and below.

Mike.

 

[DonFitzwater]

That's what I'm talking about!

It is a good feeling to be at this mileage with just under a 1/2 tank of fuel still at one's disposal.....

This particular tankful last week netted me 42MPG. That's at 75 mph with daily temps between 15 - 30 degrees. It will drop into the 37-38MPG range at colder temps, 10 degrees and below.

View attachment 84348


Mike.

 

[JCJohnson]

Didn't Izuzu Trooper come with a diesel option at one time? I think I remember seeing one at one time.

 

[Simplysmn]

Yes back in 85-86-? Trooper and the Isuzu Pup had diesel's I use to work in the warehouse for part's back in Norcross Ga . and the higher up's all got trooper's or what ever they wanted back then to drive . they were pretty zippy for what they were . a square Box on wheel's

 

[DBithell]

OK - guess my start to this thread was WHY??? 1/2 ton diesel???? with all it's epa mandated garbage. Which will no doubt create MASSIVE problems given the duty cycle of a 1/2 ton... . Harvey who is a Cummins authority cannot possibly disagree??? What is the duty cycle of a Cummins???? Long haul only right???? Don't buy 1st year right??? Unless the 1/2 ton is used as a hwy HAULER exclussively it will have problems no? What with keeping the dpf clean and multiple sensors clean. Lots of comments about milage and diesel. OK whatever, ... Also, legacy comments of don't buy a 1st yr engine or will have mucho problemos. Well here you go. And now nothing but milage claims..... Costly diesel is here to stay. Look for prices in the range of 4. 05 to 4. 25. Rising exports will keep upward pressure on pump prices. Diesel is inelastic. Producers know truckers & rails MUST have it SO prices stay UP. No one building refineries. If gasoline prices go up elastic, people will drive less, and buy less. Truckers, Rails, Ships, earth mover whatever must have, so buy whatever the price is... . My point is the duty cycle of the 6. 7 as has been countlessly argued on this forum, is trouble free if used as intended - intended to be a commercial hwy hauler ONLY imo. Well now they want to offer a 1/2 ton? WHAT'S the DUTY CYCLE of THAT???? It's getting groceries, going to work, picking up the kids, getting firewood , going to home depot - NOT as a long haul highway hauler, which is the ONLY duty cycle it has any hope of operating trouble free. NOT to mention it's a Dodge - the current lowest quality vehicle available - then Jeep, Lincoln, Ford, Chrysler... (not my opinion) some major survey, and yah I have an '08 2500 6. 7, and yah it went to the shop more than any vehicle I have ever had- CELS. Love it though.



Rechecked this post, will let it stand. Wrote after visit to the local pub & a not so good day and was a bit worried 2day.

 

[cerberusiam]

Diesel is already proven technology in cars and light trucks. Nuff' said.

 

[RustyJC]

NOT to mention it's a Dodge - the current lowest quality vehicle available - then Jeep, Lincoln, Ford, Chrysler... (not my opinion) some major survey.....

Ummm... . JD Power surveys Ram as a separate brand, and their recent survey of 3-year old (2010) vehicles had Ram as #9, up 20 places from the prior year survey and just behind Honda and Acura. My 2011 confirms that as it has never been back to the dealer for anything other than routine service. SOURCE

Rusty

 

[jgillott]

I have no complaints about the quality of my Dodge/Ram trucks. Now if you would like to hear the stories of my last GM product, I'll be happy to tell you if you have a few free days to read it all.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

OK - guess my start to this thread was WHY??? 1/2 ton diesel???? with all it's epa mandated garbage. Which will no doubt create MASSIVE problems given the duty cycle of a 1/2 ton... . Harvey who is a Cummins authority cannot possibly disagree??? What is the duty cycle of a Cummins???? Long haul only right???? Don't buy 1st year right??? Unless the 1/2 ton is used as a hwy HAULER exclussively it will have problems no? What with keeping the dpf clean and multiple sensors clean. Lots of comments about milage and diesel. OK whatever, ... Also, legacy comments of don't buy a 1st yr engine or will have mucho problemos. Well here you go. And now nothing but milage claims..... Costly diesel is here to stay. Look for prices in the range of 4. 05 to 4. 25. Rising exports will keep upward pressure on pump prices. Diesel is inelastic. Producers know truckers & rails MUST have it SO prices stay UP. No one building refineries. If gasoline prices go up inelastic, people will drive less, and buy less. Truckers, Rails, Ships, earth mover whatever must have, so buy whatever the price is... . My point is the duty cycle of the 6. 7 as has been countlessly argued on this forum, is trouble free if used as intended - intended to be a commercial hwy hauler ONLY imo. Well now they want to offer a 1/2 ton? WHAT'S the DUTY CYCLE of THAT???? It's getting groceries, going to work, picking up the kids, getting firewood , going to home depot - NOT as a long haul highway hauler, which is the ONLY duty cycle it has any hope of operating trouble free. NOT to mention it's a Dodge - the current lowest quality vehicle available - then Jeep, Lincoln, Ford, Chrysler... (not my opinion) some major survey, and yah I have an '08 2500 6. 7, and yah it went to the shop more than any vehicle I have ever had- CELS. Love it though.

Dont want to poke holes in your first year theory, BUT the VM V6 is not a new unproven engine to my understinding. It has been used in Europe for a number of years and will be introduced in the USA in the JEEP first.

 

[dlmetzger]

OK - guess my start to this thread was WHY??? 1/2 ton diesel????

Because even with emissions handicap, a modern common rail diesel can be ~30% more fuel efficient. And if you plan on driving a vehicle for 200K+ miles, this will make up for the price premium for diesel in the USA. Also, having current diesel vehicle myself (in sig), it handsomely rewards a light foot and only moderately chastises a heavy foot when it comes to MPG as compared to the EPA #'s. My 2012 Jetta is rated for 30 city/42 highway and yet I am averaging 45 over the last 8100 miles. A smaller diesel (the 3. 0L) is a good choice for a 1/2 half pickup. Most are used as daily drivers and don't need all that much more power that is provided by ... say a a Hemi 5. 7L. But that torque (420lb-ft) from the small diesel engine may be be needed and used every day.

 

[DBithell]

Dont want to poke holes in your first year theory, BUT the VM V6 is not a new unproven engine to my understinding. It has been used in Europe for a number of years and will be introduced in the USA in the JEEP first.

Thanks. Excellent point.

Not questions to you but stuff I'm wondering now.

Wonder how long it has been around there? I don't know. Did the wonderful EGR technology start there too? How long ago was that? How does their duty cycle differ from in the US? What has their experience been?

 

[DBithell]

I have no complaints about the quality of my Dodge/Ram trucks. Now if you would like to hear the stories of my last GM product, I'll be happy to tell you if you have a few free days to read it all.

My Ram/Dodge hasn't been in the shop for almost 2 years! Do the maintenance myself. So has gotten much much better after we made it through the first couple of years of frequent problems - sensors, cels, dpf, re flashes, turbo, cpi, radio, a/c, and probably forgetting a couple of things. Still remember watching the tech leave the lot to no doubt flog the crap out of it to clean it out. As far as gm - don't know if I'd buy a new one but still using my 1999 5. 7 gm (bot new) for light duty cycle - has 183k on it - good vehicle - just put gas in her.

 

[EGroeneveld]

OK - guess my start to this thread was WHY??? 1/2 ton diesel???? with all it's epa mandated garbage. Which will no doubt create MASSIVE problems given the duty cycle of a 1/2 ton... . Harvey who is a Cummins authority cannot possibly disagree??? What is the duty cycle of a Cummins???? Long haul only right???? Don't buy 1st year right??? Unless the 1/2 ton is used as a hwy HAULER exclussively it will have problems no? What with keeping the dpf clean and multiple sensors clean. Lots of comments about milage and diesel. OK whatever, ... Also, legacy comments of don't buy a 1st yr engine or will have mucho problemos. Well here you go. And now nothing but milage claims..... Costly diesel is here to stay. Look for prices in the range of 4. 05 to 4. 25. Rising exports will keep upward pressure on pump prices. Diesel is inelastic. Producers know truckers & rails MUST have it SO prices stay UP. No one building refineries. If gasoline prices go up inelastic, people will drive less, and buy less. Truckers, Rails, Ships, earth mover whatever must have, so buy whatever the price is... . My point is the duty cycle of the 6. 7 as has been countlessly argued on this forum, is trouble free if used as intended - intended to be a commercial hwy hauler ONLY imo. Well now they want to offer a 1/2 ton? WHAT'S the DUTY CYCLE of THAT???? It's getting groceries, going to work, picking up the kids, getting firewood , going to home depot - NOT as a long haul highway hauler, which is the ONLY duty cycle it has any hope of operating trouble free. NOT to mention it's a Dodge - the current lowest quality vehicle available - then Jeep, Lincoln, Ford, Chrysler... (not my opinion) some major survey, and yah I have an '08 2500 6. 7, and yah it went to the shop more than any vehicle I have ever had- CELS. Love it though.



Rechecked this post, will let it stand. Wrote after visit to the local pub & a not so good day and was a bit worried 2day.

Well hopefully RAM/FIAT does not limit the diesel to only Loaded up Laramie/Silver/Special/Longhorn/whatever only editions. I could see them selling well into the commercial market if done correctly on pricing and not forcing you into loaded up trucks... I know lots of farmers and construction guys that use 1/2 ton trucks and would welcome a diesel 1500 but will not pay 50K for it.



Here are my fears for RAM 1500 diesel,

1, they price the diesel at $8K, not many bite, they cut it.

2, they only offer it on loaded up trucks, they end up costing 55K, not many bite, they cut it.

3, they only offer it on 1500 trucks that have such small truck boxes, low payload ratings, and low towing capacity, not many bite, they cut it.



I really truely hope they sell a bunch of them and its successful. I personally would not look at a diesel 1500 unless I can get a CrewCab and at least a 6. 5' bed, 8' long bed would be better.

 

[HBarlow]

Some will buy them but I predict that a lot of our fellow TDR members who have expressed interest and said they will buy one if Ram offers a diesel will change their minds when the price is revealed.

 

[NIsaacs]

I personally would not look at a diesel 1500 unless I can get a CrewCab and at least a 6. 5' bed, 8' long bed would be better.

To me, thats moving into the 2500 range. I am not sure I would want a pickup that large with a 3. 0.



Nick