EcoDiesel? You've got some competition...

[KCJackson1]

According to ARI Fleet, a well-regarded vehicle management service, Ford will begin production of the 2018 F-150 3.0L diesel at the Dearborn Truck Plant on February 26 2018. So it's very likely Ford will have some numbers (hp, torque, mpg) ready for the Detroit show in an effort to combat the 2019 Ram 1500's debut.

 

[jgillott]

Considering Ford's history in the diesel market, I'm not holding out much hope on anything good happening there. The 6.7L is still questionable at best, and the Transit 3.2L has been in the market for several years with an all but non-existent parts supply chain. I can't imagine that this release will be nothing but another high cost beta test for the owners.

 

[JR]

Last I heard it was based on the Lion platform which is a tried and true engine overseas. The problem lies in meeting EPA certs while maintaining hp, mpg, and reliability. I will say it's much more plausible now than even 3-4 years ago. The kinks are all but worked out regarding after treatment. I foresee the next few years as very favorable for the diesel community.

 

[DonFitzwater]

"I can't imagine that this release will be nothing but another high cost beta test for the owners."

You are probably correct. I was one of those high cost Beta testers back in 2011 with the 6.7 Stroke........the truck was great but the engine was and continues to be a giant pile.

 

[KPear]

Even if you're not a Ford fan, as a diesel truck owner you should be happy about these additions to the truck market. More diesel engines on the market will create more competition among the companies to refine and optimize their products (which hopefully leads to better reliability and quality all around). As well the the arrival 3.0l v6 and 3.2 inline 5 show that the manufacturers appreciate the demand for diesel in the North American truck market.

Not even 10 years ago, your only options for a diesel truck lay with 3/4 and 1 ton vehicles. Now, we have new, or soon-to-arrive, diesel options within all the truck segments (midsized, 1/2 ton, 3/4 and 1 ton). Heck, I think even the new Jeep is about to get a diesel.

 

[KCJackson1]

The VM as stuffed in the new Wrangler will increase its ratings from the 240/420 (Ram/Grand Cher) to 260/442. I would expect Ford to be somewhere in the 270/450 area. The key will be if Ford can have a clear advantage in fuel economy.

 

[RVTRKN]

The Eco diesel has had it problems, if its has a mild success it can surpass the Eco diesel, and I hate any Ford.

 

[NIsaacs]

I hate any Ford.

Thats a bit much

Nick

 

[DonFitzwater]

Thats a bit much

Nick

I feel the same way about GM products.......and Ford diesels. :-laf

 

[GrantP]

Thats a bit much

Nick

Agreed, I've had some good ones but the 7.3 diesel wasn't one of them. The gassers were/are great trucks. I switched to Dodge after my 7.3 experience, loved the power in it but hated the expensive repairs (that I've never had with my Dodge's).

 

[RVTRKN]

Thats a bit much

Nick

Sorry Nick, but every Ford I have ever owned have been POC's, except the English Ford I owned in Germany.

 

[Mark31]

Thats a bit much

Nick

Nick, my two-in-one (first and last) Ford was a plain-jane 69 F100 6 cyl straight drive. This was before consumers, especially young ones, had any rights. In warm weather, it percolated, vapor locked, stopped in the middle of busy roads, and nearly got us killed several times. It came with a shorty tail pipe which trapped the exhaust under the truck and rotted the bed off. The only possible use I could have for a Ford would be if I had a dog and there were no trees or fire hydrants around. Maybe RVTRKN has had a little of Ford's better ideas sprinkled on him, too!

 

[JR]

I'm pretty sure we've all seen or owned lemons of every manufacturer.... Dodge/Chrysler/Ram included. Ford's trucks are a number one seller for a reason - not because they are built poorly.....the fact that they have by far the largest section of the fleet segment in the pickup truck world says alot. The diesel platform is Ford's biggest weakness IMO, other than that the Superduty has been a stout platform for many years.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I'm pretty sure we've all seen or owned lemons of every manufacturer.... Dodge/Chrysler/Ram included. Ford's trucks are a number one seller for a reason - not because they are built poorly.....the fact that they have by far the largest section of the fleet segment in the pickup truck world says alot. The diesel platform is Ford's biggest weakness IMO, other than that the Superduty has been a stout platform for many years.

Fleet PRICING is why Ford is the fleet segment dominator in my opinion.

 

[Killer223]

i'd be interested in a 1/2 ton diesel,
it doesn't matter to me who makes it really long as it's reliable.
i've had several fords, all have treated me right. my 200$ 90 ford probe GT was the best car for the money i have ever had, it wouldn't run right at 104K, i put plugs wires cap n rotor, drove it for another 460K, 5 alternators, 3 AC pumps, but the engine and turbo never ever gave me an issue. and my 2011 Ranger with 4.0 has treated me right as well. for the past 40K.

 

[jgillott]

i'd be interested in a 1/2 ton diesel,
it doesn't matter to me who makes it really long as it's reliable.
i've had several fords, all have treated me right. my 200$ 90 ford probe GT was the best car for the money i have ever had, it wouldn't run right at 104K, i put plugs wires cap n rotor, drove it for another 460K, 5 alternators, 3 AC pumps, but the engine and turbo never ever gave me an issue. and my 2011 Ranger with 4.0 has treated me right as well. for the past 40K.

I would have absolutely no issue in recommending the current Ram 1500 platform for someone in the market. But I can't in good conscience recommend the gas engine offerings. Our 2010 has been used as a work truck from the day it came home. It now has well over 120K on it, has been used in 4 wheel drive on a daily basis, and has had absolutely zero issues with the chassis, transmission, transfer case, axles, steering components, interior, exterior, etc. But, as I have posted here in a separate thread, I have had major engine issues that resulted in a rebuild before 100K.

I have no feedback on the EcoDiesel other than what I have read here on TDR and other sites. I will not be buying another gas Ram. Currently I'm leaning toward the Titan XD 5.0L Cummins if I purchase or a basic F150 if I lease when it comes time to replace our current 2010.

 

[KPear]

It's funny how people fall into the "my brand is better than yours" mindset.

Ford vehicles have had their fair share of issues, but so have plenty of other brands, to include FCA. In fact, if you look at any number of reliability ratings, FCA, as a whole, doesn't rank so well. The Ram 1500 ecodiesel, while a trendsetter within the 1/2 ton market, has not been without its own reliability issues.

If Ford makes good, reliable diesel Rangers and F-150's, I'll definitely give them some thought. Product quality is more important to me than the brand name.

 

[AnonEd]

Ford has apparently grown tired of all the speculation about the upcoming diesel but I'm all for it...competition always (usually?) improves things. Range Rover rates their 3.0 V6 at 254hp and 443 lb-ft for a 14,550 GCWR so Ford's would likely be similar, and conveniently 1 lb-ft higher than Ram's for bragging rights. It has a weight advantage over current Ram, maybe aero too, but who knows about the '19. Rumor also has it Jag/Land Rover are already well along on their new diesel engine to replace the Lion.

 

[crispyboy]

I hope Ford is successful with the F150 diesel as it's good competition for the Ram 1500. Both are good looking vehicles. I could never purchase the Nissan Cummins truck no matter how good the specs are - I just can't drive ugly! If I had to grip about Ford is that the interior is too busy with buttons to push everywhere. Much too distracting. I think there should be a good balance with the interior knobs and buttons or it takes too much of my attention from the road.

As far as fleet pricing goes our company has been getting GM pickup trucks as their fleet warrantee and price has been better than Ford. We request bids from all manufactures but Ford and GM are the only two that respond to the yearly vehicle bid. It's been since the late 90's since our company had a Dodge in the fleet.

 

[promisedland]

I hope the Ferd blows..... Up!
:--)

They have at the "top" to long for their own good.