Mercedes

[PROSTAR190]

I may be way behind the times as I have not kept up with the 3rd gen trucks... but are they going to come with a Mercedes diesel in 06?



Dale

 

[jwilliams3]

Who's they?

 

[DougMcDaniel]

Mercedes?

As far as I know Daimler/Chrysler have not said anything. But, i think sales would drop if they didn't use Cummins. The Mercedes big rig engine is over 600 lbs less than a Cummins or Catapillar motor. The Mercedes engine will outperform both engines as well with similar or less horsepower. The only bad thing with the motor is no Jake brake or C-brake. It has a useless turbo brake which does almost nothing when going down a grade. If Mercedes actually put their diesel motor in a Dodge the performance would be better than a Cummins but expenses would increase and there would be a question of reliability. I doubt Mercedes would have a reliability problem over 200,000 of their diesels(road cars) produced between 1972 and 1998 brought to the US arestill running today. I had a 1982 300 sd turbo diesel 5 cyl that had over 550k miles no rebuild. Sold it to my gardener who still drives it. The Mercedes engine would be on par with GM's Isuzu motor but better with more exotic metals. One problem costs may increase. We shall see if the krauts will force Dodge to take their engine, they did it to Freightliner.

Doug

 

[jwilliams3]

Doug,

How could you say performance would be better??

It has been done! (old TDR issues come to mind).

I still see a big "C" on the side :-laf :-laf

 

[DougMcDaniel]

j



I firmly believe in Cummins other wise I wouldn't own one. i have driven 100's of thousands of miles with them. However, Daimler may force Dodge into using their engines just as they are doing with Freightliner. One other thing i have talked with some heavy diesel mechanics. They stated to me that the Cummins is the best engine in the consumer truck market. However, the weight of the engine is an issue. That is why we don't see Cat engines in any pick up truck. They weigh too much.

Doug

 

[JUeckert]

cant tell you what the reason is as to why you wont see a cat in a pickup,but know this,weight aint the reason. the 6. 6 or 3116 that gm used in its mediums in the 90,s weighed in at a hair over 1000lbs,which is in the same ball park as the powerstrokes and the 5. 9 cummins. perhaps it was a little to tall,or maybe to long,either way it was probably to expensive... .

 

[FATCAT]

Why would weight be an issue ... just increase the strength of the front ends to say, a 8K axle. A few hundred $$$ more to the cost, but hey so what ... with the yellow CAT symbol on the cab doors of the Chevy/Ford would give the marketing people orgasims thinking up new commercials ... and potential Chevy/Ford buyers "chubbies" lined up at the dealerships with cash in hand.

 

[Eric_77]

j



However, Daimler may force Dodge into using their engines just as they are doing with Freightliner.

Do you mean the Detriot Diesel engine or the Mercedes engine?

 

[DPKetchum]

Was told by a D. C. rep several years ago that one of the THOUGHTS that was being hammered out was a BIGGER truck with standard engine being Cummins and a D. C. built auto trans. That THE opitinal engine and trans combo would be M. B.

 

[AKAMAC]

The CAT is heavy! The C-7 at around 280 Hp is about 1200 lbs. DC has engines that will do that at 2/3rds the weight. Another consideration is emissions and the noncommercial market. CAT markets to the industrial, high GVWR, that have easier emission standards. I don't think that the Cummins is in any way doomed to be replaced in the near future. Just look at the competition, they are dealing with the problems of EGR. The diesels just don't like it and the 3rd gen crowd doesn't have it. Here is a link to CAT that will allow you to look at the comparable engines CAT has.



http://www.cattruckengines.com/

 

[BMoorman]

Mercedes engines won't be in the Dodge for '06.

 

[WMonroe]

Dodge and Cummins have a contract through 2007.

Will

 

[GarrettS]

I talked to a rep and he said the same about the contract. He also they tried to put the Mercedes diesel in, but it wouldn't fit!!!