WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! finally official eco diesel 1500!!!

[rscurtis]

I looked at a new Jeep EcoDiesel today while having the car and truck inspected. It's EPA rated at 28 MPG highway, and typical of most diesel's, should probably exceed that number. MSRP was $50,700. It started instantly at about 25* and is relatively quiet right from cold. No offensive odor either, right from a cold start. The exhaust has a slight chlorine/propane smell. Can't see much of the engine, the plastic cover hides everything. It should be a nice option in the PU.

 

[Wayne M.]

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2013/12/ordering-ram-1500-diesels

Just caught this on ALLPAR.com

 

[Wayne M.]

Just caught this too. Could be dangerous. The output shaft can break on the small 8 speed.

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2013/12/small-8-speed-recall-updated

 

[jgillott]

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2013/12/ordering-ram-1500-diesels

Just caught this on ALLPAR.com

I was at the dealer on Saturday morning (someone bought me a synthetic oil change for my work truck in that express lane for Christmas. Let me tell you, sitting in the waiting area drinking coffee and watching TV sure beats laying under that salt and mud covered truck this time of year. Best Christmas gift ever)......Anyway, one of the salesman I know there told me that they either just processed or are going to process a couple of orders this week. They are hoping to have them on the ground ~6 weeks or so. They have a couple of diesel GC's on the lot already. It was raining too hard to look at one this weekend, but I'll head back at some point after Christmas.

 

[SHobbs]

I have been in constant contact with a local dealer here in Fort Worth about the Ram 1500 diesel and it's looking like Jan. 8th or 9th they will start taking orders. Salesman I have been talking to did tell me that he drove a Grand Cherokee diesel to Arkansas and the EVIC was reading 34 mpg. I think we all know that can be off, so I am thinking 30-32 may have been the actual mileage.

 

[E7mack96]

I just came from my dealer.. they are telling me its still 6-8 weeks out before one is on the lot to buy. Is this accurate? I am most likely going to trade my 2003 1 ton for a 2014 1500 diesel.

 

[SHobbs]

One option I am looking at is the upgraded stereo system, I think it's an Alpine nine speaker with subwoofer. Anyone have this option and was it worth it? Is it better than the stock system?

 

[SBreaux]

I just want to add my experience when I was on the fence with this. I went to my dealer and drove two Jeep's that they got in on two separate occasions with the diesel engines. They are only installed on the high end models (almost 60k sticker). For me, they had just enough power to move with traffic. Nothing to brag about or write home about. And honestly guys I really wanted to like one as I drive 500 miles a week and wanted longevity as I am close to retirement age. I ended up buying a 2500 diesel as I knew I would never be satisfied with the power output. I only had the jeep to reference but if it was this way in a jeep I could only imagine how a pickup would be. Don't get me wrong I am sure there are those that really like driving a pickup because they like pickups (I am one of those) but something tells me the power output may be a turn off for some. Also with first year on this engine and me fixing to retire that maybe I needed something proven so I went with the CTD. I hope I am wrong......

 

[SHobbs]

The Grand Cherokee I drove had a lot of power, it performed better than I expected. On the highway running 65 m.p.h it was turning around 1650 r.p.m's and the EVIC showed just above 29 and this was on a road with a lot of hills. I am waiting for the trucks to hit the lots, supposedly they are producing what's called spec vehicles, I want to test drive a truck before I place my order. I may drive another Grand Cherokee this weekend and play with it a little more.

 

[jgillott]

If anyone is interested, Diesel Power Mag. has a real nice write up on the EcoDiesel 1500 and a 2014 CTD 2500 in the March issue.

 

[jgillott]

Oh, and from the article.....

Average tested MPG 22.83

Best Highway MPG tested 28.47

Tested towing MPG 19.46.

 

[DonFitzwater]

"Tested towing MPG 19.46."

What did they tow in this test?

 

[jgillott]

According to pg 72 of the magazine, it was a trailer weighing 7020#. The picture on pg 74 shows it hooked to a tandem axle flat bed car hauler with a truck on it.

 

[GHarman]

I went "window shopping" with my Wife at the local Dodge dealer, last week. We were looking at the 2014 1500 series trucks with whatever was available. The turbo diesel will not be available, in the pick-up, until later this Spring. According to the salesman. (BTW, His name is Joe Schwartzkopf, cousin of the Late General Norman Schwartzkopf. Interesting tidbit =) !)
We did not buy a truck, but test drove a couple of lot lizards. Nice, really like the 8 speed automatic transmission and the "all wheel drive (auto) mode" on the HEMI V-8! But a real potential gas hog!
(Did not try the V-6 3.6L Pentastar)

We did pick up a literature booklet on the Trucks. The literature write-up on the new V-6 turbo diesel is on page 9!
While 240 HP and 420 Ft Lb of torque are more than adequate for our usage.
I noted things that are not endearing.
#1. It uses glow plugs to aid in starting. Does that mean it also uses swirl chambers/indirect injection?
#2. Aluminum heads on a C.I. block. Expansion and contraction of the aluminum heads with 2X the thermal expansion ratio and a fraction of the mass of the block, IMHO, looks like potential head gasket issues to me.
#3. the use of DEF required. With Diesel fuel carrying a premium over gasoline, the additional cost of DEF brings the diesel advantage to a break even with less, up-front cost.
I have the 2014 Dodge Ram Truck bookl If ya need a scanned copy of that engine page, I'll be glad to give it try it!
GregH

 

[DonFitzwater]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[jgillott]

Just for reference, the last tank through my 2010 (4.7L V8, 4x4, 3.92 gears) netted 12.45 mpg. That's with no towing but some 4-wheel drive use in this snow.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I just made a 600 mile round trip this weekend in the 3500. Empty on the way down and got 15 mpg in 4x4 running 60-70 mph. Towing a boat/trailer combo that weighed 8200 lbs the other way I got 10 mpg. Not bad considering how hard I ran it. No 1/2 ton is going to do that!

I must say that I would like to see what kind of mileage the new diesel will get in a crew cab, long bed 1/2 ton. That would make a sweet road rig for me on long trips. It would beat the heck out of a VW or other small diesel car as I could still carry something besides me and a suitcase.

 

[GHarman]

Your dream 1/2 ton is opposite of my needs. Not much highway cruising up here. Max speed for ~40 miles is 60MPH for a short stretch. Most speeds on H-119/H-6 are 25/30/40/45 MPH.
With ~10 miles of dirt road, round trip.
Seldom get on I-70 but that is only 65MPH, on the North West side of the Denver Metro area.
BUT 5 months of snow packed and Icy roads, steep grades and winding turns
I need a 4X4 with short bed and Crew cab, 25MPG. Don't tow heavy so no worries there.
The Dodge literature does not list fuel mileage for the V-6 Diesel.
That variable height suspension and rough road handling capability is Miles above the 1st generation "freight wagon" leaf suspensions.
Course, more complicated, more maintenance. Lots of Mag Chloride used on our roads. Eats electrical wiring/components and sheet metal, PDQ!
GregH

 

[rscurtis]

. It uses glow plugs to aid in starting. Does that mean it also uses swirl chambers/indirect injection?
#2. Aluminum heads on a C.I. block. Expansion and contraction of the aluminum heads with 2X the thermal expansion ratio and a fraction of the mass of the block, IMHO, looks like potential head gasket issues to me.
#3. the use of DEF required. With Diesel fuel carrying a premium over gasoline, the additional cost of DEF brings the diesel advantage to a break even with less, up-front cost.

First, the use of GP's on direct-injection engines is becoming more common. I had a '96 Mitusbishi FE-HD that was GP assisted, but they would only work below freezing. Second, the aluminum head concern seems to be a not-issue on the Duramax and the 6.7 Ford. Mercedes has used them for years, and they're a non-issue as long as the engine is not overheated. Third, the cost of DEF is incidental and it actually saves diesel fuel by allowing the engine to be tuned the way it should be.

 

[SHobbs]

From what I understand about the engine it does have glow plugs and they are installed similar to spark plugs. No need to disassemble the engine to replace them. Also solenoid injectors are used instead of the piezo injectors. Solenoid injectors are more reliable than the piezo according to the articles I have read. As far as the DEF what can we do the EPA has stepped into the game. A truck hitting as high as 28 mpg or more would suit my needs just fine right now all my driving is highway with very little towing if any. I still want a truck and high mileage is a bonus.

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/V6/VM-RA-diesel.html