1/2 Ton Diesel?

schrederman · 04-26-2012, 10:10 AM

I was thinking

about this the other day coming back from Lake Alan Henry, in West Texas... Are any of the 1/2-ton truck makers thinking of coming out with a smaller diesel? It seems to me that they are missing the boat, somehow. The goobermint will mandate better fuel economy, soon, and what better way to maintain towing capacity and yet get better mileage? Maybe I'm all wet, but I thought I saw something on a site the other day where a Toyota in Europe (?) was pushing 400 horses and getting 32 mpg... Why are the TV manufacturers not doing that in the USA? I believe they'd sell like hotcakes...

Correct me if this is bogus, please... Post if you work for one of the auto makers and/or have better insight...

As my bud Charlie says... Peace. Love, and Groovy!

cootr68 · 04-26-2012, 10:20 AM

At one time before the crash GM was developing a 1/2 diesel.

SaskCampers · 04-26-2012, 10:21 AM

Last I heard was Dodge had been considering a 5+ liter V8 Cummins, Ford a version of the diesel used in the Range Rover and GM had one as well not sure what the actual configuration was though. They all fell by the wayside when the downturn happend a few years back so who know where they all are in the food chain anymore.

**wmtire** · 04-26-2012, 10:25 AM

Actually Nissan and Cummins are testing one as we speak for the Titan.

Update 2: Cummins, Feds Developing Four-Cylinder Diesel for Nissan Titan - PickupTrucks.com News

acadianbob · 04-26-2012, 10:34 AM

Numerous diesel programs were put on hold when the price of diesel exceeded the price of gas by 15%. GM and Ford for sure.

schrederman · 04-26-2012, 11:06 AM

Very interesting... I agree with some of the comments about the HP being a bit low. However, those that design all of this stuff, (ie. those MUCH smarter than me), will more than likely solve the HP/fuel economy delima in a few years, and keep the torque figures up where they need to be.

I've been wondering why the auto makers hadn't done this, and apparently, it was in the works before the bottom fell out.

Thanks,

SaskCampers · 04-26-2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Numerous diesel programs were put on hold when the price of diesel exceeded the price of gas by 15%. GM and Ford for sure.

Which no doubt played into the birth of the ECO Beast F150.

schrederman · 04-26-2012, 01:05 PM

It stands to reason... One is paying a 15% fuel premium after paying a 30% premium for the diesel engine at purchase... So, in order to come out even the diesel will have to make lots of horsepower and torque on lots less fuel. But again, I think, in light of what has been done with gasoline engines, the engineers will be able to come up with a 4 or 5 cylinder diesel that will get awesome mileage and still deliver when it's loaded down with my TT... someday... As for now, I can buy a lot of gasoline for the difference... even at $4.00 per gallon.

buckeyefan · 04-26-2012, 02:48 PM

I am not sure there would be a high demand, at least in our specific market - towing.
Anyone who wants to pull over 8500 lbs usually fall into the "you need a 3/4 or 1Ton+ diesel" market. For anyone under 8500 lbs, a gasser 1/2-3/4 ton seems to work (I am not starting that debate so please don't either).

In order for me to consider moving back to a diesel, it would need to get at least 25 MPG city and Hwy driving non towing (my Ecoboost gets 18-19) without any aftermarket hardware or deletes. The whole water in the fuel system, thus not covered under warranty issue needs to be resolved as well. I can't see a 1/2 ton diesel not having the same issue and possible voided warranty.

I love the thought of a diesel, but the EPA crap really chokes out the benefits if not towing every day (or hauling a large payload).
I would think the 3/4 & 1Ton market would be the first to really see any improvements when they manufactors figure them out in a few years like someone said.
When that happens, would there still be a market for a 1/2 ton or would the 1/2 ton just become extinct?

Anyways.. just some thoughts.

RattVader · 04-26-2012, 04:24 PM

Cummins has had that little 4bt 4 cylinder around for a while. You need to check out the video's for that little rascal! With turbo that is one little engine that could!

dretired · 04-26-2012, 05:01 PM

Ford had developed a 4.4 liter V8..with around 400HP and 530 FT LBS of Torque according to what i saw on a F150 forum...

lindy · 04-27-2012, 10:59 AM

I read an article the other day that Dodge might be putting a diesel in the Durango and bring back the Dakota with the same diesel. These would both make great TV's.

4x4man · 04-27-2012, 12:17 PM

The dmax GM was developing was a 4.5L V8. It was said it would put out 310 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. Had a lot of people on the forums excited that maybe a dmax might end up in a Suburban some day. Would be interested to see if they pull it from the shelf and put it into production.

schrederman · 04-27-2012, 01:17 PM

I posted some cost considerations earlier, but sometimes for the pulling power required, cost seems to become secondary to some. I still think the auto makers are mising the boat with this one... My only long pulling trip with an RV had some long uphill climbs, pulling my 4000# Shadow Cruiser 185-BFS. My 1/2 - ton Ford did fine but the altitude wasn't bad. I'm wondering how it will do in September when we go north and west into Colorado and Utah... pulling another 8' of trailer that will weigh about 1000# more...

transamz9 · 04-27-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrederman

I posted some cost considerations earlier, but sometimes for the pulling power required, cost seems to become secondary to some. I still think the auto makers are mising the boat with this one... My only long pulling trip with an RV had some long uphill climbs, pulling my 4000# Shadow Cruiser 185-BFS. My 1/2 - ton Ford did fine but the altitude wasn't bad. I'm wondering how it will do in September when we go north and west into Colorado and Utah... pulling another 8' of trailer that will weigh about 1000# more...

I read your earlier post about how much more a diesel cost and didn't want to post anything because the diesels they are making right now can't hold a candle to the ones a few years back thanks to the Goberment. They will come around though , it's just a matter of time. Eight to ten thousand dollars is no where near 30% of the cost and diesel is not 15% higher than gas (or at least it's not around here.)

A lot of people say that the weight of the trailer don't have as much effect as the wind drag from the trailer. Let me give you just a little example of what I'm talking about.

I have a 24' pontoon that weighs in a hair over 4,000#. We were going to a lake with my in-laws for a little week-end trip so we ran the 2hrs down with my truck ('05 Ram 2500 QC SB 4X4 diesel) the week before when went so I could show them around the lake because I was taking my bass boat on the weekend trip and didn't want them to get lost.

Anyway, long story short, I achieved 16 MPG @ 70-75 mph on that 4 hr round trip.
The following week my father-in-law pulled the same exact boat down the same exact roads with his truck ('08 Silverado 1500 CC SB 4X4 V8 gas) and he said that it felt like he was running up hill both ways and he actually locked it down a gear to make it pull easier and the best he could do was 10 mpg.

We just got back from a week long trip today that was 220 miles from my house to the lake that we went to. He was pulling the same pontoon and I was pulling my same load (14,000# 5er with a 4,000# bass boat behind that) and it actually cost him more in gas to make the trip than me and I had a 12'6 tall wall behind me weighing 18,000#.

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