Is there no one building a Titan Diesel?

[Deshet]

I really think that the only brand new 4x4 diesel trucks to look at are the Powerstroke and the Cummins in the USA. They are also built extremely tough.

I stick to the cummins and International in nearly everything I own.
I do have a few Deutz diesel powered compressors and generators but I never worry about reliability or breaking down with any of it.

 

[hayde89]

I am unaware of any serious reliability issues. My Titan is the 1st model year and 15k in so time will tell but so far it's been great. That being said I agree it does not do the greatest on fuel economy. Oddly my Airstream sprinter does significantly better. But they are two totally different animals. There are other options out there I agree but for the deals one can get these at it's a lot of truck. I do not need a 3/4 ton. Honestly I do not need a 1/2 ton. But when I can purchase one of these for about the same price as a TRD Offroad tacoma then of course I went this route. To say they are not selling is a little silly. Everyday there seem to be more and more. Do they move like the big 3? Of course not...

 

[Osmo79]

While there have been some reliability issues with the release of the XD, most seem to have been limited to tuning and DEF systems. Overall almost all brands have teething issues when releasing new models, why expect the Nissan to be any different. No OEM is immune to that, so I'd dare say its to early to really make reliability judgments.

I may catch some flack for saying it, but I'd be willing to bet that had Toyota released a heavy duty diesel version of the Tundra with the same specs as the Titan XD, there would have been massive cheers and it would have been hailed as revolutionary! Not sure why so much hate for the XD, its a great truck and unless you've driven back to back with the domestics, I'm not sure you can really compare based on numbers alone. But even the numbers are better than they seem to get credit for.

I'm more than satisfied with my 17 XD, with almost 20k miles in less than seven months the only issues I've had were the initial alignment, and just recently a turbo speed sensor. All were taken care of promptly and overall service from my local dealer has been great. For my needs, the XD is kind of a sweet spot. Its capable of towing over 10k "comfortably", has great road manners, and returns decent fuel economy. I'm averaging 17.9 mpg, with a 200 mile daily commute of mixed interstate and city roads. My best mpg so far has been 24mpg with cruise set at 65. This thing drives great, and my back hasn't hurt a bit on my daily commutes since I got the truck.

I compared to the other OEM's and test drove almost all of them, my final decision came down to either the F250 diesel/ gas or the Titan XD diesel/ gas. I can live with the 2k payload rating and 12k tow rating of the XD. I'm not looking to tow 20k lbs and if I was, then my choice would clearly be different.

Funny thing is that the payload rating for the diesel crew cab 4x4 short bed Ford was less than the diesel Titan XD (1836 lbs. vs 2003 lbs.).

To the ops thread question, there are builds on instagram like the Nissan Project Basecamp
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/projectbasecamp/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaphfJolWyv/?hl=en&tagged=projectbasecamp

http://www.tfltruck.com/2017/05/the-nissan-titan-xd-pro-4x-project-basecamp-overland-we-see-it-in-action/

I'd like to do a build thread for mine at some point, but for now I've been stuck doing outage work with no real free time for any projects.

I did make a little chart with the payload data I extracted from the OEMs' websites and spec sheets for the various trucks of interest. I should probably add towing to the chart as well at some point. Overall, almost all though were rated at over 10k with the exception of the Ram EcoDiesel.

 

[Dalko43]

I may catch some flack for saying it, but I'd be willing to bet that had Toyota released a heavy duty diesel version of the Tundra with the same specs as the Titan XD, there would have been massive cheers and it would have been hailed as revolutionary! Not sure why so much hate for the XD, its a great truck and unless you've driven back to back with the domestics, I'm not sure you can really compare based on numbers alone. But even the numbers are better than they seem to get credit for.

This is probably true. I think the Nissan brand doesn't carry the same cache in the 4x4 world as what a Toyota stamp implies.

I'm more than satisfied with my 17 XD, with almost 20k miles in less than seven months the only issues I've had were the initial alignment, and just recently a turbo speed sensor. All were taken care of promptly and overall service from my local dealer has been great. For my needs, the XD is kind of a sweet spot. Its capable of towing over 10k "comfortably", has great road manners, and returns decent fuel economy. I'm averaging 17.9 mpg, with a 200 mile daily commute of mixed interstate and city roads. My best mpg so far has been 24mpg with cruise set at 65. This thing drives great, and my back hasn't hurt a bit on my daily commutes since I got the truck.

I compared to the other OEM's and test drove almost all of them, my final decision came down to either the F250 diesel/ gas or the Titan XD diesel/ gas. I can live with the 2k payload rating and 12k tow rating of the XD. I'm not looking to tow 20k lbs and if I was, then my choice would clearly be different.

Funny thing is that the payload rating for the diesel crew cab 4x4 short bed Ford was less than the diesel Titan XD (1836 lbs. vs 2003 lbs.).

As self-proclaimed Toyota fan, I actually applaud Nissan for putting out the diesel Titan XD. I think it was a bold and innovative move. There are two things I don't particularly like about the XD: the reportedly subpar fuel economy (though your highway #'s seem to be fairly decent); and the fact that the XD sits between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton in terms of size and most specs. I really wish Nissan could've found a way to fit the Cummins V8 into a truck that was closer in size to a 1/2 ton truck; the XD's wheelbase and overall size pretty much gives it a 3/4 ton footprint. All that said, I'm glad the Titan XD is on the market and I've been considering it as my next vehicle. The Pro-4x package combined with the Cummins/Aisin powertrain is pretty hard to beat when considering diesel pickup's for overlanding.

Every brand, and every engine has its initial teething issues. The early emissions on the post 2007 Powerstrokes, Duramax's and Cummins' inline 6 had plenty of issues; most of them have been resolved over time. I know the this V8 isn't the same as the traditional Inline 6's and 4's that Cummins is known for. Regardless, it's a Cummins design and I'm optimistic that it will be refined, as needed, over time.

 

[IdaSHO]

I did make a little chart with the payload data I extracted from the OEMs' websites and spec sheets for the various trucks of interest. I should probably add towing to the chart as well at some point. Overall, almost all though were rated at over 10k with the exception of the Ram EcoDiesel.

I suggest you go back and check your numbers again.

2016 CCSB 4x4, 6.7 Ford has a payload of 2460lbs
Same, but 6.2 gasser has a payload of 3000lbs or so.

Here https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2016/16_SD_Pickups_SB_Updates.pdf

Also, the payload for the 2016 XD ranges depending upon trim level, from just 1471-2003lbs

here http://nissannews.com/media_storage/downloads/2016-Nissan-TITAN-XD-Specs-Diesel-REV-4-25-16.pdf

 

[Osmo79]

IdaSHO, I did check my numbers... I pulled my data from here http://https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/17RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_r2_Sep29.pdf Fords trailer and towing guide, specifically the truck camper section that lists the maximun cargo weights. The numbers given are based on a 150lb passenger in each available seating position. The numbers given in the Fleet guide are raw payload numbers. I stand by the values I posted. I will agree though, that payload is directly tied to trim level and options installed. For any OEM, the best payload will be a gas base trim, 2wd short wheelbase model. My take on all of this is that the best place to identify payload is really the door sticker of a particular model.

For comparisons sake, my 17 CCSB XD 5.0 SV trim has a door sticker payload rating of 1850lbs. My co-worker just purchased a 17 CCSB F250 6.7 XLT trim and his door sticker payload rating is 1929lbs. Granted he does have more options than I do.

Here's one for ya! My 82 Vanagon has a GVWR of 5292lbs. With its stripped down interior it weighed in at 3152lbs, giving me a payload of 2140lbs. It only has 48hp though and is nowhere near as comfortable to drive as the XD.

 

[IdaSHO]

The numbers given are based on a 150lb passenger in each available seating position. The numbers given in the Fleet guide are raw payload numbers. .

Fare enough

So what are the payload ratings for the XD with 150lb passenger in each available seating position?


At least play the numbers apples to apples.

My take on all of this is that the best place to identify payload is really the door sticker of a particular model.

That would be incorrect as well.

The ONLY way to find your actual payload is to weigh the truck, then subtract that weight from the max GVWR


MFGs placing payload ratings on the truck is more marketing than anything.

Payload is a simply math problem. GVWR - Curb weight = payload

 

[perterra]

Who cares, 300# payload difference is not likely the reason people arent building a XD

 

[DRAX]

I'd be interested in hearing why folks aren't checking out the Canyon/Colorado with the baby Duramax when shopping around, is it the size or...?

Honestly, I didn't consider these initially when I was looking either as I assumed that because they were mid-size then their towing and payload would be quite a bit less than a 1/2-ton, specifically was thinking compared to a Ram 1500 ED. After researching the Ram 1500 ED and seeing how many problems they were having I decided to continue my search, that's when I discovered the Canyon/Colorado actually have higher payload and tow ratings than a Ram 1500 ED Crew Cab 4x4 (Was specifically looking at the Laramie) and they get better fuel economy than the Ram ED as well.

So, now there's a GMC Canyon CCLB Duramax 4x4 parked in the garage and I love this thing. I had no need for a physically larger 1/2 ton and this smaller truck is a pleasure to drive everywhere, not a pain to park or cruise on the freeway.

After removing the Ram ED from my list I reconsidered the Titan XD for about a minute before I remembered it didn't get very good fuel economy, which was one of the main reasons for going with one of the smaller diesel trucks. The Titan XD with the 5.0 Cummins doesn't seem to get any better fuel economy than a 3/4-ton Ram with the 6.7L.

Anyway, I find all of these diesel builds interesting and hope nobody has any major issues. I'm sure the Titan will improve as time goes on, everyone has to start somewhere and the 2007+ diesels were no different when they first came out and then the teething issues with the DEF systems. I think the XD seems to be more problematic since they're late to the game, if Nissan had that engine when the other trucks just started using DEF then it would probably be on-par. On the other hand, you'd think Cummins would have this figured out by now.

 

[Dalko43]

I'd be interested in hearing why folks aren't checking out the Canyon/Colorado with the baby Duramax when shopping around, is it the size or...?

Honestly, I didn't consider these initially when I was looking either as I assumed that because they were mid-size then their towing and payload would be quite a bit less than a 1/2-ton, specifically was thinking compared to a Ram 1500 ED. After researching the Ram 1500 ED and seeing how many problems they were having I decided to continue my search, that's when I discovered the Canyon/Colorado actually have higher payload and tow ratings than a Ram 1500 ED Crew Cab 4x4 (Was specifically looking at the Laramie) and they get better fuel economy than the Ram ED as well.

So, now there's a GMC Canyon CCLB Duramax 4x4 parked in the garage and I love this thing.

For the record, the 2.8l baby duramax is essentially a VM Motori with a Duramax badge on it; it was designed by the same company that designs and builds the 3.0l v6 ecodiesel. To be fair, the ecodiesel did seem to have some early teething issues, though it seems the later versions have seen improvements. The 2.8l inline 4 seems to have a solid track record behind it and I think it was smart on GM's part to incorporate that engine into the Colorado/Canyon lineup.

The 5.0l v8 cummins, though only recently produced, was actually part of a v8 diesel concept that was originally designed for a DOE program and the Ram 1500 back in 2007-2008. The recession hit, and Ram got bought up by another company (Fiat) and decided to go with a different engine for their 1500; I don't know if the change of ownership had anything to do with that decision, but the Cummins people seemed pretty shocked when Ram backed away from the v8 diesel concept. I honestly think it's mediocre fuel efficiency has less to do with the engine itself and more to do with the Titan XD's size and weight...that thing comes to within a few hundred lbs of the traditional 3/4 ton's and has pretty similar exterior dimensions. Short of downsizing the engine, there is only so much you can do to improve the fuel efficiency with trucks of that size and weight.

 

[DRAX]

For the record, the 2.8l baby duramax is essentially a VM Motori with a Duramax badge on it; it was designed by the same company that designs and builds the 3.0l v6 ecodiesel. To be fair, the ecodiesel did seem to have some early teething issues, though it seems the later versions have seen improvements. The 2.8l inline 4 seems to have a solid track record behind it and I think it was smart on GM's part to incorporate that engine into the Colorado/Canyon lineup.

Yeah, the 2.8L DMAX is an interesting engine. It's based on the VMM engine but GM has made changes to it and GM builds it themselves in Thailand. It has solenoid injectors instead of the typical piezo injectors of other modern diesels, I think they made some other changes but am blanking.

The VMM 3.0 in the Ram 1500 hopefully has the oil cooler issue sorted out, but as of the 2016 model year it was still a problem as the one I looked at with 35k miles on it had very obvious signs of the failed oil cooler due to oil in the coolant expansion tank. The last thing I wanted to have to do was worry about the oil cooler letting go after the 3/36 warranty was up (FCA is only covering it under the 3/36 warrant since the oil cooler isn't covered by the powertrain warranty), nor did I want to have to hack the oil cooler system and install an aftermarket oil cooler. So between that and the lower payload/tow capacity I just didn't see any reason to keep it on the short list (and I'm a Mopar guy in general).

The 5.0l v8 cummins, though only recently produced, was actually part of a v8 diesel concept that was originally designed for a DOE program and the Ram 1500 back in 2007-2008. The recession hit, and Ram got bought up by another company (Fiat) and decided to go with a different engine for their 1500; I don't know if the change of ownership had anything to do with that decision, but the Cummins people seemed pretty shocked when Ram backed away from the v8 diesel concept. I honestly think it's mediocre fuel efficiency has less to do with the engine itself and more to do with the Titan XD's size and weight...that thing comes to within a few hundred lbs of the traditional 3/4 ton's and has pretty similar exterior dimensions. Short of downsizing the engine, there is only so much you can do to improve the fuel efficiency with trucks of that size and weight.

Yup, I remember all that.

A crew cab XD with the Cummins comes in at just over 7,000lb, which is right where a Ram 2500 Crew Cab with the Cummins comes in. Thing is, though, that bigger, more powerful 6.7L Cummins has equal or slightly better fuel economy than the smaller, less-powerful 5.0 Cummins. Sure, weight is part of it but that is less of a factor once rolling at a steady speed. I would expect that 5.0 Cummins to get noticeably better fuel economy, but it doesn't. The fuel economy of these trucks actually does have a lot to do with the engines themselves and the emissions equipment/tune. Doing the deletes and a delete tune that didn't add much in terms of power took my 2007.5 6.7L from a freeway average of 18MPG up to 24MPG and that was in California, not the Midwest. Around town, my fuel economy went from 9.9MPG up to 16MPG. That's a 6MPG improvement across the board.

The bottomline is that Nissan/Cummins really could be doing better in the fuel economy department with the XD, but are likely doing the best they can while meeting all the emissions requirements.

P.S. A Ram 1500 ED Crew Cab 4x4 comes in at around 1,000lb less than an XD or Ram 2500, both with the Cummins, and is able to get nearly 30MPG on the freeway bone stock with the VMM 3.0 V6. Of course, that VMM 3.0 makes a bit less HP and torque than either of them.

 

[Dalko43]

The bottomline is that Nissan/Cummins really could be doing better in the fuel economy department with the XD, but are likely doing the best they can while meeting all the emissions requirements.

Inline 6 diesel's have tended to return better fuel economy over comparable v8 diesels. The 6.7L Cummins has been reported as getting as high 22-23mpg highway, even with stock emissions (the later SCR-equipped variants tend to return better fuel economy over the earlier versions).

That said, the 5.0l v8 Cummins weighs less than the 6.7l, returns lower HP and torque. So in theory, it should return better fuel economy #'s. But it's powering a pickup that has nearly the same weight and dimensions as a 3/4 ton. Rolling mass plays a role in fuel economy and so does aerodynamics. Cummins actually did a study on fuel efficiency (more geared towards Semi trucks, but there is some relevance to pickup's): https://cumminsengines.com/uploads/docs/cummins_secrets_of_better_fuel_economy.pdf

They found that at highway speeds, tires (rolling mass) and aerodynamics have an increasing effect on fuel efficiency. The 5.0l v8 Cummins is powering a truck that is rotating pretty much the same sized tires as a 3/4 ton and has the same aerodynamic footprint as one. Therefore, there won't be much of a difference in mpg #'s between an XD diesel and a regular 3/4 ton.

I'm not saying the 5.0 Cummins has no room for improvement; I'm sure that it does. But it's unrealistic to expect better mpg from it, at least not in that Nissan platform.

 

[phlfly]

I have Jeep Grand Cherokee with diesel engine it's nice engine but just not enough space with 4 peo as my kids not small 11/14 and German Shepherd . So I started looking at Titan Pro4x as I did trip with one guy he has one and his Prox had no problem where Jeep GC was struggled . So that took me this route or another one Powerwagon , but I don't know why I will need such thirsty truck but nice to have everything already. Anyway found it one Titan XD with 70k for 28 k,. The price is right. What do you think ? Or spend another 10k and get a Powerwagon? Thanks

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Who buys the Titan XD when the real Cummins 2500 4x4 is rated better, proven, and is the same price.

I don't know about the Dodge, but I know you could get an F250 for the same price.

 

[phlfly]

I'm going with Pro-4x. Dealer got price drop more to make a sale. Only worry me a length, but power should be plenty. I have my set up in future for oveland and slow moving to it. Truck with cap, decked drawers and Opus trailer.
I can agreed with you on F250, but no lock rear diff. I was tried to avoid many mods, I will do lift 2 inch (this Nissan has air bags) and 34 inch tires, it will need to remove some plastic.