New RAM half-ton EcoDiesel gets 28mpg?..

[Clutch]

I don't know why they even bother with the halfton trucks anymore.

Oh, I dunno...because half ton trucks are one of the most popular vehicles out there...

While I love my Tacoma, there are times I could use a 1/2 ton, yet a 3/4-1 ton is waaay over-kill. I could use a new truck here soon...now with all the upcoming
engine choices, going to wait and see.

Toyota needs to quit resting on their laurels. Would love to upgrade to a Tundra, but the dismal fuel economy (or the lack there of) keeps me away.

 

[Big50]

The comparison does not address the question, What about the Ford F150 with EcoBoost 3.5L V6 turbo, a vehicle with similar torque rating to the Ecodiesel? The EPA rates the Ecoboost at 15 city, 21 highway mpg. A similarly equipped Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost 4x4 would cost about $44,000, and weigh about 5700 lb. GVWR is about 7300 lb, so payload is about 1600 lb. The $12,000 savings compared to the RAM would buy a lot of gasoline.

Read more here
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2014-annual-physical.html

Very curious how it would stack up against the new F150 which will be 700 lbs lighter. I imagine the MPG would be a lot closer.

 

[Deleted member 12023]

Oh, I dunno...because half ton trucks are one of the most popular vehicles out there...

While I love my Tacoma, there are times I could use a 1/2 ton, yet a 3/4-1 ton is waaay over-kill. I could use a new truck here soon...now with all the upcoming
engine choices, going to wait and see.

Toyota needs to quit resting on their laurels. Would love to upgrade to a Tundra, but the dismal fuel economy (or the lack there of) keeps me away.

I understand the popularity. If you saw what a diesel Hillux can do you wouldn't want a Tundra…just saying. This is coming from a guy driving a 3/4ton diesel….I'd take that Hillux any day for practicality…and I've owned a F-150, never again…big engine, no weight capacity, no nuts.

 

[Clutch]

I understand the popularity. If you saw what a diesel Hillux can do you wouldn't want a Tundra…just saying. This is coming from a guy driving a 3/4ton diesel….I'd take that Hillux any day for practicality…and I've owned a F-150, never again…big engine, no weight capacity, no nuts.

I see HiLuxes all the time...and Amoraks...and Ford World Rangers, sure they are nice...can't really do anything about their physical size. The bed size on the double cabs are about useless. What is the point of having a 2000 lbs payload, if the bed size is so small you can't put anything in it? I do like the RC longbed Hilux though...all you have to do is buy a 1st gen Tundra though. Can find those cheap now. I see plenty on the used market for under $12K...mere pocket change, compared to what a new vehicle cost.



Maybe you owned the wrong F150? have you driven the Eco-Boost? They are a hoot.

Don't get me wrong, I love the size of my Tacoma for general running around...for long term traveling it kinda sucks, though I tend to take a lot of gear, like bicycles, dirt bikes, kayaks. A RC Tundra with a 8' bed is quite appealing....though the mpg's suck...so I just over-load the Tacoma...which the mpg's suck when you do that too. It is a catch 22...I want the larger vehicle for traveling (ie living out of)...but want great fuel economy as well since I'll be pounding out the miles.

A half ton diesel is somewhat appealing, I keep vehicles for 10-15 years or so. You can get the new RC 8' bed Dodge in a base model for around $30K...about the same as base model Tundra. Wouldn't take too long for the better achieving mileage of the diesel to pay for itself over the gasser. I only run premium petrol in my vehicles. Right now the cheapest premium in Tucson is 3.33, and diesel is 3.61

You can play with the numbers here: Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator.


1/2 ton diesel version of this would be a hot setup, if it achieved stellar fuel economy. I would do a Flippac to keep the weight down, since I carry so much gear, and tow a motorcycle trailer.

or this would be even better, only if it went into production

Of course you can always buy used vehicle for half of a new one....$10-15K in savings sure does buy an awful lot of fuel and tacos...

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

Just catching up on this thread, because I am interested in this truck too. Seems to me in the past there has been a ton of opining for diesel options, now that they are available they are getting poo pooed. What gives? Has anyone actually driven this truck? Or is this just over opinionated, misinformed snark? Seems this whole thread has a case of the grumps.

 

[4D55 Performance]

I think it is fantastic that this truck is here and if the numbers are as good as they report, this truck will be a hit. Design and efficiency have come a long way over the last 30 years when the first turbo diesel pickup was introduced to the US market. Back in 1983 when Mitsubishi introduced their 2.3L Turbo Diesel (80hp, 125ft lb) pickup it was a huge leap forward and a game changer for diesel vehicles in general. Not only was the truck fuel efficient but is could perform. The Mitsubishi Turbo Diesel was the fastest production truck sold in the US from 1983-85 but had a payload better than any half ton truck on the market. These little trucks could flat out move and changed many peoples perception of diesel vehicles. The Mitsubishi's fuel economy was much inline with other small diesel trucks of the era by getting about 28 mpg for 4WD models and 32mpg for 2wd. So this brings us to new Ram pickup. A full size 4wd pickup that gets 27mpg is incredible. I have one of these little 1983 Mitsubishi pickups but I assure everyone it is not as plush, as large or as capable as these new Ram Ecodiesels. I think this truck will be a huge hit and Ram got it right by going with a little 3.0L diesel rather than going with a larger displacement diesel. I can't wait to get my hands on one and take it for a spin.

 

[MT6bt]

That Mitsubishi truck is much cooler, though! I would love to find one of those for a commuting/offroading buggy.

 

[87GMCJimmy]

I've no desire for a 1/2 ton BUT, I LOVE this new engine!!! If they made a 2014 Power Wagon with a regular cab, a short bed, and this 3.0L diesel, I would trade in my 2012 Power Wagon in a heartbeat!!!! Yeah, only 240hp but, the 420lbft of torque and the lighter curb weight (reg cab vs crew cab) would make a for one sweet rig!!! (yeah, I know, a 2500HD reg cab shortbed will never happen, nor will the placement of the eco-diesel into said rig, nor will a reg cab Power Wagon BUT, I can dream, can't I???)

 

[4D55 Performance]

That Mitsubishi truck is much cooler, though! I would love to find one of those for a commuting/offroading buggy.

I have one of each.:wings:

 

[MT6bt]

I looked around on the internet for one earlier today and couldn't find a single one. Bet it is interesting finding parts for them!

 

[BCHauler]

I would like to see Ram leverage this engine in other vehicles as well. I think offering it in the 2500 would be a wise option. Sometimes, people (especially for fleet or work grade trucks) want the platform capability but don't need the big power or thirsty consumption. I think this engine would be great for a truck with a popup (FWC etc) in the back.

 

[4D55 Performance]

I looked around on the internet for one earlier today and couldn't find a single one. Bet it is interesting finding parts for them!

It's not easy, luckily I have a friend who has a $200-300K stash of NOS part for these old Mitsubishi's. Getting engine parts is not hard at all because this engine is still in production over seas. Ford also used this 2.3L diesel in their Ranger from 1985-87. I may restore a Ranger or Bronco II with a little diesel because LMC has tons of interior and body parts which makes for an easy restoration.

 

[4D55 Performance]

I would like to see Ram leverage this engine in other vehicles as well. I think offering it in the 2500 would be a wise option. Sometimes, people (especially for fleet or work grade trucks) want the platform capability but don't need the big power or thirsty consumption. I think this engine would be great for a truck with a popup (FWC etc) in the back.

Hmmm, interesting thought, I would personally prefer it in a Solid axle Ram 2500 with a 6 speed manual but I doubt they will ever do this.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

The folks at Pickuptrucks.com completed a comparison test featuring six pickups with six cylinder engines. The RAM 1500 Ecodiesel 4x4 was included. Also present were Tacoma, Frontier, Silverado, GMC and Honda Ridgeline.

The fuel economy test covered city, highway and gravel roads. The results had the Ecodiesel at 26 mpg. The other trucks, all powered by gas V6 engines, clustered around 20 mpg. That's a 30% better result for the Ecodiesel.

The Ecodiesel didn't fare as well in the value category. The truck tested was a Longhorn 4x4 that was loaded with options. Sticker was about $56K.

Another question raised by the test was the carrying capacity (not towing capacity) of the truck. With a curb weight of 6,460 lb, it seems the cargo capacity of the truck, equipped with Ecodiesel plus 4x4 plus air suspension plus options would be only 500 lb. Ouch! I think RAM will have to offer an upgrade to the coil springs when buying a diesel.

The comparison does not address the question, What about the Ford F150 with EcoBoost 3.5L V6 turbo, a vehicle with similar torque rating to the Ecodiesel? The EPA rates the Ecoboost at 15 city, 21 highway mpg. A similarly equipped Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost 4x4 would cost about $44,000, and weigh about 5700 lb. GVWR is about 7300 lb, so payload is about 1600 lb. The $12,000 savings compared to the RAM would buy a lot of gasoline.

Read more here
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2014-annual-physical.html

I was all excited for that new diesel Ram until I read that test report, it's downright PATHETIC.

 

[theburtseoni]

Bought my first new Chevy diesel 1-ton Crew cab 4X4 in '83. Over the years I have owned 3 of the General's diesels. Owned 6 of Ford's powerstrokes. For quite a few years I worked for a Ford/Dodge combo dealership, so was around Ford/Dodge diesels from the get-go. My 07 Dodge 4X4 one-ton has the 6.7L Cummins, it is a good engine. But spendy too! New turbo at 65K miles (under warranty), the Dodge dealer mechanic (he is 'top notch') told me to probably plan on another one at or about 130K miles at $2K cost. You have to have water free fuel, gotta' change that fuel filter very religiously or pay $1.5K per injector for replacements! That's according to my brother-in-law who is one of the Dallas-Ft.Worth area's top Dodge/Ram dealer's top line mechanic and knows Cummins inside and out. Diesels are more spendy to keep serviced, and really expensive to repair. Oh, and at/or about 67,500 miles, the Cummins 6.7L needs a spendy EGR filter cleaning, plus other things that cost about $750. Not like the pre-emission Cummins.
My old Ford mechanic friends tell me that the Ford Ecoboost has long term issues- so stay clear of them! It will be interesting to see how the new Ram 1/2 ton diesel pans out in real world use.
Toyota and Nissan could corner the diesel pickup market if they would bring a decent diesel to market in thier smaller pickups.