Diesel Pickup Trucks

legion · 10-27-2005, 11:58 AM

I've heard rumors that Dodge is going to put a version of the MB 5 cylinder diesel in the 1/2 ton Ram pickup trucks. I've always thought this is a great idea. I'd love to replace my F150 (a few years in the future) with a diesel, but the 3/4 and 1 ton diesels are overkill for my needs. Anyone else heard this? I did a quick Google search and couldn't find anything.

lendaddy · 10-27-2005, 12:08 PM

My uncle put a MB 5 cyl. diesel (out of a Sprinter) in a Chevy 1/2 ton. He is still working on the electronics, but it fit great.

gaijindabe · 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
I'd love to replace my F150 (a few years in the future) with a diesel, but the 3/4 and 1 ton diesels are overkill for my needs. Anyone else heard this? I did a quick Google search and couldn't find anything.

Ford of Europe and Mazda have all kinds of diesels that would bolt right in - but why take away from the machismo of the F-250/350 line??

Like Henry used to say: "small trucks = small profits" .

VINMAN · 10-27-2005, 12:54 PM

Im have a Ram 3500 with a Cummins diesel in it.
I wouldnt trade it for anything. Awsome vehicle

HardDrive · 10-27-2005, 01:35 PM

Dad has a 350 Diesel. Yeah, its overkill. But he can drive up the Rockies with 3000 lbs camper on the back, and the thing doesn't downshift.

5axis · 10-27-2005, 04:43 PM

Not sure on the who or what...( top secret stuff) but we are starting some work on some internal components for a Ford light duty truck diesel engine. The word is it's for a production job so things are past the development/prototype stage.

I had heard a few years ago that John Deere was going to take a stab at such a motor. Maybe Jay (Navistar) can chime in, or maybe he can't speak on this topic.

It would make a Kick A@@ F150

That said. I love my F350 crew cab long box 4X4 with the old 7.3 power stroke motor.

legion · 10-28-2005, 05:04 AM

Great! I love my F150 and would love to have another one...but diesel.

VINMAN · 10-28-2005, 05:14 AM

Yeah I agree a diesel f-150 would be great. You dont always need that extra carrying capacity. or harder ride.

Evans, Marv · 10-28-2005, 07:17 AM

I bought a '03, F350 with the last of the 7.3L diesels (made in Oct. 2003), so I don't have a lot of experience to comment on. I bought it because I expect to have to do some pretty heavy hauling & towing in th future. Sofar it gets about 15% better mileage than my old '89 Ford Club Wagon w/ the old 4.9L cast iron six. I bought that new in '89. I was surprised to see that it has a fairly smooth ride. I always wondered why they didn't have smaller diesels in the F150s.

oldE · 10-28-2005, 09:50 AM

I too would consider myself to be one of the potential buyers of a F-150 with a diesel in the 175 hp 225 lbft range. Currently, I have a 4.2 with a 5 speed. I pull a horse trailer only a half-dozen times a year and the hills around here aren't much.
Just about every manufacturer in Europe has such an engine in their fleet, but they need the market (and the low-sulfer diesel) in NA before they will make the plunge. I think MB is smart to bring their big van over here pretty much intact. Fleet buyers will certainly use it. Fuel prices have eased off again (from September's high) but we ain't seen nothin' yet.
Les

legion · 10-31-2005, 09:39 AM

I did a search on Google for "F150 diesel". All I found were some rumors on some F150 forums circulating back when the '97 F150 came out.

5axis · 10-31-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
I did a search on Google for "F150 diesel". All I found were some rumors on some F150 forums circulating back when the '97 F150 came out.

If we are really just getting into design for production tooling, you probably have 1- 2 years before you see a finished product.

Jims5543 · 10-31-2005, 04:21 PM

I wish Toyota and Isuzu would offer a diesel again. I would get one in a heartbeat.

Vin-barrett · Vin-barrett's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
I've heard rumors that Dodge is going to put a version of the MB 5 cylinder diesel in the 1/2 ton Ram pickup trucks. I've always thought this is a great idea. I'd love to replace my F150 (a few years in the future) with a diesel, but the 3/4 and 1 ton diesels are overkill for my needs. Anyone else heard this? I did a quick Google search and couldn't find anything.

Although I haven't heard that rumor I could totally see that happening.
It seems like it is becoming common practice for yesterdays Mercedes parts to end up in today's Chrysler products.

When the new 171 SLK came out they basically facelifted the discontinued 170 SLK and called it a Crossfire.

The 300/Charger car has a whole slew of last generation E class parts in them. I believe it even includes MB's phased out 722.6 5speed transmission.

So now theres a new V6 Diesel engine going into the E320cdi that will replace the 5cyl that's in the current car. They're also putting that new V6 diesel into the ML for the U.S. - I want one!

So I would thinkit would be natural for that 5cyl to end up in a Chrysler.

vash · vash's Garage

i just read in road and track about MB's turbo diesel testing. they essentially ran three diff models on a track at an average speed of 145mph, for 100,000 miles. 30 days straight. only stopped for maint, and fuel. unbelievable!

David · David's Garage

I've been pushing for a half ton diesel pickup for a while now. I even got a letter published in Autoweek about it a month or two back.

I've yet to find any manufacturer that says they have anything in the works. I think the first one to market will make a killing.

Ford could go with a 4.5 liter V-6 design from their 6.0 V-8 although there might be vibration problems. An inline 5 or 6 might be a better bet.

SLO-BOB · 11-02-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 125shifter
I've yet to find any manufacturer that says they have anything in the works. I think the first one to market will make a killing.

I've been wanting to put a small diesel in my Chevy Astro work van. I drive a LOT and would like some better mileage. I think there will soon be a market for lighter, smaller work trucks like in Europe. When one comes out-I'm in.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

How about the VW V10 TDI in a 1/2 ton p/u

gaijindabe · 11-03-2005, 11:49 AM

Check this out from the UK Ford site. This would drop in the US Ranger or F-150.

Powered by a mighty 2.5 Duratorq TD Diesel engine, the rugged Regular Cab can go anywhere and tackle any job - while inside you can relax and enjoy the comfort and style of quality interior fittings.The tough Regular Cab has a long load box so it can carry even more and do even more. And being available in both the 4x2 and 4x4 powertrain, it has immense off-road capability.

Regular Cab from £11,150 (est. ‘on the road’)
Key features
Load box 2280 x 1536 mm
1200 kg maximum gross payload (4x2)
Double-skinned steel load box with galvanised outer panels and floor
Tie-down rails and rope hooks
Two-positions drop-down tailgate
Cab protection frame with ladder stops
The steel, double-skinned pick-up box features 2-position drop-down tailgate and outer rope hooks, plus cab protection frame with ladder stops. An impressive 2.5 Duratorq TD diesel engine delivers car-like driving dynamics, and the hydraulic brakes include vacuum servo-assistance. On the safety side, there are twin front airbags, side impact door beams and a collapsible steering column – and the whole cab is enclosed in a steel safety cage.

highwaystar · 11-15-2005, 06:53 PM

Read a rumor on a Dodge site that Chrysler is currently testing a small diesel in a 1/2 ton Ram. Test driver said he wasn't allowed to open the hood to see what was in there, but it will be a 2008 model. Rumors on this site have been pretty reliable in the past.

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68012