Navistar refiles suit against Ford

[MarblemountLane]

I have to agree that DT engines are good. But they are too heavy for pickups. Sure are great in a 4700LP, though.

I'd sure love to see a good midsized pickup, say Dodge Dakota sized, with a really efficient little diesel engine. Fuel prices are going through the roof. If our domestic manufacturers don't respond to the need, that cheesy Mahindra pickup coming from India will knock the crap out of them -- as if Toyota and Nissan weren't already doing so.

Mahindra to hit the US market with with a diesel-hybrid pickup/SUV in 2010 - AutoblogGreen

Straightline - 2009 Mahindra pickup

PickupTruck.com - Mahindra Promises Diesel Hybrid Pickup by 2010

I heard somewhere that Ford owns Cummins now. Is that true, or just a myth?

I wouldn't want a super high powered or complicated diesel, just one that runs forever and gets decent fuel mileage.

[jcmseven]

Builder,

I agree with you. It is ashame that this ill-will continues between these two companies. I believe Navistar has built a really good engine with the 6.4 and to think that yet again we may be looking at another supplier or another diesel for Ford trucks is not comforting. You and I have debated the Ford/GM thing many times, but one thing I cannot disagree with is that Ford needs to have a consistent relationship with whomever is building their engines. I cannot imagine that Ford, or any major auto manufacturer, could legitimately build a diesel itself for less money and with better reliability than outsourcing.

John M

[Builder]

Originally Posted by MarblemountLane

I have to agree that DT engines are good. But they are too heavy for pickups. Sure are great in a 4700LP, though.

I'd sure love to see a good midsized pickup, say Dodge Dakota sized, with a really efficient little diesel engine. Fuel prices are going through the roof. If our domestic manufacturers don't respond to the need, that cheesy Mahindra pickup coming from India will knock the crap out of them -- as if Toyota and Nissan weren't already doing so.

Mahindra to hit the US market with with a diesel-hybrid pickup/SUV in 2010 - AutoblogGreen

Straightline - 2009 Mahindra pickup

PickupTruck.com - Mahindra Promises Diesel Hybrid Pickup by 2010

I heard somewhere that Ford owns Cummins now. Is that true, or just a myth?

I wouldn't want a super high powered or complicated diesel, just one that runs forever and gets decent fuel mileage.

No, Ford doesn't own Cummins. That's a total MYTH. I can't believe that myth is still out there going on 20 years now.

I read the Mahindra article. I thought this quote was funny:

"This is a market that nobody is going to be in for at least three of four years. We're going to be able to give small businesses a truck that can get 30 to 35 miles-per-gallon, and with a diesel engine that's durable. It's a $40,000 truck that we're going to sell in the mid-$20,000s. This is not Chinese junk."

[Z-Michigan]

Originally Posted by MarblemountLane

I wouldn't want a super high powered or complicated diesel, just one that runs forever and gets decent fuel mileage.

With the 2007+ emissions requirements, such diesels are a thing of the past. Buy a pre-2007 Ram/Cummins or Ford with a 7.3L for some approximation of this. As we've beat to death in other threads, the 2007+ diesels make sense only if you're using it for hard work all the time.

[Builder]

That's right, the mahindra diesel will be buried in emmissions junk, too.

when 2010 hits, it gets worse.

[PCABE5]

From two different trade industry reports Ford has built in-house diesels for the F-150 and F250+. The warranty claims for the last two Navistar 6.0 /6.4 engines have killed the relationship. Ford dropped the V-6 option for the F-150 due to the problems that were found in development and now they are going to stop purchasing the V-8 diesels as well. Ford says that by 2010 all diesels will be made in-house. Have to see if this holds true.

Z-Michigan's recommendation on trucks is correct. Buy pre-2007 if you can and you will see better mileage. Makes my '02 Cummins something I do not want to let go of.

[Builder]

That's why I bought an '07 DMAX. Just as powerful, but less complex.

If I need another truck, it'll be a used pre'08 and I'll just have to live without the new truck smell. or I'll go back to gas.

$4.04/gallon for diesel.

[Z-Michigan]

I assume your "07" Dmax was one of the ones made before 12/31/06 and therefore not using the 07 emissions equipment? Lucky man.

We have a 2006 Ram/Cummins which we're very happy with. The newer model makes slightly more hp but costs more, gets lower mpg and has more stuff to go wrong. I expect we will keep our 06 for a very long time. It's probably worth it even if many things have to be rebuilt 10-20 years from now, given that we could keep running a powerful motor without EGR or DPF's.

[PCABE5]

Your 2006 Cummins will outlast the body in the Midwest salt zone. Verdict not in on the D-Max.

[Builder]

Originally Posted by Z-Michigan

I assume your "07" Dmax was one of the ones made before 12/31/06 and therefore not using the 07 emissions equipment? Lucky man.

We have a 2006 Ram/Cummins which we're very happy with. The newer model makes slightly more hp but costs more, gets lower mpg and has more stuff to go wrong. I expect we will keep our 06 for a very long time. It's probably worth it even if many things have to be rebuilt 10-20 years from now, given that we could keep running a powerful motor without EGR or DPF's.

Yep, pre DPF '07.

The newer DPF DMAX's have been doing very well, too.