1/2 ton diesel anyone? looks like it might be a reality before long...

[Robert_in_NY]

i still can't see it being viable. historically, going from a small block gas to a big block gas was several hundred dollars to a thousand more in cost. going to a diesel was several thousand more. then the possible addition of a heavier transmission can add a couple thousand more... i can't see any of the manufacturers making a 1/2 ton upgrade to diesel costing less than 5k-7k, and that's a huge hurdle to overcome when trying to justify a diesel.

i've yet to drive one, or even know anyone with one, but i've heard of 20+ in a 4x4 ecoboost f150. the ecoboost is about an $1100 option over a v8 (i looked it up), so i'd guess a diesel in a 1/2 ton will still be about $5k over that. let's say the fictitious 1/2 ton diesel can get 27mpg in the same 4x4 trim. at $3.50 for gas and $3.75 for diesel (pretty close to what it is here right now, and if anything a little low on the diesel price) you've got to go about 140k miles before you break even, and that's assuming fuel prices don't change, and you can get 27mpg. i didn't factor in the maintenance cost, but yeah, there's going to be a premium for oil and fuel filter changes in a diesel. probably 150k miles is closer to a break even point really, and that's making big assumptions.

My problem with the Ecoboost is that Ford won't let you put it in any F150, it only goes in certain configurations. If you want a supercab 4x4 with 8' box you can't get the ecoboost. For us we were looking for a nice half ton that we could haul some materials in and still have plenty of room behind the front seats to store tools and other items but wanted decent fuel economy. The Ecoboost seemed like a great option till I found out I can't get it in the truck configuration I need.

 

[rsewill]

Just gotta leave here and you see little fuel efficient diesel trucks and SUVs everywhere else in the world

You got that right!!!

 

[jejeosborne]

My problem with the Ecoboost is that Ford won't let you put it in any F150, it only goes in certain configurations. If you want a supercab 4x4 with 8' box you can't get the ecoboost. For us we were looking for a nice half ton that we could haul some materials in and still have plenty of room behind the front seats to store tools and other items but wanted decent fuel economy. The Ecoboost seemed like a great option till I found out I can't get it in the truck configuration I need.

Your problem doesn't exist. The ecoboost is available in all configurations with the exception of regular cab with 6.5' bed. If fact, you can get it with a regular cab and am 8' bed.

 

[lostcause]

Your problem doesn't exist. The ecoboost is available in all configurations with the exception of regular cab with 6.5' bed. If fact, you can get it with a regular cab and am 8' bed.

unless he's determined to get a certain trim level then you're right. ford does, however, only offer the ecoboost in a regular cab 8' box 4x4 f150 at the xl and xlt trim levels. the other four trim levels either don't offer the ecoboost at all, or don't offer regular cab, 8' box, or both. ah, give me the good old days when there were only three trim level packages and a less convoluted building process.

 

[TheGoose]

No, it was an in-line 4 in a Nissan Titan.

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

The Cummins in the 1/2 ton was either a V6 or V8, NOT an inline 4. the V6 and v8 Cummins are not used in anything at this time. the engines were a light duty designation and JUST for the Pickup/Durango. The current option they are looking at is a VM Motori 3.0L v6 that is currently available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.



I would have to agree to this!

 

[Redneck in training]

Every car company (big three included) make small diesel pickups. In fact they make diesel for pretty much every car in production. All available everywhere except USA. I am in Australia just now. Pretty much any pickup can be had with diesel. In fact that is the engine of choice. I am renting Toyota Landcruiser diesel. Estimated mileage is about 20-24 mpg driving mostly 50 -60 mph on gravel back country gravel roads.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

unless he's determined to get a certain trim level then you're right. ford does, however, only offer the ecoboost in a regular cab 8' box 4x4 f150 at the xl and xlt trim levels. the other four trim levels either don't offer the ecoboost at all, or don't offer regular cab, 8' box, or both. ah, give me the good old days when there were only three trim level packages and a less convoluted building process.

I was looking at a supercab 8' box combo. Not a regular cab version. I did go back onto Fords site which is what wouldn't let me build the truck I wanted with the EcoBoost and now they are letting me. So it must have been a glitch when I tried it a couple months back. It makes more sense they would let you put it in any truck configuration.

 

[Soundguy]

last small diesel I had was an isuzu trooper II I liked that vehicle.. but not good for pulling...

 

[Texan4Life]

Mileage is down because of the emissions mandates from the EPA. EGR, DPF, and DEF is ruining the fuel mileage. One member on this forum had posted about buying a new Duramax, and recently posted a review on the truck. Fuel mileage goes way down when the regen cycle happens. Same for the Dodge.
You can get massive power out of a diesel without adversely compromising the fuel mileage. There are tons of trucks out there doing it, with engines that predate the restrictive emissions junk. What's the point of running cleaner, if it takes twice the fuel?

BIG +1

Kinda sad really. but thats .gov intervention for ya

Mahindra was going to release a diesel PU in the US. They had dealers (300 I think) and everything lined up ready to start makes sales. It got real close and then got shutdown. I think they were having problems passing EPA trails. ppl had spotted the unmarked vehicles road testing in the US, but that is as far as it got.

 

[jeffsw6]

I honestly think if anyone is to bring it to market it will be GM first.

GM built some demo trucks a few years ago with a smaller version of the Duramax. They weren't keeping it a secret, they showed it off at some industry conventions. There are even youtube videos and magazine articles, though they lack any hard HP/torque/MPG figures.

The reason they aren't in production is the financial meltdown. Not to steer the thread into a discussion about that, but GM just did not have the money / creditworthiness to setup production-volume manufacturing for it. Making some concept/demo vehicles for trade shows is a lot cheaper than reconfiguring a factory and putting all the logistics in place to make 100k engines a year. Good idea, bad timing.