End of the diesel light truck

tcartwri · Dec 15, 2012

Re: GM announced the beginning of the end of the diesel light truck today

Soundguy said:
so.. based on your needs/wants. none of us 'should' have diesels?

nice.

You can buy whatever the frig you like. I'm just saying that's the reason it'll never fly.

Soundguy · Dec 15, 2012

Re: GM announced the beginning of the end of the diesel light truck today

tcartwri said:
You can buy whatever the frig you like. I'm just saying that's the reason it'll never fly.

Well.. actually .. no.. you made a statement wondering why someone 'needed' one if there is at least one other option that might fit.

unfortunately cookie cutter answers don't always fit real world questions.

vehicles come in multiple colors because we all can't decide on one color.

vehicles come in different makes and models be cause we all can't decide on one make and model.

same for gas and diesel.

it's not a cookie cutter question.. so a cookie cutter answer doesn't fit well.

don't get bent out of shape.. it's just reality.

here's the post I had replied to.. etc:

Originally Posted by tcartwri
The folks I know who really work their trucks are moving away from diesels. Unless you're pulling some really serious weight all the time, it really doesn't make sense to own one. 8 speed trannies, 400 hp gassers. How much power do you need....

Verticaltrx · Dec 15, 2012

One of the problems I see with all the new diesels is they have lost most of what they were intended for originally. They have built them to make so much power now they have lost the fuel economy. They make so much power now they have lost the longevity. Then in order to meet emissions and fuel mileage standards they neuter them with improper gearing.

I personally wouldn't buy a new diesel light duty truck, but I also think it's a bad idea for them to take them off the market. And have we really come that far? Our old C60 2-ton truck with a 350 pulls as much as the new Dodge with the 6.7L diesel. Hook about 10 tons behind each and they'll crest a big hill within 10-15mph of each other. Take it for what it's worth....

Markcuda · Dec 15, 2012

Our old C60 2-ton truck with a 350 pulls as much as the new Dodge with the 6.7L diesel.

Hook about 10 tons behind each and they'll crest a big hill within 10-15mph of each other.

The second quote has to be the most far fetched statement I have ever read.

94BULLITT · Dec 15, 2012

Markcuda said:
Look at a window sticker for a F-350/250, with the diesel option, I bet it is 9,000 plus dollars today.

The truck I have seen it looks like they are charging 4k for it on the lot.

Markcuda · Dec 15, 2012

I was on the Ford website and built a F-250 with the diesel option, was 7900 bucks for the motor.
Not sure what a Dodge diesel would be.

Verticaltrx · Dec 15, 2012

Markcuda said:
The second quote has to be the most far fetched statement I have ever read.

Well, think what you want. The Dodge becomes an absolute dog when you get that much weight behind it. Not only does it slow down a lot on the hills, but with the six speed manual transmission and 3.73 gears it's hard to get a big load started from a steep stoplight without really abusing the clutch. In all fairness, light-duty trucks aren't meant to tow that much anyways.

As for the comparison, it's all about how much torque is getting put back to the axle. Let's use 4th gear (1:1) as an example. The Dodge in the manual transmission version makes about 650lb-ft IIRC, x1x3.73, which equals 2424lb-ft. The C60 makes maybe 300lb-ft, x1x8.85 = 2655lb-ft. First gear is even more pronounced, about 14,000lb-ft to the axle vs almost 17,000lb-ft for the C60. The reason the speeds are somewhat close is that the 350 also turns a lot more rpms (4600 against the governor vs about 3000 for the diesel) which helps it take advantage of the deep gearing. Lastly, with 4 gears in the transmission and a 2-spd rear axle you have a lot better gearing choices than the 6 gears (really only 5 excluding overdrive) in the Dodge.

Let me also say that I'm not by any means saying the C60 will pull a hill very fast with 10 tons behind it. In fact, that would probably take the low side of second gear for a decent hill which would be about 10-15mph max. Same hill in the Dodge is about 20-30mph, maybe less. All I know is when you put 17 round bales on a big gooseneck trailer behind the Dodge that big impressive motor is really struggling. Put that same motor in a medium duty truck with double the gears and a deeper ratio and it would be a different story.

Markcuda · Dec 15, 2012

Ok:laughing::laughing::laughing:

kenmac · Dec 15, 2012

I didn't buy my diesel to impress anyone. I bought it because I wanted it to tow my tractor & my travel trailer. Did I mention I also wanted 1. Just like others want /buy big tractors when they can get by with a smaller tractor. None of my business what size tractor you buy,, It's your $$. Buy what you want