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

[WilliamBos]

didn't someone make a 1/2ton heavy duty kit a while back.. or as an upgrade option.. basically heavier rear axle like a 3/4t heavier hubs.. etc. ?

GM made a 1500HD that fit what you describe.

 

[Soundguy]

yeah.. that's likely it!

thanks

 

[WilliamBos]

yeah.. that's likely it!

thanks

1500 Badges, crew cab with 6 1/2' box, 6.0L gas, 8 lug hubs. Did not have too long a run.

 

[RollingsFarms]

1500 Badges, crew cab with 6 1/2' box, 6.0L gas, 8 lug hubs. Did not have too long a run.

Wasn't it the old 2500 just rebadged to a 1500hd? I know for a few years GM had a 2500 and a 2500hd.

 

[Redneck in training]

I just spent two weeks in Europe and 95% of all the vehicles on the road were diesel. My brother-in-law has a very nice company BMW that has a diesel. He said the gasoline version would cost the company almost 8K a year in extra taxes. The last time I saw a fuel rating chart in Diesel Power the federal government listed diesel as the most efficient means for transportation. I have had several diesel and gasoline pickups so I see both sides of the argument. If my memory serves me correct diesel produces 20-30% more energy when compared to gasoline. I believe the US is going backward on our approach to requiring the emission controls on diesels. Should we increase the emission systems that take away the advantages and use more fuel or should we allow more pollutants into the air but use less fuel. Lp and hybrid/electric technology just has not progressed enough to provide the same amount of energy as gasoline or diesel. My friend has a TDI Jetta that gets 50+mpg on the interstate, has power to pass other vehicles, and it doesn't look like a coffin on wheels like the Smart Car or the Prius. Technology will eventually catch up to our transportation needs but I don't see any of the other fuels providing the energy of diesel for the near future. I believe we will see more diesel options in the future. The major hurdle in the US is that most of our refineries are established to produce gasoline and not diesel.

The issue is how the emission standards are measured. In Europe it is emission per km driven. In USA it is as percent per volume of the exhaust gasses. European system punishes large vehicles even with the cleanest exhaust while it benefits vehicles wirh less clean exhaust but low fuel consumption. That is why it is difficult to import diesels from Europe even though they would polute less per mile driven.
But there is light on the end of the tunnel. New generation gasoline engines with direct injection could bring their thermal efficiency closer to the diesel engines.

 

[Foxtrot08]

The off road emissions differ VERY little between Europe and USA... in fact they are the same. On-road isnt my business, but i doubt if the differences are as substantial as you claim..

They are, trust me. I'm in the trucking industry and deal with every major engine company as well, as I work for one of the largest oil and lubricant distributors in the United States. I sat down in march with every major engine manufacture and through our own sales, can see the changes. Look at ford, already recommending a 10w30 diesel spec for the new 6.7's. Caterpillar isn't far behind and as most know - they make the blocks for navistar.

Here is some stats on the 2014 regulations... http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/us/fe_hd.php

As well, the new push now that's going to happen is CAFE standards for Medium/Heavy duty trucks. Right now any truck with a curb weight of 6000+ lbs does not fall into fleet CAFE standards. Soon, 6000+ (Class 3-8) will have their own cafe standards.

Actually Ford does have some diesels in Europe, but they dont have any technology at all... They built a 1.8 TD (which really couldnt hold a candle against VW, Merc or Peugeot diesels) untill 2000 or so, but the 1980's 2.3 was a peugeot... the currently sold 2.0 and 2.2 four, and 2.7 V6 engines are all Peugeot, just the valve cover is made by Ford, with their own name stamped in it.
the Land Rover diesel was a piece of junk, a gas engine running gear, loaded with Diesel compression. Similar disaster as the Oldsmobile and Chevy attempts of the same era. What Land Rover does sell currently, are Peugeot diesels through the Ford cooperation.

I think you're under cutting Ford a lot there. Yes, right now Ford is mostly pushing gas engines in the US - but everything I see / hear from their engineers is they are getting their ducks in a row for diesels. Just the same as GM is, Fiat group, etc. They're changing around a lot of thing and keeping it pretty quiet.

I bet its getting interesting... but i doubt propane is the final solution: It increases the combustion temperature, which lowers soot emission but increases the need for either EGR or DEF....

From what I heard... 2014/2015 will be solid state urea. 2017/2018 will be a plasma/propane based system to clean the exhausts. This comes from a few sources - 2 major engine manufactures in both the on/off road markets. The second source is a major oil company.

Take it for what you want, this is the internet. But there's a number of us that own decent size fleets that are rebuilding instead of buying new. It makes no sense to buy an engine, that in 2-4 years will be outdated. So you know they're not tested / proven properly and it's not worth the money to make it work, not when you can rebuild.

 

[Storm56]

Take it for what you want, this is the internet. But there's a number of us that own decent size fleets that are rebuilding instead of buying new. It makes no sense to buy an engine, that in 2-4 years will be outdated. So you know they're not tested / proven properly and it's not worth the money to make it work, not when you can rebuild.

Lot of wisdom in those words. This was the exact reason I just updated my 1/2 ton PU this year. Of course I bought gas, too many uncertains and untested technology just around the corner. Plus I am not normally superstitious, but the number 13 and I do not get along! Ever watch Apolloo 13??!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ford still makes a HD 1/2 ton. I had a 99 & its the only truck I have ever regretted selling. 4.10 gears in full floating 7lug axles, larger everything, 7,700# gvwr, ect. They still make it as the 7,770# package.

Chris

 

[bdeboer]

Wasn't it the old 2500 just rebadged to a 1500hd? I know for a few years GM had a 2500 and a 2500hd.

It was 8600GVW 6.0L 3.73 4L80E and same as 2500. Started out as 2500 went to 1500HD and back depending on the year.

Power train and component wise the same as 2500 Suburban

 

[Soundguy]

Ford still makes a HD 1/2 ton. I had a 99 & its the only truck I have ever regretted selling. 4.10 gears in full floating 7lug axles, larger everything, 7,700# gvwr, ect. They still make it as the 7,770# package.

Chris

only reason I ask is a buddy mentioned something about one he had on a farm.. a half ton with HD rear end he said.. i didn't know if it was a kit, dealer option.. or a farmer invention..