Dodge and Cummins No More????

[Scooby074]

QSB 4.5 is 160Hp 460FtLb. I think it would be a good engine (at least to me), but i suspect that the manufacturers went to a V configuration for packaging issues. Also id imagine that there is a weight reduction to the V engines (aluminum heads and likely less weight to the block). The slow speed of the QSB may not fit what the auto manufacturers think consumers want in a engine for the 1500 series. I think the auto makers want a faster reving, gas engine like experience, since alot of 1500 series pickups get used as personal transportation as opposed to the larger classes of trucks (yes i know there are exceptions to this).

Also dont forget that some people purchasing in this class base their purchase on horsepower figures and not much else. So 160Hp looks pathetic from their point of view (they seem to ignore the torque ratings), especially when comparing to the high HP gas engines available in 1500 series.

Id rather a slow revving torque monster, with a manual tranny, but im not the manufacturers target market.

 

[Scooby074]

mabe Peugeot will be Fiat's choice diesel after winnng the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

tom

Maybe Audi would be a better choice , considering they won the previous 3 Le Mans with diesels. But, i seriously could see Dodge going with a Iveco engine.

 

[Egon]

About pickups, they are extinct and forgotten in Europe,

I'd find it kinda hard to hook up a fifth wheel or dump a bucket of sand into a Van.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I suspect they want the V8 because the hoods are getting so short.

The pickups are starting to morph into vans.

Big reason for this is cab space. My new Nissan Titan is a perfect example of this. It has more room in it than my neighbors 2007 3500 Dmax Crew Cab. I like the styling of the short nose. My old lady says it looks tough, like a Bull Dog, don't think I will go that far though.

The bottom line is they are trying to keep them at around 19' so they will fit in a standard 20' garage while keeping a 6.5' bed and a extended cab. The majority of buyers of extended cab and crew cab trucks are family's and they do double duty as a weekend tower and a weekday kid hauler. If they go the crew cab route they are putting 5.5' beds on to keep the length under control.

Here are a few pics of my current Titan, my last 2007 F-150, and my previous gas truck, a 2002 F-150.


Chris

 

[Builder]

QSB 4.5 is 160Hp 460FtLb. I think it would be a good engine (at least to me), but i suspect that the manufacturers went to a V configuration for packaging issues. Also id imagine that there is a weight reduction to the V engines (aluminum heads and likely less weight to the block). The slow speed of the QSB may not fit what the auto manufacturers think consumers want in a engine for the 1500 series. I think the auto makers want a faster reving, gas engine like experience, since alot of 1500 series pickups get used as personal transportation as opposed to the larger classes of trucks (yes i know there are exceptions to this).

You're right. 1/2 tons weren't designed for towing becuae of their low GCWR's, so why install a medium duty low revving diesel in a truck not even close to doing medium duty work or medium duty towing? Doesn't amtter what engine you put in a 1/2 ton, if the GCWR is 16, 17 , 18K, it's only able to tow a smaller trailer. 1/2 ton diesels initially were trying to appeal to higher fuel economy & longevity. However, I question the marketing strategy considering that diesel fuel now costs about the same as mid grade gasoline. When it used to be cheaper than regular unleaded, a 1/2 ton diesel seemed like a better idea..

Id rather a slow revving torque monster, with a manual tranny, but im not the manufacturers target market.

You'd be surprised. I like a torque monster too. That's why I made my truck selection when bought my truck, it had class leading torque.

 

[Builder]

Maybe Audi would be a better choice , considering they won the previous 3 Le Mans with diesels. But, i seriously could see Dodge going with a Iveco engine.

Based on my experience as a former CASE 580 owner, FIAT likes to jam Iveco & other Italian/European parts & assemblies in everything they aquire, like CASE backhoes. Look at NH backhoes, they're actually made in Italy.

I could see an Iveco diesel in a RAM. Afterall, they pretty much cloned the Cummins 4BT with an IVECO diesel. It actually had a little more HP & TQ than the 4BT in the backhoe, but they were more complex & expensive/harder to repair.

 

[lhfarm]

Here is a report from the local public radio station on the contract situation - Facing Bankruptcy, Chrysler Cancels Contract With Cummins | NewsMatters.org

Interestingly, I was at Memorial Day party in Columbus, talking to an engineer from one of Cummins' suppliers. He says they are working a small diesel for SUVs that will be in the 35mpg range. I was hoping it would be headed for the Jeep line, but he said it won't be in a US brand.

 

[Lunk]

You're right. 1/2 tons weren't designed for towing becuae of their low GCWR's, so why install a medium duty low revving diesel in a truck not even close to doing medium duty work or medium duty towing? Doesn't amtter what engine you put in a 1/2 ton, if the GCWR is 16, 17 , 18K, it's only able to tow a smaller trailer. 1/2 ton diesels initially were trying to appeal to higher fuel economy & longevity. However, I question the marketing strategy considering that diesel fuel now costs about the same as mid grade gasoline. When it used to be cheaper than regular unleaded, a 1/2 ton diesel seemed like a better idea..



You'd be surprised. I like a torque monster too. That's why I made my truck selection when bought my truck, it had class leading torque.

Around here (WI), diesel's been running 20-40 cents LESS than regular unleaded, Last year it was 1.00 - 1.50 more per gallon - Go figure...

IMHO a 1/2 ton diesel only makes sense if you can get 25 mpg or better out of it. That would equate to 180 - 200 hp and around 400 ft lbs torque.

In that configuration - I think they'd sell a bunch of them (I'd buy one!).

Of course the manufacturers would immediately start a hp / torque war, and we'd end up with a bunch of over-powered 1/2 tons with drivetrains that won't last, that can barely manage 20 mpg with no trailer, and a favorable wind...all-in-all the EPA will ultimately determine whether or not we will ever see one, as tougher regs are what have already delayed the launch of many main-stream, light duty diesels in the USA.

Lunk

 

[Diamondpilot]

Interestingly, I was at Memorial Day party in Columbus, talking to an engineer from one of Cummins' suppliers. He says they are working a small diesel for SUVs that will be in the 35mpg range. I was hoping it would be headed for the Jeep line, but he said it won't be in a US brand.

I think you will see it in a Nissan. Before the "crisis" there were talks between Chrysler and Nissan to help each other out. I believe it was for Nissan to primarily supply 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engines and trannys much like Mitsubishi did in the 80's and 90's and return Chrysler would build some of the larger platform vehicles like trucks and SUV's at Chrysler Facilities.

There has been rumor of a Cummins in a Nissan truck on a few of the sites I check out but I am afraid its like others say, it will probably not happen at this time. Just does not make much sense. Why would someone pay an extra 5 grand for a diesel when you are limited so much by the chassis? The gas engines do everything you need in a 1/2 ton. The gas engines are stronger then ever and very reliable all why getting around 20 mpg now days. And by the time you add the diesel engine you are close to the price of a 1 ton SRW with a diesel.

Chris

 

[redneckford]

Yes a V8 is shorter than the QSB 6.7 but a QSB 4.5 wont be that much longer than a V8...

About pickups, they are extinct and forgotten in Europe, vans all over the place because of easier manoeuvering and more efficient usage of space.

About style, sure a full size pickup truck looks better than our European vans, but iｴve never seen Miss America using a shovel either..

WHAT!!!! no cowboys left in Europe----must use alot of horse shoes riding those horses everywhere an aluminum horse trailers in every pasture---a COWBOYS dream!!!!!---different strokes for different folks