EcoDiesel, A Maiden Voyage

[paulharvey]

Isn't the best solution dictated by need?

Ford has the worst gas mileage and the ride quality needs some work. It also won't hurt if Ford included inner rear wheel well liners, what is that about?

I could really see the Eco-diesel being a hit for a company work truck. It should be able to the idling better, more miles per year, ect. I don't have hard numbers to back it up, but in situations where the vehicle runs 6+ hours per day it should shine. I do think dodge/ram/fiat made a mistake by taking half the motor from a 3/4 ton and putting it in a half ton. To me something in the 4.5L 250 hp/375 ft# would be a better fit. And put a stiff suspension under it. Guys buying fleets of work trucks don't really care if it rides like a Cadillac.

Kinda seems like they couldn't decide if they where targeting fleet (low horse power/torque low comfort/cheap to run) or personal sales (comfort/power/who cares about payload); so they split the difference and missed really hitting either group.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I could really see the Eco-diesel being a hit for a company work truck. It should be able to the idling better, more miles per year, ect. I don't have hard numbers to back it up, but in situations where the vehicle runs 6+ hours per day it should shine. I do think dodge/ram/fiat made a mistake by taking half the motor from a 3/4 ton and putting it in a half ton. To me something in the 4.5L 250 hp/375 ft# would be a better fit. And put a stiff suspension under it. Guys buying fleets of work trucks don't really care if it rides like a Cadillac.

Kinda seems like they couldn't decide if they where targeting fleet (low horse power/torque low comfort/cheap to run) or personal sales (comfort/power/who cares about payload); so they split the difference and missed really hitting either group.

This is where Nissan will shine with the 5.0 Cummins in a Titan next year.

Chris

 

[jejeosborne]

This is where Nissan will shine with the 5.0 Cummins in a Titan next year.

Chris

That will be a good fit for Nissan since they don't make a 3/4 ton model and it will improve their sales by stealing some of the market share from that in between crowd. I think the 3.0 eco diesel is a perfect fit for a half ton because it has plenty of torque for towing and it has an attractive MPG rating if placed in a more capable truck.

 

[Haoleguy]

Regardless of what you think about the different brands I do think the Ecodiesel will be a big enough hit so that all truck manufacturers will take notice. That means they will pay attention to the buying public and adjust their product offerings over time so that we will have a better truck choices in the 1/2 ton class with good towing capacity and fuel mileage. I also think that pushing for stronger lighter body and frame materials like Ford is introducing next year will push the manufacturers along as well. Guys it's all good ;>)

 

[Egon]

I could really see the Eco-diesel being a hit for a company work truck. It should be able to the idling better, more miles per year, ect. I don't have hard numbers to back it up, but in situations where the vehicle runs 6+ hours per day it should shine. I do think dodge/ram/fiat made a mistake by taking half the motor from a 3/4 ton and putting it in a half ton. To me something in the 4.5L 250 hp/375 ft# would be a better fit. And put a stiff suspension under it. Guys buying fleets of work trucks don't really care if it rides like a Cadillac.

Kinda seems like they couldn't decide if they where targeting fleet (low horse power/torque low comfort/cheap to run) or personal sales (comfort/power/who cares about payload); so they split the difference and missed really hitting either group.

Well, I've got a 96 that pretty well meets those requirements.

After 18 years the fender well edges will need some rust work as well as the sides of the front fenders. Seems strange when I keep reading it should be pretty well a bare frame with a few rust riddled metal panels holding on!

 

[paulharvey]

They went for a goldilocks and got a spork.

 

[fordmantpw]

I think the 3.0 eco diesel is a perfect fit for a half ton because it has plenty of torque for towing and it has an attractive MPG rating if placed in a more capable truck.

I agree! I think the engine HP/torque/MPG is really at the sweet spot for the half ton market. A larger engine is going to lose some of the MPG advantage and it just won't be that much better than a gasser. You really need 15-25% better fuel economy than a gasser just to break even in fuel costs. That doesn't count the higher up-front costs of the diesel, nor the higher maintenance costs. And 240/420 is plenty for towing decent loads for a half ton with a diesel.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree! I think the engine HP/torque/MPG is really at the sweet spot for the half ton market. A larger engine is going to lose some of the MPG advantage and it just won't be that much better than a gasser. You really need 15-25% better fuel economy than a gasser just to break even in fuel costs. That doesn't count the higher up-front costs of the diesel, nor the higher maintenance costs. And 240/420 is plenty for towing decent loads for a half ton with a diesel.

I agree but the general public is stupid. They will not have a clue what 420 FT TQ is and say only 240 Hp? Heck, my Accord has more power than that.

My father always said HP sells vehicles and TQ does the work.

Chris

 

[fordmantpw]

I agree but the general public is stupid. They will not have a clue what 420 FT TQ is and say only 240 Hp? Heck, my Accord has more power than that.

My father always said HP sells vehicles and TQ does the work.

Chris

Yeah, that's a good point. When compared to all of the 350-400HP engines available in half tons today, 240 sounds pretty weak. Those 'in the know' get it though.

Didn't the 7.3L PowerStroke only have 235 HP when the '99 Super Duty came out? My how times have changed!

 

[94BULLITT]

Isn't the best solution dictated by need?

Ford has the worst gas mileage and the ride quality needs some work. It also won't hurt if Ford included inner rear wheel well liners, what is that about?

I thought Nissan had the worst gas mileage.