End of the diesel light truck

[joshuabardwell]

I used to own a half-ton gasser. When it ran into some mechanical issues that I didn't want to deal with, I sold it, and traded up to a 3/4 ton, because I was semi-regularly hitting the tow and cargo capacity of the half-ton. I bought a diesel because I had the impression that "proper" trucks ran diesel--that it was more fuel efficient and that they produced more torque and towed better. With diesel fuel now more expensive than gas, the fuel savings are questionable. When I read threads like this, I kind of wonder if I did the right thing. On the other hand, it is a 2005, so maybe the fact that it's pre-2007 means some of the stuff y'all are discussing doesn't apply.

 

[Markcuda]

The wife and I bought a 03 Dodge Neon, it had 4,000 miles on it.
Two months ago, the timing belt went out, did some piston/valve damage, it just rolled over to 375,000 miles.
My point is, even then, motors were better built than the 90s.
With todays motors, we should get 500,000 miles.

 

[TBarD]

I used to have a F250 with the 8.5L gas engine, now I have a Ram 2500 with the 5.9L diesel. I tow 14K in the mountains and there is just no comparison, the diesel is way better for heavy towing. Aside from the power and torque it comes standard set up for towing (extra cooling and so on). I agree however that the EPA regs are killing the newer trucks. I purposely shopped around for a 2007 with the 5.9L engine and bought one used with low mileage. I hope to keep it running for 15 years.

 

[aczlan]

I used to have a F250 with the 8.5L gas engine, now I have a Ram 2500 with the 5.9L diesel. I tow 14K in the mountains and there is just no comparison, the diesel is way better for heavy towing. Aside from the power and torque it comes standard set up for towing (extra cooling and so on). I agree however that the EPA regs are killing the newer trucks. I purposely shopped around for a 2007 with the 5.9L engine and bought one used with low mileage. I hope to keep it running for 15 years.

You also have a turbo on your 5.9 which helps immensely to get the same power in the thinner mountain air.

Aaron Z

 

[TBarD]

You also have a turbo on your 5.9 which helps immensely to get the same power in the thinner mountain air.

Aaron Z

Exactly so. My tractor (M59) is also turbo charged for the same reason. For the truck I also added an exhaust brake which is a great help descending a mountain grade with the trailer (and for general unloaded driving for that matter). Plus instrumentation to monitor the truck when towing heavy. I use a Smarty Jr. to advance the timing for better power/efficiency and to lower the EGTs. The Cummins diesel engine is awesome, frankly; you don't really appreciate the diesel until you are pulling 14K up a mountain pass at 40-50 mph.

 

[Lil_FarmerJim]

Ok forgive the stupidity, but after googling like a mad man to find such an announcement, I can find zip, nada.

I did find the exact same wording of the original posters message on a different forum however and wonder if this is just a poor rummer trying to find a start.

2 news articles posted out in the interwebs leave me to think that GM is going to do nothing of the sort, infact one quotes GM as saying they are possibly bringing back the 4.5L

GM

and

New GM trucks unveiled: Improved enough?


I'm just looking for the facts not supposition or speculation.

 

[Soundguy]

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

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....

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

nice.

 

[Soundguy]

Agreed. I don't understand running around town in a one ton diesel either, but more power to 'em if that's what they want. I haul around 12K pretty much on a daily basis and my 7.3 has served me well in that respect. But when I park the SD in the evening (usually still hooked up to the trailer) I drive my wife's F150. Much more enjoyable to drive and it almost feels like a sports car after driving the F350 around.

my 1 ton is my daily driver. i gave up my old 1/2 ton gasser for it.

I was routinely towing at or above max on the 1/2 ton.. got tired of white knuckling it.

I nver know when i'm gonna need to move something.

I'd say yhere is something heavy in or behind my 'daily driver' more than half the week. 1 bumper pull trailer I move often is heavy enough that it sqyuats a 3/4 ton past what you would like. and has damaged 2 1/2 ton trucks that TRIED to move it.

I'm never looking back to gas or itsy bits trucks.

I was in an accident a few months afo.. guy in a f150 hit me in the rear. ruined his hood, front nose clip, both quarter panels.. all lamps, and his bumper.. he had to pry the quarter panels off his tires to pull intot he jiffy next to us. Oh.. I got a DENT in my bumper smaller than the DENT i put in it backing intot he touge of one of my trailers earlier that month. he hit me near sqyare across the bumper and the hitch.. hitch ATE his trucks lunch as it was taller than hit bumper mostly..

I hope he's happy with that small one. I wouldn't have been. I also like the fact that I can set under my truck without crouching when getting at the spare.. etc.

 

[aczlan]

Back when I worked for Trugreen I drove either a '04ish F450 (big 4 door cab, ~12' dump box, generally had 250 gallons of water and/or a 20+ foot enclosed trailer in/behind the truck) or a '03ish F350 (single cab, longbed, generally had 250 gallons of water in the bed and often a 18' landscape trailer on back).
Those rode as well as my inlaw's '97 Dodge 1500 pickup does.

Aaron Z

 

[Soundguy]

i always thought my 350 rides best with a pallate of sod int he bed. .. rides like a long wheelbase car then..