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Pickups Pickups - Archived Discussions Midsize Pickup Comparo 
751 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:44 AM
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I have been watching the size increasing on our beloved small trucks and I ain't happy about it. I inherited my father's 1965 Ford F-250 Camper Special about 20 years ago. I sold it off because I didn't use enough (still had my Chevy Van) but when I did sell it, the small trucks were a fair bit smaller than it. Now the Dodge Dakota is just about the same size! At the recent L.A. car show, I sat in the Ford and Chevy full size trucks and was amazed. In my Dad's old truck I could reach across to the door handle and window crank on the passenger side. It was a long reach but I could do it. These new trucks had my hand waving around a good foot to a foot-and-a-half away from the door. And the climb up into the cabs is getting ridiculous. The old F-250 had a seat height that was perfect; just sling your keester sideways and in you went. Not now. You need oxygen and a small lunch to go up that high. Our "compact" trucks are definitly the size of the old trucks, so that is where my money will go when the time comes for the next P/U purchase. Tigger 32 |
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I have heard rumors of new Diesel engines being built for Dodge by Cummins. I am hearing that there is a new 4.6 litre V-6 and a 5.6 litre V-8. The small engine is aiming for 30 mpg and if that is true, it will be a huge seller, I bet. Especially if it is offered in the Dakota. I have also heard that Chevy/GMC is going to have a 4.5 litre Diesel coming out although I have not heard any specs on it. All this is to ponder the question, "Will Nissan, Toyota, Ford, etal. answer the call and give us some good mileage Diesels in our small trucks? Heck, Mercedes has the Sprinter Van with it's 2.7 litre 5 cylinder that is doing great in the delivery van / motorhome business. We can only hope. Tigger 32
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Replying to: tigger32 (Nov 24, 2007 7:39 pm) |
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Replying to: asa (Nov 25, 2007 6:27 am) --JJF With diesel fuel currently selling at a price higher than premium gasoline in my (U.S.) region, I'm not as enthusiastic about the economy of a diesel truck. In the final analysis, a diesel may indeed be more economical, but I don't think MPG tells the whole story. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Diesel technology is growing at an exciting rate. |
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Replying to: tigger32 (Nov 24, 2007 7:39 pm) Here is info. on the new Duramax. It will be manufactured in Towanda, NY. Will be available as early as 2008 for 2009 model year and no later than calendar year 2009 in the 2010 model year trucks. Ford will have a 4.4L V8 diesel in the F150. Bad news is Ford has already reduced it's planned production numbers for the new engine. It will be manufactured in Mexico. Expected to arrive in 2009 calendar year in 2010 model year trucks. Dodge has 4.2L V6 and 5.6L V8 Cummins engines in the pipeline. They are not scheduled to arrive until 2010 model year. An International diesel engine in the 2009 Nissan Titan has been rumored for quite some time, nothing more than a possiblity at this point. Nissan is said to have put it's 3/4 ton Titan program on hold. As to midsize trucks, well, don't hold your breath waiting for diesel. The only one that has even been mentioned is Honda Ridgeline with a diesel V6 in 2010. There was buzz in the past of Isuzu bringing it's diesel engines to be installed in Isuzu versions of the Colorado. GM Colorado/Canyon and Isuzu DMax were a joint project of Isuzu and GM and were primarily engineered by Isuzu. No modifications needed to interchange powertrains. Now the only speculation is when Isuzu will fold the consumer sales of vehicles in North America and sell only larger commercial vehicles. Isuzu's contract with GM to supply the i-series trucks and the Ascender SUV is nearly completed.
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Replying to: asa (Nov 25, 2007 6:27 am) Spent some time over on the Jeep Liberty Diesel forum. They seem to be having real problems with the diesel engines not running well. One thought that comes to mind is that it is new and there are "Bugs" to work out. However, another thought dictates that "Bugs" should be worked out before the consumer takes over. I can understand how some problem might not rear it's ugly head until a few thousand miles are on the clock, but some of these problems seem to be there, right from the "git-go", and Jeep has no solutions as of this time. Mercedes has been building diesel trucks and cars successfully for a long time. As pointed out by another poster, the Sprinter is a fine example. They have also been building reliable diesel cars for many years. Diamler (SP) owns Chrysler and Mercedes. So why the problems with the Jeep Liberty? My understanding is that GM owns a big chunk of Isuzu. The flat nosed box trucks by Chevy appear to be built on the same assembly line as the Isuzus. Why not put that proven engine into a Colorado? That engine works fine in the box trucks and should do very well in a mid size pickup. Kip
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Replying to: kipk (Nov 26, 2007 3:50 am) Not anymore. GM sold it's stake in the past in order to raise cash. Toyota purchased a significant portion of Isuzu.
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Replying to: moparbad (Nov 25, 2007 7:18 pm) |
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Replying to: moparbad (Nov 26, 2007 6:11 am) Toyota purchased a significant portion of Isuzu." Did GM sell all it's Isuzu holdings to "Toyota"? Wonder if GM hung on to anything that would be useful in the future. That diesel comes to mind. Kip |
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Reading about the new GM Duramax engine. http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/15/gm-announces-new-light-duty-4-5l-v-8-die- sel-for-north-america/ Here is a Direct Quote! "GM Powertrain's Tonawanda engine plant opened in 1938 and has produced nearly 68 million engines. The plant covers 3.1 million square feet and employs 1,565 hourly and 260 salaried employees, with an annual payroll of $200 million." Seems that payroll is an "Average" of $109,500 per person yearly. Of course the Executives will make more than the line workers, but that average seems excessive. "The GM Powertrain Tonawanda plant management and UAW Local 774 leadership successfully negotiated a competitive operating agreement that improves operational effectiveness". OK, that explains it!  Kip |
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