Will dodge ever make a Dakota/Ram 1500 diesel?

[Hellow533]

Awaiting the day they do, planning on first vehicle being a truck but only want a midsized, and I want a diesel because from what I have been told and see, they last a lot longer and take much less maintenance, and the 2500 is unnecessarily big.

Sorry for asking this here, but nobody in the MISC seems to know..

[Iceman1800]

Yes, probably a 1500. But its just Ram brand now, Dodge is a separate division.

[Hellow533]

Yes, probably a 1500. But its just Ram brand now, Dodge is a separate division.

Ahh, I didn't know that. Think it'll be before 2014?

[tsoden]

What about the cummins Diesel? or is that only available in the full size?

[mslman71]

The US's inability to get on board with diesel power in mid-size and small vehicles has been maddening. If Jeep came out with a diesel Wrangler variant I'd buy it as soon as it was in the showroom.

The 6 cylinder Cummins, 6.7L, comes in at over 1000#s, and that's with none of the accessories (I believe). By comparison, the gas hemis come in at just over 200 pounds.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

Not in the current variant of the 6.7 L. As mslman said, it is too heavy an engine for a 1/2 T

[Kraken]

Here is the problem with America, strictly IMO, of course.

The government and hippies are pushing hybrid too hard. They don't realize the potential in diesel and just keep reading propaganda that tells them it's "for the best". This is why you are seeing German cars with diesel engines getting 40-60mpg, with a boat load more power, and extremely clean running, despite what the government might tell you. (the secret is in the exhaust and power delivery). The other funny thing is, they want you to believe that diesel is more expensive. WHen I did research on whether to go hybrid or diesel, I figured out that I would need to put 150,000 miles on the hybrid vehicle before making up the fuel savings over the extra cost of a hybrid package. on top of that, the maintenance cost and over all life of a diesel is dramatically better. Did you know that the government doesn't require fuel mileage on diesels because they don't want people seeing how great that it is?

Anyway, the point I am making here, is that the manufacturers aren't doing a lot with diesels because it's not the American way, so to speak. They stopped putting them in SUVs a few years back, and they are making fewer and fewer trucks with them too. I would LOVE to see a diesel in a 1500. That would just be such a great idea. In fact, American companies should offer diesel engines in everything.

*Edit* In case you can't tell, I am now a true fan of diesel. I have seen its potential, and drive one myself now. I went from a 5.3 liter 1500 GMC Truck to a 2500 GMC. The 5.3 was supposed to be a fuel efficient motor, but I now average 3-4 more mpg in my 2500 than I did my 1500.

[mslman71]

Not in the current variant of the 6.7 L. As mslman said, it is too heavy an engine for a 1/2 T

Even the 4BT comes in at 700# or so, and while that's what I would like to have in my Wranger, it doesn't mean they couldn't go with the lighter CRDs in small pickups (like the 2.8L VM Motori Turbodiesel in the KJ/Liberty) which is only a couple hundred pounds heavier than its gas counterparts. Well, they could have gone with it if the fukwit US regs on diesels made any sense.

[Hellow533]

It's just that the 2500 diesel is like ~30,000 new with very little upgrades, compaired to what I can get a 1500 for which is only like 18,000 with what I want. I wouldn't mind a 1500 diesel because it's the perfect size for me, and diesel engines have very little maintenance and last so much longer.

[tsoden]

Here is the problem with America, strictly IMO, of course.

The government and hippies are pushing hybrid too hard.

Possibly... but I did buy into Hybrids... and seeing 78MPG (Imperial) in my Prius is nothing to laugh at.

[mslman71]

Possibly... but I did buy into Hybrids... and seeing 78MPG (Imperial) in my Prius is nothing to laugh at.

No, there's nothing wrong with those numbers at all, but I could get a barebones diesel compact truck with none of the complicated systems that are present in the hybrids which translates into lower cost, higher reliability, and more utility per dollar. The biggest problem I have with hybrids is that they don't work particularly well for larger vehicles and they are too complex.

[ImportantIssues]

Diesels are too loud, had one and it annoyed the phuck out of me. Cost the same in fuel, had to find stations that had diesel and repairs are rare on gas or deisel that are newer trucks.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

Even the 4BT comes in at 700# or so, and while that's what I would like to have in my Wranger, it doesn't mean they couldn't go with the lighter CRDs in small pickups (like the 2.8L VM Motori Turbodiesel in the KJ/Liberty) which is only a couple hundred pounds heavier than its gas counterparts. Well, they could have gone with it if the fukwit US regs on diesels made any sense.

I own a 2000 XJ with the 4.0 and get reasonable gas mileage for the performance. I would never have considered the current 4-dr Wrangler until they designed the new motor. More power and MPG makes it a possible option for me in the future.

I am with you though, a good diesel in the Wrangler would be a great option as it needs torque as much as hp.



I also own a 2005 Duramax and it has rediculous amount of hp / torque. I would be willing to give back 50-75 each for 2 MPG.

My father just bought a 2011 Duramax and he says its has drag strip performance and is way too thirsty compared to his 2001 Duramax that he traded in.

Where is the middle ground???

[HairyScandinavian]

I read that they toyed with it for a while but that was before the bail outs and it got scraped due to lack of funds??? I'd really like to see what they can do, but then the Hemi is doing pretty damn well in the 1/2 tons so I'm not sure a light cut down diesel would be an upgrade.

[litljay]

I own a 2000 XJ with the 4.0 and get reasonable gas mileage for the performance. I would never have considered the current 4-dr Wrangler until they designed the new motor. More power and MPG makes it a possible option for me in the future.

I am with you though, a good diesel in the Wrangler would be a great option as it needs torque as much as hp.



I also own a 2005 Duramax and it has rediculous amount of hp / torque. I would be willing to give back 50-75 each for 2 MPG.

My father just bought a 2011 Duramax and he says its has drag strip performance and is way too thirsty compared to his 2001 Duramax that he traded in.

Where is the middle ground???

The new regulations with regard to particulates are killing the DMax (hell, all diesels) fuel mileage. The traps need to be cleaned out on a regular interval and the system dumps fuel to burn off the soot.

They've also added Urea injection to lower NOx emissions, so now you have to find a source for Urea.

If I could find an '06/'07 classic with the LBZ motor with low miles, I would consider buying one. However, most owners know that they are desirable and want an arm and a leg for them.

With regard to a small diesel in a 1/2 ton, I'm pretty sure the big 3 have all considered it. I've seen pics of a baby Dmax before, but that was a couple years ago and I'm pretty sure was put on hold until the emission standards finally shake out.

[Kraken]

My father just bought a 2011 Duramax and he says its has drag strip performance and is way too thirsty compared to his 2001 Duramax that he traded in.

The 2001 and the 2011 should be getting the same fuel mileage. The advantages of the 2011 is an additional 100hp and 240ft lbs of tq, and, it's really a clean running diesel. Now, there is one issue that the dealers don't tell you about and you have to do the research to figure it out. There is an exhaust filter on these new Duramax engines. Depending on your driving habits, that will determine how often it goes in to a regen mode. This regen mode will run the exhaust hotter, burning out the soot etc. During this time, your fuel mileage takes a big, healthy dump, as does your exhaust. This happens to me about every 2000 miles or so. You can tell when it does it, because it gets a little "growl" to the exhaust, and it runs the RPMs just a tad higher, feeling like it wants to pull when you are at a stop and on the brakes.

i am all about performance, so the new Duramax wipes the doors off of all the other diesels in its class, and I like that. It runs like a race car.

*Edit* Jay beat me to it. DIdn't read his reply until after I posted mine.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

I'll check in with my dad about his experiences with the soot burn off...he has only put ~ 7 K on it so may have only experienced it 2-3 times.

[Brackneyc]

The biggest problem I have with hybrids is that they don't work particularly well for larger vehicles and they are too complex.

Not to mention that you would have to own a hybrid for many years longer than most do in order to offset the vehicle cost versus fuel savings. I've known many who got a hybrid, only to return to a gas powered vehicle for their next purchase. I don't care who buys what, but for me, driving is about more than just MPG. For others it is about point A to Point B. I'm god with that. Just seems like every hybrid owner hangs their hat on MPG alone. Looking at most Hybrids, I can see why.

[mslman71]

The new regulations with regard to particulates are killing the DMax (hell, all diesels) fuel mileage. The traps need to be cleaned out on a regular interval and the system dumps fuel to burn off the soot.

They've also added Urea injection to lower NOx emissions, so now you have to find a source for Urea.

If I could find an '06/'07 classic with the LBZ motor with low miles, I would consider buying one. However, most owners know that they are desirable and want an arm and a leg for them.

With regard to a small diesel in a 1/2 ton, I'm pretty sure the big 3 have all considered it. I've seen pics of a baby Dmax before, but that was a couple years ago and I'm pretty sure was put on hold until the emission standards finally shake out.

Why I scoured the country, literally, for the right '07 Cummins 5.9L truck. I'm not buying a newer model until I absolutely have to, and the DM is out entirely.

Not to mention that you would have to own a hybrid for many years longer than most do in order to offset the vehicle cost versus fuel savings. I've known many who got a hybrid, only to return to a gas powered vehicle for their next purchase. I don't care who buys what, but for me, driving is about more than just MPG. For others it is about point A to Point B. I'm god with that. Just seems like every hybrid owner hangs their hat on MPG alone. Looking at most Hybrids, I can see why.

MPG is all they've got and the feel-goodedness* that appeals to a subset of those buyers. Anything other than the compacts the hybrids don't even give that much better gas mileage. Hell, I was getting just under 40 MPG on the interstate in my 1987 Ford EXP POS.

*edit: the electric motor does have a great low end torque curve. Not sure how the prius and others couple their electric/combustion motors to the drivetrain, or even if the combustion engine is directly connected to the drivetrain.

[HairyScandinavian]

Not to mention that you would have to own a hybrid for many years longer than most do in order to offset the vehicle cost versus fuel savings. I've known many who got a hybrid, only to return to a gas powered vehicle for their next purchase. I don't care who buys what, but for me, driving is about more than just MPG. For others it is about point A to Point B. I'm god with that. Just seems like every hybrid owner hangs their hat on MPG alone. Looking at most Hybrids, I can see why.

I think everyone else should buy hybrids for that reason, and in the mean time I'll keep using the remaining fossil fuels we have left until they're gone.

[ShadowBrah]

Years ago I had a Ford with a 7.5L Powerstroke. One of the best diesel engines ever. I worked that truck like a Tijuana prostitute and never had any problems. I'm sure Dodge/Ram/whomever could replicate a smaller version if the powerstroke. I think diesel technology has improved so much that engine noise isn't much of an issue now.

[Kraken]

Years ago I had a Ford with a 7.5L Powerstroke. One of the best diesel engines ever. I worked that truck like a Tijuana prostitute and never had any problems. I'm sure Dodge/Ram/whomever could replicate a smaller version if the powerstroke. I think diesel technology has improved so much that engine noise isn't much of an issue now.

I am pretty sure that all of the domestic used diesel engines are foreign made now, and all of the companies have smaller diesels. For instance, Isuzu makes the Duramax, and they have tons of small trucks in foreign countries that are used every day for work and commuting. North America is pretty much the only continent not using them.

the problem is, North Americans just don't know the diesel potential, so there isn't enough market to bring them here.

[champ07]

You could buy a crate gas engine for the cost of rebuilding a turbo on a diesel . Diesel is fine until mechanical trouble, then you find out how much cheaper gas is . Diesel made for towing, saves your transmission .Ifyour not towing, it will be of no saving to you .

[Kraken]

You could buy a crate gas engine for the cost of rebuilding a turbo on a diesel . Diesel is fine until mechanical trouble, then you find out how much cheaper gas is . Diesel made for towing, saves your transmission .Ifyour not towing, it will be of no saving to you .

Your post is full of information that leads me to believe you know little or nothing about diesels from the last 10 years.

[Phattso]

Diesels are too loud, had one and it annoyed the phuck out of me. Cost the same in fuel, had to find stations that had diesel and repairs are rare on gas or deisel that are newer trucks.

The new diesels are not loud.