OK, all you truck wonks...

CTD is Cummins Turbo Diesel... its the diesel in 2500 and heavier Rams.

Its not that manufacturers CAN'T put diesels in... its that it is cost or weight prohibitive. Most half ton owners don't want to pay a $6000+ upgrade cost, and most half ton trucks have such a small payload that an engine that weighs 500+ lbs more than a gas engine.

MargaretB wrote:

rjxj wrote:
6.7 CTD is 1100 pounds dry

English, please.

Does this mean that a diesel engine is too heavy for the smaller-engine trucks?

Sorry, all I mean is that the traditional diesels are very heavy engines. Like others said, I believe they offer a smaller one now.

I'm in NoCal. We can get diesel for anywhere from jut under $3 to just over. But it's not about the cost - it's about the mileage. We really wanted a diesel - our diesel MB gets about 27 on the highway and it's a big heavy vehicle - because of the mileage. But the Ram didn't have any cargo capacity that we could use. So we went with an EcoBoost gasser. It'll probably work well for us, but I noticed yesterday when I was on the freeway that my average crept up to a not-so-impressive 13.1 with a total of 150 miles on the odometer. Not for this trip... total since we bought it on Thursday. Not a good sign.

Nissan is coming to market with their "1500" series truck the Titan. However, that truck will probably be closer to a 3/4 ton. We're all waiting to see what the GVWR's are for that truck.

As for why we're only getting diesels now? Many blame GM for the haphazardly engineered diesels of the 70's. That has left a stigma on the market and diesels were seen as belching noisy horrible machines for many decades (Read about that in focus groups of certain truck makers). It's only now with the experience of European diesels that the american mindset has slowly warmed to diesels in lighter vehicles.

The VWAG is probably the best known proprieter of light duty diesel engines and probably has enjoyed the most success in the market as well. It's only recent that FCA has jumped on the bandwagon and is pushing the diesels in its Grand Cherokee and RAM. GM is planning on pushing a baby-duramax in the just released Colorado. If these diesels continue to be a success, you can bet more will proliferate. However, fuel prices in regions of the country are also working against diesels being more common. Depending on where you live, you can have a fuel pricing advantage with Diesel to a severe disadvantage.

MargaretB wrote:
If Ram can do it, can't they all?

But what did they really do?? Ram has the smallest payload in the 1/2 ton segment and therefore it does not make a good tow vehicle. Great fuel mileage otherwise as a daily driver.

If Ram can do it, can't they all?

rjxj wrote:
6.7 CTD is 1100 pounds dry

English, please.

Does this mean that a diesel engine is too heavy for the smaller-engine trucks?

Ram now offers a diesel option in a 1/2 ton truck. It is smaller but will do what these trucks are designed for.

Small diesels are available in small trucks and cars in other countries. The main reason we don't have it here is the EPA restrictions. EPA controls this country and so many aspects of our personal life. This government agency probably has more power than the IRS.

6.7 CTD is 1100 pounds dry