Ram 1500 Diesel real world mpg testing

crickeydog wrote:

I can't believe RAM isn't installing Cummins engines in the 1/2 ton. There's something inherently, TERRIBLY wrong with that IMHO. Guess in time we'll see how the little V-6 holds up.

It's a little like Winchester building the new Model 1873 rifle...in Japan!!! JAPAN!!! No one in their right mind wants a fine firearm like an 1873 rifle with, "Made In Japan" engraved on the barrel and pay $1700 to own one?

When Winchester builds the Model 1873 in the USA, I'll buy two of'em. And when Dodge installs Cummins engines in their 1/2 ton trucks, I'll certainly buy one as well.

JMHO.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!



says the guy with an Isuzu engine

oops!?

The Colt .45 revolver was built under license by Uberti from Italy...just to name a few. Hell even the M1911 was built by "foreigners"... even the Chinese copied em and designed em to use Tokarev 7.26x25mm rounds ... we've been a Global society for a long time!!!! Longer then some here want to acknowledge.

Crickeydog wrote:
I can't believe RAM isn't installing Cummins engines in the 1/2 ton. There's something inherently, TERRIBLY wrong with that IMHO. Guess in time we'll see how the little V-6 holds up

The Cummins 5.9 was originally a co-operative effort with Fiat as part of a European Engine Alliance. The partnership broke up, Fiat's 5.9 is now in IVECO Eurocargo trucks and the other became a Cummins. At one stage Fiat was making blocks for the 5.9 for Cummins. Bizarre to see this relationship coming together again.
Fiat and Cummins jointly develop the 5.9

Dog Folks wrote:
Never fear, the "Ecodisel" is NOT a Cummins. It is made by Chrysler/Fiat. Interesting enough the basic engine was actually developed by GM! Goggle it if you don't believe me.

No it was not. VM Motori is an Italian Diesel manufacturer, that was partly owned by Fiat and GM, now fully owned by Fiat.

Interesting results... still don't know if it is something that interests me or not. The mileage is certainly great and the initial upcharge of only $1700 isn't terrible.

I would have really liked to see this truck offered as a HD half ton with closer to 2000 lbs of real world, useable payload. I think there is a market for this truck, but I don't see it meeting my future needs.

Good for Ram though, I think its innovative and I hope that it creates competition. The F150 with Ecoboost still has an advantage from my perspective right now, and that's because of superior payload ratings. Ram gets better mileage, but I NEED the payload and only WANT the mileage.

ScottG wrote:
Any body read whether or not the little Ram diesel has an exhaust brake?
I haven't been able to find anything.

No.

crickeydog wrote:
I can't believe RAM isn't installing Cummins engines in the 1/2 ton. There's something inherently, TERRIBLY wrong with that IMHO. Guess in time we'll see how the little V-6 holds up.

It's a little like Winchester building the new Model 1873 rifle...in Japan!!! JAPAN!!! No one in their right mind wants a fine firearm like an 1873 rifle with, "Made In Japan" engraved on the barrel and pay $1700 to own one?

When Winchester builds the Model 1873 in the USA, I'll buy two of'em. And when Dodge installs Cummins engines in their 1/2 ton trucks, I'll certainly buy one as well.

JMHO.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

says the guy with an Isuzu engine

Any body read whether or not the little Ram diesel has an exhaust brake?
I haven't been able to find anything.

Sad indeed. I didn't buy my truck because out was a Dodge, I bought out because it had a Cummin's. I would have even bought a Ford if out had a Cummin's. Did I just say that? I was just kidding.:B

crickeydog wrote:
I can't believe RAM isn't installing Cummins engines in the 1/2 ton. There's something inherently, TERRIBLY wrong with that IMHO. Guess in time we'll see how the little V-6 holds up.

Not gonna happen. Why buy an engine when you already have them? Fiat owns VM Motori. Chrysler's been using these in many other vehicls for years. Very nice engines also currently used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

bmanning wrote:
For the guy or lady whose TV is also their daily driver (and whose needs don't require more than a half-ton truck) I think the Ram 1500 diesel could have real appeal.

It can be argued that, with diesel costing ~$0.60 more than 87 octane in much of the USA, the V6 gas engine (which I'm assuming has a lower initial cost) makes as much sense financially but I'd have to expect that the little diesel would be more satisfying to tow with and even drive on a daily basis.

I'm still leaning towards a 2014 2500 with the 410hp 6.4L Hemi and rear air suspension but I think the 1500 diesel will sell well and carve out a niche in the half-ton market not unlike the Ecoboost has done.

Agree! If you must drive a LOT of highway miles empty and towing on the weekends up to about 7K it would make a great truck. If people start reporting 30MPG with it on the HWY in real world conditions it would start to really make sense....