Ram Eco-Diesel vs F150 2.7 TT - Davis Dam

Every time I use my F150 with the Ecoboost engine I come away saying "Boy, the power is impressive".
Every time I use my Jeep GC with the Ecodiesel engine I come away saying "Boy, the fuel economy is impressive".
And to me that sums it up!

I'm not getting in the middle of this peeing contest about diesel or gas, Ram or Ford, etc. I know which engine makes the most sense for me and my purposes. The real world question I will ask, the one I always ask a few time while towing is, which one will get me up that next entrance ramp to flow with traffic when I get there. Hint: it isn't the truck in my sig picture. It does ok, but waiting on power that isn't coming is not comforting when one runs out of ramp and the A-hole who can move over to let you out won't. Better to have the power you need when you need it. That is a real-world consideration. If it's put in terms of "who makes it up the hill first", it's still valid. My truck does fine cruising and maintaining speed, even in rolling hills, but when you need to have it all in, it pays to have more than enough. If that comes in a quiet, cheaper, smoother, gas-burning package, so much the better. I have no need to own a diesel just to say I own a diesel. Seems that's what this test put to bed.

FishOnOne wrote:

womps wrote:
Owners of the Grand Cherokee are reporting $125. to $200. and everywhere in between for an oil change. I would guess the Ram would require similar cash for its oil changes. I checked with a couple of quick lube businesses in my area and they don't carry the euro spec oil so I will probably get hosed at the Jeep dealer when it is time for my GC Ecodiesel service

Thanks for posting womps... We've been looking at some Grand Cherokee's and kicking the tire on a 3.0 ED as well.

The mopar filter is presently manufactured by a Chinese company called UFI. For the diy'ers, Seek & ye shall find oem mopar filters for 30 bux & factory fill oil for $45/6 qts. UFI products are available here & will surely be offering an ed filter at a competitive price before long. Also, rotella will shortly have compatible oil available

mcsurveyor wrote:
Ok, so I read through all the comments and no one has said anything on how the 2.7 EB did against the Chevy. And seeing how the video glossed over it in about 30 seconds, it probably didn't do well enough to talk about. They claimed the 2.7 beat the 5.3 in two runs, but then lost when the outside temp went down.

My takeaway from that is there isn't a lick of performance difference between the 2.7 EB and the 5.3L, which perhaps speaks better for Ford than it does Chevy.

Well, it probably isn't that simple. I know my GM 5.3 and my 3.5 Ecoboost both get the job done, but feel very different in doing it. They both can tow up a grade in about the same amount of time. But the power delivery characteristics are probably different. The 2.7, like most turbo charged engines, probably makes near peak torque much lower in the rpm range, so it is going to feel different towing.

And the 2.7 probably is capable of a lot better mpg when driven carefully.

mcsurveyor wrote:
Ok, so I read through all the comments and no one has said anything on how the 2.7 EB did against the Chevy. And seeing how the video glossed over it in about 30 seconds, it probably didn't do well enough to talk about. They claimed the 2.7 beat the 5.3 in two runs, but then lost when the outside temp went down.

My takeaway from that is there isn't a lick of performance difference between the 2.7 EB and the 5.3L, which perhaps speaks better for Ford than it does Chevy.

The reduction in temperature does the same thing a turbocharger does.

Turbocharge the 5.3 and it is a whole different ballgame. Or even just put an intercooler on it like Chrysler did on some of it's small engines some 20 years ago.

But I agree a 2.7l V6 that keeps up with a 5.3l V8 is amazing.

Ok, so I read through all the comments and no one has said anything on how the 2.7 EB did against the Chevy. And seeing how the video glossed over it in about 30 seconds, it probably didn't do well enough to talk about. They claimed the 2.7 beat the 5.3 in two runs, but then lost when the outside temp went down.

My takeaway from that is there isn't a lick of performance difference between the 2.7 EB and the 5.3L, which perhaps speaks better for Ford than it does Chevy.

boocoodinkydow wrote:
Debate over something as insignificant as the price of an oil change is hilarious.

Yeah, if $100/yr is enough to sway your decision one way or the other, so be it, I guess. But I bet the overall maintenance costs between the ED and either EB (or other 1/2 ton engines) for most average users following the recommended maintenance schedules will be less than the cost of a tank of fuel. Or not enough to worry about, in other words.

I do not understand the argument that the 2.7 and the ED are not competitors. They are going to be the only 1/2 tons w/ 25+ mpg highway towing ratings (just my guess, the 2.7 will be rated at 25 or 26 highway). So I would think they are direct competitors -- anyone looking to maximize fuel economy out of a 1/2 ton but wanting competent occasional towing is going to be pitting these drivetrains directly against one another, I would think. FWIW, both seem like pretty good options to me.

Betting the cost goes down when the after market companies start manufacturing them. As for the oil, the VW TDi runs the same Euro spec oil so as the demand increases the cost should go down. Have to say the cost of the filter is a bit much IMO but it is what it is.

Don

$60 bucks for an oil filter? :E DANG!

Looks like I might go into the adaptor making business! :)

I think that Ford and Ram should be commended for bringing out another engine that helps us consumers with more and better choices. On the other hand it gives you guys more reasons to argue.;) One thing that I would like to see Ford do is up their warranty. 60k does not cut it anymore. I am going to be looking at some of these trucks in the near future. Reason being that I sold my beloved Dodge. She was one great truck but our lifestyles changing a bit and we wanted a newer vehicle and it was the right thing to do at this time in our lives. So I am going to keep an open mind and check out a lot of new vehicles.