When will it end

VernDiesel wrote:
The lil Ram 3.0 economy diesel is a pretty successful focus on economy with guys often pulling off 30 mpg hwy. For a full size granted light duty 4WD truck its impressed me. Best looking fuelie numbers by far. No you can't tow a house up a mountain at 70 mph but many of us don't need that. Hope it returns and that Ford does in fact get their 3.0 diesel f150 off the ground in 2018.

As for an economy based HD Not until they affect corporate fuel economy numbers. Without it or something similar there is no real & strong incentive.

I think you are on to something there Vern. Some half tons these days can tow would take a 1 ton 20-30 years ago. If Ford does come out with a 3.0L diesel that is rated to at least 240 hp and 450 lb-ft and slaps it in an F150 HD, then that would be the equivalent of a 1997 diesel Superduty that had 225 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque with similar ratings. So in essence trucks have gotten more fuel efficient when compared to truck with similar power and capability ratings.

The problem is that what we tow these days is a lot bigger and heavier so the trucks followed suit increasing in size, power, and capabilities. One tons from 20-30 years ago became today's half tons, and today's HD/SD trucks far exceed what those trucks were towing 20-30 years ago. Ironically, if what you towed stayed the same from 1995 to 2015, in 1995 you would probably need a F350 but now all you would need is an F150 HD and you would still be under ratings. The old way of thinking that "you need and 1 ton to tow 10K" went out the window many years ago.

So for those who think the focus should be on fuel economy over power when it comes to the diesels, then quit increasing what you tow and get a Ram Ecodiesel or wait for the F150HD diesel if the Ram does not have enough payload for you. If you don't do that, then you only have yourself to blame.