OK, all you truck wonks...

[MargaretB]

... answer me this.

Why are diesel engines only available in F250s, 2500, etc.? Why can't they be put into the smaller F150s and 1500s? (I know about the payload deficiencies of the 1500, so that's not an issue in this question.)

This is a real question. I know diddly about engines or motors or trucks or anything about what happens under the hood when I turn the key, except what I hear on Car Talk. But we were frustrated because we couldn't get a diesel in the smaller versions of the trucks we looked at, and we didn't want or need the larger ones.

[boocoodinkydow]

Powerdude wrote:
US manufacturers deliberately under-rate the payload of some of their products so that they can drive the sales of the higher margin, heavy duty products.

There is no earthly reason why a $45k truck would otherwise have a 900-1100 lbs payload.

Ford might be an exception to that rule.

An Australian Toyota Hi-lux can carry 2 tons. Yes, it does have a different frame than the American Tacoma (the Tacoma frame is joined at the cab...i.e. not one piece) but I've seen off-roaders really abuse their Tacoma's and be just fine.

Totally ridiculous specifications that are driven by marketing departments, not engineering departments.

Amen and amen!!

[Powerdude]

US manufacturers deliberately under-rate the payload of some of their products so that they can drive the sales of the higher margin, heavy duty products.

There is no earthly reason why a $45k truck would otherwise have a 900-1100 lbs payload.

Ford might be an exception to that rule.

An Australian Toyota Hi-lux can carry 2 tons. Yes, it does have a different frame than the American Tacoma (the Tacoma frame is joined at the cab...i.e. not one piece) but I've seen off-roaders really abuse their Tacoma's and be just fine.

Totally ridiculous specifications that are driven by marketing departments, not engineering departments.

[Slownsy]

Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Iveco, and many other manufactures make small diesels available in other country's, and not all small payloads.
Frank.

[librty02]

While looking for the Jeep my wife has now the dealer had a RAM 1500 ecodiesel laramie on the lot the payload sticker stated something like 925lbs. My wifes loaded up Jeeps sticker says 985 lbs so that little jeep has more payload than that half ton ecodiesel......I see no point in even producing them at that point.

[noteven]

The Colorado/Canyon Duramax twins were announced as only available in Canada, eh?

But this article says different: Clicky

[transamz9]

MargaretB wrote:
... answer me this.

Why are diesel engines only available in F250s, 2500, etc.? Why can't they be put into the smaller F150s and 1500s? (I know about the payload deficiencies of the 1500, so that's not an issue in this question.)

This is a real question. I know diddly about engines or motors or trucks or anything about what happens under the hood when I turn the key, except what I hear on Car Talk. But we were frustrated because we couldn't get a diesel in the smaller versions of the trucks we looked at, and we didn't want or need the larger ones.

Other than getting a 5'5" bed in the 150/1500 class, the 2500/250 is the same size as the 1500/150 just has heavier duty parts.

[jerem0621]

I am super excited about Truck Tech over the next few years. The new Colorado has more power and capability than most half tons of not too long ago.

Now with the Titan ... Basically creating its own market segment... Going to be great for truck buyers.

IMHO.. Ram has excluded themselves from the race to blur the lines between HD and Half Ton ... They basically tell you on Their site that if you want a travel trailer to get a 2500.

That being said, I am a huge fan of the V6 Non turbo base trucks. Namely the Ram Pentastar... (A motor which I am keenly fond of) I have looked and drove the new Ram Pentastar v6 Crew Cabs... 305 HP... 1600 lbs of payload and 7500 lbs towing with 3.55's... Oh and they WILL get 22 to 25 ish freeway MPG and a solid 17-18 city if you behave.

Margaret, enjoy the truck, work those turbos from time to time and let that beast jerk that little trailer of y'all's around ;). The F150 is a proven platform and will serve you well if you treat it right.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[RobertRyan]

romore wrote:
The sales numbers for diesel cars and light duty trucks are too low in North America. For years gas was cheap and readily available, we wanted the lower cost and high performance the engines offered. Diesel was seen as expensive, dirty, noisy, and slow.
It has always been popular in other countries because gasoline was very expensive and in many cases the quality was sketchy at best. They also didn't have the big heavy vehicles we were accustomed to.

No you have a little bit the wrong way around. Diesel fuel generally is more expensive, than Gas(Petrol) , but has better mileage and torque characteristics
Actually they have a lot of of even heavier vehicles,but cars are the same size or smaller. The mix of vehicles is very different and RV's are smaller

[jmtandem]

Why can't they be put into the smaller F150s and 1500s? (I know about the payload deficiencies of the 1500, so that's not an issue in this question.)

You are not looking enough. Ram has a diesel in the 1500; Nissan Titan will have a 5.0 Cummins with 500+ foot pounds torque available this fall.

[romore]

The sales numbers for diesel cars and light duty trucks are too low in North America. For years gas was cheap and readily available, we wanted the lower cost and high performance the engines offered. Diesel was seen as expensive, dirty, noisy, and slow.
It has always been popular in other countries because gasoline was very expensive and in many cases the quality was sketchy at best. They also didn't have the big heavy vehicles we were accustomed to.

[4x4ord]

In my view of things there is very little difference between a 1/2 ton and a 1 ton in that they are both little run around trucks but there is a big difference in capability. If you want a useful little truck get a 1 ton and you have your choice of gas or diesel. If you have no real need for a truck but want the versatility of being able to throw the odd thing in the bed now and again get a 1/2 ton. 3/4 tons have the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton in that they can't handle any weight and the price tag of the 1 ton so in my mind they should be discontinued.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

The duramax Colorado/canyon will be a very capable truck that could get 30 hwy !!

[Halmfamily]

GM is slated to have a diesel in the Colorado/Canyon twins.

[2oldman]

Article: F150 could be getting diesel

I didn't read all this.. so I can't comment on its validity. Google: 'why not diesel small pickup' yields some interesting results.

[MargaretB]

MitchF150 wrote:
I'm just giving you a hard time Margaret. 🙂 I didn't start seeing 20+ mpg on the hwy (not towing) until it had over 1500 miles on it.

It'll come with time and some miles. 😉

Mitch

Whew! (Wiping my brow.)