OK, all you truck wonks...
... 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 tha...
Forum Discussion
MargaretB, your question is answered when the Auto/Truck execs meet and ask themselves if the research, development, and certification costs of a small diesel engine for half ton trucks will return a profit. With cheap gas and very economical yet powerful gas engines, that answer in many cases is still, "no".
Many on here refer to the Ram and Nissan trucks. While others brands's answer to the question may be "no", the Nissan and Ram have different circumstances. Ram is owned by Fiat, who already had a diesel engine. Plus it made sense to offer it in a truck, because unlike other American brands, they had a sister vehicle to offer the engine in also. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, which unlike it's competitors, is rear wheel drive and perfect for that diesel engine. (Kinda like 2 for 1). Nissan built a fine truck over a dozen years ago but has not updated it. Consequently it has become very dated and does not sell well. They have no choice but to offer a new version with options not available in their competition.
Not long ago, the Federal Government mandated some very high fuel mileage requirements for American certified vehicles, including trucks. Ram's answer was it's conveniently obtainable diesel engine. Ford's answer was a very expensive conversion to aluminum, saving 700 pounds. GM released an updated version of it's smaller truck, plus their full size trucks are on average lighter than others, which helps fuel mileage.
You will read comments regarding payload, but that's a different issue. One disadvantage to today's diesel engines is weight. They must be heavy to withstand the combustion pressures, but some advances are being made in that regard everyday. We see several small airplanes these days with diesel engine options.
Many on here refer to the Ram and Nissan trucks. While others brands's answer to the question may be "no", the Nissan and Ram have different circumstances. Ram is owned by Fiat, who already had a diesel engine. Plus it made sense to offer it in a truck, because unlike other American brands, they had a sister vehicle to offer the engine in also. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, which unlike it's competitors, is rear wheel drive and perfect for that diesel engine. (Kinda like 2 for 1). Nissan built a fine truck over a dozen years ago but has not updated it. Consequently it has become very dated and does not sell well. They have no choice but to offer a new version with options not available in their competition.
Not long ago, the Federal Government mandated some very high fuel mileage requirements for American certified vehicles, including trucks. Ram's answer was it's conveniently obtainable diesel engine. Ford's answer was a very expensive conversion to aluminum, saving 700 pounds. GM released an updated version of it's smaller truck, plus their full size trucks are on average lighter than others, which helps fuel mileage.
You will read comments regarding payload, but that's a different issue. One disadvantage to today's diesel engines is weight. They must be heavy to withstand the combustion pressures, but some advances are being made in that regard everyday. We see several small airplanes these days with diesel engine options.
