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.

[noteven]

What is really really really amazing in US designed pickups is how a plastic sticker on a door can alter the material properties of components carrying identical part numbers grouped in the same assemblies on two different vehicles.

[4x4ord]

john&bet wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
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.

In my mind the srw 1 tons should have never been allowed.

I wouldn't be surprised if you and I agree. I am in favor of calling the the 1 ton srw a 3/4 ton and the dually being considered a one ton. But it is just plain stupid to build a truck that can't do anything because it lacks an overload spring .....and that is the case with the present 3/4 ton.

[BenK]

RedRocket204 wrote:
^^ yes, the lines are definitely blurred, but it really should be:

But to many...the confusion is to use or call them by their marketing
badging (name)

Full size truck = today's 1/2 ton (aka grocery getter)

AKA 6,xxx GVWR through 7,xxx GVWR for the 'car' crowd...I call
the Fashion Statement Crowd

Medium duty full size = today's 1/2 ton HD

8,xxx GVWR

Heavy duty full size = today's SRW 1 ton

9,xxx GVWR

Heavy duty full size DRW = today's DRW 1 ton

In reality, there is really no reason for the 3/4 ton truck

Unless there is no other choice

I wanted a 1 ton full sized van, but they don't come OEM with 4x4.
All of the after market kits were not to my liking, but Bryon's is
of great interest to me

My Sub has the same rear end as the 1 ton dually of the same year,
the wheel cylinders are larger bore; Both mine and 1 ton dually has
a RGAWR of 6K

Ordered the F60 option to get the 1 ton front torsion bars

Why, tongue n cheek, refer to my 3/4 ton Sub as a K3500 :B

Then you go on to have the commercial segment of 450(0), 550(0) etc.

The real confusion, or one of them, is that most of these use the
same body as the half ton full sized...so they think not much
difference other than that they don' ride as cushy as the half ton...like
the car they are upgrading from

I'd love to have higher MPG, but not at the expense of ratings. Nor
am I a diesel person...looked but not enough for 'me' to change


Another is that too many don't understand it is a whole package and
not just 'go'. Manhandling is the biggie for me and newbies have no
clue what that means...heck...many old timers seemingly do not either... :S

[Gr8life]

Margaret has managed to elicit hundreds of responses in the last few weeks to the usual questions about hitches and diesels. A few have even been worthwhile. Good job! Warning, it can become addictive.

[Hannibal]

B series Cummins for commercial applications is around 1100 lbs. For the Ram application, it's around 930 lbs. Works well in lighter vehicles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_kjaxIDzc

[RedRocket204]

^^ yes, the lines are definitely blurred, but it really should be:

Full size truck = today's 1/2 ton (aka grocery getter)
Medium duty full size = today's 1/2 ton HD
Heavy duty full size = today's SRW 1 ton
Heavy duty full size DRW = today's DRW 1 ton

In reality, there is really no reason for the 3/4 ton truck



Then you go on to have the commercial segment of 450(0), 550(0) etc.

[john_bet]

4x4ord wrote:
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.

In my mind the srw 1 tons should have never been allowed.

[TomG2]

Grit dog wrote:
Yet another dumb thread.......lol

Proof that we forum members will write everything and anything, as long as it remotely involves tow vehicles. Heck, it may matter to some what kind of upholstery a diesel has?

[Targa]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
I don't see the actual driving difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton.

I agree, the dimensions between a1/2 ton and 3/4 ton crew cab with a 6'4" bed for example are pretty much identical in reference to width and length. I guess step in height and ride would be the biggest differences.

[jmtandem]

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

Diesels get better mileage, that helps with government mandated fleet fuel mileage averages. High mileage vehicles offset the lower fuel mileage vehicles that are high profit for most manufacturers. Keep looking and you will soon see diesels trending toward what is in Europe -- smaller and very good mileage. They will be everywhere in America. Clean, quiet and economical just like the VW TDI Jettas. VW has had it figured out since the days of the diesel Rabbit back in 1975 and has refined the diesel to where it is today. One $150 battery and it gets 45-50 mpg; the hybrid Prius gets about the same mileage on an $8000 battery.

[dshelley]

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.

[MargaretB]

Grit dog wrote:
Yet another dumb thread.......lol

Then why are you reading it, let alone contributing to it?

[MM49]

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.

Yes there is reason. Federal requirements. The
OEM could report a much higher payload if they could test to a differnt requirement. The forein market comparisions are a differnt vehicle. Lot's self serving people on this site.
MM49

[coolbreeze01]

I don't see the actual driving difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton.

[Grit_dog]

Yet another dumb thread.......lol