Dodge 1/2 ton V-6 Diesel

[blackeagle603]

Iv'e got a 1.9L VW TDI and a 7.3L Pwrstroke.

Diesel prices out here swing north and south of regular gas. Generally a bit higher. Maybe 5-10% higher. Currently at par.

Even at 10-15% they usually beat any comparable vehicle on fuel cost/mile. Maintain them and drive them to their potential and the premium paid for a diesel vehicle goes away.

Plus the smiles per gallon are way higher.
Towing with a diesel in the mountain west? Adds years back to my life lost while previously towing with a gas engine.
Torque on demand at any speed in my VW? Closest thing to a hot rod I could rationalize for my daily driver during the young family mini-van years.

"Why yes dear, I did the turbo and injector upgrade and ECM remapping on both diesels for the children. It was paid for by fuel savings and the added accelerated increased safety for our children."

[Darrell]

I wish Toyota would import the Hilux diesel into the States. A salesman told me it would never happen.

Not to hijack the thread, but speaking of Chrysler products, has anyone seen the pics of the new Cherokee? Not the Grand, the regular. It's not a 4x4, it's an SUV I guess, and it is HIDEOUS. I believe it's a rebadged Alfa Romeo. Just another bloated mommymobile.

[Netpackrat]

I wish Toyota would import the Hilux diesel into the States. A salesman told me it would never happen.

Any salesman with a brain is going to say exactly that, right up until the time it is announced. And then act as surprised as everyone else.

[Highspeed]

I wish Toyota would import the Hilux diesel into the States. A salesman told me it would never happen.

Had one up until we emigrated. Nearly anyway. The UK emissions vehicle test killed it - blew the motor. Bastards.
Very, very good vehicle - I didn't like the part time 4wd but that's personal preference.

I'd bought a complete Lexus ( not sure which model, big ugly sedan ) with a 4.0l quad cam V-8 to swap the motor into it ( bolts straight up to the Hilux transmission ) but it never happened due to us pulling the ejection handle and bailing out of the doomed UK.

[blackeagle603]

I could go for a smaller diesel than a Ram 1500 but it's almost certainly not going to happen in the US market. Economics of it, CARB rules and such make it a mess.

Maybe a VW TDI 'pickup' is possible though. Like the old Rabbit based pickup. I've looked at my Beetle and imagined a body chop to make a 2 seater with short bed and an overhead surf rack. I could do 95% of my hauling with that. Pipe, rebar, small lots of lumber overhead; sacks and such on the bed.

[Netpackrat]

Maybe a VW TDI 'pickup' is possible though. Like the old Rabbit based pickup. I've looked at my Beetle and imagined a body chop to make a 2 seater with short bed and an overhead surf rack. I could do 95% of my hauling with that. Pipe, rebar, small lots of lumber overhead; sacks and such on the bed.

You drive a beetle? *snicker*

[Termite]

Oh it will be a matter of time till ford brings out the F-150 Ecoboost Diesel. It be stupid for them not to.

<giggle>
Ecoboost......that's Ford salesman pillow-talk for turbocharged-intercooled. Snark...

[Termite]

With diesel running 40 cents per gallon more than unleaded, I don't believe I"ll be buying any diesel engines in the near future.

It is pretty easy to get used fryer grease, pure sodium hydroxide, and methanol, and make your own bio/soy diesel. For about $1.00/gallon, not including your labor.

[Highspeed]

We used to run our diesels on cooking oil, was cheaper than the pump fuel in the crazy UK.

[Aglifter]

I've actually been thinking about getting a diesel Beetle convertible...

Anyway, diesel's usually win - costing out a car is fairly simple:

Increase in sticker - increase in cost recovered at final sale.

Fuel Cost per mile.

Scheduled Maintenance cost per mile.

And, expected service rate/replacement rate.