EcoDiesel is back in production for 2014!!

[Ziptar]

In Dodge Ram Pickups.....

February 14, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich.  - Beginning in third-quarter 2013, Ram will become the only brand to offer a small-displacement diesel for its half-ton line of trucks.

 The 2014 Ram 1500 will offer a new, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, mated with the eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The powertrain is expected to deliver an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency, best-in-class torque and impressive capability.

Oh well, at least there is finally a V6 1/2 ton diesel option for the U.S.

[vanbcguy]

I wonder if Dodge and VW ever talked about the name.......

[mystery3]

How are those things only rated 1/2 ton? Is it because the vehicle itself weighs 4 tons? With all the cupholders there's no more room for payload? I commend dodge for putting a non v8 diesel in something but it's still useless to me. I need a "compact" truck with a 4 cylinder diesel and a manual transmission damn it!

[wdkingery]

Well keep holding yer breath. I think ford (the real manufacturer here) might save us. The 3.2 liter 5 cylinder turbo diesel currently in the Ford ranger abroad is coming to the full size ford transit (note: not transit connect) in 2014.

[mystery3]

I doubt a 3.2L five-pot is going to be much more efficient than a 3L v6 but at least the ranger is a little smaller. I want that .8L engine from the xl1 in a mkI size and weight caddy. What would that thing do 120mpg?

[745 turbogreasel]

How are those things only rated 1/2 ton? Is it because the vehicle itself weighs 4 tons? With all the cupholders there's no more room for payload? I commend dodge for putting a non v8 diesel in something but it's still useless to me. I need a "compact" truck with a 4 cylinder diesel and a manual transmission damn it!

Because if you haul a half ton or more consistently, the brakes, springs, axles, and frame will eat themselves.
So, Jeep liberty/Benz motor?

[JBG3]

How are those things only rated 1/2 ton? Is it because the vehicle itself weighs 4 tons? With all the cupholders there's no more room for payload? I commend dodge for putting a non v8 diesel in something but it's still useless to me. I need a "compact" truck with a 4 cylinder diesel and a manual transmission damn it!

trucks have taken such a turn to the useless in the last decade, its a shame. 

I used to own an 89 Ram D100.  It was great, 8 foot bed, visible corners, reliable V6, low stance so the dam thing could be loaded properly.  The equivalent truck today is about 5 feet higher, less bed space, and 4 feet longer.  Its a huge bear to drive around, maneuver, or essentially use for anything else but highway cruising.

Remember when the ford F150, F250, and F350 all used the same truck body with upgrades to suspension and drivetrain only?  Those were the days.  Now ford has discontinued the ranger light truck, and the F150 is an order of magnitude larger than the F350 of 20 years ago. 

All this malarky pushed me over to vans, and I never looked back. 

[bajacalal]

From what I've heard, blame the government... for applying "car" standards to small pickups like the Dakota. With increasing fuel economy and similar regulations, and since they're considered cars, they can't sell "cars" that get 22 or even 25 mpg, it's not efficient enough. So they had to kill off the Ranger, etc., and only offer full size trucks in the U.S., which are exempt from those regulations... Which is stupid because now, if you need a truck, you can't get a small one, you have to get a big one which probably gets worse mileage than the little one it replaced. It's why I drive my 1st Gen Cummins Dodge. I get at least 22 mpg. I know people who can't even get that in a Ranger, and I would much rather drive the full size Dodge than the Ranger (I don't fit in a Ranger).

[8v-of-fury]

Our 87 F-350 and 2007 F-150 are basically the same size.. both about 18ft long haha HOW!? I got no problem whipping the f-150 around the same as my 84 though..

87 is a 6.9 crew with 8ft box/dually.

07 is a 5.4 crew with 5.5ft box.

They both pull about the same weight.. In fact I'd probably trust the 5.4 with more than the 6.9. 5.4 pulls our 31 foot camper without even knowing you are towing.

[theman53]

My one friend had a ranger with the 2 spark plugs per hole and that thing got about 30mpg.