Ram 1500 diesel (getting V6 "EcoDiesel")

[ksa8907]

I think a big reason chrysler didn't use a smaller diesel instead of the v6 gas is that chrysler is dropping their 5 or 6 current v6s for just the 3.6 which will make that engine very cheap per unit. Also, consider the programming needed for a new diesel where they could just borrow from the durango and jeep. Lastly, there is a HUGE following of big diesel trucks for "macho" guys, to them a smaller engine isn't macho, I doubt they would have sold enough to make it worth it.

[pete c]

Originally Posted by tjts1

The point most of you seem to miss is that if you actually have to sell the truck to Americans willing to pay real money, as in $30k or more, its not going to happen with a 4 banger full size pickup, I don't care how much torque it produces. Besides if Chrysler/Fiat wanted a 4 banger they would use their own 3.0L from the Promaster van which is being sold in the US. No need to run off to Cummins.

I disagree. There are plenty of people out there who look quite closely at price and mileage. A modern big 4 banger makes perfectly acceptable levels of power and they can be built considerably cheaper than similar V-6s. The only thing they give up is a little bit of noise and vibration. Those concerned with this will lively want the gas V-8.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

I think a big reason chrysler didn't use a smaller diesel instead of the v6 gas is that chrysler is dropping their 5 or 6 current v6s for just the 3.6 which will make that engine very cheap per unit. Also, consider the programming needed for a new diesel where they could just borrow from the durango and jeep.

I guess you missed the part about the new 3.0L V6 diesel in the Ram1500

Originally Posted by pete c

I disagree. There are plenty of people out there who look quite closely at price and mileage. A modern big 4 banger makes perfectly acceptable levels of power and they can be built considerably cheaper than similar V-6s. The only thing they give up is a little bit of noise and vibration. Those concerned with this will lively want the gas V-8.

Really? You people are unhappy because it for a 3.0L V6 instead of a 3.0L 4cyl?

LOL

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Since a 4-banger is less expensive to manufacture, would eventually lead to a more competitive purchase cost, which could also get attractive to some customers who currently get the V6 gasser. But the 4-banger used in the ProMaster is not so attractive at all with its 160hp, same rating of an ISF3.8, but with much lower 295lb.ft. torque...

Do you have access to Fiat's internal accounting of manufacturing costs? Can you send it to me, I would like to take a look at it too.

The Promaster diesel makes 174hp, 295torque.
The Ram V6 diesel makes 240hp, 420 torque.

In termes of performance they are worlds apart.

[pete c]

I do not have manufacturing cost figures. I do have common sense however.

An I4 is a much simpler engine. A lot less parts, particularly the expensive parts such as pistons and fuel injectors. Much less labor involved in assembly.

Given similar production numbers, there is no way the 4 cylinder can't be substantially cheaper to build.

Making a part slightly larger does not greatly increase its cost. Adding to the number of parts does.

[tjts1]

Common sense says whatever engine has the highest production numbers is going to be the cheapest to manufacture and in this case its clearly the V6. Common sense also says that most full size pickups are are not work vehices, people buying them because they like driving a pickup. You're going to sell a hell of a lot more full size V6 pickups than a 4 bangers in the US.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Common sense says whatever engine has the highest production numbers is going to be the cheapest to manufacture and in this case its clearly the V6.

The production numbers of the 4-banger are not low, they're already widespread in overseas markets.

[tjts1]

But if nobody wants to spend $30k on a 4 banger pickup, its a moot point.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

It's all about marketing. Slap a Cummins badge and you could sell even a 3-banger for the dieselheads...

Anyway, the 3.0L 4-banger from the ProMaster wouldn't be my choice for a Ram truck, I'd rather get a Cummins if I were getting a 4-banger Diesel truck. Many folks are already adapting the 4BT to many 1/2-tonner and even some bigger trucks...

[Rick323]

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel nets car-like 28-mpg rating - Autoblog

[Rick323]

Looks like the little diesel is doing pretty well (even over it's weight limit).

Hypermiling a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel to 38.1 mpg