SWEEEEEETTTT!!!! I love those little 4cyls!! Good, torquey little engines!!

I'm trying to convine my brother that when his 454 goes rods out, to drop in either an AC engine (301 or 426 if it'll fit) or a Deutz 374 Air Cooled. That would be awesome

I'd love to have a 1/2 ton with a diesel, extended cab, 4-wd to drive around most of them time...but you cant stop 30K with a 1/2 ton, We've tried

Chris

 

I always wondered why Dodge didn't use the 4BT in a half ton.
I'd like to see a very fuel effecient 1/2 ton diesel, without huge horsepower,
since they aren't big enough for heavy towing/hauling. They should focus on MPG not HP. The old 6.9 Fords were 175 HP at the flywheel, what's that at the rear wheels, 140?

 

I would take a smaller diesel anytime. As far as size, the interior space of a 1/2 full size is the same as a HD. So a 1500 with a diesel or even a Tacoma with a 200hp diesel would be something I would jump on. As long as it can pull 5k, it meets most of my needs. I only pull a gooseneck once is great while, but I drive my truck over 25k a year. So the mpg gain would be worth it.

Nick

 

Not to stir the rumor mill-------I was talking to an engineer at Cummins today, I asked him about the 6.7 L-no comment, but he did say that a V-6 is on the way for the RAM?!? I don't know, but that is what he said

 

Here's some of what we're missing out on, Check out the third engine option for this truck...

http://www.ford.com.au/range/courier...glechassis.asp

 

All of my half ton trucks were simply put not up to the task!

I was continually trying to figure out how to make them haul & tow considerably more than they were designed to!

Now I just load up and go.

Rick

 

A 1/2 ton with a diesel? You practically describe the Sprinter van with a little less payload. Weight range is about right, 5cyl diesel, tows up to 5000 lbs. 30 mpg, I don't think so. If the Sprinter or the diesel Liberty can't hit that mileage, I don't expect a 1/2 ton to. I figure they are about equal in the drag at highway speed. The 4bt is almost a heavy as the 6 cyl and would cut into payload. I figure the Liberty engine or the Sprinter engine is a good fit for power as they are both close to a v8 for torque under the curve and right where you actually drive.

 

Back in '81 I bought my first diesel. It was a 1981 Chevrolet LUV truck with the Isusu 58 horse diesel in front of a weak five speed manual. Two wheel drive regular cab, long bed. It was kinda slow on the take off but the thing got an honest 40 mpg. Try finding that kind of mileage today. And it would pull Afton Mountain (ain't sure about the spelling) near Charlottsville VA I64 in fifth gear all the way to the top. The tranny died at 118,000.

 

Sprinter is a van. Not a 1/2 ton truck. I would have problems loading a skid of pavers with a crane. Not to mention the 5th wheel trailer would bang the back doors all to heck. I agree the MB engine would be nice in a 1/2 ton.

 

I could be happy with less truck if it could make at least 650 ft# without too much trouble.

 

I'd like one for the mileage. The smaller size would be a plus too, as where I have to park for work, a longbed dually just ain't easy to find a big enough spot to park.

 

Heck, give me a 5.9 in a 1/2 ton or a dakota. I didn't buy my truck for the 3/4 ton part, i bought it for the Cummins.

The way I use my truck, a Mighty Max would be fine-- as long as it had a 5.9, hehe

 

this aint factory but it is fun to drive. runs with stock mustangs and gets 18 to 19 mpg. i drive it more than my 90. just look at my signature.

 

I agree on here

I like the happy medium of the light truck market, the 3/4 ton. It does more than what any half ton will do and will do what a one ton will do easily. I also pull with mine, i would rather have the security of what has already been proven as older, tried and true iron, over some new rinky dink idea,

finally, i would not want the payment...


Although to pitter patter around town and so forth, i would not mind, a little s10 or so truck 4wd of coarse with a jetta diesel engine..

NOW THAT WOULD BE SWEET!!

anyone done this conversion?

Tx

 

I would go for something along the lines of a Nissan Nivaro with a ZD30 Engine.
Turbo charged 3.0 L V-6, 2000+ lb carry capacity, 6600 lb tow capacity. All this in a mini truck platform.