That is a lot of good points, but hopefully those eco-boost mpg ratings go up. Because when I hear how 3/4 & 1 ton trucks with 6.6L, 6.7L, and 7.3L engines can get up to 23mpg (if tuned right)...I can only think that a lighter half ton with a good, smaller diesel can get mid to upper 20's possibly.
Old 7.3L PS and 5.9L Cummins, I'd totally agree on low to maybe mid 20's. And typically that only happens when there is no load behind the truck, on flat land, with a tail wind, traveling around 55mph. The newer diesels (6.0L, 6.4L, 6.7L PS; 6.6L Duramax & 6.7L Cummins) don't bring home nearly the mpgs those old diesels used to bring home, even with a good tune and DPF delete options. So a smaller diesel in a lighter, more areodynamic truck could bring home roughly 20-23mpgs. But would it be cost effective for the consumer to get 1-2mpg better, but pay a $5-$7K upcharge for the diesel, then pay more money at the pump to fill the tank?
If the EPA would butt out of the car making business, we could get those mpg #'s back up with those trucks... Even if it had a smaller engine that WORKED and everything, the extra few mpg's wouldn't justify the extra money being spent at the dealership and at the pump. It would just be nice to have a truck that you can drive around that'll get you 26mpg, not the 16mpg that we get now
100% agree that at some point the EPA and government need to get out of controlling the car business. People and the gov. complain about bad mpg's, but they continue to add more and more restrictive emissions equipment on vehicles, which make them less fuel efficient. Secondly, you have all the newly required safety equipment being installed (crumple zones, all the air bags, traction control/stability control, etc) that continues to add more and more weight, again reducing the mpgs. On the opposite end though, you have owners complaining about the weight of their trucks, but will not do without all the bells and whistles anymore (6-10 speakers, navi, heated/cooled seats, 20" rims, etc). Of course these features also add weight further reducing efficiency. Now don't get me wrong, I love the better emissions, safety and features as much as the next guy. Just at some point it went a little overboard in all areas. And I'm with you, and would love a 20 something mpg F150. It's just hard for manufacturers to produce these vehicles with the constantly changing target of EPA and safety requirements, loading up vehicles with all the features people demand, as well as still providing the capability people have come to expect.
read this article http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/general/0708dp_1997_dodge_ram_3500_dualie_cummins/index.html
The tire psi is easily done. But with the high psi, you chance wearing out the middle of your tire. Is potentially sacrificing your tires worth an extra mpg or two? One of the biggest issues is peoples driving habits/style. I know too many people who complain about mpgs, but then they are the bad drivers (typically) jumping lane to lane to gain 1 spot, quick acceleration, quick stops, etc. Or they drive 70mph on the interstate and wonder why the low mpgs. Who in this day/age drive 60mph or less on the highway anymore? Sure doesn't happen around here. Block under the gas pedal to limit the amount of throttle. Yup, no one is doing that. No A/C? I don't use it, but most people do and wouldn't sacrifice the conditions to gain that mpg or two. For rural folks, this may work. But city folks would never return such mpgs. Now I'd love to see anyone drive with all that duct tape on their truck and their mirrors folded in. Great idea and article. But in real world day to day use, I'm not so sure some of those are really liveable. Oh, and this was done with the old school 5.9L Cummins. No current day diesel is going to come near the mpgs that Cummins made.
much like what started this whole thread, no its not practical. but it can be done. but thats an old school 5.9 in a 5000lb truck. and a dually nonetheless. imagine it in a 4000 or a 3500 lb truck thats not a dually. and you wouldnt do that combo unless you were rural and could make use of a diesel working and towing and whatnot. you would see 25-27 mpgs daily haha.
This would have to be a home grown vehicle cause... 1) The 5.9L and its great mpgs aren't coming around again, at least in newly manufactured vehicles. 2) Good luck finding any new 1/2 ton truck that weighs less than say 4200lbs. So yes, it could potentially be built. But if a person is looking to buy a brand new truck, they would be hard pressed to get anywhere near these figures.
yea true that. but then again im not looking for a new truck. this would be strictly a farm truck. i think itd be a cool project haha
Very true! Would be a nice project to take on. But just don't see Ford, Dodge or GM buying in and producing these things in mass quantities.
