- When it comes to diesel engines
and half-ton pickup trucks,
the idea is relatively new for the US market.
Overseas we've seen diesel options in a bunch of pickups
that aren't even sold here in the States.
And just overall more diesel engine options in everything.
Diesel just seems to have had a bad rap here in the States,
but I think more and more people are warming up to the idea
of having a diesel option in both cars
and light duty trucks.
But what makes these economy diesel pickups so good.
And can you justify the extra cost of buy and run one?
Today we're figuring out
what's the hype with economy diesels?
( heavy metal rock music)
Like I mentioned small diesel engines in pickups
from the big three manufacturers
is something that's pretty new
when you compare it to the overall history of trucks.
And it's still something that's not that often talked about.
I can't tell you how many times I run into people
that don't even know a three liter diesel in an F-150
is even an option.
The three liter eco diesel in the Ram
seems a bit more common knowledge,
but now we have another three liter diesel option
in the Chevy and GMC 1500 trucks,
to that they didn't do a very good job of marketing.
Now I totally understand the argument
in favor of these diesel engines for the half-ton trucks.
When I'm not in my GMC 2500,
my daily driver is a BMW 328D.
D standing for diesel.
And this is another car where people are always confused
that it's even offered in a diesel platform.
I've had guys run up to me at the pump,
yelling for me to stop
because they think I'm about to put the wrong fuel
in my car.
- No!
No!
- Diesels get better fuel economy,
but that's just one of the reasons
why they're gaining popularity in these half-ton trucks.
As trucks get nicer and nicer,
more and more people use them as daily drivers,
but at the same time
those people don't wanna give up their fuel economy.
All of the diesel half-tons out there
are capable of 30 miles per gallon or more,
which is astonishing for a crew cab four wheel drive truck.
You would just never see that
in the real world with a gas engine.
Diesels also tend to run longer
and require service at less frequent intervals.
But service is one of those things
that scares buyers away from diesels.
Now everyone's heard the horror stories
of ridiculous prices for oil changes,
or if the injectors go out and all that stuff.
But after putting 80,000 miles on my diesel,
I can tell you that I've done nothing but oil changes
and one fuel filter.
And on the topic of oil changes,
I just brought my car and my girlfriend's car
in to get serviced.
Mine's a diesel, hers is gas.
And I know we're comparing cars to trucks here,
but don't forget these are small diesel engines,
not the massive ones that take 12 quarts of oil
or something ridiculous.
So comparing my 328D and her X3 isn't a terrible comparison.
Anyway my oil change was $104.
Hers was $99.
So yeah it's more expensive,
but it's less than a chicken sandwich meal
at Chick-fil-A.
- [High Pitched voice] Chick-fil-A
- So let's break down this back.
So I'm just gonna burn through the numbers quick.
So bear with me.
Ford F150, three liter V6 diesel,
255 horsepower,
440 foot pounds of torque.
It's got a 10 speed transmission
and it's rated to tow 11,400 pounds.
The motor itself is actually derived from the diesel
that had already been used
in the land Rover and range Rover platform
and proved successful there.
The Ram also has a three liter V6 diesel.
It's got 260 horsepower,
480 foot pounds of torque,
and it's rated for 12,560 pounds of towing capacity.
But I don't know if I would put
that much weight behind the half-ton truck.
The Ram does only have an eight speed transmission.
However if that really bothers you,
then the newest diesel to the lineup
is the three liter in-line six in the new GM trucks.
This one pushes 277 horsepower
and 460 foot pounds of torque.
It also has a 10 speed
and GM says you can only tow 9,700 pounds,
which is actually less than their gas equipped trucks.
So I'm not quite sure why that is.
I actually drove one as a demo for three days
and was super impressed by it.
Fuel mileage was great.
And it didn't feel like your stereotypical diesel trucks.
Granted none of these trucks really do.
Diesel engines have come such a long way.
They aren't the clanky, dirty, loud things
that they used to be in especially in the GM's case.
It's an in-line six.
So the vibrations are minimal,
and likely not even noticeable to the average Joe.
The biggest benefit of these trucks,
in my opinion outside of fuel mileage
is their towing capabilities.
Now it's not like you're gonna haul 25,000 pounds
or anything,
but if you've got a boat or some four wheelers,
something that's 5-6,000 pounds
in that range that you told regularly,
these trucks are pretty much perfect
because you have the power and the torque you need.
Plus you don't lose much for MPG's when you're towing.
Now when you've got the trailer behind you,
it's going to decrease,
but you won't be seeing single digits like you do
in some gas applications.
Your 6.2 liter VA probably only gets what,
13 miles per gallon on average.
Put a few thousand pounds behind it
and you'll be at nine or less and no time.
Now off the bat,
the sticker price on these trucks is more expensive
than the gas counterparts,
but not nearly as bad as the heavy duty trucks.
Adding the six, seven Cummins and Alison trans to Ram 2500
takes on somewhere North of 11 grand.
But optioning the eco diesel on the 1500,
cost closer to $4,000.
And that's the case for all of the half-tons.
It's anywhere from four to six grand more
which over the course of your five year loan
is a very manageable amount.
So the question is,
would you buy a new half-ton pickup with an economy diesel?
And if you did which one would you get?
Let us know down in the comments below.
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Peace.
(heavy metal music)