Dodge to offer 1/2 ton diesel truck

[JackOfAllTrades]

WDFWHatesMe and SpecialT have good points, in that a diesel in a 1/2ton is a waste if you don't need the kind of torque that a diesel engine should provide, for those of us that pull/haul loads.  For mileage/fuel economy, I can see it in a 1/2ton just like some people like driving their GTI as a commuter. Would I buy one? When I'm old and don't tow anymore, probably. Maybe.... There's more to the 1/2 ton/3/4 ton difference though. I'll take the bigger brakes, stronger/stiffer suspension of the 3/4 ton / 1 ton.  But man..  Have you driven a new F150 super crew Lariat or a Ram 1500 sport all loaded?  Pretty darn nice to drive, and for the guy that needs a 'part time truck', a diesel 1/2 ton would be pretty sweet.
 
Do we know if the Dodge 1/2 ton (3.0L?) diesel offering will use the DEF?   
 
Has anyone just pee'd in their DEF tank?        "The raw materials used to produce DEF include natural gas, coal or other petroleum products. DEF is prepared by dissolving solid high purity urea in deionized water to create a 32.5% solution in water."  (quoted from CumminsFiltration.com)   
 
So... is the carbon footprint from creating this 'chemical' cleaner than just emitting the (N0x) into the atmosphere?  My son just wrote a research paper on Hybrid cars, and since most of them require a special manufacturing process different than to manufacture conventional cars, they take more electricity to produce. Much of the world's electricity is coal generated. So, the carbon footprint of a Hybrid car is actually more than a comparable gas powered economy car. Then when you calculate the disposal of the battery contents that take longer to break down and are not recycleable; the Hybrid actually makes less sense.  Does spraying Urea into our spent gas/fuel streams really make sense?
 
-Steve

[Special T]

JOAT you hit the nail on the head. MANY people have a F150 because the have need of a part time PU truck... If you had a choose between a part time gas and diesel and gas... I'd choose the big D. I have a family member that has owned several D Jettas that get 45-55mpg! Hard to argue the benefits.... MAY be easier with all this new Emissions BS tho...

[mainer78]

Nissan Titan will be the first?   Unforutuately Toyota will probably be the last

Cummins Diesel Nissan Titan - Likely to be the first 1/2 ton diesel to make it into the market. Project scheduled to be completed by 2014. The Cummins powered Nissan Titan appears to be a sure thing. The 2.8L 4 cylinder Cummins, despite the displacement handicap, appears to be a performer. We just can't help but wonder why in the world Cummins would team up with Nissan.

[jackelope]

The Ram will be available for purchase in +/- 6 months.

I'm not going to lie. Those Titans are nice trucks and the Cummins engine is a bonus. I think Cummins and Chrysler are at odds because Chrysler still owes them money from the bankruptcy-bailout etc. maybe that's got something to do with it. I don't know all the details.

[SGTDuffman]

I'm still waiting on Toyota to put a diesel in the 4 door Tacoma. The freakin HiLux has been the go to truck in every country but this one for the last 30 years. Whats up Toyota? It's good enough for african warlords but not good enough for 'Merica.

[fillthefreezer]

I'm still waiting on Toyota to put a diesel in the 4 door Tacoma. The freakin HiLux has been the go to truck in every country but this one for the last 30 years. Whats up Toyota? It's good enough for african warlords but not good enough for 'Merica.

id buy one in a heartbeat. might even consider selling the PSD if thats what it took

[Special T]

There are places that have done the toyota Diesel conversions and there is a place in bend oregon... http://www.importperformanceusa.com/
And these guys do older 4 cylinder cummings swaps. also in bend. http://www.eco-offroad.com/home/

One of the negatives i have heard about the cummins in smaller lighter rigs is the fact that they weigh so damn much.

There is also a company in Chilliwack BC that specializes in diesel conversions for Land Cruizers.