Why is there no midsize diesel truck? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Zeus · 01-05-2010, 01:45 PM

Seriously, the Toyota Hilux (Diesel version of the Tacoma which was never sold in the US) was one of the toughest trucks of all time.

Why is there not a small/midsized diesel truck available in the US? The diesel engines are stronger, more efficient, and are capable of producing a TON of torque... it makes no sense to me as to why there isn't this option.

GM should look to fill this market segment. Make a nice, midsized truck with a decent sized diesel engine, and call it a day. And because it was my idea, I expect it to be called 'the Zeus'.

coolman · 01-05-2010, 01:47 PM

Because nobody builds one.

Remember the dodge D-50? Do I have to say anymore.

Zeus · 01-05-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolman

Because nobody builds one.

Remember the dodge D-50? Do I have to say anymore.

.... No one building one is kind of the point....

People are more diesel friendly than ever right now... GM should jump on it.

And as for the D-50.... The Zeus would have to be built the right way... can't be a completely crap truck with a diesel.

Xanthos · 01-05-2010, 02:07 PM

Heh. I really think they should bring back that SBC sized diesel they were working on.
- X

jrboyd_1980 · 01-05-2010, 02:10 PM

Midsize diesel's wouldn't be pratical right now. All HD diesels are getting fitted with a special filter now that will raise the price like 5000-8000 dollars. Pretty sure it would be applied to the Mid-size as well. Pricing would be ridiculus.

Zeus · 01-05-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrboyd_1980

Midsize diesel's wouldn't be pratical right now. All HD diesels are getting fitted with a special filter now that will raise the price like 5000-8000 dollars. Pretty sure it would be applied to the Mid-size as well. Pricing would be ridiculus.

That is no excuse to not be able to offer an affordable midsized diesel truck.... We should be able to make diesel engines that don't cost 8k a pop.

If Toyota could do it in the 80's and 90's, why can't we do it today?

cab2g · 01-05-2010, 03:21 PM

here you go..... http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/23/r...-to-hit-marke/

available in spring....

too bad it's made in India and ugly as sin.

Johnny1 · 01-05-2010, 03:46 PM

I had a brand new Ford Ranger 4 cylinder pickup, 4 spd. standard, I think it was 1983 that was diesel. Thats when GM was converting gas engines to diesel but they weren't holding up. Mine was an industrial engine that was solid as a rock. As a matter of fact a lot of tractor parts would fit the engine. I'm sure it wouldn't pass emission codes now. But I drove that little truck for 13 years. Just loved it. Top speed was about 80mph. It had glow plugs. You turned the key on and waited a few seconds till a light went out and started it. And it clanged and clattered just like the big trucks did. People used to look at me like I was nuts when I would pull up to the diesel pump. It looked just like the other Rangers but it had a beefed up suspension from the factory. In 13 years the only thing I did was replace the glow plugs once. And diesel was way cheaper than gas at that time. I also bought a new Ford Tempo 1984 that had the same engine that was automatic. We used to get 42 mpg on the highway with the air on. And it would go about 90mph.

nova · 01-05-2010, 04:02 PM

Isuzu offers their version of the Colorado/Canyon with a diesel over in Asia. I think the main reason there aren't any small diesel trucks in the US is why there's a shortage of diesels in anything but 3/4 ton and up trucks, namely emissions....

jrboyd_1980 · 01-05-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

That is no excuse to not be able to offer an affordable midsized diesel truck.... We should be able to make diesel engines that don't cost 8k a pop.

If Toyota could do it in the 80's and 90's, why can't we do it today?

It's not the engine that cost 8k, it is a special filter that will have to be put in all Diesel Trucks mandated by government.

0235th · 01-05-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolman

Because nobody builds one.

Remember the dodge D-50? Do I have to say anymore.

I have the real one. Mitsubishi built the d 50 for dodge. Its a rebadged Mighty Max. My god is that truck tough. I had it sit outside in the weather for almost two years. Changed the battery and it started right up. Now its my daily driver.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-05-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

That is no excuse to not be able to offer an affordable midsized diesel truck.... We should be able to make diesel engines that don't cost 8k a pop.

If Toyota could do it in the 80's and 90's, why can't we do it today?

Because there were different emission restrictions in the 80s and 90s than today.

springerpete · 01-05-2010, 08:45 PM

It's the emissions standards that is the reason.

I have 2004 and 2005 Duramaxes and they both get about 19-24mpg depending on how I'm driving. The Dodge Cummins that I used to have got about 22mpg no matter how I drove it.

Both versions of those trucks new only get about 13-17mpg because of catalytic converters, particulate filters, and the direct injected exhaust systems that are on them now.

GM flirted with the idea of a V6 Duramax in the 1/2 tons and SUV's but with the new restrictions it's not feasible.

coolman · 01-05-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0235th

I have the real one. Mitsubishi built the d 50 for dodge. Its a rebadged Mighty Max. My god is that truck tough. I had it sit outside in the weather for almost two years. Changed the battery and it started right up. Now its my daily driver.

My buddies called mine old stinky. It was a piece of crap.

01-05-2010, 02:07 PM	#4
Xanthos PWA Relapse Drives: Formerly-Stick Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 12,588 View My Garage	Heh. I really think they should bring back that SBC sized diesel they were working on. - X __________________ 2017 1LT/RS A8 Hyper Blue Metallic

01-05-2010, 03:21 PM	#7
cab2g love. my. car. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,372 View My Garage	here you go..... http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/23/r...-to-hit-marke/ available in spring.... too bad it's made in India and ugly as sin. __________________

01-05-2010, 04:02 PM	#9
nova Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS, VR, PW, WR Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 838 View My Garage	Isuzu offers their version of the Colorado/Canyon with a diesel over in Asia. I think the main reason there aren't any small diesel trucks in the US is why there's a shortage of diesels in anything but 3/4 ton and up trucks, namely emissions.... __________________ 2010 2SS/RS, M6,VR,White Rally's,Polished Wheels Mods: skip shift eliminator (hey everybody's gotta start somewhere ) crappily painted engine cover...

01-05-2010, 08:45 PM	#13
springerpete Orange GM freak Drives: 2004 3500HD Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ponca City, OK Posts: 784 View My Garage	It's the emissions standards that is the reason. I have 2004 and 2005 Duramaxes and they both get about 19-24mpg depending on how I'm driving. The Dodge Cummins that I used to have got about 22mpg no matter how I drove it. Both versions of those trucks new only get about 13-17mpg because of catalytic converters, particulate filters, and the direct injected exhaust systems that are on them now. GM flirted with the idea of a V6 Duramax in the 1/2 tons and SUV's but with the new restrictions it's not feasible. __________________ "My hair's turnin' White, my neck is still Red and my collar is still Blue"

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01-05-2010, 01:47 PM	#2
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	Because nobody builds one. Remember the dodge D-50? Do I have to say anymore.

01-05-2010, 02:10 PM	#5
jrboyd_1980 A ***'s Headache Drives: Everything Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,174	Midsize diesel's wouldn't be pratical right now. All HD diesels are getting fitted with a special filter now that will raise the price like 5000-8000 dollars. Pretty sure it would be applied to the Mid-size as well. Pricing would be ridiculus.

01-05-2010, 03:46 PM	#8
Johnny1 Drives: Would only drive GM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 190	I had a brand new Ford Ranger 4 cylinder pickup, 4 spd. standard, I think it was 1983 that was diesel. Thats when GM was converting gas engines to diesel but they weren't holding up. Mine was an industrial engine that was solid as a rock. As a matter of fact a lot of tractor parts would fit the engine. I'm sure it wouldn't pass emission codes now. But I drove that little truck for 13 years. Just loved it. Top speed was about 80mph. It had glow plugs. You turned the key on and waited a few seconds till a light went out and started it. And it clanged and clattered just like the big trucks did. People used to look at me like I was nuts when I would pull up to the diesel pump. It looked just like the other Rangers but it had a beefed up suspension from the factory. In 13 years the only thing I did was replace the glow plugs once. And diesel was way cheaper than gas at that time. I also bought a new Ford Tempo 1984 that had the same engine that was automatic. We used to get 42 mpg on the highway with the air on. And it would go about 90mph.