I'm pretty sure I'm wrong on this, however I think the test mule was getting mid 20's.

 

Thats gonna be a sweet frickin truck, I would love a Cummin's in a 1500!

 

I know people that can make that happen right now

how does around 400hp in a RCSB sound

 

A major consideration for a diesel in a 1500 series will be the huge loss of payload capacity. Diesels are substantially heavier than gassers. There are a lot of 2500 series diesels out there with a lower payload rating than a 1500 gasser due to the engines' weight. So that wonderful fuel economy will come at a price of up front dollars, more expensive maintainence, and a large reduction in payload. They will tow a whole lot better. So, what do you use your truck for? Towing or payload or daily transport?

 

actualy weight has been taking into consideration, and due to the increased power of the engine it will either keep the same payload, or increase it.

the weight of the the engines for the 1500's are a little heavier, however not enough to effectpayload.

 

Didn't know Light Duty and Cummins were allowed to be used in the same sentence.

 

I've always wondered why no one has put a diesel into a 1/2 ton truck so far. It was explained to me the biggest thing for them to over come and why its taken so long is that making the diesels meet the exhaust regulations for cleaner emissions has been the problem. 1/2 ton trucks or "light duty" trucks are in a whole different catagory than the bigger trucks and emissions requirements are much more strict.

I can see the benifits especially for commercial use. I work in the construction business and we have super intendents who drive 75-100k miles per year in the trucks. They have some tools and occasionally a light payload, but no towing to do. The sheer amount of miles thatdiesel can take compared to a gas engine makes huge sense to us. Plus the mileage if those numbers are correct from Bighorned's link, that would be a big benifit over gas engines also. Do the math, gas at $3.00 per gallon and averaging 15 miles per gallon (30 gallon tank was used for my calculations) comes to about $0.20 per mile. Diesel at $3.50 per gallon but averaging 20 miles per gallon (again with a 30 gallon tank) comes to $0.18 per mile. So if those numbers are correct and they get 25 miles to the gallon, I think it would stupid for a company like us not to buy the 1/2 tons with a diesel. Yes, does it cost more to maintain a diesel engine, absolutely, but looking at it long term, I can see that its worth it. I called to check on a diesel oil change at the local quick change station, and its only $10 more than the gas engine oil change. Considering most diesels get their oil change around 10k-15k miles, its still less than our gas engines which are being changed every 5k miles.

I do worry about the same thing on the towing. Many people don't read or care what the manufacturer's maximum payload and towing weights are. They are going to see "diesel" in their truck and think they can tow a 4-5 horse trailer fully loaded with their 1/2 ton truck and then wonder why at only 30k miles they need to buy a new transmission and why the dealership's service department won't do it under warranty. Then they will go and post all over the internet and complain to their friends that Dodge has made a lousy product, when in reality, they abused their own property and expected Dodge to cover the cost. Its a nightmare for PR waiting to happen, but I hope the sales are worth it. I'm planning on getting one when they come out.

 

I don't think the consumer is going to try and pull too much weight to be honest. The pullweight of the ram today is a considerable amount. Adding a diesel engine will make the job easier. Only a complete moron (and i'm sure there are quite a few) would think there 1500 5.6L V8 CTD could pull the same load as a 2500 6.7L I6 CTD. People know the towing limits, and with a hemi in the truck can easily exceed that now.

Honestly my bigger worry is the speed market. It is considerabily easier to overpower a CTD.

Look at the mod's for the 5.9L CTD. They can get the engine to push a 3500 Dualy in under 13 in a quarter. Imagine a smaller diesel, lighter weight truck. They will be able to turn it into a real racing engine. As complared to a Hemi, it would be cheaper to mod the CTD then the hemi and you will get more power output.

those are just my thoughs though...

 

does anyone know why they are making it a v6 and not an I6?...

 

there will be both a V6 and V8, the reason for making it a Vee design is for a smaller footprint. not only that, the 5.6L V8 block is shorter than my 5.9L I6. also inline engines are good at making torque, Vee engines are good for produceing horse power.