Ford F150 Ecoboost vs Ram 1500 Ecodiesel

It's about time they put a small diesel (relative to the 250's and 2500's) into American trucks. Now we just need a nice I-4 diesel into the Rangers and S10's, etc. Something along the lines of 140hp, 230ftlbs - they should be at least as capable as the 2.0 TDIs that VW is putting out. This is progress.

I was in Turkey last year and drove a 4 door Ford Focus with 1.6L diesel and a 6 speed... it was awesome. I've driven a 5 speed Nissan Maxima for 10+ years and would seriously consider the Focus if they ever started selling the diesel in the US.

CombatChris said:

It's about time they put a small diesel (relative to the 250's and 2500's) into American trucks. Now we just need a nice I-4 diesel into the Rangers and S10's, etc. Something along the lines of 140hp, 230ftlbs - they should be at least as capable as the 2.0 TDIs that VW is putting out. This is progress.

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It would be nice if you could still get a ranger / s10 / hilux compact truck in this country

In my opinion from a point of cost I'd stay with gas. If the ecodiesel gets 5 or 6 MPG better on the highway, it also costs more as an option and diesel is way more expensive than regular gas these days. The people it would probably be beneficial for are those who are regularly towing heavy boats or campers. The gas MPG drops down pretty good when towing but I bet that diesel is pretty consistent loaded or unloaded. My 2011 F150 with regular aspirated 360 HP V8 gets 21 on the highway unloaded.

I just bought a 2014 ram 2500 with a Cummins cheaper than the 1500 with eco-diesel.

Jags said:

- I find this surprising. The Cummins is a pretty pricey option

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Price out a half ton and get back to me. I'll share my sticker and purchase price with you.

didn't take it as a challenge, but price them out. They must have "LAMBDA" or something!

Jags said:

Not in the market, nor challenging your post. Just a surprise that a larger truck/engine combo is cheaper.

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I will say this: We just put the order in for a new truck for my department at work. The state contract has gone from Chevy to Ford, so we had to look at 150s and 250s. The 250 with it's base engine (and standard 4wd, tow package, etc) was about a grand cheaper than the 150 (which would have required the upgraded engine from base, add in 4wd, add in the tow package, etc, to meet our needs).

I love the eco diesel in dodge.
I am out of the half ton market since there are no more standard transmissions available.
I have been around diesels my entire life. The diesel is more than just a fuel saver in a fleet.
everyone says: "I would buy a half ton with a diesel" but we don't, based on many factors. so market rules again!
even VW has dropped there TDI price($3000) to compete with there gas models! Its the Market that dictates the price not the build!
a little research on the eco-diesel will reveal that you have been dooped again! paying too much for an import diesel that has been in production for years as a new diesel.
So if the 1500 had dana 44's and a 4bt cummins like they lead us to believe they may sell.
Nissan will get the Cummins. So we will see what really happens.
Mahindra has had a little PU for years. Not imported.
VW has the POLO. Not imported
and so on!
Check out the story of Clessie Cummins: a true American success story.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Diesel-Od...id=1408630870&sr=8-1&keywords=clessie+cummins

Jags said:

According to the numbers - the Ram is hands down the most fuel efficient.

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I think its important that we all read the fine print on some of the claims the Marketing gurus are printing and speaking.
the ford f150 ecoboost is a turbocharged v6 gasoline truck. the stated mileage on most radio adds I hear for the ram 1500 have a disclaimer at the end"based on 2wd eco diesel".
As with anything must compare apples to apples.
though real world experience advice is the best for long term ownership guys like me.

For giggles: mazda marketing SKYACTIV technology- ask a salesman or tech what that means.

new eco screw fx4 51,000 sticker...
2 I know of....stall out in wet weather...
google it...
I was in the market for a truck..looked at all, got lucky on a 2010 clean raptor...very impressed so far...likes to drink, but it moves well off road and on
Scott

Chimney Smoke said:

In my opinion from a point of cost I'd stay with gas. If the ecodiesel gets 5 or 6 MPG better on the highway, it also costs more as an option and diesel is way more expensive than regular gas these days. The people it would probably be beneficial for are those who are regularly towing heavy boats or campers. The gas MPG drops down pretty good when towing but I bet that diesel is pretty consistent loaded or unloaded. My 2011 F150 with regular aspirated 360 HP V8 gets 21 on the highway unloaded.

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This is all true unless one is driving a lot of miles or towing a lot. The more miles you drive the quicker the diesel pays for itself.

to the OP - IMO the build quality of Dodge is suspect, and don't expect Cummins-like performance out of the smaller super low emissions MB diesel. JMHO.

Bigg_Redd said:

IMO the build quality of Dodge is suspect, and don't expect Cummins-like performance out of the smaller super low emissions MB diesel

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FYI: Wikipedia-
On 11 February 2011, Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Penske Corporation had reached an agreement under which Fiat Powertrain would purchase Penske Corporation's fifty-percent stake in VM Motori S.p.A.[4][5]

Fiat Group Automobiles acquired the remaining 50% stake of VM Motori S.p.A. owned by General Motors,[6] on 28 October 2013.

NE WOOD BURNER said:

FYI: Wikipedia-
On 11 February 2011, Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Penske Corporation had reached an agreement under which Fiat Powertrain would purchase Penske Corporation's fifty-percent stake in VM Motori S.p.A.[4][5]

Fiat Group Automobiles acquired the remaining 50% stake of VM Motori S.p.A. owned by General Motors,[6] on 28 October 2013.

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Heh?

So it's powered by a Fiat diesel?

Even more reason to stick with the Ford

Bigg_Redd said:

Heh?

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its a fiat not a MB.

Not that I can afford a new truck anyway, but if I was in the market for one I'd go with the Ford. They didn't participate in the bailouts, and the fed.gov didn't basically give them to Fiat. So regardless of the fuel economy numbers I'm not buying Dodge again (recently sold a 2006 1500 Mega Cab since we needed a minivan).

That said, if it was, say, Toyota vs Ford, then I'd be looking at total cost to own. So that factors in purchase price, fuel economy, fuel cost per gallon, and expected maintenance/repair costs. Then go with whichever is less, assuming ride quality/comfort and whatnot are reasonably similar.

Bigg_Redd said:

Even more reason to stick with the Ford

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just curious what Ford Diesel would you buy?

FYI:
The Ford 4.4 TD is a diesel engine developed and built by Ford Motor Company. It is based on the Lion V6 Diesel and has a power output of 330 hp (246 kW) and 516 lb·ft (700 N·m) of torque. As with the other AJDs, it has a Compacted Graphite Iron block that reduces weight while increasing engine block strength.

The 4.4L is built at Chihuahua Engine Plant in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico along with the 6.7L Ford Power Stroke Diesel engine available in Ford Super Duty trucks. While in development, the 4.4 TD was rumored to be for use in the Ford F-150, Ford Expedition, and as an entry level diesel option for the Super Duty. No such option ever became available with Ford citing the reason as being a low demand for a vehicle with a $6000–$8000 premium over its gasoline models. Current application of the 4.4L TD engine is the Land Rover Range Rover.

NE WOOD BURNER said:

just curious what Ford Diesel would you buy?

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Isn't the "econoboost" a gas engine? Or is ford using that designation for any/everything?

I'd rather have a Ford diesel built in Mexico than a Fiat diesel built anywhere

Bigg_Redd said:

Isn't the "econoboost" a gas engine? Or is ford using that designation for any/everything?

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my point! so much to digest when purchasing things today its easy to be swayed by the marketing and sales of it all. Brand Loyalty is difficult in the world economy we live in. So many big corporations setting the price points for markets. And so many non compete clauses in the buyouts/mergers/handouts that muddy the waters.

Bigg_Redd said:

Isn't the "econoboost" a gas engine? Or is ford using that designation for any/everything?

I'd rather have a Ford diesel built in Mexico than a Fiat diesel built anywhere

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When you are talking about the f150 eco boost option, that is a 3.6 v6 engine with twin turbo chargers. I think ford is the only half ton truck that has gone this route. There is a YouTube channel called "the fast lane truck" where they do some pretty good comparison videos. They do a towing contest called the gauntlet where they tow dual axel trailer with a really large car on it up the Eisenhower highway in Washington state. The section of road they use has about a7% grade and goes up pretty high in elevation. The rule of the contest is that you have to go maintain 60 mph, or as close to it as you can get. The ford easily beat the other trucks (they take the most comparably equipped Chevy, Toyota and dodge). The tundra with the 4.11 rear end came in second. With the ford, the driver had to back off the throttle to stay at 60. These where 2013 models I think, so things may have changed. I believe the ford get's the best mileage when not towing, but it goes all to hell when those twin turbos spool up.

I'm in the truck market too, and I keep going back and forth. Right now, I am leaning towards the old school grunt of a used three quarter ton as well. With everyone driving half tons these days, it really seems to be pushing the prices up.