DiemlerChristler has a "sprinter" van with a mercedes deisel that can haul 5K lbs. in the vehicle, available in CA 2004. I met a guy with a 49 state model converted to a motorhome that was getting 25mpg, loaded, and cruzed at 70 mph.

 

hm.....Ethan, another 250 posts and I might believe you.......no offense.

Anyways, anyone remember the Taylor or Tyler or Tailor or something? had three headlights, center one moved, engine got uber gas mileage? AND it had power sterring/brakes radio A/C all the accessories? Remeber what we KNOW happened to it? Yeah, talk about a conspiracy...I do believe that the auto companies and auto makers are trying to hold out as long as possible...why do you think when one company announces an advancement, the other two have it on their riducts like 1 week later, cause they all have it layin around in the warehouse, not wanting to pull it out just yet,

For two reasons--1) The longer you can sell the current technology, the more profit there is.
2) oil prices, I do believe tht both oil companies and auto makers are in cohoots.....just makes sense....

 

I think you mean the Tucker, 50 where produced and i think 2 are still around

 

Yeah, and the company was bought up by the big 3. err...4 back in the day..AMC...and yeah it was the tucker...I have seen one at the travelling smithsonian

 

The Sprinter, however, has >200HP. Sorry, but in a fully-loaded van, I'd class that as bordering ojn "dangerously underpowered".

I'll take a PSD E-350.

 

after I retired, I travelled the states and went to a lot of car museums. I saw a Tucker in a museum in Montana I think, maybe it was north dakota.
There may be another one in Minden Nebraska. He has a lot of cars there.

I believe we can get 30 mph out of a Diesel engine. If it could be done by todays technology though, it would be on the market right now.

 

hey no one has mentioned doing a desiel/eletric train type set up. you know a desiel motor used as a generator to power an eletric motor. the desiel would be small anough to fit in to almost anything and would get probally great efficiency out of it. the electric motors should provide more then enough torque to pull what you need. hmmmmm i really need to learn how to weld now, and find an old ranger hmmmmm... i might have to try it. btw my ranger has gotten close to 25 mpg in the right situation, so i dont see why a desiel in a ranger wont get 30 and i know if i had the smaller tires i wouldnt have a problem pulling a good size trailer/load.

 

I'd say an old 2WD 80's Ranger with the Mazda diesel & a 5-speed should pull down 30MPG. The same engine (2.0 Mazda diesel) in my 1984 Escort got a steady 45-50.

 

I know I nknow you can beat me later for posting this on a Ford sight but a friend of mine bought a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins turbodiesel and the 6 speed Manual transmission. It is a daily driver and he gets a consistent 28 mpg. He has not towed anything of substance as of yet so no numbers on that are available yet but 28mpg in a fullsize 4x4 is pretty darn good in my book.

OK now beat me for talking about something other than a Ford here.

 

That sounds a little far-fetched to me. 28 MPG in a truck that weighs at least 3 tons? If it is true, Dodge is about to sell a buttload of trucks!!

 

He's pulling your leg. I know a guy that just bought that identical truck ('04, had 100 miles on it) same setup - cummins TD, 6 spd, 2500, and he gets 17MPG. It's a mixed blessing though, he can't break 17MPG, but he never gets any less than that. I get about 19-20 highway, about 12 stop and go, and average about 14-15.

Has your friend put a chip or exhaust on it? he may be doctoring the numbers a bit...

XXL

 

Jimmy, ya, those sprinters drink the diesel down aye?! You can check out:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php

I've met a few people who have put high geared ring/pinon gear in their Cummins 2WD 6speeds and have gotten in the mid to high 20s for their mileage when empty. One guy told me he is still able to tow a fully loaded 21 foot toy hauler in 5 th gear.

 

Wow. Where have you been the last 4 years?

 

yeah. some bump, huh?

 

they do drink the diesel, the dumb things get the same mpg as a superduty, but with half the power and most important of all.....they are ugly!!!!!!!!! the stop and go mpg is a real killer, might as well be driving a 460 4x4 around.

and nice interior

i drove one around every other day for 2 years when i lived in england, those things suck.