Well, according to a local dealer, the 2007 engine at this time is an inline six. Alledgedly, Ford was talking to Cat and Cummins, and decided they could do it better and cheaper themselves.

I am very much looking forward to this engine. Up until '97 Ford didn't need a small diesel, since the 4.9L was as durable as most diesels, and had excellent torque and fuel economy. If this engine turns out well, it will finally separate me from my '94 F150. 225K miles and counting

 

I'm pretty sure that Ford was NOT talking to CAT or Cummins, since they have been dealing with Navistar for 20+ yrs. I guess we cant really tell at this point, so it's all speculation.

 

Ah, went back and checked my email. It wasn't Cummins, it was International/Navistar. And Ford has talked to Cat before EVERY new engine since the original 6.9. They looked at a Cat direct-injection as a follow-on to the 6.9 before they decided to go with a 7.3.

But yes, it is still way to early to tell what the final result will be. Currently it looks like a Ford-manufactured 6. Which is perfectly fine with me. I bought one of those Mitsubishi diesel Rangers in '87. Thought it was a Perkins when I bought it. $40 oil filters, and a rubber timing belt. On a diesel. The results were fairly predictable.

 

AAHHHH......now that makes a little more sense

 

Dude....use spell check....

Diesels ARE slow! I have to use a tuner for my 7.3 PSD just to keep up with traffic. Please don't compare a heavily modified PSD to a stock gasser.

Heck, my dad's stock Maxima with 260HP can whip 90% of tuned/modified PSD.
Diesels are slow.
My stock V10 can whip my 60HP Predator PSD.
Diesel are slow.

Get it?

 

I think in all fairness that may be changing though...

I had huge reservations about a diesel and performance being used in the same sentence.
That was until I drove a BMW535d.
A 3 liter diesel that is just as quick as its 4.4l V8 petrol counterpart... And I doubt you call the 545i a slouch either...

At the moment I think we are entering a change in philosophy in the whole automotive environment.
Diesels used to power trucks, and in Europe (mainly due to favourable diesel pricing) this has changed.
They have now started releasing "sports" editions which are equipped with diesels.
I think you can expect more and more diesels to come your way...

 

I bought a Jeep with the turbo diesel, and I personally don't see why someone would want anything else. The engine in the Jeep is a 2.8L I-4 with a turbo. It makes the same torque that my 4.7L Magnum V8 made, but it does it almost 2,000 RPM lower. It is FAST...will accelerate 0-55 faster than any 4x4 I've owned before. It averages mileage in the 20s. It'll tow like a dream. It doesn't have to downshift on steep grades like my gas engines. It will last forever. It will hold it's resale value longer. There just isn't any reason NOT to want a diesel in my opinion. To me, it was well worth the $2,800 that the option cost me. It will more than pay for itself over the long run. I think if Ford put a small diesel in the F-150 or next generation Ranger, it would be an instant success! Heck, Jeep can't keep the diesels in stock here in the U.S. already!

 

No, diesels were slow. It's surprising the potential performance that a diesel engine has.

 

i think a 4 cyl diesel in an f150 would be a great idea having a 4.4l v8 sounds really stupid tho

 

The 4.4 is a good choice for the F-150. It is also a good choice to have as an option on the super duties also. Not everyone who drives a super duty needs the HP of the 6.4, the mileage would be a good trade. On the same note a small 4 cylinder diesel would for the same reasons be an excellent option in the f-150. Ford could also use the same diesel in the upcoming F-100.

This strategy would allow Ford to only build 3 truck diesels and cover all their market. This would also allow consumers to choose what they needed in their application. Do you as a consumer want brute power or peak fuel economy? (unfortunately the EPA has "improved" Diesels enought that you can no longer have both).

 

personally, now with diesel fuel at 4.50 plus a gallon, the diesel in the 1/2 tons is dead, or close to it. a year ago, no, they would have been great. i tihnk what ford needs to do now is concentrate on building a very nice gas job inline 6. The old 4.9 manages 20 plus on the highway so why cant a new one? figure something in the area of 200 hp, 300 to 320 ft lbs, throw it in the light f-100 with some 3.08's in the axle, and a six speed standard. they want to improve there cafe, thats they way to do it. a properly built 300 can just about meet a light diesel on fuel milage, so imagine a DOHC, long stroke, direct injected six in the 4.5 liter ish area?

 

The diesel 1/2 ton is not dead! Ford, Chevy and Dodge are all coming out with new diesel 1/2 tons in the next year or two. It doesn't matter that diesel costs 12% more than gas, if they get 20% better mileage, people will still buy them. LS

 

Here, with gas at $3.81, and diesel at $4.60, that's 20% difference

Before the gas prices jumped recently, it was more like a 30% difference.

 

Add a turbo or 2 in the mix and I think they'd have a winner there.

 

So what happened to this...?