Only with a manual transmission. And only if the engine is made in the US.

Back in '07 or '08 I thought I would buy a 2010 1/2 Dodge 1500 with the Cummins 5 liter V8 but it never happened. 260 hp IIRC and a severely torque managed 395 lb-ft. The 4.5 LMK Duramax that never happened was impressive too. Both engines impressed me more that the Ford 4.4 that was in the works.

I was really into the half ton diesels at the time even if it did require a slushbox. Somewhat unfortunately my interest in diesel light trucks has faded recently. In my locale it's 40 cents or more for diesel. They cost too much and have gotten too complicated with SCR. I'll keep my 325,000 mile 12 valve or maybe buy another 94-98 to replace but I don't really have any interest in something newer.

 

A 6.7 diesel in an f-150 would be impossible.
Look at the weight, it would be such a pig in the corners, and the front end would just collapse eventually.
You need a diesel to match the chassis.

 

Cummins thought of making a v-8? Since when? did hell freeze over?

LOL

 

Yeah I hear that but have to dream if we ever expect to see diesel anything in a F-150. Everything else I said should still be valid.

 

Not only that, the hood line of the SD was enlarged to accommodate the size of the engine and to allow for proper cooling. A proper engine engine built to scale is what the F-150 would and should get if it did see fruition.

 

Chevrolet put their 6.5 turbo diesel in a half ton back in the 90's and it really didn't sell very well and their 6.2 diesel leading back to the early 80's and they didn't sell very well also.

Given todays diesel engine complexity (including the exhaust system) and the associated price tag, and tack on the higher fuel price of diesel at the pump, I don't see how Ford could really justify a diesel in a half ton in todays economic climate.

For these reasons is exactly why Ford choose to develop the Ecoboost technology that has similiar features and benefits as a diesel, but without the big price tag.

 

Chevy ruined the reputation of Diesels in the older days, hence why so many Americans are afraid of it. Europe loves them, most of Southeast Asia loves diesels as well. I personally would love a half ton diesel, but it would have to have a fuel economy advantage and maintain the ability to tow. 260 - 300 HP would be adequate in a half ton. Hopefully lower HP ratings and a lighter chassis would equate to a half ton that could achieve 30 mpg.

On the Cummins remark, Cummins did indeed test a V6 and a V8 (and no those are not Typo's, I really mean "V"). They built them for the DOE the test beds were a half ton dodge ram and durango. These engines were slated to arrive for those vehicles around this time, but the whole bankruptcy thing, Daimler Dumping them, Cerberus mismanaging them, and then Fiat merging with them have really thrown those ideas out the window for now. I have seen Cummins testing an ISF derivative in a Nissan Titan. It's a 4 cylinder that's around 3 or 4 liters in displacement. It's a Tier 2 Bin II engine, so it's much cleaner than the current EPA 2010 engines that are out now among any of the big 3. I'm just wondering what exhuast treatment and injection strategies they are utilizing to meet those really strict emissions requirements.

 

The 6.2 chevy diesel half tons were great trucks. Around here they sold like hotcakes back in the day. They didnt have the most power but they were known to get 25 mpg+ in a 4 wheel drive chassis.

Chevy wrecked that with the 6.5, sorta like ford did with the 6.0 fiasco.

 

The EPA is all but killing the Diesel engine in America.

 

Maybe we need to kill the EPA as we know it and rebuild it with a more moderate view point. Many things they mandate end up to be a total FUBR. I have always believed that diesel is the way to go.
Chris

 

If there is not to much of a price premium over the gas options then heck yes get a diesel in a 150. I bought the 150 with the ecoboost for towing and mpg. It excels for me in both areas. The price difference is 750 bucks vice 7800 bucks in the Super Duty. I have owned diesels and they are great but not for many thousands over what a comparable gas engine costs.

 

Our writer Patrick attempts to put this issue to rest...

Don't Hold Your Breath for a F150 Diesel .: Articles

 

After reading the article posted above me, here are my thoughts.

Yes the Ecoboost is supposed to be a diesel like offering in the F-150, but the question at hand will a small diesel perform better than the Ecoboost? Will it get better mileage? Be faster and tow more weight easily? All the while still being reasonable priced?

In short...I think not.

I think a Diesel F-150 would be kick ***! But it’s not really a practical option anymore. Sure a Diesel engine might perform a little better than the Ecoboost, but probably not enough to justify the added cost to the MSRP.

The article also mentioned about how the F-150 can only handle so much...If you are pushing those limits, then you are better off looking at Superdutys. Now I know the F-150 is a stout truck...IMO the stoutest amongst all the current 1/2 ton trucks, but when equipped with the Ecoboost or the 6.2L V8 the F-150 is rated to tow just a hair over 11,000lbs, That’s almost double what 1/2 tons were rated at 20 years ago.

I would say anyone that tows 5,000 to 8,000lbs regularly the F-150 would be the perfect truck...Anyone who needs to 10,000lbs or more on a regular basis should be looking at Superdutys.

So here's the way I see things.

Small diesel F-150...

#1 - Probably won't be any faster than an Ecoboost, 6.2, 5.0L F-150.

#2- Will only have slight if any gains in fuel economy.

#3- Will be unreasonably expensive while other engines are more practical choice's.

People can wish all day long for a diesel F-150...But I just don't see it happening. At least not anytime soon...Maybe forever.

 

cummins 903 v8 diesel engines found in ford on highway class 8 tractors mid 1970's

 

Also V555 engines in the slightly smaller capacity class 7 trucks around the same tme.