I haven't seen this posted yet, but it's been brought up on a few threads. I know that Ford has a version of the 6.0L in a smaller V-6 form. It is used in the LCF cabover chassis. I know from speaking with people from Ford that this engine (or one like it) is headed for the F-150 chassis. I think this idea is great, and the big three are all working on this. I heard that Ford's problem with it is the EPA. They just can't get the emissions level down to standards. They can get away with it in their LCF, because it's in a different emissions class. The company I work for is wanting to get away from using vans and would rather use a half ton truck with utility bed and ladder racks for in the field service jobs. Using a setup like this would provide two things; it would give us (and other company's like us) the ability to use a service vehicle that was functional and efficient (better fuel mileage, less we have to charge a customer) and would provide us with a more useful platform. I've heard that it is pretty much the same engine minus two cylinders. Just wanted to see what people thought about this. I know that you wouldn't be interested if you need the towing capacity of the superduty, but for hobby farmers and people that don't need quite as much umpfff, it might catch on. With the addition of suspension upgrades, I'm sure you could pull quite a bit, and not have to stop at the pump every 300 miles (give or take a few.)

 

I agree, half-ton diesels would be a great half way point for people who dont need a superduty, but still want to be able to get decent mpg and better pulling power then a standard gasser.

 

last month in diesel power there was a article of a volvo diesel a 3.9 i think. it is rumored/scheduled for 09. i will look that article up again and scan it if i can.

 

if I recall correctly, Ford got into a bit of a spot with IH over a previous deisel engine package developed for the 1/2 ton. Seems Ford changed their mind after all the engineering work was done and didn't want to pay for it.

Cost the mother ship a pretty penny after the lawyers got done!

 

Is this the engine your thinking of?

http://www.internationaldelivers.com...t275detail.asp

 

I don't recall the specs. I heard it was a "clean sheet" design and likely had some Ford "proprietary" specs and stuff.

That Motor looks neat although the specs look a little medium duty / delivery style. Engineering a lump for mass automotive consumption, and lets face it, 1/2 tons are close to cars, is a tricky job. Just ask BMW, Volkwagen and Daimler/Chrysler. The Europeans have had Diesel stuff for years and can't sell in the States.

Most Americans want smooth, quick revving power in their daily driver. Just us hard asses that fell in love with the beauty that is Diesel.

 

[QUOTE=bigredtruckmi]Is this the engine your thinking of?

http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/engine/vt275detail.asp[/QUOTE]

That could be it, but I can't be for certain. I did see this engine in one of the LCF trucks when I had one of our service vans in for maint. I only saw the back of it, but it looked like a clone 6.0L with minus two cylinders, right down to how the turbo was mounted.

 

The Goat people and the Bow Ties are moving on this, and in one of the truck mags (it's been a while), but they had an article about a Dodge with a small Cummins (I think it was Cummins) in their 1500 chassis testing it already. They had pics of the motor in the engine bay. It didn't look like too hard of a fit, but I haven't worked on it either. Hell, it's better to take the cab off of our trucks if we have any major engine work to do.

 

[QUOTE=bigredtruckmi]Is this the engine your thinking of?

http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/engine/vt275detail.asp[/QUOTE]

OK, yeah that has to be it. 4.5L, V-6, Powerstroke Diesel. I seriously don't see where they could go wrong. Unless they charged the same price they would for an F-350 King Ranch, Crew Cab, 4X4, 6.4L Powerstroke with all the bells and whistles.