2014 Ram 1500 Diesel

[cpaharley2008]

I'm anxiously awaiting the debut of the new 2014 Ram Diesel, with a 8 speed automatic, 240 hp and 420 lbs of torque, it seems a perfect match for towing a trailer. Mileage estimates from 30 highway to 20 city seems to me to be 20 towing on highway. This beats my current 10-13 mpg Ram hemi stats.
It is a $2 k option, well worth it, IMHO. It will also have the new Chrysler Uconnect system which will give you internet on the go and makes the truck a mobile hotspot.
Imagine getting realtime traffic and weather on your in dash GPS screen and then when stopped being able to connect to internet from your trailer with your Iphone or computer, all for about a $1/day. PS, it has the rear view camera also, perfect for hitching.

[Dakota]

Hey cpaharley2008,

Have you done much research on the Italian VM Motori 3.0 diesel that will be in the Ram 1500? I'm curious of how it has performed long term in the Euro-market. It will be interesting to see what modifications have been made for the US market in regards to emissions.

I think this is great for the industry seeing a resurgence of diesels again with Nissan coming out with the Cummins V8 diesel, Chevy Cruze diesel and the diesel option in the now 2015 Ford Transit.

IMHO diesels are not for everyone but with the right application they are excellent.

[Brian B-P]

As mentioned in other threads, the Ram 1500 diesel is the same engine now available in the Grand Cherokee, so that Jeep provides a slight preview of the truck engine.

From 2014 Ram 1500 Diesel First Look - Truck Trend:

The Grand Cherokee's turbocharged EcoDiesel uses watercooled exhaust-gas recirculation, plus selective catalytic reduction, to make the engine 50-state legal, and that should remain the same in the Ram application.

That means it is expected to use Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

As I recall, Ford is similarly adding a catalytic converter and DEF to the Transit engine.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, it is a separate 8 gal tank that is supposed to last 10k miles or your oil change interval. Refills available at dealers and truck stops.

[Dakota]

I knew it was introduced in the Grand Cherokee 1st but either way I am really glad to see more diesel options in the US/North American market.

[cpaharley2008]

But the electronics is unbelievable Uconnect | Navigation | SiriusXM Travel Link
http://www.driveuconnect.com/features/uconnect_access/

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I think this is great for the industry seeing a resurgence of diesels again with Nissan coming out with the Cummins V8 diesel, Chevy Cruze diesel and the diesel option in the now 2015 Ford Transit.

... and a diesel choice in the Ram ProMaster commercial van (another VM Motori, but not the V6). Few people are likely to buy a ProMaster (North American version of Fiat Ducato) to tow their travel trailer, but it is a popular basis for motorhomes in Europe.

The Transit will provide an opportunity to directly compare the 3.5 L EcoBoost (turbocharged direct-injection gas engine) to a 3.2 L turbodiesel... and some might even choose it as a tow vehicle.

[Dakota]

The Transit medium high roof, long wheelbase with the diesel and optional awd would be my first choice for a tow vehicle. At first Ford said the awd would not be available in North America and now with the delay there are rumors it may be available. Wait and see I guess although it will be a while. It will be interesting to see where everything prices out at since it will be supposedly a less expensive competitor to the Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Yes, it is a separate 8 gal tank that is supposed to last 10k miles or your oil change interval. Refills available at dealers and truck stops.

Jim: With the cost of DEF being around $6/ GAL or $ 50 per oil change what does that do to the overall operating costs for the Ram small diesel , The Ram Cummins diesel does not require DEF . I'm not thrilled with Ford's Ecoboost but having to maintain another fluid level doesn't thrill me either.
My wife has decided we are making a long trip West so I am seriously looking at a diesel pickup

[Mike Magee]

I thought DEF was now standard on the Ram Cummins, starting with 2013 model year?

Jim, please buy a Ram 1500 so we will all know what to expect from it! I'm eying the Jeep GC.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

With the cost of DEF being around $6/ GAL or $ 50 per oil change what does that do to the overall operating costs for the Ram small diesel...

I'm only guessing here, but if an oil change is at 5000 miles, and you get 20 mpg(US), that's 250 gallons or $1000 of gas, plus $50 of DEF... so, 5% increase. Assume unrealistic fuel consumption and of course the DEF looks worse

Originally Posted by steve dunham

The Ram Cummins diesel does not require DEF .

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I thought DEF was now standard on the Ram Cummins, starting with 2013 model year?

From 2013 Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks: Ram 2500 and 3500

Two new innovations help to increase gas mileage by 10%. The new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is more efficient than the old Lean NOx Trap (LNT) technology, and while it requires diesel exhaust fluid (DEF),

That's not authoritative, but Allpar seems to be pretty good on technical details. I just didn't bother searching for info from Chrysler.

I think DEF is a given for diesels in North America until there is another significant change in technology.

[Ken C]

For Steve,

Lower Total Cost of Ownership study
Diesel Technology Forum: New Study Finds U.S. Diesel Vehicles Have Lower Total Cost of Ownership Than Gasoline Vehicles