New Ram 1500 3.0L V-6 Diesel Introduction

[biggman100]

Moses, you and some of the other guys may have already heard about this, but given our recent discussions on the merits of a diesel, i thought this was very relevant. I got an email a couple days ago, and it was about the new Dodge Ram EcoDiesel. According to the email i got, Dodge is coming out with a 3.0l diesel that is strictly for the 1500 series trucks and promises to give as good or better mileage as the current gas engines in the 1500 series. Unlike the inline 6 in the bigger Dodge Ram, though, this one will be a v-6, and after reading up on it a bit, it looks like it will be a Bank's sourced engine, instead of a Cummins. This is from a press release from Dodge, about the new 1500 series trucks:

 

"Ram is aiming straight for the heart of pickup truck buyers everywhere by bringing a new diesel engine to the 1500, which is officially rated at 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.  The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, as the brand calls it, is also expected to deliver upwards of 28 mpg on the highway, besting the most efficient Ram, the V6-equipped 1500 HFE by 3 mpg. And if that isn’t enough to excite you, the EcoDiesel engine will only cost a $2850 premium over the HEMI V8 models."

 

One other thing that it mentioned, that i noticed, was a hefty proposed 9200 LB tow capacity, which is on par with the current 5.7l versions of the 1500, and quite a bit more than the 4.7l, and 3.6l versions.

 

Although i wont be in the market for something like that for a few years, it is nice to know that they are starting to be available in the U.S. market, and that the manufacturers are starting to realize that there is a valid market for diesel engines, and not just in the bigger pickup trucks, tractor trailers, and farm equipment.

[Moses Ludel]

This is the breakthrough that many have hinted about, now it's official.  The Ram 1500 is a "light-duty emissions" vehicle for California, which means this is the long awaited return of a diesel engine in a full-size but light emissions truck or SUV.  If the 1500 is a candidate, presumably the Durango and other Chrysler light truck/SUV models will follow, as this engine fits the same emissions strata as passenger car/light truck/SUV models.

 

As for origins of this 3.0L V-6 diesel engine, it is neither a Banks nor a Cummins product.  In fact, the source is familiar if you know the four-cylinder diesel Liberty and Wrangler J-8 2.8L engine source:

 

"The new Ram EcoDiesel engine, designed and produced by Italy's VM Motori, is the same engine Chrysler also is fitting into the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. For the Ram pickup, the new diesel develops 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler did not provide a range estimate on the new turbodiesel truck. The engine is compatible with B-20 biodiesel."—Courtesy of Edmunds.com

 

So, as I explained in the gasoline to diesel conversion topic posts, I could, theoretically, swap this new 3.0L EcoDiesel into the 1999 XJ Cherokee for a legal, California emissions swap.  The Ram 1500 or Grand Cherokee donor fits the light-duty emissions category, the engine meets the same year or newer requirement, and the tailpipe should be as clean as the XJ Cherokee 4.0L gasoline engine in good operating condition...This is a breakthrough, although for a swap, the engine would cost a small fortune as a "crate/complete" package, and the interface of the emissions and engine controller, transmission and other needs would be a challenge, I'm sure.

 

Moses

[biggman100]

I still think the torque might be a bit high for a 1994 Dakota, but i am actually curious if this engine would work for a swap like that, with it only being 240HP, that part wouldn't be an issue, but the 420 lb-ft of torque might be too much for the Dakota's frame and driveline. As you said, the price for a "crate" engine is going to be a bit much, but who knows, maybe in a couple years i'll find a wrecked one in a local u-pull yard.

[Moses Ludel]

The torque is at the limit for your AX15 five-speed transmission, and an adapter to this transmission is unavailable at this time (maybe forever, as manual transmissions are rapidly disappearing in the face of CAFE mileage standards and 6- to 8-speed automatics for maximizing fuel efficiency).  The 3.0L in the Ram 1500 apparently will only be available with an 8-speed automatic attached, which might bolt to your NV231 transfer case if clocking position and spline match is correct...Here's some scuttle at the AutoBlog site:  http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/28/ram-reveals-2014-truck-lineup-ecodiesel-v6-a-2-850-option-on-1/.

 

If the Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500 and possibly the Durango end up with large sales numbers for the EcoDiesel, and if the engine meets standards and reliability expectations, I could see this as a popular recycling yard bonanza for swaps within the next five years.  At least for now, you would need the automatic transmission and all electronic controls as well.

 

Though we don't wish anyone the ill-fate of having his or her vehicle end up in a recycling yard, unfortunately, this does happen.  If the VM Motori 3.0L V-6 diesel lives up to diesel engine expectations, a 100,000 mile engine, properly maintained, could easily deliver another 150,000-plus miles of trouble-free service.  Let's keep an eye open here.

 

Sounds like I need to talk with Chrysler about the availability of a crate/swap package through the new Jeep Performance division or the traditional Mopar Performance product line...

 

Moses

[biggman100]

Moses, another good point i didn't consider would be connecting it to my current transmission. A possible option, depending on if it would fit, could be to source the engine and transmission from a wreck, and see if it would mate up to my transfer case, or possibly getting a complete wrecked 4x4, and transferring the needed parts to my Dakota. Not that i see this happening, but who knows, even if i don't do it, for whatever reason, maybe this will give someone else some ideas.

 

Like you, i would hate to find a wrecked brand new truck in a salvage yard, but it does happen. I recently found a 2012 Chevy 3500 short cab 4x4 in a local salvage yard. It was hit in the side hard enough to bend the frame.

 

Now, one thing i want to mention, after doing some more research on this, is it looks like the diesel option, at least for now, is only available in certain model Dodge trucks, and isn't available on all the trim levels. As soon as i find out more on that, i will post it here, but it looks like Dodge is trying to see how much of an interest they get before they offer it as an upgrade to all the 1500 series trucks. if anyone has any further info, please share what you have heard about this new option.