Diesel Pickups

[cp1969]

Guys, can I gently steer this back on topic? The question was, "What about a KW or Pete 1-ton dually with a Cat engine... Would it sell?"

Sorry, I'm probably the worst thread hijacker on this board. What irony...

 

[beagdog]

The new F-450 pickup easily tops $55,000 in MSRP, and this is a truck that is being built in Ford's established assembly plant using the same body parts as the other SuperDuty lines. I think you would be easily exceeding $75,000.00 for Paccar to even try to market something comparable. I also think it would sell out any level of production they could muster. Especially with Cat power.

There is no doubt that it would, even at $75,000.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Obviously, the same problems besetting the trucking industry are affecting the pickup segment. Nearing 200k on my 97' Dodge, I don't think I would buy another diesel pickup if it was going to be my daily driver as well as this one has been.

No doubt a diesel will outperform a gasser under continuous duty. If that is what you need and you have the money then go for it if not, you are only feeding your ego by buying a diesel if you then need to whine about the cost of ownership.

The trend to need and want heavier and more expensive trucks is obvious. I think people who need more pulling power would be better off forgoing the fancy 4x4 and buying used commercial class 6 or 7 trucks.

 

[Kendall69]

You can always get a Ford with a Cummins engine, but you have to buy it in Brazil and have it shipped in.

He sent me some pics of a 250 with a Cummins

And, no I don’t think KW or Pete would sell. It takes diesel buyers along time till they trust a diesel maker, and it takes a long time for people to leave a trusted diesel maker. I don’t think KW, or Pete would be patient enough to turn some loyal customers.

Even with all the Ford problem people still purchased the 6.0, those are some die hard Ford lovers.

Toyota is coming out with a truck to match the Ford 450, in a diesel. The engine is made by Hino. I have three Hino 5 ton trucks and have beat them up for over 20 years, and have only put fuel, oil, brakes, and tires in them.
Never once been to the dealer. The 2006 I just had delivered is like driving a Caddie, with a 26ft box on the back.

For me, Ford screwed me, and I didn’t have time to play their games, so I went across the street and got a Duramax Dually, and couldn’t be happier.

 

[wushaw]

A Pete or KW in a one ton chassis would still be a small motor due to the chassis ability to handle the weight. Even the small 7.2 Cat weighs 1295 lbs, not to mention the tranny that needs to handle it. That's a little too much for a pickup chassis.

 

[cp1969]

FWIW, a Cummins 5.9 weighs over 1000 lbs.

And, no I don’t think KW or Pete would sell. It takes diesel buyers along time till they trust a diesel maker, and it takes a long time for people to leave a trusted diesel maker. I don’t think KW, or Pete would be patient enough to turn some loyal customers.

Don't think Pete, KW, and Cat are trusted enough names in the business to lure truck business away from Ford/International, Dodge/Cummins, and GM/Izusu? I would have thought just the opposite...that people would desert in droves. But then again, I have NEVER understood brand loyalty.

 

[Z-Michigan]

FWIW, a Cummins 5.9 weighs over 1000 lbs.

+1

And it works great!

I don't know what the new Cummins 6.7L (tuned for 2007 emissions) weighs, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another 100-200lbs.

 

[capt_met]

i am happy with my duramax/allison. that being said i doubt i would be interested in anything that would cost more to do the same job. a truck i would like to see would be one of the isuzu cabovers 4500/5500 with the duramax/allison combo. they seem to be geat trucks just underpowered for towing.
take care,

 

[Boomerang1]

Peterbilt and Kenworth do not make diesel engines. You can buy a Peterbilt, Kenworth or Freightliner with a Cat, Cummins or Detroit engine. They also have the same transmissions and front and rear diffs. Pete and Kenworth are basicly the same truck made by Paccar. They change the cab and the suspension.

 

[jcmseven]

cp1969,

There definitely would be a market for such a machine. Since Peterbilt and KW really seek high levels of customization in their products, I believe a pickup would be the same. For years, I heard friends of mine say "I will never pay $50K for a pickup!" and yet, I see many of them driving their King Ranch Fords, or high-level Duramax's or Cummins machines down the road, any of which can be spec'd to over this price. What is another $15-20 K in this sense, (or nonsense)? I believe putting a Caterpillar motor in any truck would make it sell, but truly, how many of us would use one to its limit? The truth is, in 2007, owning and operating a diesel pickup is NOT an exercise in frugality as it used to be. Most of us, myself included, paid a premium for an engine we do not come close to utilizing most times, but yet we still do so. Our local dealer, who sells more heavy duty trucks than any dealer in a several state area, estimates 90% of its 250 and above sales in pickups are diesels. Ford's own demographics report for the new 2008 model 6.4L indicates they expect 95% of all heavy-duty truck buyers purchasing Ford will go diesel in this line of trucks. I have a good friend who sells almost all the heavy duty pickups at this dealership and when I asked him how many of those buying actually need a diesel, his answer was, "None of them." He, himself said he would buy gas next time he purchases a pickup. Most of these diesel trucks will be over $50 K. This leads me to believe most of us (again myself included) still buy our "work trucks" with our hearts, not our heads. So, in response to your question, I think for one, there would be plenty of market for a $60-75K truck from one of those manufacturers.

John M