When you get a second, could you send me the specs on the Eco diesel in your pickup, and how it's worked out for you so far? They are going to offer that motor in the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and I am ALL OVER that! THANKS!
I cannot say enough great things about the Eco diesel, I purchased this in March 2015 and currently have 99,755 miles on it. I have had zero issues at this point and run it through the mud, sand and terrain on 3,000 acres on a daily basis. I have put 50,000 miles per year on a vehicle of some type since 1984 and this by far is the most impressive. I just checked the truck computer and I average 23 mph out here bouncing around and then drive the 46 miles to the house. I am averaging 24 mpg offroad and 29-31 highway. You can maintain 30 mpg if you don't go much above 65 mph. This motor is made by Mercedes according to what I have read and is the reason that the Cummings ended up in the Titan diesel. It holds 10.5 qts of oil in the motor and is the quietest diesel I've ever ridden in. The only quirk I have experienced is you have to go to the dealer to change the oil as the Jiffy lubes of the world have had issues doing oil changes. It has a multistage process where you fill so many qts of oil, crank the engine, turn it back off, wait 30 minutes and then fill in the remaining oil. It's normally a 3 hour process where in my impatience borrow a dealer vehicle and come back to pick up my truck....
I notice that a lot of companies are going to turbos. My 2012 4 banger Equinox is a 2.4L while the 2018 will have a Turbo 1.5L gas or a Turbo 1.6L Diesel. I'm thinking the diesel with the extra fuel mpg might be the way to do if they drive the same and all. Not sure about the 3 hour oil change though!
Thanks for the update Ralph! I know you were pleased with it when we visited last fall, wanted to make sure nothing had changed. That answered one question I didn't know I had: Who makes the engine? I assumed it was a Cummins since they make the bigger Ram diesels. Had no idea Chrysler was still dealing with Benz since their break up, but it makes sense. Putting that engine in a Jeep is a no brainer... and my only worry is it will be tough to find one to buy! Terry, As the Cumulative Average Fuel Economy requirements mandated by our friends at the Fed Govt continue to go up the willingness to use more turbos will increase. They are a proven technology that boosts power without sacrificing economy. Just one problem: Maintenance and longevity. Turbos burn up, and they do it fast if you don't take care of them. They are much better now than they used to be, but they all fail eventually and they are NOT cheap. If you always buy new cars they will probably not be an issue for you. The used car market will be very interesting when these cars are all at 120K miles or more.