Poll: Tacoma with Solid Axle and Turbo Diesel

Diesels don't have to be heavy. The reason the cummins / powerstroke / duramax engines are so heavy is that the 3/4 - 1 ton pickup guys think they need as much as 700 ft-lbs of torque. To make that kind of twist, the block and rotating assembly must be strong as hell, thus heavy as hell.

If you could live with a measly 350-375 ft-lbs of torque (somewhere around a 3L 4-cylinder turbo with DI) - that could easily be obtained from an engine that weighs the same as the 1GR-FE. Problem is, the HP number wouldn't be so impressive, likely less than 200 HP.

 

I don't think I would care about horse power as much as torque, less horses that are stronger is better than more horse that are emaciated...

 

the euro version of the tacoma, the Hilux is a deisel and the are beasts!

 

I'm all for it too, it's all about torque in a truck! Unfortunately when the marketing folks get involved, they don't undertand much more than big HP = big sales, and the diesel dies.

 

https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/amarok

This is a link for the VW diesel sold in the UK. Last word I got was VW makes about 500 of them for the UK. IF all they are importing is 500 why can't toyota do this for the american market. It may be a niche market but I think it would make money when you see the increase in mileage....IMO

 

I know why they haven't added a Diesel Tundra. It was slated in and ready to be produced when the gas situation went crazy so Toyota nixed it. From a very reliable tech who went to the training for the new Diesel Tundras.

 

If you know...can you give us any idea on horsepower, size of engine, etc? I believe the Tundra would have been the perfect frame to start out in and hopefully go to the Tacoma next. Are the plans permanent not to produce the tundra? Any info would be great....

thnx

 

Have a 2009 taco with IFS. Currently looking for a 1977 to 1980 Land Cruiser to start a body-off restoration so I can have my solid front axle with no computer control. Solid axle in front does not impair ride quality and is much more robust / useful offroad. I seriously doubt toyota is going to build a taco with a solid front axle or a diesel wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen. Look at the incredible build thread on awsumdc here on TW to see a beautiful solid front axle application.

 

solid axle? sure... that would be nice.

diesel? YES! i'd be all over that so fast.... that one is a huge no brainer!

 

yep... the rest of the world gets them... i'm hoping they get here someday.

 

oh.. they absolutely belong in a tacoma. all that torque, much better gas mileage... longevity... i'm drooling.

 

Everyone is talking cost and trouble to install a diesel and solid front axle....have any of you ever been to a factory where cars/trucks are built?

I went to the BMW plant in Germany and it's nothing to program in what goes on a truck. Their is a laser tag on the front of the frame as it is built with all info needed to build the vehicle. As it goes thru the process computers pick out and put in line exactly what goes where. Seemed pretty simple to me....

 

If ford can build and sell the raptor, then Toyota can build and sell a diesel and/or SFA version. I could live without the SFA, (Don't off road enough.) but i'd like a diesel option. (towing, mileage)

I signed the petition. Can't hurt to try.

 

If they made one with a solid axel and a diesel they wouod sell like hot cakes!!!!!

 

I'm with you. At first I thought maybe I couldn't see clearly because of what I wanted but when I read what the gassers are all wanting - which is a diesel I suddenly realized its not me. Toyota has to have done a market survey...I wonder how old it is and when was it last performed. The Mahindra is coming to america with a diesel and VW is building, selling and promoting a TDI diesel in South America...I wonder why we are so different?

 

It is our screwy emissions rules that make diesels a hard sell here. They add a lot of extra cost for the emissions systems, and after the GM oldsmobile abomination, made the public skittish of diesel cars.

I for one would love to have a compact diesel truck. Had my Isuzu not forced me to purchase a truck early, I was going to wait until Mahindra finally got product stateside. If Toyota offered one, I'd take a serious look so long as the camshaft was not belt driven like they were in the 80's - after I put some miles on the current truck.

 

I keep forgetting about the damm emissions. Still though I say if the germans can do it then so can the Japanese...I would bet they are working on it now and I wonder what route they are taking to reduce the emissions problem....

Thanks for the post.....

 

ya but diesel and bio diesel claims to be cleaner burning than regular gas. So it shouldn't be that hard to get the emissions in check.

 

I'm with you but I don't know what the EPA requires....not very smart in that area....

 

From Toyota if Ireland...Countries in South America and I don't speak spanish, so...