Interesting Mike Sweers interview

There are many reasons for owning a diesel truck. Each owner must evaluate their needs. When it comes to torque, diesel engines have a definite advantage. Why is this important? It’s not a truck’s horsepower that determines how much stuff you can toss in the bed or how heavy a boat you can pull. It’s the torque generated by the engine that helps a truck really do its job. Anyone that plans to use their new truck for frequent or heavy duty hauling or towing should seriously consider diesel trucks.

Although diesels initially cost more, you end up saving money in the long run with their fuel economy. Diesels take around 150,000 miles before the fuel cost benefit makes up for the initial price premium. Diesel trucks make sense if you plan to tow a lot, put a lot of miles on your truck, or keep it for many years. Another consideration is that diesels generally offer better resale value than their gas counterparts. If you are someone who frequently trades cars, this is a huge benefit to you, as you won’t lose as much money in depreciation as you would on the same vehicle with a gas engine.

Here’s a short video that reviews the pros/cons of gas verses diesel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaki1ZcF18k

Personally I have driven all kinds of diesel Toyota/Nissan/Mitsu/Land Rover vehicles all over the world. They are bulletproof (and so are the gas versions). Here's some additional facts regarding diesel and gas comparisons:

1. Fuel Efficiency
Advantage: Diesel

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, diesel engines offer 30- to 35-percent greater fuel economy than comparable gasoline engines. By design, diesel engines operate with a combustion process that's leaner, burning less fuel than a conventional spark ignition (gasoline) engine. Diesel fuel also has higher energy density than gasoline, which means less fuel is required to generate the same power as gas, improving overall fuel economy.

2. Acquisition Cost
Advantage: Gasoline

The diesel engine's fuel efficiency advantage, however, must also be weighed with its bigger price tag. The incremental cost for the diesel engine is between $5,000 to $8,000 or more than its gasoline counterparts. The diesel/gasoline price gap has nearly doubled over the last seven years due to the exhaust after-treatment technologies developed to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for diesel emissions (in 2004, 2007, and 2010).

Will the truck be driven a sufficient number of miles per year to recoup the higher up-front cost for the diesel engine with fuel economy savings? A general rule of thumb for a mileage break point is 30,000 annual miles. Above that number, diesel usually makes financial sense. At or below 30,000 miles, gasoline is a viable lower-cost option. Run a fuel-cost/comparison analysis specific to your truck's application to calculate the payback period to assess whether the diesel engine will generate cost savings, within an acceptable timeframe.

3. Fuel Cost Per Gallon
Advantage: Gasoline

Over the past ten years, diesel has averaged nearly 14 cents more per gallon than unleaded gasoline. Historically, diesel has been more expensive per gallon as a result of higher taxes and environmental restrictions. Another benefit of gasoline is availability. There are certain areas where stations do not necessarily have a diesel pump.

4. Maintenance Cost
Advantage: Gasoline

Over time, regular maintenance on a diesel generally will cost more than a gasoline engine. The diesel engine has components that are either not found on a gasoline engine or require servicing more often. The oil reservoir is larger in a diesel engine and the water separator and fuel filters will require replacement more often. Gasoline engines have longer service intervals for engine oil, spark plugs, and engine coolant.


5. Engine Longevity
Advantage: Diesel

Typically a diesel engine far surpasses the longevity of its gas counterparts. Why are diesel engines expected to last substantially longer than comparable gasoline engines? Diesel engines have high-compression ratios and high cylinder pressure and, as a result, require sturdier engine parts - for example, block and cylinder heads, valves, crankshaft, and pistons. This is necessary to dissipate the higher engine temperatures and the higher compression ratios attained in a diesel engine. Also, a diesel engine's exhaust system will outlast a gas engine exhaust system because diesel fuel exhaust is not as corrosive as gasoline engine exhaust. The diesel engine's operating efficiency as another key to its longevity. The diesel achieves higher torque at much lower speed, so it's operating at much lower rpm [revolutions per minute], a greater percentage of the time than gasoline engines. And the lower engine speed translates into fewer times a piston has to move up and down, the fewer times a valve must close, and so forth. All these things happen lots of times, but not quite as often as it does in a gasoline engine - and that impacts overall life.

6. Trailering
Advantage: Diesel

The diesel engine is a more suitable choice if towing capacity is critical to your operation. The torque advantage of diesel engines is better suited for pulling heavy loads up steep grades. The relatively high-compression ratio necessary to ignite the diesel fuel (17:1 diesel versus 9:1 gasoline), allows the diesel engine to generate all its torque and power at a lower rpm.

7. Resale
Advantage: Diesel

Which is better for resale values? The market perceives that a diesel-powered truck with 150,000 miles on it has much more remaining useful life than a gasoline-powered truck with comparable miles. And therefore, the diesel commands a higher price.

8. Environmental Impact
Advantage: Comparable

What's the difference between gas and diesel in terms of environmental impact? Which produces fewer emissions? Historically, diesels struggled with emissions. They had higher emissions in terms of particulates and NOx (nitrogen oxide). With the latest round of federal regulations, the differences between gas and diesel are pretty much non-existent. Both [gas and diesel emissions] are about the same since the 2010 EPA diesel emissions requirements have been implemented. Diesel's fuel economy advantage is the equalizer with emissions. Diesel as a vehicle fuel emits more greenhouse gas emissions when consumed than unleaded gasoline, but its higher energy content per gallon results in higher fuel efficiency. Therefore, in similarly equipped vehicles, a diesel vehicle can go further on a single gallon of fuel than a similar truck on gasoline. As a result, diesel's greenhouse gas emissions are comparable to those of a gasoline engine due its increased fuel economy.

 

See that’s good and all but the truck frame becomes the limiting factor. The diesel Colorado tows what 7k I think it is? That’s not much more than a gas Taco but it sure is hella more expensive. Plus towing 7k in a mid size truck like this is stupid. Not only will they have initial price increase, you will see an increase in the taco across the board. They will have to upgrade rear, brakes,fuel system etc to make a diesel work and that will drive up the cost of the taco across the board. Ain’t gonna happen. Toyota is all about KISS and adding diesel to taco isn’t that

 

Yeah, we are talking about a tacoma here. Which is NOT recommended for any of that type of use. If we just had some low end tq in this engine it would be fine for any towing the taco can do.


P.S. Almost ALL the advantages (besides massive tq) go to gas now. With all the DEF and other bullshit on diesel nowadays you lose almost all of the other advantages to old diesels. They literally make no sense for anyone not towing huge amounts of very heavy stuff around on a regular basis. I've never seen math done on any truck forum where owning a diesel for a daily driver in a mid-regular sized truck makes sense. You would have to drive on the highway like 100k a year. The maintenance costs are way higher than gas and people don't usually factor that into their costs analysis because they just compare initial costs.

 

And the same crowd sneers at the Ridgeline.

 

Really? It is happening right now, everywhere BUT in America. Check this out:

https://www.toyota.com.au/main/hilux

https://www.4x4australia.com.au/rev...-tow-test-comparison-2016-toyota-hilux-review

http://www.toyota.com.ar/showroom/hilux_sg/

https://www.toyota.com.co/home-hilux/

 

I think the problem with it happening in America is all the new lawsuits and "dieselgate" crap. If people want to make them and buy them I am all for it. I just think the costs to get them approved here, especially now that regulators are looking at them very closely, makes it a long shot.

 

I don't see Toyota compromising the reliability and efficiency of its diesel that is available outside of the US just to meet emissions for the US. The market for a mid size truck with a diesel in America is not large enough to justify it, or to design a new engine that meets the requirements.

 

The article says Sweers was the Chief engineer of the FJ which is completely false.

 

Actually, the reason you don't see more diesels is that the emissions truly aren't good. There is actually a good bit of discussion about getting away from diesels in Europe.... Some towns are even outlawing diesels for passenger cars.

 

I have seen this in Europe, but I think they have a ton more old diesels without the new DEF and what have you, and those are indeed dirty. But when you clean diesel up, you lose a lot of the advantages. So I think you are right if I understand your thinking correctly...they will be on their way out.

 

You are helping me prove my point. The US has became real staunch on their stance against diesels. Hell look what they have done to the big rig trucks as far as emissions. You think Toyota wants to waste time and energy on a diesel? Not a chance.

If anything you will see a hybrid Tacoma.

 

Hopefully they are working on a new FJ.

 

Now that I would love to see

 

This! Mercedes has halted its diesel sales in passenger vehicles to the U.S due to stricter emissions & the cost VS profit makes it a easy decision. Not enough sales.

 

I think we are both thinking the same then. I want a diesel Toyota Hilux/Tacoma, but can't get one here in America.

 

https://www.google.ca/amp/www.motor...ll-fj-cruiser-to-challenge-jeep-wrangler/amp/

 

Isn’t Mike the guy who supports drum brakes and tried to explain all the benefits of drum brakes over disc brakes on his redesigned Tacoma.

 

Hey guys I have not been on here in years since selling my 12 pre runner. I have had Toyota trucks all my life the they served my well. My 12 Tacoma was bought new sorry to say I got my first lemon no matter love Toyotas. After selling it I bought a new Mexican NP300 Frontier turbo Diesel 4X4 stick shift from the Dealer in Ensenada Mexico. Even that Mexico had Toyota Hilux up till 2017 only 2.7 gas no 4X4 only stick shift trans. That is fine with me as I like stick shift trans. So now 2018 Mexico has the Hilux Turbo Diesel double cab 4X4 stick or Auto trans. Price in Dollars is around 24,000 stick shift and Auto is over 32,000. Even that the Nissan diesel is great off road truck and I have spent over 5 grand in Up grades. I will sell it Order 2019 Hilux 4x4 Diesel stick at End of the year will report after I buy it. Have already drove one I like it. With all the mods I have done to the Nissan Diesel I got it up to 33mpg at 65mph It did not get good MPGs stock.

 

Your location says CA. Are you currently driving a Mexican manufactured, CA registered/titled NP300 Frontier Turbo Diesel in the states?

 

Hi I'm retired gringo with house in so cal and Baja. The truck has Baja plates and ins both country's. Since I bought it new in 2014 drive it in so cal. Never had problem driving in the states. I had to get mex driver license I ordered truck. It took them 3 months to deliver to dealer. On pick up date only to find out. Dealership would not let me drive off lot without Mex lic.was not hard to get LIC even that I don't write or read Spanish. Reg is cheap about ,60.00 a year. Full coverage insurance and towing both countrys about 400.00 year. I have done many mods to it for off road. It has intercooler on top motor with open hood scoop stock.