Turbo Diesel Register

Robert Patton, Andy Mikonis, and myself were recently invited to a media event where we would be able to drive the new 2010 Dodge Ram HD trucks both on public roads and at the Chrysler proving grounds. Robert and Andy's comments will be in an upcoming magazine.

For the rest of the story including official pricing information, driving impression, pictures, and videos click on "Full Story" below.

We are now publishing the Turbo Diesel Register magazine digitally online as well as in print. Currently we have Issue 50 through Issue 65 available to TDR members in digital format. Coming soon, we'll have a digital or web-only subscription available.

Click here to sample Issue 64 of the Turbo Diesel Register

Press Release posted on the Excite website announcing Chrysler's decision to split the Dodge brand into two groups. All right gang. What does this really mean? How much longer before the Ram brand is offered for sale much like the Viper brand was (is) for sale?

Oct 5, 10:51 AM (ET)
By TOM KRISHER

DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler's new Italian management has once again shaken up the automaker's executive team, announcing the departure of two recently appointed brand CEOs and splitting the Dodge brand into two groups, one focusing on trucks and the other on cars.

The moves, announced Monday, marked the second management shake-up since Fiat Group SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne took control of Chrysler on June 10 when it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Peter Fong, president and CEO of the Chrysler brand and the company's top sales executive, and Michael Accavitti, president and CEO of the Dodge brand, abruptly left the company, Fong for personal reasons and Accavitti to pursue other interests, Chrysler said in a statement.

Sales of Chrysler Group LLC vehicles, which consist of the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands, are down 39 percent for the first nine months of the year. Chrysler also was caught unprepared for the government's Cash for Clunkers program and had too few small vehicles on dealer lots to benefit much from the rebates.

Chrysler sales spokesman Gualberto Ranieri would not comment when asked if the departures were related to Chrysler's sales performance.

Chrysler said that it would split the Dodge brand into truck and car groups. The truck group will be led by Fred Diaz Jr., who previously ran the company's Denver business center. The Ram brand consists of the company's new Ram pickup trucks, as well as its commercial vehicles. Diaz also will take over as lead sales executive in the U.S. for the Chrysler Group organization.

Vice President of Design Ralph Gilles will take over leadership of the Dodge car brand, which includes minivans, in addition to his current design responsibilities, the company said.

The two men replace Accavitti, who resigned to pursue other interests, Chrysler said. Accavitti was appointed to head Dodge by Marchionne in June when Chrysler emerged from Chapter 11.

"This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge brand," Marchionne said in a statement.

The company also said Fong resigned for personal reasons, and he was replaced by an executive from Fiat, Oliver Francois, as Chrysler brand president and CEO. Francois served as head of the Lancia brand, Chrysler said in a statement.

Michael Manley remains as president and CEO of the Jeep division.

You'd probably be astounded by the number of emails we receive like the following:

I just wanted to thank you. Last weekend my wife and I took a long weekend trip to Gatlinburg,Tennessee. During the trip, we lost the lift pump, and it cost me $1,100 to have a local dealer replace it.    Now that I'm a TDR subscriber, I am able to look up information on my 24-valve '98.5.  I won't get caught unprepared again.

Or like this one:

Question 1: I own a '98.5 Dodge Turbo Diesel. At 79,000 miles, it began to idle erratically. I changed the fuel filter which solved the problem for a few days. And back it came. Is it time for a new lift pump? I do not have a fuel pressure gauge installed. Our response 1: It could be a new transfer pump is needed. Or a new VP44 (expensive). Either way, you will not know until you install a gauge. So that is your first priority. Install a gauge to see what fuel pressure you have.

Our email discussion continued with question 2: How much pressure do I need, and what's a VP44? If it is a transfer pump, is there a suitable alternative to the stocker?

Considering about 500,000 trucks were produced during model years '98.5 - '02, this Achilles heel will not go away soon. It is an unfortunate story as this deficiency can be corrected. If the TDR could only reach the balance of the 499,999 truck owners . . . .  A TDR subscription prevents problems before they occur.

If this issue could affect you, check out this reprint from TDR Issue 56, I Hate To Do This (Or, Fuel Transfer Pumps Revisited)

Or this reprint from TDR Issue 60, The Ongoing Fuel Transfer Pump Saga (Or, Why Subscribe to the TDR?).

Conclusion: Since 1993, the goal of the Turbo Diesel Register has been to give Turbo Diesel owners more satisfaction in the ownership of their Dodge pickups. To do so, we focus on solving problems that you may encounter; inform you on areas for improvement; advise you about aftermarket parts and their performance; keep you up to date on all aspects of truck development; and provide you with information on industry trends. At the same time that we're supplying the technical nuts-and-bolts, the TDR provides you with some EZ chair entertainment and gives members a sense of community.

Using the fuel transfer pump saga that applies to 500,000 or more '98.5 - '02 owners, I hope we have given you an example of how a TDR subscription will benefit you.

I hope you'll join the TDR as we work hard to keep 'em on the road.   Click here to subscribe (or renew your current subscrption) to the Turbo Diesel Register!   Or give us a call (toll-free) at (888) 440-8371.

Current TDR members can click here to request a username/password to access the Discussion Forums.

In previous TDR magazines, I have touted that the 6.7-liter Cummins engine that was introduced in January of 2007 is already 2010 emissions compliant. The proven Dodge/Cummins powertrain gives the truck an advantage over the competitive Ford and GM products.

Back in Issue 64, we wrote about the Ford and Navistar divorce that was reported in January of 2009. January, 2009 . . . only a year away from the 2010 truck introduction. What would Ford have to offer for 2010?

News from the 08/31/09 issue of Automotive News gives us some insights. Reporter Richard Truett writes, "Ford Diesel Tries, Quietly, to Silence Predecessor's Quality Issue."

I laughed out loud at the title and wondered how it was that Ford was successful in selling the previous truck with the Navistar engine. Did the prospective owner not know about the 6.0-liter and 6.4-liter Navistar problems?

On the other hand, the loyal Ford owner could point to the GM's and Chrysler's bankruptcy fiascos and wonder why one would purchase a truck from a company that has an uncertain future. Yet again, how secure is Ford? I digress. I looked in the mirror and the laughter subsided.

Back to the Richard Truett report. Truett writes, "The first thing you notice about Ford Motor Co.'s new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel truck engine is how quiet it is. Standing next to it, you wouldn't know it was a diesel unless someone said so.

"The engine debuts early next year in Ford's revamped line of Super Duty pickups. Ford won't talk about horsepower and torque until the Texas State Fair on Sept. 24. But auto writers recently got a preview.

"The engine is important. Ford lost customers because of quality problems with the current diesel, which is supplied by International Truck and Engine Corp. Ford produces the new diesel itself.

"Ford engineers designed the new Power Stroke with various innovations:

- Fast-acting piezo fuel injectors supplied by Bosch deliver as many as five shots of fuel per piston stroke. This nearly eliminates the familiar diesel clatter, improves performance and cuts emissions.

- Aluminum cylinder heads with inward-facing exhaust ports reduce noise.

- A single, sequential turbocharger with twin impellers delivers performance at low and high engine speeds, reducing turbo lag. The turbocharger, made by Honeywell, is mounted in the "V" between the cylinder heads.

- A block made of lightweight compact graphite iron helps cut 160 pounds of weight compared with the outgoing 6.4-liter International diesel block. Ford buys the block from Tupy SA, of Brazil.

- A urea injection system, also from Bosch, helps neutralize emissions of oxides of nitrogen. It's the first Detroit 3 engine to use urea. The chemical will be available at Ford dealerships, truck stops and auto parts stores. The urea tank must be refilled every 7,500 miles.

"The engine is designed to last 300,000 miles without major service, says Adam Gryglak, the Power Stroke's lead engineer.

"It has been in development for four years. It will be built in Chihuahua, Mexico.

"The diesel is one of Ford's most expensive options. The current base F-250 Super Duty starts at $26,275 including delivery. The diesel engine package adds $9,325, which includes a bigger engine cooling system, a stronger transmission and bigger brakes.

"Ford says 60 percent of Super Duty F-series pickups are sold with Power Stroke engines, or about 175,000 units last year."

On behalf of the TDR audience, over the past two years I have quizzed industry contacts about Ford's diesel engine for the future. I am amazed that they have been able to keep stories about the engine's development quiet. I look forward to the official unveiling of this engine at the Texas State Fair on September 24, 2009.