Posted on 03/11/2010 8:03:09 PM PST by smokingfrog
Ford Motor Co. is hoping to keep its product revolution rolling by introducing for the first time its own diesel engine into the heavy-duty pickup truck segment.
The new diesel engine, powering the new F-Series Super Duty truck, resulted from a development program that began as Ford’s longtime relationship with Navistar broke down amid recriminations and lawsuits over pricing, specifications, quality standards and warranty costs.
Navistar had supplied Ford with the big-diesel engines used in the heavy-duty pickup trucks for more than two decades.
Ford elected almost three years ago to build its own diesel engine for its North American trucks, which are used extensively in construction, farming and ranching. Ford has declined to say how much it spent on the new heavy-duty F-150 and the new engines.
“It was a real gamble for us,” said one Ford official who was familiar with the project.
It was also in keeping with Ford’s ongoing effort to develop vehicles that will stand up to the best cars and trucks in each segment in which the company competes.
Ford already owned the rights to the “Power Stroke” name used on the Navistar engine, and it brought in engineers from its European operations to work on the project alongside engineers in the U.S. familiar with diesel engines.
Chris Brewer, the chief engineer for the heavy-duty truck, said the changes are already paying dividends. By bringing the production of the diesel engine inhouse, Ford was able to hold the line on prices.
In addition, the new Ford-built diesel engine delivers best-in-class fuel economy and towing capability. Indeed, recent tests showed heavy-duty trucks carrying 1,000 pounds, getting better than 26 miles per gallon in fuel-economy-challenges staged by Ford, with some drivers getting 34 miles per gallon, Ford officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at theoaklandpress.com ...
That is impressive! go Ford.
The whole Navistar/Ford dispute comes down to a “simple error” on one side.
Navistar developed a fuel map that was “right on the edge” of the metallurgy and design of their engine. They maximized power and economy without overstressing any component in the engine.
Ford was told to leave this fuel mapping alone, it was wholly outside their experience and WOULD prove expensive if messed with.
Ford altered the fuel map.
Engines with the altered (by Ford) fuel map failed, engines left alone with the Navistar fuel map did NOT fail.
Ford blamed Navistar.
The fact that Ford owns Cummins and needed ANY excuse to get out of its contracts with Navistar AND Chrysler (pretty much taken care of by the illegal takeover) couldn’t have ANYTHING to do with this, could it?
You’ll see Cummins diesels with the “Powerstroke” label attached and on the valve cover(s) rather than the Cummins name. Parts will be interchangeable, but only AFTER the warranty runs out...
The sad thing is, I have been a fan of both Ford and International since the 1960’s. I currently drive 2 Fords and have 2 IHC’s “in process” right now!
This whole dispute is all due to pencil pushers, I’m sure.
Yeah, and I want one for my lawn mower, too. Get going Ford!
Why is diesel so held back? I was great when it was invented and it’s way better now.
Gasoline is too cheap. If we had $8 gal gas like in europe, there would be plenty of diesels here.
Agree 100 % Not sure what Chrysler Dodge has in mind for their truck engines cummins or not in the future but IF I were to buy new today....big if, ...... I would only buy a custom build of a used vehicle and customize it with a private builder .
Older used or classic era vehicle w/ new drive train, new paint and upolstry etc is IMO only way to go these days ......
Stay safe !
What I see them doing is working up the price of diesel and gasoline to get us to buy “green”
Bill Clinton's EPA caused us to lose 5 + years of Diesel cars in the US.
After Katrina, when gas went over 4 dollars, the big 3 could have flooded us with Diesel cars... but they all would have been Illegal a year later.
Liberals like to blame Corporations for stopping electric cars, but government and junk science is the only reason we aren't driving 30 mpg SUV's and 45 mpg sedan's today.
Yes, and Allison is now free of its former GM entanglement. I do see GM heavy-duty pickups with "Allison Transmission" badges, so there might be an exclusive contract there, too.
Well, no matter - Ford is partnered with Getrag.
Didn’t this finger pointing take place about the same time the Ferd Exploders were turning over and Ferd were blaming it on their nearly 100 year supplier of tires, Firestone? What stellar ethics. As I recall the company was run by a brit a the time wasn’t it?
Nope, Australian of Lebanese extraction.
Most famous for promoting ‘diversity uber alles’.
I think the author is confused. First he keeps referring to the F-150, which currently has no diesel available. Ford was developing a small diesel (4.4L?) for the F-150 but last I heard they weren't going to go with it just yet. So that leaves us with the F-250, F-350, etc.
I have a hard time believing that the new 6.7L diesel in a 6,000lb vehicle carrying 1,000lb of cargo can get 26mpg let alone 34mpg. If they do, I'll be first in line :-)
I have a 2008 F-250 with the 6.4L. Haven't had any problems with it but the mileage is atrocious, even for a big truck.
Or, rather, Nasser was there to start this off, Bill Ford was left holding the bag on the diesels.
Neither was particularly good at the job, but Bill Ford gets everlasting credit for realizing he was in over his head and hiring in Alan Mullaly.
The F-150 diesel is on hold pending a more favorable fuel price climate (gas will have to go up in price.) The new F-150 was developed with that engine in mind, so it would be a fast transition if needed.
The 2010 F250 will actually get 26mpg highway.
Ford does not own Cummins. In fact, Cummins supplies Dodge diesels.
Fuel mileage numbers are interesting and encouraging.
I have an ‘09 GMC with a Duramax and 6 speed Allison automatic. I just finished some modifications to it over the weekend. I drove 18 miles to work this very morning and the fuel economy for the run was 26.1 MPG from door to door. I was very easy on the go pedal. Kept boost at 0 and EGT’s below 600 (pre-turbo) the entire drive.
Before modification, stock as it were, I averaged 15.6 MPG on the same run, same driving style.
Is it true the Ford trucks (gasoline) use GM/Chev transmissions ?
“and Ferd were blaming it on their nearly 100 year supplier of tires,”
And the whole “story” was brought about by a driver that fell asleep and crashed the vehicle, but let’s not let facts get in the way of a good class action lawsuit.
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