... then I'll pick up a case of bud and head over to the local monster truck show while listening to some country music.

I'll pass.

It makes my whole being shudder when I see people like that.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Come on, we all know you are more comfortable with your granola, techno and protests-
Stereotypes aside, you aren't going to find an import truck that can hold with the domestics, especially a diesel one. And before you start screaming Mitsu/Fuso, Isuzu, and Hino, show me one with a bed and 1-ton registered capacity that you can insure as a private pickup.

EXACTLY RIGHT!!!!

When it comes to diesel trucks of all sizes US is KING! No one else in the world matches the US big rigs or diesel trucks of ANY size.

That said, it's not a good thing. The REASON that the US has BY FAR the greatest trucks is because the US has BY FAR the WORST rail system.

Very interesting thread, even though the comparison is indeed a bit meaningless as many have stated.

To add pears to the apple and oranges debate, what about the venerable 3B 4 cyl 3.4L non-turbo diesel engine in early 80's Toyota Land Cruisers (made by Hino, sleeved, also used in their forklifts and delivery trucks)? In this case, we're talking about something in between a MB diesel car and a 3/4-1 ton pickup, and somewhat equivalent to the 300GD G-wagen. Great quality Toyota truck (though those 60 series were rust-prone as hell up here in Canada, where they were fitted with diesels, much to the chagrin of folks south of the border who got the gas models), with very rugged, all mechanical commercial-grade diesel engine.

I own a descendant, an 80 series Land-Cruiser from Europe fitted with reportedly equally reliable and long-lived engine, a 6 cyl 1HZ 4L diesel. My "problem" is I am planning some long road trips up North and down South, since Freedom-55 is just around the corner, and would see myself better served in a truck/camper combo than a Land-Cruiser towing a small camper trailer. So I've been leaning on the Dodge Cummins (since diesel is the way to go for me, and I'm not as sure about Ford/GM diesel trucks).

This thread has further underlined the great engine / crappy truck issues, hence my dilemma. Occasionally nice southern 91-93 Dodges show up locally, without rust, but I gather from reading this thread that this is only one part of the equation (ie. cab leaks, undercarriage issues). One of my reasons for considering a Dodge is it could get fixed anywhere in N-A if/when I had a problem with it - not so easy for a European Land-Cruiser.

__________________
1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

I remember a story that the early 90s dodge 5.9 trucks had a frame bending issue due to heavy capacity towing ,alot of motor vs not enough truck.They fixed it with a kit to reinforce the frame underneath the cab.Heresay or fact ,not sure,its a story I heard.

It is possible, I have a Isuzu NPR with the 4L diesel. The hard part was getting it insured, but my auto ins. co. was very good about it.

__________________
1985 300D
The rest:
1957 MGA (comatose)
1965 Falcon (sleeping)
1966 E-100 (rust test in progress)
1976 Ford 3400 D Tractor (workhorse)
1978 Mercury Zephyer (5L playtoy)
1995 Isuzu NPR D (fetcher)
1998 Subaru Legacy (Spare)
2000 Toyota Sienna (School bus)
2008 Toyota Prius (Commuter)

Don't forget the Duramax is an Isuzu product. I know nothing about it but I've heard good things.

__________________
Finn John -- Albany, Ore.
www.offbeatoregon.com
76 Merc 300D, sky-blue, *86k, for driving
84 Jaguar XJ6, black, 245k, for restoring someday
71 Merc 408, 2.3 petrol 4, Avon caravan conversion (UK), RHD

I wasn't clear, I have no use for any kind of truck. I don't need or want one.

Unimog.

Oops, you mean only one ton?

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Nothing beats elitism. Ever consider running for congress?

Thanks, but I don't need an additional incentive to make fun of the truck driving redneck clowns that still exist in this part of the world. I'm not talking about people who use these ugly things for work, I'm talking about kids with chipped $40k trucks with chrome stacks and truck nutz. These morons make all diesel drivers look like idiots, it's about time to enforce some noise and emissions laws before we turn into TX.

So now you're assaulting Texas? This may come as a surprise to you, but I've lived all of my 61 years of life, except most of my Army time, in Texas and I don't have a huge, chipped 4X4.

You're not explaining away your elitism, you're expanding it!

Sorry, but I spend too much time in the DFW area with the "cowboys" who drive these things (big hat, no cows?). I know lots of folks who work/live in TX and the vast majority are perfectly normal. Besides, if you ever go skiing in CO you will find that making fun of TX is quite a sport.

I don't need to explain anything, I take "elitist" as a complement.

I have a 2004 Cummins and nothing sounds like it, but still love the Mercedes diesel.