Nissan - New Titan Goes V8 Diesel in USA

That is because the Americans have put in place rules that essentially do not allow imported diesel vehicles on the road bit allow home grown diesels - even though the foreign vehicles are more fuel efficient and have better emissions.

None of the Landrover diesels are allowed to be sold there and I believe (but not sure) that none of the other standard European and Jap diesels are sold there yet US diesels are sold.

This might be worth reading as Euro diesels are allowed in the US.

The Japs have not been keeping up with the times and have fallen behind the Euro countries regarding the design of modern diesel engines for light vehicles

US diesels

Lots of european manufacturers sell diesels. I think it has more to do with emissions that locally manufactured.

The Japs have always been behind the Europeans with regards to modern diesel engine design. They used to build noisy, low powered, relatively fuel inefficient with high service costs diesels that were very reliable...but who really wants that any more? Their efforts with CRD's have thrown the reliability factor out the window, even after tuning them down to around half the torque output of the same size Euro motor.

Sounds like a great project John. I love Nissans but I love Silverados even more! Its a great engine and transmission combination with Allison. Proabably the best anywhere available. Which Duramax have you got …. is it the LML model introduced inn 2011? Post some pictures as you progress the project.

LBZ is a fav for many people. A crap load more power than the LLY without all the emissions crap of the newer LMM and LML.

Yes Road Warrior I did read that Toyota may also offer a diesel in the the 2016 or 2017 Tundra. I have not seen that confirmed by Toyota but there was talk of it. If they want competitive models with Titan etc they will no doubt go ahead with a diesel engine option.

Geepeem they actually did a "concept" Tundra some years ago but it used a Toyota truck motor (what's the Toyota light truck called, the Dyna..?) and the GFC killed off any prospect of it being taken further. According to Toyota at the time. Had all the Yank "truck" enthusiasts in a lather.

Toyota is said to be considering the same engine for the Tundra, rather than the 4.5 V8 in the LC200. I believe the Cummins will be available in the Patrol in Australia at some point. The concept you are referring to is essentially a Tundra body on a Hino chassis with an 8L inline 6 diesel. There was never any real chance of it being produced.

I really don't understand why anyone would want a 300HP, 5.0L turbo V8 diesel, unless they want to repower a 3 tonne truck.
Just having one powering a 4WD seems to be substantial overkill to me. The Cummins appears to be designed as a truck engine.

Then again, a few people reckon monstrous F250's and 7.3L V8's are the way to go. I often wonder if it's the intimidation factor that appeals to them. They pay accordingly.

My preference is the 80 series size and HP range, but that's apparently a thing of the past now. If your 4WD doesn't weigh at least 3.5 tonnes and doesn't have at least 300HP, then you're obviously a pussy.
A mate is fond of saying, "if I want to drive around in a 3 tonne truck, I'll buy a 3 tonne truck!". [;-)

Cheers, Ron.

Well Ron I think you are way off the mark. Its nothing like that at all. It’s about road safety and being responsible road users without having an illegally overweight tow rigs.

The braked tow capacity of any vehicle is the Maximum that should be towed under good conditions. Under adverse conditions (steep, windy roads, high wind areas, heavy rain etc) the maximum should not be towed in my opinion. I personally have a self imposed limit of 80%...i.e. if my 4X4 is rated at 3500kg I choose not to tow anything heavier than 2800kg. Maybe I am old fashioned but I also choose to tow with a 4x4 that is heavier mass than what I am towing.

There was a recent police blitz on over weight vans and 4X4 tow rigs at Gin Gin last year. Many failed this blitz. I think you would find many 4x4 tow rigs are overweight after taking into account the towball weight of van, passengers, luggage, extra fuel, water and maybe a boat on roof racks and outboard. For many there is no real alternative but one of the 3 big yank trucks if they want to travel legally.

That’s why many now choose to upgrade to F250, Silverado or Ram. In most cases when towing they are also more fuel economical than the most common tow rig (LC200series).

Its certainly not about intimidation. That's a little bit insulting to suggest that. Cheers

I know they were targeting 4wd's at Gin Gin not caravans. i would just like all the caravan towers and camper trailer towers to realise those big long parking bays at the Choice servo are for big things, Bdoubles and semi's. IT would be nice if those people could park their rigs elsewhere, as Gin Gin can become very crowed for heavies.

For Ron, those big engines are very fuel efficient and a few very big Jap manufactures would like to get the same fuel figures towing as they do. 200series won't come close to them.

80 series with a 1hz was a good vehicle but when it came to towing big things forget about it. If I want to drive around in a 35 year old hack I will buy one, but I would love one of those big bangers for towing anything above 3 tonnes.

They did a 4WD and caravan inspection at Childers last year and have also done a pickup inspection for things in the back not covered by a net.

Thanks for clearing that up Bunderdog...that was the one I read about. I just got the nearby town mixed up. My apologies.
Cheers

Sorry, I still doubt that happened regards weights.

Yes, licence, rego and general checks but I bet my round things there were no scales.

I don't know of anywhere the department of transport would set up scales in Childers, even the locals have trouble finding a park. Department of transport normally only set them up on approved pads.

@Ron, to have a safe tow vehicle, you need weight and stability (among many other things). Longer wheelbases add stability. Beefed up frames, engines, brakes, transmissions, axles, radiators add capability. Then you end up with something that looks a lot like an F350. For many customers, the Titan XD will be downsizing from a 6.6-6.7L 400HP diesel. When you are towing, bigger engines often get better fuel economy (they can handle operating at lower rpm). The 5L should offer a good balance of unloaded fuel economy and overall capability.