is bigger better? triton?

I've got the 3.2triton and I'd back it as a tow vehicle against any of the current crop of 4 cyl diesels.

The 2,5 has more power and torque but towing the 3.2 will idle off the mark with the 2 tonne van on. Whereas the 2.5 needs those extra few revs to get it moving.

Hi asmithy, I have the new 2.5 t/d cab/chassis and tow a trailer with no problems. It can be chipped to bring the turbo in at 1900rpm instead of 2200rmp and will run cooler and plenty of power. I owned an older triton 92 with 2.5 t/d duel cab and the newer model has more power for the same size engine.
Andy

I've driven a 3.2 NP for about 5 years. A couple of months ago the local Mitsu service centre gave me a 2.5L manual triton ute as a loaner for a day. I found the motor to be very peaky compared to the 3.2. Sure, it had some horsepower but it came in a big rush that was over as quick as it started. My 3.2 is a manual also but it comes on boost from about 1800rpm and holds to about 3500 before it tapers. I think the 2.5 would be a much better motor with an auto behind it, and perhaps a couple of mods as suggested would wake the turbo up earlier. I'm surprised that for a VNT it doesn't spool up earlier compared to my normal wastegated turbo in the NP.

Pat

Smithy,
don't worry about the size of the motor worry about the amount of torque it develops down low in the rev range. This is essential for towing.

One of the problems with the new breed engines is they start developing their torque when the boost comes on.

The best way to overcome the lack of torque down low with these engines is to get an auto so it slips instead of the poor old clutch.

An example of this is. I was having a beer with a cattle buyer in Roma and he complained that with his van on the back of his 3l patrol he could not take off on hills unless he put it in low range. On the other hand with my non turbo 6.5l I have to force myself to use 1st gear and not second high range so I don't place to much load on the gearbox. The Triton would have more KW's and torque than my 6.5 litre.

I have not heard a bad word about the Tritons so they must be a good jigger.

Have a good one,
RA.

G'day Smithy - scenario - you have 500 concrete railway sleepers to cut in half - you have a 100 mm angle grinder and a 230 mm angle grinder- which one do you reckon will last the longest ?

Merry Xmas to you and everyone else in EO world


Gazz

Hi asmithy

I have a 2010 Challenger auto with the 2.5 lt. never had a problem, always towing boat or camper, takes off at traffic lights uphill with a load effortless.
Its a great little engine with heaps of up and go.

Cheers Robert

Back in the 90's the same issue arouse for many heavy transport operators.... stay with the older bigger proven engines of yesteryear or upgrade to the new lighter more powerful and more economical engines coming onto the market.

Remember when Gulf Transport started running 14 lt Cummins N14 Redheads rated at 525Hp putting them up against the older 19 lt Cummins K19 rated at 575Hp....... the drivers would not accept them at first..... 6 months on the drivers loved them.... better top speed, better pulling,better economy and easier to drive...... 3 years on the were getting more life out of the smaller engines.

Around this time fleet operators started using new smaller capacity engines for line haul... Cummins M11, Cat 3176 and the 11 lt Detroit's with mixed results.

Now most operators have gone away from the smaller 10-11lt engines and settled for bigger 12-15lt engines.

Years ago you would get triple roadtrains running 350Hp engines and these days 600-700Hp engines of the same capacity.

Big capacity lower Hp engines like the newer Cummins QSK19 are still used but only in the most extreme heavy haulage conditions..... think Kenworth C510.

You can not beat latest technology but it's hard to go past capacity.... blend the two together and they work well..... smaller capacity engines may produce more power but it's how it producers this power....... big diesels were low speed sluggers with average power and good economy, these days the average diesel driver want fantastic economy with petrol like feel and performance..... hence higher reving smaller capacity diesel.

A 4x4 mag did a test with a 2.5lt D40 Navara and a 3lt D4D Hilux........ on road the Navara was the winner, faster and smother..... off road and pulling a trailer the Hilux outdone the Navara due to a little bit more low down torque.

My Daughter has a Black 2007 Triton Automatic V6 , very nice to drive, here on the Station the owner has a Standard 2007 Triton Diesel, seats are a bit hard but it'll cruise at 130Kph with plenty left , good to drive but a bit plain inside, after all it is a work ute and performs very well except for the rear suspension, skips about a lot on Corrugations where as my old Troopy with OME keeps straight and true and rides much better,

.

Hi smithy,

The new generation of 2.5 to 3.0lt diesels typically used in modern CRD turboed 4WD's rely heavily on turbo boost and thus increased fuel injector duration to deliver the power, fuel economy and low emissions for todays market. No RPM, no boost, no boost, no power because big clouds of unburnt fuel from the exhaust is not acceptable. This seems to be why some smaller engines have trouble off the mark. If they have an auto behind them instead of manual and the stall ratio of the torque convertor is matched to the engine torque curve they perform adequately. Not all of them are matched well, the 3.0lt Nissan Patrol of 2-3 years ago was an example, not sure about the latest.
My personal opinion, if you are looking at towing a van/boat or whatever of significant weight I would go for the larger capacity engine unless you want to re-chip and maybe increase exhaust diameter to compensate.

Cheers
Pop

Thanks for all the replies guys, all assistance, guidance and advice has been appreciated.

I'm tending towards what my old man has always said, generally bigger is better.

I have a little time before I make a purchase so some more investigating is what I will do.

Cheers all and have a great safe new year!

Thanks again,
Smithy