I have been thinking about getting rid of my F150 in favor of a cheaper, more economical ride. I love my F150 but its just a big, heavy, beast. My first though was a Ram Ecodiesel, but I will never get into one for less than I paid for my F150 and the gas savings just is not there. i did take one for a test drive and was not particularly impressed with the drivetrain. I had previously looked at the Colorado before buying my F150 and was not very happy with it. It felt very tight and just didnt do anything for me. But now that they put the 2.8L CRD in it I decided to give it another look.

For some reason I did not get the same impression when I sat in the one today. Probably because I have been crusing around in my behemoth of an F150 for the past year and better understand the downsides of a massive truck. Its much like the the Jeep in terms of interior space but maybe a little bit narrower. The back seat is WAY tighter than my F150 but is adequate enough. My knees did not touch the drivers seat after I had been sitting in it. Some cool features in the interior that I did not expect to see in a mid-size truck like this were an intergrated brake controller, 4Auto on the 4x4 selector, and the best part, an engine brake switch! Other than that the interior was pretty typical with nothing super important to mention

The test drive went well. If someone blind folded you and told you to start driving, you might think you were behind the wheel of a GDE Hot Tuned Liberty. It was quick, it pulled very well from down low right up through 3500 rpms or so. The transmission is MUCH better than our 545RFE's and seems to spend a lot more time with the TC locked; the RPMs bounce around much less. It also lets the engine utilize its torque to pull through taller gears instead of downshifting the second you touch the throttle like the Ram EcoDiesel i drove. I took it for a 11 mile ride which started by pulling out onto a 30mph main street and proceeding through 4 or 5 lights. It then opened up into a 55mph 4 lane road for several miles. I then took a right and went up a 9% grade hill(its marked for trucks) for 2 miles or so before turning back and retracing my drive back to the dealer. I managed an impressive 28mpg's even though a did a couple full throttle pulls to feel things out. AND its not even broken in yet.

The other thing that caught my attention was the payload capacity. This thing was good for 1420 lbs! No that is not a lot but it beats a lot of the 1/2 ton trucks you see out there. The Rams are like 1200-1300 lbs and my F150 was 1539lbs. One of the issues with the 1/2 ton trucks is that they dont have enough payload to pull their max trailer weights. Take my F150 for example: its rated to tow 11,100 lbs but only has a 1539 payload. If I hooked up an 11,100 lb trailer that had a reasonable tongue weight, lets say 1150 lbs(max tongue for my truck) then I have <400 lbs of payload left and have to leave my dogs at home when I go camping. In reality no 11,100lb trailer has a tongue weight that low but you catch my drift, a half ton can really only tow a 7-8000 lb trailer and stay under its GVWR. The point is, the Colorado has enough payload capacity to tow its max trailer weight, 7700 lbs and bring the wife and dogs along for the ride!

Overall a great experience. I would like to get into one but unfortunately they are not moving on the price much at all. The sticker was $41,xxx and I maybe could have gotten $1000 off. I barely paid more than that for my fully loaded Lariat F150. So, until some rebates come up or dealers start working on the price I will be stuck in my F150.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

Thanks for the info. The wife and I cruised through the local Chebby dealer today at lunch looking for a diesel Colorado or canyon but no luck.

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2020 Ram 1500 CC Ecodiesel Limited
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4, 5.9 Cummins, 47RH, Reg Cab
2005 Liberty CRD,fixed the rockers and a couple more things,GDE Hot tune,Weeks Stage 1 and 2 EGR delete,Hot Diesel solutions Tstat assembly(wonderful heat!), ARP studs, OME 1.5" lift.....thanks Seth! (Sold)
2006 Liberty CRD....The Moose Hit

Glad to see that the Colorado diesel is finally making out to the dealerships.
I just think that the prices for these things are insane.

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U.S. Army Retired

They are ridiculously expensive, but it seems to be par for the course with the mid-sized trucks. My wifes coworker just bought a 2016 Tacoma for like $37,000 and it was far from loaded. I believe it was a TRD sport. Tack on a $4000 diesel option and you are there.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

I like the looks and size of the redesign also and with the 2.8 Diesel it would be a good option if it wasn't for the price. Currently I can get 2016 ram 1500 eco diesel SLT Big Horns or Laramies Quad cab or crew cab for 39K - 44K. Seems like a lot more truck for nearly the same price. Bottom line is if a full size or midsize truck fits your needs better.

I'm a Dodge/Ram guy but the little Chebby has me intrigued. The only thing I'm questioning at the moment is how it will stack up against the Ecodiesel in MPG. If it doesn't beat the Ecodiesel by a fair margin, then no real point in buying the GM as Joelukex3 says, the Ram is a lot more truck for the money......at least for now. I hope the GM gives 5-6 mpg better but not sure it can while being bogged down with all the silly emissions stuff.

I drove a Nissan Frontier and Toyota Hilux while working in Trinidad & Tobago a couple of years back and they both gave excellent (40MPG highway) performance and fuel economy. Too bad our government hates diesels.

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2020 Ram 1500 CC Ecodiesel Limited
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4, 5.9 Cummins, 47RH, Reg Cab
2005 Liberty CRD,fixed the rockers and a couple more things,GDE Hot tune,Weeks Stage 1 and 2 EGR delete,Hot Diesel solutions Tstat assembly(wonderful heat!), ARP studs, OME 1.5" lift.....thanks Seth! (Sold)
2006 Liberty CRD....The Moose Hit

After buying my CRD new and correcting Chrysler's bean counting engineering I'm not ready to be another marketing experiment on the 1500 ram diesel.
4 years ago I bought a 2007 Silverado extended cab and am still impressed with it. The 143" wheelbase won't fit in my garage but when towing our 3000# camper or on 400 mile trips to our daughter's place that full size cab sure is comfortable. I'm not tall by no means but my legs cramp up in the CRD and I'm thinking the colorado would be the same.
In my 72 years this is only the third GM product out of around 50 that I've owned and I'm impressed.

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Agreed. Apparently this is one of the first ones out there so my guess is you will essentially be paying MSRP for a while, but the Ram and other 1/2tons can easily be had for 8-10k off. If you could get the Colorado/Canyon for 5-7 K off that would put it at 35k or less for a nearly loaded one which would make me want it.

They seem to have close to the same capability as the 1/2 tons. They have better payload and equal towing to a Crew cab EcoDiesel so short of the sheer size of the vehicle I dont think you miss out on much.



I think it could do 4-5 better. i averaged 28mpg with some stop and go and a few full throttle pulls on a truck with 31 miles on it. Its not even broken in yet.

VW could barely pull down 40mpg with the Jetta and no emissions equipment so i dont see that happening.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

Do not forget the New Nissan Titans equipped with the V8 Cummins Diesel motors that are now available at most dealerships, we have three of them on the lot right now...have already sold a couple....
Price starts at ~40K
Link: http://www.nissanusa.com/trucks/titan

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Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST
05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount
98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve

I see the Nissan as a truck without a cause. It gets 2500/3500 diesel mpg's and price but at 1/2 ton capability. The towing is not much more than the F150s and GM 1500's and the payload is the same or less. If it had 2000+lb payload I could see it making more sense as that's what the 2500 diesels are at.

About the only thing it seems to really have going for it is that it's 2000lbs heavier so it probably is more stable towing the same weight as the other 1/2 tons.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

Most of the guys over at the colorado forum havent even recieved their trucks yet and there is already a guy working on compound turbos and a tune. I guess EFI Live works with the GM ECU so all of the existing diesel shops will be able to tune them

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

That right there could cause divorces. Lol

But if efi live works on them then that is a big selling point for me

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2005 Crd Silver Limited- arps, rockers, 7v etechno's, egr deleted, v6 airbox, metal cac's. Yeti's stage 2 tune. Euro TC, Ram tcm, pml transmission pan, facet lift pump

I paid off my student loans today instead of putting compound turbos on my Jeep. Still happily married.

I believe HP Tuners does as well as of version 2.25. That makes me happy cause I bought HP Tuners for my dad when I had my 2006 GTO and he had a Trailblazer SS. I know he has a few more licenses so that would be awesome.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

Not sure if you saw this thread about what gde said about Colorado crd.

http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/ram- ... iesel.html

Overall, considering smaller truck makes sense, it would be the only factor in getting the Colorado dmax vs EcoDiesel. Also, you don't need to spend so much cash on a high end trim on EcoDiesel. A tradesman loaded is around 40k MSRP, and if you don't care about leather seats and lots of gimmicks, I'd get a tradesman 4wd. Also, tradesman has a better offroad transfer case than big horn and Laramie/long horn, those come with 4wd auto, which sounds great (I thought is same as the 4 full time on the crd), but those transfer cases come with a clutch which engages the front axle when it detects slip from the rear axle. For regular driving the 4 auto in ram is great, but if you expose the truck with such a transfer case in extended offroad conditions you'll heat up the transfer case and have great chances in getting stuck in sand.

If I were you, I'll look into a tradesman EcoDiesel, if again all those expensive bells and whistles are not important for you. I have a big horn solely for the 4wd auto, with nothing extra other than the package the truck was built with. I chose the cheapest big horn available at the dealer since I got about 20%off MSRP (paid about 40k + tax and fees from about 50k msrp), special order would have been more expensive, maybe 5% +/- off, depending on current incentives and rebates. When I got the truck I didn't know the transfer case is clutch engaging the front wheel axle, otherwise I would've gotten a tradesman and saved some money even if the transfer case does not have a 4wd full time option. Regardless, the 4wd auto is great in snow and regular driving.

Colorado makes sense if you want a smaller truck, which I think you don't from what I read. You can also get a weight distribution hitch and measure your tongue weight in the trailer and balance it properly. Considering roughly a 7k lbs trailer, EcoDiesel pulls it easier and more comfortable, as you said, due to the weight of the truck. Watch tfl truck on YouTube. In my opinion, why would you get a small truck when for same money you get a bigger one, more comfortable and subjectivity, better looking?

Oh, the 5.7ft bed is a pos in my opinion, go with the 6.4 at least, I can't fit anything serious in it unless I open the tailgate...

Colorado crd will get a gde tune 100% - gde is already working on one. I'm sure it will have optional offroad tune package which would work with removing the pollution devices.

Ram EcoDiesel has a gde tune already, working with stock configuration and optional (offroad) without pollution devices. Gde is working on a turbo kit to improve the stock one. Chances are Colorado will also get one.

Maybe it's better to just wait another year and see what's going on? If you like the ecoboost why rush, especially since gas prices don't show signs of doubling.

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Yeah, I'm really interested to see where diesel prices go long term. We had diesel cost almost 2X gas for a long time here in Idaho, so that scared me, and hurt the wallet. I was really starting to question my CRD, but then the prices dropped dramatically and the CRD is paying me dividends over gassers.

I'm also really questioning buying another Chrysler product, ever. If I need more of a truck, I might drop a cumings into a ford or chevy. I figure they wouldn't have made the kits if the Rams weren't of poor quality...

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05 CRD: H.D.S2 stat,WW Ironrock trilink&LCA's, OX rear,ARB front, 4.10's, ARB bumper, Suncoast,OME 3.5, JBA UCA,rock rails, Moabs&265/75 Duratracs, GDE tunes ,FFD fan,ARP's, 2 micron fuel, new valves,sasquatch battery tray & grid heater, tensioner relocated
Mech fan, VH & AC delete

Rams are not better or worse than the fords or Chevy. It's about the same thing, and that's not from me but from people that drove all of them. It's a matter of preference.

Problem is that EcoDiesel parts are as scarce as the crd. I'm curious how Colorado supply for diesel will be.

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

I hear you. I am going to sit on my hands for a while. The only option I may have at this point is a used Outdoorsman that showed up at my local dealer, but they want 40k for it. Why would I trade up on a 40k used outdoorsman when I only paid 3k more for my brand new Lariat. Chevy/GMC are not moving on the Colorado diesels since they are so new so thats a waste of time at this point.

I am trying to get away from the bells and whistles as most of my monthly savings will be in the that, not the switch to diesel. And honestly, with the price of fuel its almost pointless to spend 4k on a diesel option in the colorado since it will take like 10 years to pay for itself. I really have to want a diesel to spend 4k over the V6. On the Ram its not such a big deal since you are paying 1150 for a hemi or 2200 for an ecoboost. It really looks like I would have to drop down to an SLT/Tradesman to do that as the Bighorn and Outdoorsman both come with quite a few options with the exception of leather. On the 4Auto thing, thats actually the reason I ended up in the Lariat trim F150 vs an FX4. Below the lariat trim you have a standard 2/4hi/4lo t-case, but lariat and above get 4auto. The 4auto in the F150 appears to actually be an AWD system that can vary torque to the front wheels on the fly. I believe they pull the t-case from the Expedition.

I am a little surprised about GDE's comments on the Colorado. I thought the transmission did a better job of utilizing the torque of the diesel than the ram's did. The ram seemed to shift quite a bit when I test drove it and spent a bit of time above 2k rpm where as the chevy seemed to just hold gear and lug its way through. Maybe this is just my misconception of how it should be done, but I always thought you wanted rpms low for MPG's. it did certainly have more NVH, at low RPM high throttle there was some vibration in the cab. I thought it felt close to my Hot tuned jeep performance wise, maybe not quite as fast at high rpm. Certainly better than the stock Jeep tuning. It weighs almost 1000 lbs less than the ram so I thought performance was close even though the engine is not as powerful. I can see the Duramax not making nearly as much power as the EcoDiesel once tuned as I think the turbo is a lot smaller(GTB1752). Access to the turbo is significantly better than on the Jeep and I could see an upgrade being very easy. The engine brake was not extremely substantial, I would say it added about 10%-15% more braking power than with it off, but you did need to downshift manually to get it in a proper gear.

If the stock tuning was as bad as they say then I see big MPG's for the Colorado. Like I said, I got 28mpg on the loop I did which is probably better than my tuned liberty would have ever done on stock tires and suspension.




Right now its almost hard to justify buying a new diesel with prices. Even though they are the same, the time it would take to pay off the upfront cost of a diesel motor over a gasser is huge.

I have nothing against any particular brand. I have owned a 2000 Lincoln LS, Chevy Astro Van, 2006 Pontiac GTO, 2007 Subaru Legacy GT, 2006 Jeep Liberty, and now my 2014 F150 and they all have their issues. The jeep is by far the worst however and the F150 and GTO probably had the least design flaws. The F150 is debatable though because some folks have had really poor luck with the EcoBoost while others have no issue like me.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

we love our 2015 Chev Cruse Diesel , much Better then VW and cost less

I have it tuned , (Trifecta) but would of rather had a GDE , but not happened yet

I so if GDE is going to do a Chev tune for the Colorado , then I am interested

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05 liberty CRD Limited - suncoast TC , GDE Turbo , GDE TCM Tune 2gen OEM filter head, stant 195 tsat, Autoandart Window Fix, New TB kit ~190k (Geordi)
06 Liberty CRD Limited - stant 195 tstat Autoandart Window Fix, 2gen OEM filter head, New TB kit ~180k (Geordi), GDE Turbo, GDE TCM ECO tune

I don't have air suspension but I hear everybody vouches for it. Other than in some years you have more things to go bad with it, I believe it's a nice addition. Without air suspension the ram is maybe a bit stiffer than a regular sedan, but very comfortable overall. I still wouldn't get it but that's me being conservative when it comes to thinking more things that can go wrong = bad.

It puzzles me that a tradesman so expensive, I paid for my big horn 40-ish k (50-ish k MSRP). FYI it has tow package, nerf bar/steps, the big screen u connect, winter package (block heater and front cover, btw all diesels have block heater but without winter package you're missing the cover and cable, which you can get on amazon for 15 bucks, vs paying 200 and change for the package), doesn't have comfort package (no 7 in dash display and no lights in the glove compartment, sun visor and whatever other nonsense). Otherwise it's a bone stock big horn package. So unless that tradesman has lots of options, it's priced like crazy. Btw, gde said that big horn grille is a bit more restrictive than the tradesman or Laramie. Never had an issue but at least you know it.

Regarding access to the turbo in the ram... Manual says to remove the transmission. Lol. So liberty is piece of cake to work at. Parts supply still sucks. Dealers are most retards. It's like having to call customer support in India for some issue that should be known and addressed without issues... Ram zf8hp is programmed to shift too early per gde. I one like it though. Overall ram EcoDiesel is a nice truck but not entirely polished. But that's the case with any truck/vehicle, till you start customizing it. But at least you don't need to change 1/2 vehicle to make it more reliable like in the crd.

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.

Our local dealership has three on the lot and prices range from 62-69k. They haven't sold any yet at that price............you can buy a 2500 Ram Laramie Longhorn for around 58k. I feel as though the Titan will not be successful here. Now if Nissan builds the Frontier with a 2.8 Cummins I'm pretty sure they'll have a winner.

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2020 Ram 1500 CC Ecodiesel Limited
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4, 5.9 Cummins, 47RH, Reg Cab
2005 Liberty CRD,fixed the rockers and a couple more things,GDE Hot tune,Weeks Stage 1 and 2 EGR delete,Hot Diesel solutions Tstat assembly(wonderful heat!), ARP studs, OME 1.5" lift.....thanks Seth! (Sold)
2006 Liberty CRD....The Moose Hit