[drobs]

Mmm... I want one. Only $9k MSRP
https://cumminsengines.com/repower.aspx#

Beta-Testing the R2.8 Diesel With Cummins

2010 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4
>Drivetrain
Engine: Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel
Transmission: Nissan 6-speed
Transfer Case: Nissan 2-speed
Axles: Nissan axles, 3.13 (front and rear)
>Suspension
Springs & Such: 2-inch Calmini
Tires & Wheels: Nissan steel with weld-on rock rings, 33x12.50R17 Goodyear Duratrac
Other stuff: ShrockWorks bumpers and rock sliders
Built By: Cummins

 

[TWX]

I'm curious as to how emissions will work. Since we didn't see a 2.5L diesel in the North American market like the Navaras got there's no baseline for comparison.

Four Wheeler Magazine recently did their annual overland wheeling trip from Phoenix up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and among the rigs was a sponsored Jeep with the 2.8, it did extremely well, but they based it on a CJ-6 so they might have registered it as a CJ-6 as well, which might have predated emissions testing at all for the platform in which the engine was installed.

If Cummins provides some form of retrofit certification then I can see this being a very popular swap, lightweight, presumably easier availability than a 4BT swap, and if they've made it work with the OEM transmission and driveline then potentially easier to repair and maintain the rest of the vehicle without having to special-order EVERYTHING.

 

[Clint]

Now pair that to the next crew cab long bed with a six speed and I’m all in.

Clint

 

[Skibane]

Torque comparable to the current gas V6, and horsepower comparable to the current gas I-4...

Fuel economy should be better - but then again, diesel is more expensive than regular...

I'm not feeling it.

 

[The other Sean]

Torque comparable to the current gas V6, and horsepower comparable to the current gas I-4...

Fuel economy should be better - but then again, diesel is more expensive than regular...

I'm not feeling it.

It's going to have to be a stump puller with some easy ability to add in some easy power and I agree, the MPG will have to be quite decent for it to make any sense. A quick look shows Diesel upwards of 30 cents a gallon more than regular Gas near me. I'm not going to do the math, but.... .

 

[drobs]

I wonder - is this a new engine swap or Cummins just rehashing the Frontier Diesel Desert Runner prototype they made for Nissan back in 2014.
Being an engine swap and not a completely new vehicle - I don't think emissions (DEF) applies. This could be the only manual transmission diesel pickup available in the US w/o all the California EPA crap.


https://www.nissanusa.com/future-and-concept-vehicles/frontier-diesel-runner

 

[whistler]

It's going to have to be a stump puller with some easy ability to add in some easy power and I agree, the MPG will have to be quite decent for it to make any sense. A quick look shows Diesel upwards of 30 cents a gallon more than regular Gas near me. I'm not going to do the math, but.... .

Agree

 

[drobs]

Other than driving a Toyota Hilux Diesel 4x4 with a manual trans for the past year and loving the thing. The huge thing about a diesel, to me, is Range. Add a bed tank and have a 1000 mile range in a Frontier. Should easily see 22-25 mpg.

 

[93hardbody]

I wouldn't have to save any fuel money to want a diesel, although I think some savings will be there. The upfront cost is higher (as is the resale, so you'd recoup the difference), but it's the torque a diesel makes that attracts me- pulling a trailer up a hill with no sweat, that perky down low pep, they're just so capable. I also like the range, right now my Nissan has a range of about 340 miles to empty. It would be nice to see that grow to 5 or 600.

 

[TWX]

I wonder - is this a new engine swap or Cummins just rehashing the Frontier Diesel Desert Runner prototype they made for Nissan back in 2014.

Well, unless they decided to do a cab and bed swap too I expect this is a new-build. Whether it's the same build as the 2014 vehicle or not, or if it's version B of that build, cannot say.

Being an engine swap and not a completely new vehicle - I don't think emissions (DEF) applies. This could be the only manual transmission diesel pickup available in the US w/o all the California EPA crap.

I was under the impression that once a vehicle was certified to meet particular emissions rules, it had to continue to meet those rules, with the only exceptions being 1) if the vehicle had an engine swap that was another option on the same model that year and that other model was the same vehicle class (ie, no swapping an easier-rated one-ton drivetrain into a half-ton and getting to use one-ton testing procedures) or 2) by going to a different engine from a different, newer vehicle from the same vehicle class and meeting that vehicle's emissions requirements, as a "retrofit". So say I replaced the engine in my '82 Dodge D350 with a GVW over 8,900lb, if I sourced an engine out of a '93 D350 over 8,900lb GVW, which was now a Magnum EFI engine instead of a carbureted LA engine, I would emissions-test as a '93 D350. Likewise if I did a Cummins swap to a 6BT, I would emissions-test as whatever model year Dodge Ram that the Cummins came out of.

Since the 2.8 is not OE in any production vehicles, but since the swap-recipient is intended for highway use, I expect that there must be some means of emissions certification. Otherwise aftermarket motors would be popular swaps into just about every vehicle under the sun to skirt emissions rules.

If my assumptions are incorrect please enlighten me.

 

[drobs]

Well, unless they decided to do a cab and bed swap too I expect this is a new-build. Whether it's the same build as the 2014 vehicle or not, or if it's version B of that build, cannot say.



I was under the impression that once a vehicle was certified to meet particular emissions rules, it had to continue to meet those rules, with the only exceptions being 1) if the vehicle had an engine swap that was another option on the same model that year and that other model was the same vehicle class (ie, no swapping an easier-rated one-ton drivetrain into a half-ton and getting to use one-ton testing procedures) or 2) by going to a different engine from a different, newer vehicle from the same vehicle class and meeting that vehicle's emissions requirements, as a "retrofit". So say I replaced the engine in my '82 Dodge D350 with a GVW over 8,900lb, if I sourced an engine out of a '93 D350 over 8,900lb GVW, which was now a Magnum EFI engine instead of a carbureted LA engine, I would emissions-test as a '93 D350. Likewise if I did a Cummins swap to a 6BT, I would emissions-test as whatever model year Dodge Ram that the Cummins came out of.

Since the 2.8 is not OE in any production vehicles, but since the swap-recipient is intended for highway use, I expect that there must be some means of emissions certification. Otherwise aftermarket motors would be popular swaps into just about every vehicle under the sun to skirt emissions rules.

If my assumptions are incorrect please enlighten me.

Can't speak for your state but there is no emissions testing in Missouri where I live. I know a pretty popular engine swap for Jeeps and other vehicles is the GM LS swap.

Here's a company that does diesel swaps to Toyotas:
TACOMA DIESEL | Diesel Toys® |TOYOTA DIESEL CONVERSION EXPERTS

Reading their FAQ - they state their engine swaps are for "off road use" only. That doesn't prevent the customer from registering their vehicle for on road use.

 

[Mathster]

It's going to have to be a stump puller with some easy ability to add in some easy power and I agree, the MPG will have to be quite decent for it to make any sense. A quick look shows Diesel upwards of 30 cents a gallon more than regular Gas near me. I'm not going to do the math, but.... .

ethanol free and diesel are about the same here.
gas engines are getting comparable to diesel for usable torque.

 

[93hardbody]

ethanol free and diesel are about the same here.
gas engines are getting comparable to diesel for usable torque.

That means diesel is cheap! Diesel fuel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline, so it has an advantage there. Gas engines have to use a high r.p.m. to achieve their power, my truck runs about 3,000 r.p.m. going 70 on the highway- not a pleasant ride.

 

[Skibane]

The huge thing about a diesel, to me, is Range. Add a bed tank and have a 1000 mile range in a Frontier. Should easily see 22-25 mpg.

$9,000 would buy one hell of an auxiliary fuel tank!

 

[whistler]

I would much rather do a Titan VK swap.
Bolts in. Proven.
Besides I already own a Cummins.

 

[RedDR]

Now pair that to the next crew cab long bed with a six speed and I’m all in.

Clint

Nope.

Put it in a 1st-Gen along with a ZF 8-speed auto.

Sorry, can't help myself.

 

[Pelican_Flyer]

Other than driving a Toyota Hilux Diesel 4x4 with a manual trans for the past year and loving the thing. The huge thing about a diesel, to me, is Range. Add a bed tank and have a 1000 mile range in a Frontier. Should easily see 22-25 mpg.

I'm already getting that kind of mileage from my gas engine.

 

[whistler]

Other than driving a Toyota Hilux Diesel 4x4 with a manual trans for the past year and loving the thing. The huge thing about a diesel, to me, is Range. Add a bed tank and have a 1000 mile range in a Frontier. Should easily see 22-25 mpg.

That’s a good point but a bed tank kind of defeats the purpose of a truck.
I have a 56 gal. Transfer Flow replacement tank in my Dodge. I have my spare in the stock place(35” Toyo M/T).
My range is not 1000 miles but not far from that(900 if I pushed it).
That is with 4:33 gears, 35” tires, sleight lift and always carrying heavy loads.
I see no real advantage to a mid size diesel.

 

[whistler]

My friend’s Landcruiser got terrible mileage. Very little range and can be a problem in Mexico.
He replaced the motor with a Chevy diesel and a five speed.
That made sense.

 

[fastfed]

It's going to have to be a stump puller with some easy ability to add in some easy power and I agree, the MPG will have to be quite decent for it to make any sense. A quick look shows Diesel upwards of 30 cents a gallon more than regular Gas near me. I'm not going to do the math, but.... .

only because its winter time, remember #2 fuel oil same as diesel, with my TDI I hated winter, fuel always went up compared to summer.
that said, i don't think the #'s for this Diesel is that good. I'd like to see a lot more torque and few more ponies.
Nice thing about it though is its probably close to instant torque and MPG being mid 20's would be nice. but over 10k dollars total cost, no thanks