You're too stupid to... own a diesel small truck

[zooom]

<jack> Details on the MkII?</jack>

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=52019.msg1186901#msg1186901

I don't recall all the details Dan told me about the MK ii back when he 1st joined the Cagiva Gran Canyon list and I put 2 & 2 together as to whom he was and we chatted about the car back then IIRC...I'll have to go dig back in my Emails.

[DRKWNG]

That's just a picture!   

[ducatiz]

Pd engines are finicky with oil and some have cam lobe issues.  Other than that they get the best overall mileage, have the highest hp, and are highly tuneable.  The hybrid injectors are the key.  They are cam activated but electronic controlled.  So you can put an aftermarket control that increases or decreases pulse interval of the injectors.  The body is the same as all other mkiv models. 

I've heard mixed reviews on the Pumpe-Düse engines.  You like yours?  Particular reasons?  It was introduced in 2004, correct?  Every now and again I go shopping for a used Mk4 Golf TDI to turn into a high-efficiency GTI knockoff (GTD or GTDI).  When your commute is 33 miles each way, highway fuel economy becomes a greater priority.  I just haven't been able to justify the 10-15k it would cost to get into one.  Would take around just under 10 years for it to pay for itself (at current prices locally).  If I could get a decent amount out of my existing (Mk2) GTI and trackbike, I could reduce the payoff period a bit.  Ultimately, we just don't have the cash right this second, and taking out a loan for something with a ten-year payoff period does not make economic sense.  I'd be better off investing in a homebrew biodiesel setup and commuting in the Silverado... yeah, it'd be air hauling, but it'd be CHEAP air hauling.    If I had my production cost down to $1.50 a gallon, driving the truck would be cheaper than riding the Cagiva.  That doesn't include lower maintenance costs... longer oil change intervals (at about the same price per oil change), less spent on tires, no chain, cost of replacement gear, etc.  I just realised that I dropped $600 on a helmet... that needs replaced every 5 years.  That's $120/year for helmet use.  This stuff adds up quick!

[cokey]

you guys can have the acreage.

I'd gladly take the 2400 sqft garage with an attached house.

 

My garage would be under the house...Batman style...

[the_Journeyman]

Not a truck, but I did happen across a Jeep Liberty diesel at a local consignment lot.  Thoughts on these?

JM

[Popeye the Sailor]

Not a truck, but I did happen across a Jeep Liberty diesel at a local consignment lot.  Thoughts on these?

JM

Piece of shit.

[the_Journeyman]

Care to elaborate?

JM

[Popeye the Sailor]

Care to elaborate?

JM

Epic piece of shit you shouldn't buy.

Lot of EGR problems.
So many power window failures you'd think you were in a VW.
For those of you who are VW fans, there's something wrong with you.
Lot of torque converter issues-this may have turned into a warranty item.
Weak suspension with shitty ground clearance.
Tiny amount of interior space.
They required a very specific synthetic oil that if not used will shorten the engine life considerably (good luck verifying what someone put in it).

[JohnEE]

Saw a Double Cab Taco with a cummings turbo diesel pass me on I495 today....do want.

[Howie]

Epic piece of shit you shouldn't buy.

Lot of EGR problems.
So many power window failures you'd think you were in a VW.
For those of you who are VW fans, there's something wrong with you.
Lot of torque converter issues-this may have turned into a warranty item.
Weak suspension with shitty ground clearance.
Tiny amount of interior space.
They required a very specific synthetic oil that if not used will shorten the engine life considerably (good luck verifying what someone put in it).

Really?  Out of our 6 VWs, 0 power window failures.

[lethe]

Really?  Out of our 6 VWs, 0 power window failures.

he's a rocket scientist, they're not too bright

no issues here either 

[ducatiz]

Epic piece of shit you shouldn't buy.

Lot of EGR problems.
So many power window failures you'd think you were in a VW.
For those of you who are VW fans, there's something wrong with you.
Lot of torque converter issues-this may have turned into a warranty item.
Weak suspension with shitty ground clearance.
Tiny amount of interior space.
They required a very specific synthetic oil that if not used will shorten the engine life considerably (good luck verifying what someone put in it).

Plenty of VW experience here and haven't had any power window failures.  Had one failure on my Volvo and one on my Ford truck though...

The torque converter was subject to a recall and fixed.  It wasn't that much of a big deal really.  It did trash some transmissions, but those were replaced too.

Big people always complain about the interior space in cars.

All modern diesels require spec oil.  VWs, MB, Audi, BMW...

not really a laundry list to make it a "piece of shit" now is it?

:-)

[Popeye the Sailor]

Plenty of VW experience here and haven't had any power window failures.  Had one failure on my Volvo and one on my Ford truck though...

The torque converter was subject to a recall and fixed.  It wasn't that much of a big deal really.  It did trash some transmissions, but those were replaced too.

Big people always complain about the interior space in cars.

All modern diesels require spec oil.  VWs, MB, Audi, BMW...

not really a laundry list to make it a "piece of shit" now is it?

:-)

Sorry you're a runt. Please to explain the egr issues while you're counterpointing.

You had a small diesel truck and sold it. Why do you want another?

[ducatiz]

Sorry you're a runt. Please to explain the egr issues while you're counterpointing.

You had a small diesel truck and sold it. Why do you want another?

I'm 6'1"

The EGR issue?  It's the same issue with all vehicles and some deal with it better than others.  The correct solution is to remove it. 

it's a bs way to reduce NOx.  diesels have a high NOx output and they used a gas engine EGR design.

I sold it because a tree fell on it and it was 30+ years old.  I want another because I like diesels.

[duc_fan]

LOL... lots still going on in here!

I've had two VWs... one with power windows ('98 GTI VR6), and one without (the MkII).  I'll let you guess which one DIDN'T have a power window failure.    Yes, I still love VWs.  Note I have never claimed there isn't something wrong with me.

To be fair to the VeeDubs, my parents have two MkVs (2010) and a 1995 Audi.  One of my brothers has a 2008 or 2009 Audi A4.  None of them have had power window problems.

My personal opinion?  It's the VWs that live outside.  At least that's been my experience.  They like coming home to a garage.  My '98 gave me no problems as long as it came home to a garage.  The 6 months it lived outside?  It let me know it wasn't feeling appreciated.  YMMV.

For more on the MkII: It's a 1986 GTI 1.8 8v.  5-speed, manual windows, manual sunroof, manual steering, manual seats... the only "power" item on the car is the vacuum-assist brakes.  The electrical system runs the starter, the lights, the ignition system, and the radio.  Pretty soon it won't even have the radio.  It's in the middle of a major overhaul.  I am removing (but keeping & storing) the Bosch CIS-E fueling system.  I am installing a set of Weber 40DCOEs (sidedrafts).  It is getting a transmission rebuild, a light flywheel, 16v clutch pressure plate, Peloquin diff, and new axles.  Shift linkage is being upgraded with USRT spherical-bearing kit.  Rear axle is getting new bushes and a Black Forest "Corse" rear anti-roll bar (the one that goes inside the torsion beam).  Suspension is being upgraded from Neuspeed springs over Tokico shocks to Koni coilovers (that I robbed off the '98 GTI before I sold it).  Will also install the Autotech upper strut-tower brace I bought on closeout years ago.  Planning to remove the rear seat (again, will be kept and stored), install rear cage with harness belt anchors.  Battery relo to middle of car (former rear seat pan).  It already has factory Recaro front seats, a MkIII GTI "Driver Edition" golf ball gear knob (also stolen from the GTI VR6), short shift kit, Autotech front anti-roll bar, and poly bushings.  Brakes were completely gone through a few years ago (with drilled rotors, stainless lines, new calipers), with exception of master cylinder and vacuum booster... those are on the list.  Has a complete custom exhaust: late MkII dual-outlet manifold and downpipe, cat test pipe, custom center resonator, Techtonics crossover/axle pipe, and Magnaflow muffler.  There's more, but I've had it for 14 years or more... can't remember everything that's been done to it.  I do already have most of the parts for the upcoming work.  Webers, shift linkage, bushings, anti-roll bar, strut brace, Konis... still need to purchase transmission parts and rear cage.

It doesn't look like much now.  See the pic earlier in this thread... that's it sitting on the trailer behind the Silverado.  Cosmetics have yet to be tackled.  I've just fixed/sealed some of the little rust areas, and tore off the peeling clearcoat on the roof.  Right now, cosmetically, it's more of a "preservation" project than a restoration project.  Not sure what direction I'll go... clean and shiny fresh Tornado Red paint... or turn it into a grey-primer rally car.

Sorry for the threadjack.  It's easy to get distracted and start talkin' VeeDubs...