Nissan/Dodge 2010 Dodge/Titan

[KillerBBBs]

Originally Posted by hooligan

before we start getting our panties in a bunch let's consider a few things first. first off the saltillo plant in mexico that dodge owns is no longer going to be used, that is till nissan said, "hey dodge, how's about you build our truck FOR US?" basically that is it... Dodge will utilize the Saltillo plant in good 'ol Mexico to build the upcoming new Nissan Titan to Nissan SPECS, NOT dodge designs or specs. sure, some things MAY BE shared but rest assured it will be Nissan thru and thru. the VK56, will be greatly improved to yield numbers equal to or better than the toyota 5.7L iFarce.

Every Thing I have read says the 5.6 will not be in the Titan!

Last month Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Company jointly announced Chrysler would build the next iteration of Nissan's Titan half-ton pickup at Chrysler’s plant in Saltillo, Mexico, based on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Nissan reps said the new Titan would retain certain styling and performance elements to differentiate it from the Ram but no specifics were provided. Now, sources have told PickupTruck.com some of those details, plus information about a heavy duty version of the Titan.

Externally, the Titan half-ton will share its doors and roof panel with the all-new Ram, while the rest of the Titan's sheetmetal will be unique and designed by Nissan.

Like the current Titan, the future truck will offer only two cab configurations, extended cab and crew cab, even though the 2009 Ram will have a regular cab option. The Titan will also receive Dodge's new 'RamBox' storage feature, which adds dry lockable space to the sides of the cargo box, and it will share the Ram’s innovative new coil sprung rear suspension.

The current Nissan Titan is only available with a 5.6-liter V8 but the next Titan will offer a wide range of Chrysler-sourced engine choices, including a 3.7-L V6, a 4.7-L V8 and *likely* the 5.7-L 'HEMI' V8, instead of Nissan's next-generation 5.6-L 'Endurance' V8. The HEMI's simpler overhead valve (aka pushrod) construction and lower cost materials are expected to save several hundred dollars versus the dual overhead cam 5.6-L V8. Cutting costs is critical in the increasingly price sensitive full size truck market. Using the HEMI would also set the Titan up to share the Ram's two-mode hybrid powertrain – fuel economy being another highly important purchase consideration.

Nissan is expected to continue to offer the Endurance V8 in its other vehicles, like the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 full size SUVs, but split into two power classes, depending on brand. Those with Nissan badges will receive a 400-hp version while Infiniti will receive a high output 450-hp to 455-hp version.

The Ram and Titan will also share the upcoming, Cummins-built V8 light duty diesel engine, expected for the Ram in 2010.

Nissan also announced plans in April to build three all-new light commercial vehicles at its Canton, Mississippi factory, where the Titan is built today. According to our sources, one of those vehicles will be a heavy duty pickup that will be totally unique to Nissan – no parts will be shared with the Dodge Ram.

The HD Titan will come in three-quarter-ton and one-ton models. Single and dual rear wheel versions are also expected. A concept HD Titan is expected to appear in January 2009 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/new...ure-titan.html

[hooligan]

we'll see... pickuptrucks.com is NOT a reliable source but neither am i... nothing is yet set in stone but a 400+ HP generation II VK NOT in the titan? i don't see that happening. you can bet the Gen II VK is going to be in the next generation titan. a Hemi? pleeeease!!!!

[smokeTXtitan]

I wonder what diesel will be in 2010....maybe $12 a gallon?

[MuskyHunter]

If it has a Nissan engine as well as other Nissan components, it might be a consideration. If it has a Dodge engine, it will not be contender. The VK engine is one key consideration for considering my Titan when shopping against the Ford, Chevy, and Dodge at the time. The Tundra was not a consideration, but may be in the future.

This really sucks. Nissan short of some design and reliability issues in certain areas has designed a nearly perfect truck first time around with the current model; an impressive feat. Other companies design a truck and support it with a brilliant marketing and sales strategy, and it is that effort that makes their vehicles successful.

I would much rather see an F150 frame with a Nissan engine and transmission, along with other Nissan designed body and interior treatment. Now that would be a joint venture that would be more interesting to talk about. Ford could use the business as well and Nissan could continue to "save" on development costs.

[KillerBBBs]

Originally Posted by hooligan

we'll see... pickuptrucks.com is NOT a reliable source but neither am i... nothing is yet set in stone but a 400+ HP generation II VK NOT in the titan? i don't see that happening. you can bet the Gen II VK is going to be in the next generation titan. a Hemi? pleeeease!!!!

If pickuptruck.com was the only place I read that I would agree with you, but I read that the 5.6 won;t be in it in about 5 different publications like Edmunds..etc. I think Dodge will be building the 2011 models so lets hope Nissan puts the 400hp 5.6 in the 2010 models.

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by KillerBBBs

If pickuptruck.com was the only place I read that I would agree with you, but I read that the 5.6 won;t be in it in about 5 different publications like Edmunds..etc. I think Dodge will be building the 2011 models so lets hope Nissan puts the 400hp 5.6 in the 2010 models.

i'm hoping Nissan, as they always do, say one thing and do the other.

[KillerBBBs]

Originally Posted by hooligan

i'm hoping Nissan, as they always do, say one thing and do the other.

Me Too...I would love to have a 400hp 5.6.Titan, Even if Dodge puts it together.

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by KillerBBBs

Me Too...I would love to have a 400hp 5.6.Titan, Even if Dodge puts it together.

a Titan with a Hemi in it won't sell... a 400+ HP VK 5.6 that murders Tundras, now that will sell... but then again a 6.1L Hemi wouldn't be all that bad...

[gringo88]

The hemi's getting upped to 400hp isn't it? Hell, by the time this comes out you won't be able to afford to drive a v8 anyway. Maybe they'll start building some Titan mopeds at that plant in MS. That'll be the Titan I can afford to drive.

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Any joint venture Nissan has ever had, that I'm aware of, was of Nissan design, and used Nissan powertrains. I'm sure one of the reasons for this whole thing is so Nissan can tap into the Cummins Diesel pool. Gas engines will be Nissan engines I'm sure. A Titan Hemi? You're nuts if you think 1) that Dodge would allow it, and 2) that Nissan would want it over their Endurance motor.

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by gringo88

The hemi's getting upped to 400hp isn't it? Hell, by the time this comes out you won't be able to afford to drive a v8 anyway. Maybe they'll start building some Titan mopeds at that plant in MS. That'll be the Titan I can afford to drive.

Dodge would have to update its' "Hemi" to produce the current claim of 345 HP first....since it's not even close to that now according to dynos. Then and only then, can they up it to 400.

[pyromedic]

I've owned a Mexican built Dodge before and I'm not willing to go down that road again. It's not so much the parts that are used but, the cheap labor that you have to watch out for. You can have the best part in the world but, if it's not installed to proper specs than all you have is a great part that doesn't work.

[KillerBBBs]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

Any joint venture Nissan has ever had, that I'm aware of, was of Nissan design, and used Nissan powertrains. I'm sure one of the reasons for this whole thing is so Nissan can tap into the Cummins Diesel pool. Gas engines will be Nissan engines I'm sure. A Titan Hemi? You're nuts if you think 1) that Dodge would allow it, and 2) that Nissan would want it over their Endurance motor.

Well you maybe sure, but the press that is coming out is saying no Nissan engine. I hope they are wrong but so far it doesn't look good for the 5.6. If it is true I won't be buying any new Titans.

[gringo88]

Originally Posted by pyromedic

I've owned a Mexican built Dodge before and I'm not willing to go down that road again. It's not so much the parts that are used but, the cheap labor that you have to watch out for. You can have the best part in the world but, if it's not installed to proper specs than all you have is a great part that doesn't work.

I have a mexican built VW, which has been a trouble free car for the most part. I don't think the labors the prob, maybe it's a management/QC and equipment problem with Dodge.

I'd rather not see the trucks built in Mexico, it'd be a lot better if they jump the border and take the jobs here instead.

[supertitan]

Lets Just Hope Nissan Is Making The Right Choices, It Couldn't Work With General Motors