Real Fiero Tech

I've been wondering if a smaller, more modern turbodiesel might give my pickup both more mpg and better performance. Is 45 mpg possible? Well, Ford makes a 3.6L V8 making 268 horses and 472 ft-lbs, but I don't need that much torque. Ford also has a 3.0L V6 Duratorq making 154 horses at 3200 and 280 ft-lbs at 1800. But Isuzu's 3.0L makes 176 horses at 4000 and 258 at 1800.
I think the Isuzu would be the best MPG, since I'm geared to do 1800 at 65 with 240 ft-lbs now, and it gains the least torque at 1800, so it burns the least extra fuel at 1800, but it gains more HP than the Ford, so should be the best-accelerating 3.0L diesel. And with the extra 18 ft-lbs, I could drop from a 3.42:1 axle to a 3.23:1 axle.

Which truck.

the '83 C-10.

Seems like a waste of time. If you're capable of 45mpg in a full size truck you could use you powers for good not evil and get 60+ out of a car. You won't be able to tow shit with a uber tall rear end. Try going up a hill pulling a trailer with a 3:23 axle and 170hp. I'd rather sacrifice mpg for brute force. That's what trucks are for.

Actually, as it is, it pulls a 6500 pound camper trailer up a 6% grade in second gear, leaving Garden City to return to Logan through Logan Canyon. It could go to first, but I wanted to be sure that second was strong enough, the speed limit there is 30 mph anyway, so my doing 25 wasn't a problem. The dude in the 911 Turbo was able to grab first, spool up, and get around me safely. The dude in the Geo was, surprisingly, falling back.
If I did try the Isuzu with a 3.23:1 axle, I'd definitely be in first gear, but again, not a problem.
Currently it makes 130 HP at 3600 rpm, and 240 ft-lbs at 2000 rpm.
I'm using a '95 Z28 LT1 torque converter, so it has good jump off the line. It flashes to about 1500 rpm, and with that 3.06:1 first, well, every automatic should have a 3.06:1 first. Most have to suffer a 2.xx:1 bit of BS. Or worse, a 4.xx:1 like most of the new 6-speeds.
Still, the camper trailer is only once a year, always the same route to the same destination, with the same hills and speed limits.
When I want to haul 4 SBCs to Maine, I want to be capable of better than 40 mpg.
I've considered one of those little Toyota duallies, but I already have this, and like it.

The diesel Hilux did prove itself to get good mpg in the worst conditions...

for mah TG fans