Diesel engines have been known to be the force behind the power and performance of construction equipment and marine vessels for more than ten decades (100 years) now.
The high performance, durability, and efficiency of diesel engines, with their high torque and increased horsepower, are crucial for heavy-duty pickup trucks.
Most pickup trucks are now fitted with diesel engines, which deliver high torque and horsepower, enabling them to accelerate swiftly without any glitches.
Trucks with diesel engines deliver the optimum level of performance regardless of the load they are towing. Meanwhile, hybrid pickups are also becoming popular in the automotive industry.
It is crucial to identify the best diesel engine so you can choose the truck with one of these types for your industrial activities.
Best Diesel Engine for Pickup Trucks
The following are some of the best diesel engines you can trust to deliver the torque and horsepower required for high performance, durability, and efficiency.
01. 6.7L PowerStroke (Best Ford Diesel Engine)
The PowerStroke diesel engines used in Ford trucks were manufactured by Navistar International.
However, the Ford 6.7L Powerstroke became the first to be directly manufactured by Ford. This was an attempt to keep the company relevant in the diesel-powered vehicles automotive industry.
The Ford 6.7L Powerstroke diesel engine was designed as a savior for the 6.4L and 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engines, which were somewhat problematic. It became the best diesel engine in Ford.
The Ford 6.7L Powerstroke diesel engine boasted 390 horsepower and torque up to 735 lb-ft initially. But these figures were upgraded -engine power up to 400 horsepower and torque up to 800 lb-ft after the engine was released.
Now, the most recent 6.7L Powerstroke features an outstanding set of product features/specifications.
Engine Specifications
- Configuration: V-8
- Displacement: 6.7L
- Period: 2011 till date
- Maximum Torque: 1,050 lb./ft. at 1,800 rpm
- Maximum Horsepower: 475 horsepower at 2,800 rpm
- Bore & Stroke: 3.89 by 4.25 inches
- Weight: 990 lbs – dry
- Aspiration: Single VGT turbocharger
- Price: $85,565
02. 6.7L Cummins (Best Diesel Engine for Towing)
Cummins Inc. released the latest B-series diesel engine – 6.9L Cummins, which was intended to be used in the Dodge Ram in 2007. This engine replaced the overstated 24-valve 5.9L Cummins.
The 5.9L was going to be replaced because it could no longer meet the increasingly stringent emissions standards.
The 6.9L Cummins surpasses its predecessors in features. They are designed with some of the new features, found only with the best diesel engines, which most truck lovers wouldn’t trade for anything else.
Engine Specifications
- Configuration: Inline-6
- Displacement: 6.7L
- Years: 2007 – current
- Max. Torque: 1,075 lb-ft @1,800 rpm
- Max. Horsepower: 420 hp @ 2,800 rpm
- Valvetrain: OHV with 2 valves per cylinder
- Bore x Stroke: 4.21 by 4.88 inches
- Weight: 1,060 lbs – dry
- Valvetrain: Conventional pushrod, Overheated valve with 4 valves per cylinder
- Aspiration: Charge Air Cooled &Turbocharged
- Price: $4,495 upwards
03. Duramax 6.6L L5P (#1 Duramax Engine)
The Duramax 6.6L L5P was introduced by Chevrolet in 2017 to replace the former Duramax LML with a similar displacement. It was introduced as the power-packed diesel engine for the Chevrolet pickups (HD-series), as well as the GMC trucks.
This new 6.6L Duramax diesel engine features upgraded cylinder heads (revised), a sophisticated turbocharger (variable-vane), and an improved camshaft. It also comes with 445 hp and torque up to 910 lb-ft.
This diesel engine delivers high performance, durability, and efficiency, enabling pickup trucks to tow loads from one place to another without a hitch.
Engine Specifications
- Configuration: V-8
- Displacement: 6.6L
- Period: 2017 to date
- Maximum Torque: 910 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm
- Maximum Horsepower: 445 horsepower at 2,800 rpm
- Valvetrain: OHV with 4 valves per cylinder
- Bore & Stroke: 4.05 by 3.89 inches
- Weight: Up to 835 lbs – dry
- Price: $15,000 – $25,000
04. 7.3L Ford Power Stroke (#1 Reliable Diesel Engine)
After several decades, the 7.3L Powerstroke is regarded as the most reliable diesel engine among its sophisticated counterparts. This diesel engine was a product of the joint venture between International Navistar (now Navistar International) and Ford.
The 7.3L Powerstroke diesel engine was manufactured to be used in Ford’s heavy, power-packed trucks. The diesel engine was designed with a technology (HEUI) that helped eliminate the need for a solely dedicated injection pump.
In place of the injection pump, high-pressure engine oil generated hydraulic pressure in each injector, forcing low-pressure fuel into the combustion chamber. The 7.3 Power Stroke was unique and strong enough to overcome loads due to the remarkable features/specifications of the engine.
Engine Specifications
- Displacement: 7.3L
- Period: 1994 – 2003
- Configuration: V8
- Maximum Torque: 525 lb./ft. at 1,600 rpm
- Maximum Horsepower:275 hp at 2,800 rpm
- Valvetrain: OHV with 2 valves per cylinder
- Bore & Stroke: 4.11 by 4.18 inches
- Weight: Up to 920 lbs – dry
- Price: $10,000 upwards
05. 6.6L Duramax LBZ
The 6.6L Duramax LBZ was manufactured and first used in 2006, replacing the LLY Duramax. However, the 6.6L Duramax LBZ was short-lived.
The LBZ Duramax was discontinued after the Duramax LMM 2007 model was introduced as a replacement for the LBZ Duramax due to multiple faults that characterized its use.
One of those multiple faults was an untimely piston failure. It was more or less like a remanufactured engine.
The 6.6L Duramax LBZ had a couple of features that users explored until the LMM Duramax replaced it in 2007.
Engine Specifications
- Displacement: 6.6L
- Period: 2005 – 2007
- Configuration: V8
- Maximum Torque: 650 lb./ft. by 1,600 rpm
- Maximum Horsepower: 360 hp by 3,200 rpm
- Valvetrain: OHV with four(4) valves per a cylinder
- Bore & Stroke: 4.06 by 3.90 inches
- Weight: Up to 835 lbs – dry
- Price: $15,000 upwards
Other diesel engines with sophisticated designs, features, and specifications that deliver high performance, durability, and efficiency include the following:
- 5.9L Cummins (24V ISB)
- 6.6L Duramax LB7 LM2
- 3.0L Duramax
- 3.0L EcoDiesel
FAQs
What is the most reliable diesel engine?
The most reliable diesel engine is the powerful 7.3L Powerstroke. The engine features sophisticated technologies that make it stand out among other diesel engines. Its features include 235 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
Ford’s 7.3L diesel engine was already manufactured before new rules and regulations were introduced to control the manufacturing process for diesel engines. And now they outshine most of their recent diesel engine counterparts.
In terms of reliability, the 7.3L Power Stroke is still the best diesel engine in 2021. Since it was manufactured, it has retained that worth.
The Ford 7.3L Powerstroke engine block and internal components were over-engineered and overbuilt for the truck’s power output. The engine is designed with a B50 Life, which guarantees it to last about 350,000 miles.
What is the best diesel engine ever made?
Some manufacturers in the automotive industry produce very sophisticated engines, to the point that choosing the best among them is quite challenging. Just like selecting the best among a series of electric vehicles requires critical analysis of several factors.
However, through critical analysis and surveys to understand what car owners and expert vehicle enthusiasts think of these engines, it is pertinent to list some of the best diesel engines without mincing words. The following engines rank as some of the best diesel engines ever made:
- Rudolph Diesel’s first working engine
- Detroit Diesel Series 60
- VW 5.0L V-10
- MTU 16V-4000
- International 7.3L Power Stroke
- GM 6.6L Duramax
- Caterpillar C12 super truck racing engine
- Wartsila Sulzer RTA96-C
- International DT466
- The Cummins B-series
What company makes the best diesel engine?
Some of the companies that manufacture diverse kinds of sophisticated diesel engines with high performance, durability, efficiency, and a touch of excellence include the following:
- Cummins Inc. (founded by Clessie Lyle Cummins and J. Irwin Miller)
- General Motors
- Navistar International (formerly known as International Navistar)
- DMAX Ltd. (A joint venture between Isuzu and General Motors)
- Detroit Diesel Corporation (Cited in Detroit, Michigan, United States), etc.
Which is better, Duramax or Cummins?
One common yardstick for measuring the superiority of vehicle engines is horsepower. High horsepower guarantees swift acceleration for vehicles, regardless of whether they are towing another vehicle.
The 6.6L Duramax L5P engine delivers about 445 hp, compared with the 400 hp of the latest Cummins 24V Ram 6.7L diesel engine. This is an advantage that Duramax has over Cummins. However, both diesel engines rank among the best.
What are the worst diesel engines?
Some of the worst diesel engines ended up on the blacklist because they were unable to deliver the power required by the vehicles, as well as the minimum horsepower needed for fast acceleration and efficiency.
The following diesel engines are some of the worst diesel engines you can ever think of in the automotive industry:
- VT-265 and VT-335 International DT engines
- CAT 3116
- Cummins ISX
- Old 2-stroke Detroit series 50, V-71, or V-92 engines, etc.
Some of the engines outlined above were initially acceptable when manufactured (for example, the VT-265 and VT-335). They became unreliable when the manufacturers switched them from 6 to 4 cylinders, thereby reducing their power output.
What is the longest-lasting diesel engine?
The longest-lasting diesel engine is the 5.9L Cummins 12-Valve 6BT. The engine offers million-mile durability and outstanding 30 horsepower for fast acceleration. It also features up to 440ft-lbs of torque and a high-performance P7100 injection pump.
Cummins is known as the king of torque, ranking higher than Duramax and other diesel engines. They feature up to 1,000lb/ft of torque.
If you need a diesel engine with a guarantee of longevity, you can’t go wrong by choosing the Cummins 5.0L 12-Valve 6BT diesel engine.
Why is Cummins the best diesel engine?
If you are asking, “Is Cummins the best diesel engine?” There is a reason truck enthusiasts think Cummins is among the best diesel engines for pickup trucks.
Cummins Inc. is one of the top-ranked diesel engine manufacturers globally. Cummins engines are respected for the torque and horsepower they deliver, which ensure swift acceleration on the road.
Work trucks require a high level of horsepower and torque to tow heavy loads at any time. This is precisely what Cummins diesel engines deliver: the necessary horsepower and torque.
No wonder Cummins engines are referred to as the king of torque. Cummins retained their position as one of the best diesel engines in 2020 and is up to date.
What diesel engine does Ford use?
Modern Ford trucks are powered by 6.7L Powerstroke engines. This is the fourth generation of engines that Ford’s diesel-powered trucks are fitted with. Most of the diesel engines for Ford trucks were manufactured by Navistar International.
The first PowerStroke diesel engine manufactured by Ford is officially the 6.7 Liter V8. Before this diesel engine was produced, other Powerstroke versions were manufactured by Navistar International (formerly known as International Navistar) for Ford.
Final Words
Pickup trucks are rated primarily by their engine capacity, which is determined by torque and horsepower.
When choosing a pickup truck, identifying the best diesel engines is crucial, as the engine is likely the most important part of this type of vehicle.
Remember that a pickup truck’s capacity to carry a load and accelerate at an optimum level is highly dependent on the engine’s torque and horsepower.
Critically consider choosing from any of the heavy-duty pickup trucks’ diesel engines outlined above in this article.
