What Are the 5 Best Diesel Truck Engines?

In just a few short years, turbodiesel pickup trucks have become a popular choice on Brainerd job sites. We’re also starting to see diesel engines available on medium-duty utility vehicles and carriers, and even making their way to smaller pickups and SUVs. There are two good reasons for the shift: easier maintenance, as well as the greater power of diesel fuel. With its higher energy density, diesel requires less fuel than gasoline to generate equal power. That translates to 20% to 35% farther on a gallon of fuel.* The bottom line is that diesel engine fuel costs are lower than gasoline engines over the life of the vehicle.

With diesel engine competition starting to heat up, businesses and truck buyers have more than a few diesel options to choose from. Read on to compare specs on five of the best diesel truck engines on the market right now, then get in touch if you think diesel could be the next step for your business!

1. Chrysler 3.0L EcoDiesel I-6

Diesel goes light-duty. The small-but-mighty EcoDiesel is the industry’s lone light-duty diesel engine:

• Power: 160hp – 215hp at 2,500 rpm
• Torque: 400 lb-ft – 440 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm
• Valvetrain: DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder
• Fuel Injection: High-pressure common rail with solenoid injectors
• Induction: Water-cooled Garrett single variable-geometry turbocharger
• Compression Ratio: 16.5:1

2. High Output 6.7L Cummins V8

One of the best out there for pickups that pull or haul heavy loads, the 6.7L Cummins offers the most torque ever available in a non-commercial vehicle:

• Power: 310 hp @ 3,200 rpm
• Torque: 555 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
• Valvetrain: DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder
• Fuel Injection: High-pressure common rail with Bosch CP4.2 injection pump
• Induction: Holset M2 two-stage compound turbochargers w/electronic wastegate

3. Duramax 6.6L LBZ V8

This new addition to the 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton pickup segments can tackle real work, and with its impressive fuel efficiency, won’t even waste fuel on the highway before you get to the Pequot Lakes job site:

• Power: 360 hp @ 3,200 rpm
• Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
• Valvetrain: OHV 4-valves per cylinder
• Fuel Injection: High-pressure common rail with Bosch CP3 injection pump
• Induction: Garrett variable-geometry turbocharger
• Emissions systems: Cooled exhaust gas recirculation and diesel oxidation catalytic converter

4. Navistar/Ford 7.3L Power Stroke

This legendary workhorse that simply gets it done:

• Power: 275 hp @ 2,800 rpm
• Torque: 525 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
• Valvetrain: OHV with 2 valves per cylinder
• Fuel Injection: High-Pressure Oil Pump with Hydraulic Electronic Unit Injection (HEUI)
• Induction: Garrett fixed-geometry turbocharger
• Emissions systems: Exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalyst

5. Ford 6.7L Power Stroke V8

Ford’s newest diesel makes improvements over the previous version for a big boost in horsepower and torque:

• Power: 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm
• Torque: 860 lb-ft @1,600 rpm
• Valvetrain: OHV with 4 valves per cylinder
• Fuel Injection: High-pressure common rail with Bosch CP4.2 injection pump
• Induction: Garrett single variable-geometry turbocharger
• Emissions systems: Cooled exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalytic converter, diesel particulate filter, and selective catalytic reduction with diesel exhaust fluid

Trusted Commercial Truck Service in Brainerd

At Minnesota Truck Headquarters of Brainerd, we’re proud to serve the greater Brainerd area with a massive selection of new and used commercial vehicles, including tow trucks, wreckers, rollbacks, carriers, and more. Give us a call at 218-772-4991 to learn more about the best diesel truck engines and their maintenance checklists, or schedule your next service. Equip your Baxter or Nisswa enterprise with the capability you need to grow!

*Disclaimers: According to the U.S. Department of Energy.