The demand for powerful pickup trucks has never been higher. The choice of truck can seem overwhelming, whether you are looking for one for work or play. Most truck buyers won’t need to look beyond the diesel engine when looking for a new vehicle. Diesel engines have a peak power output of around 160 horsepower and are much more efficient at revving up their torque output. Diesel is the ideal choice for owners of performance-hungry pickup trucks because of its power-to-weight ratio, responsiveness, and speed. Diesel engines are not allowed in light-duty trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford EcoBoost and the Nissan Titan. Other markets around the world have access to diesel engines for light- and heavy duty vehicles. This article will focus on the top diesel engines for pickup trucks, based on power and towing capacity.
Isuzu D-Series
Isuzu, a Japanese automaker, is best known for its commercial vehicles and ute lines. However, it also offers a line pickup trucks called the D-Series. The full-size truck comes in two- and four-door versions. The most popular model is the four-door, which is a very standard truck. The two-door is a truly unique truck. This truck is rated highly in the construction sector because it comes with a box-on frame configuration. There are three gasoline engines and two diesel engine options. The diesel lineup includes both six-cylinder diesel engines and an eight-cylinder diesel engine. The most well-known diesel engine is the turbocharged four-cylinder 2.2-liter, which produces 138 horsepower as well as 310 pound-feet.
Cummins IX Engines
Another diesel engine that is available to commercial fleet customers is the ISX. It’s this time from Cummins, an American truck manufacturer. Cummins ISX Engines meet the Clean Diesel Emissions Standards set by the EPA in California. Cummins claims they produce no nitrogen oxide emissions at all speeds and produce no particulate matter through their exhaust fluid-fluid system. The ISX engine is 250 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds torque. The engine is rated at 23 mpg in the city and 30 highway. Standard equipment on the ISX is a six-speed transmission. It would be an honor to find Cummins ISX engines on sale.
Jeep’s Renegade Diesel Engine
The Renegade is the latest addition to Jeep’s pickup truck range. The Renegade has the same task-specific capabilities that you would expect from a Jeep pickup truck. You can choose from either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. It has a payload rating up to 2,000 pounds and a maximum towing weight of 5,000 pounds. You can also choose between a low-range and high-range transfer case. It is a 3.0-liter turbocharged, inline-six diesel engine that produces 365 horsepower and 381 pounds-feet torque. This engine is ideal for hauling, towing and other light-duty tasks. The Sentry Dry automatic transmission can be added to the vehicle. This automatically redirects power to reduce braking and towing effort.
Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine
There are many applications for the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. The engine is most often found in commercial trucks but can also be found on heavy-duty pickup trucks or SUVs. Cummins Turbo Diesel can produce up to 255 horsepower, and torque ratings of 470 pound feet. There are three options: a 6.0-liter, an 8.3-liter, or a 10.5-liter diesel inline six. The 6.0-liter diesel can tow up to 17,100 pounds and has a payload rating as high as 3,900 pounds. The 8.3-liter diesel is capable of towing up to 19,900 lbs and has a payload rating as high as 3,500 lbs. The 10.5-liter can tow up to 21,700 pounds and has a payload rating to 4,300 pounds. Cummins offers an optional Cummins Direct Shift Transmission for all their diesel engines. This transmission has six forward speeds as well as two reverse speeds.
Conclusion
Since their introduction in the 1990s, diesel engines have advanced a lot. They offer much more power-to-weight than electric or gasoline engines and are much faster. The future of diesel engines is bright. Technology will continue to improve. It’s worth looking at the diesel engine if you are in the market to buy a pickup truck.
