Four Pickup Trucks Powered by a Cummins Diesel Engine
Cummins and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler Corporation) are two of the most respected and powerful names in the automotive industry, particularly when it comes to heavy-duty vehicles. Cummins has been producing diesel engines since 1919, when it was founded by Clessie Cummins, and the company has since formed strong partnerships with several automotive manufacturers. Perhaps the most famous of those relationships is with Ram Trucks.
Consumers’ interest in Chrysler’s heavy-duty pickup trucks began to decline in the 1980s, partially due to outdated designs. The decision to remove the 440 cubic-inch big-block V8 engine option and the lack of crew cab configurations caused further consumer frustration. In an effort to invigorate the brand and improve its truck offerings, Ram joined with Cummins in a long-term partnership that began in 1989, with Cummins supplying diesel engines for Ram trucks.
That collaboration is still thriving today and has resulted in millions of Cummins-powered Ram trucks being produced. While the Cummins engine is strongly associated with Ram, it has also been used in other pickup trucks. Here’s a look at the various Cummins-powered pickups and the engines found in each:
1989-Present: Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Pickup
The Ram 2500 pickup was the first to feature a Cummins diesel engine. Starting in 1989, the truck was equipped with a 5.9L Cummins B-series turbo diesel, producing 160 horsepower. Today, the 2500 continues to use a Cummins diesel, now the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel that was introduced in 2007.
For 2025, the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six is available as an optional engine for those who want additional towing capabilities compared to the standard 405-hp, 429 lb-ft HEMI V8. The oil burner has been revised as part of an overhaul for 2025 and now produces up to 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, which is routed to the rear or all four wheels via a column-shifted TorqueFlite HD eight-speed transmission. That means an increase of 60 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque over the previous 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine. Performance has improved as well, with the 2025 Ram 2500 accelerating from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds compared to 8.0 seconds for the 2024 model.
The high-output turbodiesel is an optional engine on almost all 2025 Ram 2500 HD trims, including the Tradesman, Big Horn, Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, as well as the Limited. The only trim that doesn’t offer the Cummins diesel engine is the off-road-oriented Ram 2500 Power Wagon. A Cummins diesel-powered 2025 Ram 2500 HD pickup can tow up to 20,000 pounds when appropriately equipped.
1989-Current: Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Pickup
The Ram 3500 HD has also been powered by Cummins diesel engines for decades. Similar to the Ram 2500, the current-generation 3500 HD models are offered with the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six, which makes 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine now includes a new glow plug technology to improve cold-start management, a revised engine block and head, a new turbo, a new performance intake manifold, a higher-pressure fuel system, and larger intake and exhaust valves. The Ram 3500 HD can tow a maximum of 23,000 pounds with a conventional hitch or up to 36,610 pounds with a gooseneck hitch.
2016-19: Nissan Titan XD Diesel
The Nissan Titan XD diesel was the result of a collaboration between Nissan and Cummins that began in 2010. The Titan XD featured a 5.0-liter turbo diesel V8 that generated 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. This engine enabled the truck to tow up to 12,314 pounds. Unfortunately, this pickup truck failed to meet expectations. It was blighted by issues, including a malfunctioning fuel system, a failing turbocharger, a weak EGR valve and cooler, and transmission problems. Because of these problems, the Titan XD was discontinued in 2019.
Ford F-650 and F-750
Most people wouldn’t expect Ford to use Cummins diesel engines in their trucks, but the Ford F-650 and F-750 did use Cummins engines in the past. From 1992 to 2015, the F-650 and F-750 offered the Cummins 5.9-liter B-series engine – the same engine found in Ram heavy-duty trucks. Ford was collaborating with Cummins and Navistar to build the Ford F-650 and F-750 in Mexico at the time. The long-standing partnership, combined with Ford’s 10.8% stake in Cummins in the 1990s, may have aided the process. After Cummins introduced the 6.7-liter diesel inline-six in 2007, Ford again offered the engine on the F-650 and F-750, where it produced considerable power and torque. For example, the ISB 6.7L Cummins diesel engine in the F-650 produced up to 325 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque.
