Even if you aren’t a diesel truck enthusiast, you have probably heard of the Cummins diesel engine. Since there founding in 1919, the Cummins Engine Company has developed a reputation for making some of the strongest diesel engines on the market. In addition to making some of the best truck engines, Cummins also produces great generators, fuel systems, and turbochargers. But even if you own a truck that has one under the hood, you still might have some questions, like what makes these engines so powerful? And why are they so sought after?

The Cummins Engine Company was founded in Columbus, Indiana, in 1919 by Clessie Cummins, a local mechanic, and investor William Glanton Irwin. Their original focus was It focused on improving the diesel engine that had been invented just 20 years prior. After decades of trial and error, the duo finally came up with their first truck engine the Model H. When it was first shown to the public a reporter remarked, “A babe was born in Columbus today—a babe of the automotive world, which in time may grow to be the most popular type of truck and bus power plant in the country.”
The Advantages Of A Diesel Engine

Like all diesel car engines, the Cummins has many advantages over their gasoline counterparts. To start, diesel engines have a higher compression rating and are therefore more fuel efficient than gas engines. Because diesel engines use hot compressed air instead of a spark-style ignition, they require less frequent maintenance than gas cars. Along with string fuel efficiency, the high compression ratio that diesel engines typically deliver translates to more torque, which means higher towing capacity and faster acceleration.
How The Cummins Engine Stands Out

With all of the advantages that all diesel engines have to offer, you might be wondering what makes a Cummins so special. Over many decades, Cummins engines have proven to be a cut above all other diesel engines. Although diesels are already known for their long lifespans and high torque, Cummins has taken these traits to a whole new level. For example, the 1989 Cummins 5.9L Turbodiesel had only 160 horsepower but 400 lb-ft of torque, which was well above other gas and diesel engines of its day. Because this engine was jointly developed with Case, which makes construction and agriculture equipment the 5.9L Turbodiesel was built to a different standard of durability than most production truck engines.
What Trucks Use Cummins?

 

Clearly, the diesel engines made by Cummins are your best option for those who need superior torque, power, and gas mileage, but which trucks use this engine? The most well-known car brand to use Cummins diesel engines is Ram. When Dodge first adopted the Cummins Turbodiesel in 1989, the engine’s added torque gave Ram trucks a distinct advantage against Ford and GM.

Today, approximately 75% of Ram 2500 and 3500 owners choose the optional Cummins diesel engine, which delivers an unbelievable 1,000 ft-lb of torque. Along with the Ram lineup, Nissan offered an optional 5.0L V8 Cummins Turbodiesel in the Titan XD since 2015. Sadly for Cummins fans, Nissan announced it would discontinue the diesel Titan after 2019.