Best Diesel Truck Engine

[Macs B]

So what are your opinions on the YEAR and Model of the best/better diesels and transmission combinations for a used pickup. 

[C-Money]

I got away from diesel. Been doing my pulling the last 8 years with a 2004 Ford V10, 6 speed manual. Stock trailer, camp trailer, ATV trailer, does fine for me. Been very dependable.

[baker5150]

From my experience...

Duramax LBZ models (2005 I think)
Cummins common rail 24v 2007.5 and earlier (non dpf)
7.3 liter Power stroke,
6.0 liter power stroke if bulletproofed

I prefer the Cummins

[jackelope]

Worked for Dodge for ~10 years, have worked for Ford for ~4 years now. Here's what I'll tell you from what experience I have. The ENGINES are all relatively good. It's the rest of the trucks that fall apart a long time before the engines do. It's ball joints or steering stuff or whatever it is, but you'll have a lot more issues with the rest of the truck than you will 98% of the engines.
With that said, I think the 5.9L Cummins engine or the 2005-2006 Duramax are probably the best recent engine leaving all mods, etc out of the equation. I wouldn't buy an un-modified 6.0L unless you stash $5-6k under your mattress to modify it when it breaks.  I think that if the 6.0L is deleted/bulletproof'd/etc it is up there among the best of the best. 
 
The problems with 5.9's and 6.0's and the 05-06 D-max is that they're all 10 or more years old now and the trucks will have 10+ years of use/abuse on them now, so finding a good one will be difficult.

[C-Money]

I actually own a V-10 Ford in a dually. I think it is a stronger engine than my 7.3 Powerstroke, but the V-10 is a lot less fuel efficient.  Did you ever run any of the popular diesels manufactured between 2000-2017?

We have some Chevey Duramax 1 tons at work that were made into type 6 wildland engines. They run well, never had an issue that I recall. The 6.0 Ford diesel in the Ambulances were terrible. Still have a 7.3 1995 year model rescue that runs like a top, problem free. Most of our newer Ambulances, and type 6 are going back to gas. V10s in the ambulances and 6.0 gas in the type 6 engines. A friend has a 2013 Dodge with the Cummins and it has been great for their family. Lots of options out there, hope you find the vehicle you are looking for!

[spoonman]

I have owned a 2002 7.3 powerstroke and now own a 2007 5.9 cummins. The 7.3 was a great power plant and was pretty reliable other than the cam pos sensor going out a couple times. I now have a 2007 mega cab 5.9 with 150k on it and have had zero issues so far. The power is a bit different in the 5.9 as it definitely feels to have more low end torque than the 7.3 but that's just my experience. I am getting great fuel economy out of my 5.9 and have found nothing to complain about at this point. I don't think you can go wrong with a 01 or 02 7.3 or a 06-07  5.9 cummins,  both very stout power plants.

[Bluemoon]

I have a 2002 Cummins, 292,000 miles on it.  It has been used, abused  and put away wet..it just keeps on running.  Hoping to put 500,000 on it because it is payed for. (The best kind of truck to have paid for).  I got it with 25,000 miles on it.  Been through one clutch at 173,000 and two fuel pumps.  I had a 1995 7.3 before this it did have more power IMO. Sold it at 310,000 miles...
 

[jackelope]

I have owned a 2002 7.3 powerstroke and now own a 2007 5.9 cummins. The 7.3 was a great power plant and was pretty reliable other than the cam pos sensor going out a couple times. I now have a 2007 mega cab 5.9 with 150k on it and have had zero issues so far. The power is a bit different in the 5.9 as it definitely feels to have more low end torque than the 7.3 but that's just my experience. I am getting great fuel economy out of my 5.9 and have found nothing to complain about at this point. I don't think you can go wrong with a 01 or 02 7.3 or a 06-07  5.9 cummins,  both very stout power plants.

Just a heads up on these comments. Mid-model year 2007 switched to the 6.7L Cummins with all the emissions crap on it. Those things were constant problems. By all means, if you find a good '07 Ram go for it, just make sure it's the 5.9L. It's kind of become a bit of a unicorn.

[Night goat]

5.9 all day long

Only V block diesel that's worth a damn is the 3208 turbo Caterpillar, and well... 71/92 series Detroit....But I'm kicking a hornets nest by saying that...

Saw a 6.8 Deere stuffed into an 86 F-250 once.....

Maybe the newer ones are better... But... Yea what they are saying about when Cummins switched engines mid 07.... That was the last of the good ones. Older is better, can't speak for the super new stuff, but, way too much emmisions crap on the new trucks...

[huntnphool]

 I've got a 2000 7.3 and a 2002 7.3, both have been wonderful turn key engines. The 2000 is pretty much a daily driver and tows my boat well, I'm close to 500k on it.

[mikeybuck]

Like my first gen 12 valve Cummins. Very simple easy motor to work on, easy to make power, good on fuel.

[Forks]

I have owned a 2002 7.3 powerstroke and now own a 2007 5.9 cummins. The 7.3 was a great power plant and was pretty reliable other than the cam pos sensor going out a couple times. I now have a 2007 mega cab 5.9 with 150k on it and have had zero issues so far. The power is a bit different in the 5.9 as it definitely feels to have more low end torque than the 7.3 but that's just my experience. I am getting great fuel economy out of my 5.9 and have found nothing to complain about at this point. I don't think you can go wrong with a 01 or 02 7.3 or a 06-07  5.9 cummins,  both very stout power plants.

Just a heads up on these comments. Mid-model year 2007 switched to the 6.7L Cummins with all the emissions crap on it. Those things were constant problems. By all means, if you find a good '07 Ram go for it, just make sure it's the 5.9L. It's kind of become a bit of a unicorn.

What is your opinion of a deleted 6.7 Cummins?

[jackelope]

I have owned a 2002 7.3 powerstroke and now own a 2007 5.9 cummins. The 7.3 was a great power plant and was pretty reliable other than the cam pos sensor going out a couple times. I now have a 2007 mega cab 5.9 with 150k on it and have had zero issues so far. The power is a bit different in the 5.9 as it definitely feels to have more low end torque than the 7.3 but that's just my experience. I am getting great fuel economy out of my 5.9 and have found nothing to complain about at this point. I don't think you can go wrong with a 01 or 02 7.3 or a 06-07  5.9 cummins,  both very stout power plants.

Just a heads up on these comments. Mid-model year 2007 switched to the 6.7L Cummins with all the emissions crap on it. Those things were constant problems. By all means, if you find a good '07 Ram go for it, just make sure it's the 5.9L. It's kind of become a bit of a unicorn.

What is your opinion of a deleted 6.7 Cummins?

Solid. A monster. Didn't see too many of them because we weren't legally supposed to work on them, but they're tanks.
@MuleySniper would have some long term input on that if he sees this. Not sure if he still has his, but if so, he's put an extended roadtest on it by now and I know he works his a little.

[jackelope]

Like my first gen 12 valve Cummins. Very simple easy motor to work on, easy to make power, good on fuel.

Isn't that the so called "Holy Grail" of the Cummings engine line?

0-60 in like 15, 20 minutes.

[High Climber]

From my experience...

Duramax LBZ models (2005 I think)
Cummins common rail 24v 2007.5 and earlier (non dpf)
7.3 liter Power stroke,
6.0 liter power stroke if bulletproofed

I prefer the Cummins

Duramax LBZ was 2006 and 2007 classic. The early duramax are still great but had injector issues. The LMM duramax (2007.5- 2010) is essentially the same as the LBZ just have to delete the emissions crap. Also in 2006 the Allison switched from a 5 speed to a 6 speed