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It's no surprise that the majority of Americans are more used to gasoline engines than diesel engines. But as more and more auto manufacturers are offering diesel models, Americans have to ask themselves if a diesel engine is a better choice for their next pickup. If you are looking for a Southern California diesel truck dealer, then it is time to make your way to Orange Coast CJDRF. We offer a selection of Ram and Jeep trucks equipped with modern diesel engines for optimum power and fuel efficiency.
In order to best understand diesel performance, you need to set aside the myths associated with diesel engines. You might have an image of a pickup truck spewing out black, dirty smoke. That may have been true in the past, but the EPA has tightened emission standards for diesel engines, and they must now meet similar criteria as gas engines. Manufacturers responded by implementing a filter that removes over 95 percent of the smoke produced by the engine. You might also believe that diesel engines are difficult to get started in cold weather. However, modern technologies like glow plugs are very effective, and modern diesel engines can start in cold weather with little effort.
Finally, many of you might think that diesel engines are slow and sluggish. This myth resonates because when you would see a diesel truck driving down the road in the past, it was likely hauling heavy equipment or towing something heavy. But the reason those big trucks have diesel engines is precisely because only a diesel has the power and performance to tow and carry heavy loads.
Diesel engines are similar to gasoline engines in that they are both internal combustion engines. The main difference is that diesel engines use a compression-ignition system as opposed to the spark-ignition system employed by gasoline engines. That is, diesel fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and ignited by the high temperatures created when the gas is compressed by the piston instead of by spark plugs. What this means for you is that a diesel engine has less wasted energy than a gasoline engine and is overall more efficient.
In addition to diesel engines being naturally more efficient, diesel fuel is one of the most energy-dense fuels on the market. It contains more usable energy per gallon than gasoline and therefore needs less fuel for the same performance. The end result is that diesel engines typically get 25 to 30 percent better fuel economy than similar gasoline engines.
Finally, diesel engines provide considerably more torque than gasoline engines due to the way they burn fuel. This results in a vehicle that can go faster from a standstill than its gasoline-powered counterparts. Better still, a truck with a diesel engine will usually out-tow gasoline-powered trucks, all while delivering better fuel economy.
For more than 30 years, Cummins diesel engines have been an option for Ram pickups, providing Ram owners with the toughest and most durable vehicles on the road. This combination dates back to 1989 when the first Cummins six-cylinder diesel was offered in a Ram. This engine was drastically different than anything else offered at the time, and the Cummins was the only six-cylinder engine offered by the big three automakers at the time.
Ram was behind the diesel engine race as GM and Ford had already introduced eight-cylinder engines in their trucks. However, the straight-six Cummins engine Ram utilized for their trucks was already used in school buses, mail trucks, and other fleet vehicles. The addition of the diesel engine in Ram trucks cemented the reputation of the Cummins engine as the best diesel engine ever made.
The first diesel fitted in the Ram was the 5.9-liter, 12-valve 6BT. In 1998, tougher emissions regulations made it necessary to drop the 12-valve Cummins in favor of a 24-valve design. And although the Cummins diesel and the V8 diesel engines offered by Chevy and Ford were relatively equal in horsepower, the Cummins crushed them in torque. You’ll find a powerful lineup of Cummins engines in Ram’s heavy-duty models, including the 2500 and 3500, which are at the ready to deliver the strength you need to get tougher jobs done right.
The Ram 2500 offers the awe-inspiring 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6, which showcases extreme power, blended perfectly with a responsiveness that can’t be rivaled. Able to provide the Ram 2500 with 370 horsepower for an exciting ride and an impressive 850 lb-ft of torque for increased stamina, this Cummins diesel is up for any challenge. The Ram 2500 is able to tow up to 20,000 lbs when properly equipped, which makes it a go-to model in the Ram lineup for those who are seeking out a truck that can handle bigger jobs. Pair this engine with a smooth-operating six-speed automatic transmission, and you’ve got a ride that’s smooth, precise, and controlled, no matter what this tough truck is tackling next.
Another favorite from the brand is the Ram 3500, which can be loaded up with a selection of diesel engines, including the class-leading 6.7L High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6. Best-in-class towing capabilities of up to 37,090 lbs and best-in-class 1,075 lb-ft of torque, this machine is a power puller, heavy-duty hauler, and downright exceptional workmate. The ability to accommodate up to 6,570 lbs of payload allows this truck to be a staple on the job site and beyond, providing hard workers with the ability to get more done in their day. The Ram 3500 also showcases another Cummins top-performer, the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6. This excellent engine allows the Ram 3500 to tow up to 22,670 lbs with ease, making it another top option in the Ram arsenal of exciting diesel trucks.
Ram introduced the smaller 3.0-liter EcoDiesel in 2014 as an option for the Ram 1500. The EcoDiesel made the Ram half-ton an impressive pickup truck and beat out the competition, providing owners with good gas mileage, reliable performance, and longevity. Ram continues to improve in 2021 with the most impressive EcoDiesel yet. With best-in-class 480 lb-ft of diesel torque, the Ram 1500 is able to showcase its talents in towing, capable of pulling up to 12,560 lbs without issue. In addition to being energetic, with 260 horses driving it forward, this full-size truck is enjoyably efficient, which can be expected from a diesel.
Able to get an average of 33 MPG on the highway, the Ram 1500 is a wonderful truck to have for virtually any type of journey and any task. With enough power to complete the job at hand and a spirited ride, no matter where you’re going, there’s perhaps no better truck available to offer exactly what you’re looking for, all wrapped up in one convenient package.
Diesel engines are well-known for their fuel efficiency, torque off the line, and reliability, which is why it is somewhat of a surprise that more Jeeps haven't been fitted with them. The first Jeep with a diesel engine was the 1961 CJ-5, but it was a rare option, even if it made for an exceptional vehicle. And while there have been few Jeep diesel options in the past, they have never seen widespread adoption.
From 1985 to 1987, the Jeep Cherokee SUV and Comanche pickup offered the first Jeep turbo-diesel, a 2.1-liter with 85 hp and 132 lb-ft torque. However, after just three years, it was discontinued, and Jeep did not bring another diesel to market until 2005. The diesel Jeep Liberty offered a 2.8-liter with 165 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and decent gas mileage, making it an attractive option for diesel lovers. But they were discontinued after two years due to the introduction of more restrictive government emission regulations.
After the demise of its 2.8-liter diesel, Jeep immediately offered a 3.0-liter V6 diesel in the Grand Cherokee in 2007. Off-road enthusiasts favored the engine because, at 198 hp and massive 371 lb-ft of torque, it had plenty of towing power and the strength needed to plow through rough terrain. But, just like the 2.8-liter, the 3.0-liter was discontinued after only two years because of tightening emission standards.
Finally, in 2014, Jeep introduced the EcoDiesel, which could pass all emissions regulations. The 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel boasted an impressive 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the EcoDiesel delivered great gas mileage, excellent performance, and a low level of noise while driving. The only downside is that the EcoDiesel was only offered with the Grand Cherokee. That changed when Jeep finally offered the EcoDiesel with the 2020 Wrangler and, most recently, the 2021 Gladiator. The newest versions of the engine now offer 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Jeep has now cemented its place in the diesel market.
The Gladiator pickup showcases the most exciting use of this diesel engine and has been turning heads since it arrived back on the scene for the 2020 model year. This talented engine is able to deliver favorable power and capabilities not found in the competition. The diesel Gladiator is able to tow up to 6,500 lbs and paired with its Variable Geometry Turbocharger and smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. You’ll be in for the ride of a lifetime in this off-road staple. Jeep is known to design vehicles that can traverse any type of terrain with precision, which is exactly what you can expect out of this bold traveler.
This heavy-duty diesel allows the Gladiator to power through tough obstacles. With a 3.73:1 axle ratio, you’ll be in for an adrenaline-induced ride with ample acceleration and loads of power to propel its wheels forward in the desert, the mountains, the trails, or anywhere else you dare to venture. What’s even better about this famous Jeep offering is its exceptional efficiency, as it’s able to get an average of 28 MPG on the highway, thanks to its diesel engine. When you’re in the mood to explore new territories while having an everyday truck that can do it all, the Gladiator won’t let you down.
The best thing about shopping at Orange Coast CJDRF is our selection of used models available, designed to maximize any type of journey. Multiple brands and models can be found on our lot, including a lineup of diesel trucks that will undoubtedly impress you. Take the options from Chevy, for example, with the Silverado 1500 and Silverado heavy-duty models ready and willing to tackle your toughest tasks head-on. This Chevy favorite is available with a variety of engines, including a Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, which showcases pleasing power, able to tow up to 13,300 lbs when properly equipped. With 277 horsepower propelling it forward and 460 lb-ft of torque to power it through the workday’s tasks, the Silverado 1500 is an enjoyable truck to have in your driveway. It’s also undeniably equipped to handle a number of travel and work-related responsibilities.
When the job calls for even more power, however, Chevy has its fair share of diesel trucks that are designed to handle the most challenging tasks on the construction site and beyond. Its HD models can be equipped with a Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8, which offers outstanding power and is able to tow heavier loads, haul more cargo, and perform to higher expectations. With ample towing capabilities of up to 36,000 lbs and a payload capacity of up to 6,532 lbs, when the need to do more in your day is present, rest assured that the Silverado HD models can handle anything on the agenda. For those who aren’t in the market for a larger-than-life heavy-duty truck, the midsize Colorado can also be armed with diesel capabilities by way of an available Duramax 2.8L Turbo-Diesel. This strong engine allows the favorably sized Colorado to pull up to 7,700 lbs, as well as deliver incredible fuel efficiency, getting up to 28 MPG on the highway.
When you’re looking for more sophistication in your travels, browse our used lot for a selection of GMC diesel trucks that will inspire you, including the alluring Sierra 1500. Armed with the exceptional Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, the Sierra 1500 showcases best-in-class 277 diesel horsepower, as well as class-leading 4WD diesel towing capabilities of up to 13,000 lbs when properly outfitted. In addition to being incredibly powerful, most drivers know that when you’re driving a model from GMC, you’re in for a treat, with an exciting and smooth ride, as well as luxury appointments to make any drive better.
Again, when the job calls for more, the Sierra heavy-duty models come in to save the day. Armed with a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8, these bold travelers can pull more than many of their competitors, with a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 lbs with its 3500HD models. Paired with a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission, you’ll be in for a riveting ride in these GMC favorites. Plus, with an enhanced suspension system and semi-elliptic multi-leaf rear springs, you’re able to take on more payload while enjoying a smoother, more agile ride.
Finally, one of our other favorite used models resides in the Ford arsenal, the F-150, equipped with the now discontinued 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo-Diesel V6. Ford has been a force in the industry for decades, with the F-150 being one of the top-selling trucks on the road, so if you’re able to find one used, you’ll enjoy power, capabilities, and value. Able to tow over 12,000 lbs and handle up to 1,840 lbs of payload, the F-150 is a favorite for a multitude of drivers, from construction workers to frequent commuters and everyone in between. When you’re looking for a truck that offers unmatched dependability, can’t-miss features, and a power that can’t be beat, a used F-150 equipped with a Power Stroke diesel is worth a test drive.
There are several excellent reasons you should buy your next diesel-powered vehicle at our Southern California dealership. Let's start with the selection. At Orange Coast CJDRF, we offer an excellent selection of hundreds of new and used cars, trucks, and SUVs. Better still, we offer our inventory at low prices that will save you money and have you coming back for repeat business. We even post transparent prices right here on our website. If you stop by our location, you will be treated with respect and dignity by our knowledge and customer-orientated staff.
If you are shopping for diesel vehicles at home on your laptop or tablet, we also have an internet sales staff that is just as friendly and knowledgeable as the team you will meet in our showroom. But we could go on all day about reasons to buy a vehicle from us. The true proof of our commitment to you is in the reviews we get from our repeat customers. Don't take our word for it - see what others say about our service and prices. If there is still doubt, come on over to Orange Coast CJDRF and enjoy an auto buying experience that is second to none.
