Diesel vs. Gas Engines
Overview
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Pickup truck diesel engines of a decade ago were noisy, smelly and shook like a washing machine with an out-of-balance load. Today's pickup truck diesel engines are much more civilized, but are they really any better than their gasoline counterparts?
To answer this, you need to understand the good, bad and ugly of each engine. You also need to seriously consider how you'll use the truck because each engine is better suited for certain duties.
Noise & Vibration
Advantage gasoline.
Despite huge improvements in noise isolation and engine noise technology in pickup trucks in the past 10 years, diesels are still noisier and shake more than their gasoline brothers.
However, a recent back-to-back drive in two Ford trucks; one equipped with a 5.4L gas V-8 and the other fitted with the new Powerstroke 6.0L diesel V-8, showed us that diesels aren't that far behind.
At idle, the clatter and shake of the diesel is clearly noticeable, while it's tough to tell if the gas engine is even running. Under low-speed acceleration, the diesel still makes more noise. But, once you're up to speed, there is little difference between the two even when accelerating on the highway.
Power & Torque
Split decision.
Typically, gas engines make more horsepower, while diesels produce more torque. Are you looking for off-the-line acceleration of an unloaded truck? Maybe you use your truck around town where quick starts are important and you don't tow a trailer or haul a load often. If this is the case, then you'll want a gas engine. By design, gas engines rev up faster and are able to reach higher rpm peaks than diesels. This allows them to attain higher horsepower numbers and quicker 0 to 60 mph times.
However, if towing capacity and brute pulling force are your game, then a diesel is for you. The torque advantage diesels have is perfectly suited for pulling heavy loads up steep grades. Because of the relatively high compression ratio necessary to ignite the diesel fuel (17:1 diesel vs. 9:1 gas), a diesel makes all of its torque and power low in the rev range. As an example, the 8.1L gasoline V-8 found in Chevrolet and GMC pickups puts out 340 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, while GM's 6.6L V-8 turbo diesel makes slightly less horsepower at only 300, but makes up for it in torque with a healthy 520 lb.-ft. of grunt.