Today’s heavy-duty truck almost seem reasonably priced at first glance—until you check the box for the optional diesel engine. The Power Stroke, Cummins, and Duramax diesel engine upgrades instantly add $10,000 to $13,000 to the MSRPs of Ford Super Duty, Ram Heavy Duty, and Chevy Silverado HD/GMC Sierra HD trucks. That’s a pretty hefty chuck of change (especially when you might have been under the assumption that HD trucks came standard with those pretty diesels under the hood).

It’s fair to ask: are diesel HD trucks too expensive now? For the diesel premium, you could get a nicer-trim gasser or totally pocket the difference and sleep better at night. From our point of view, however, the diesel is worth it, even if it means settling for a lower trim. Buy all the diesel engine you can afford.

How Much Does the Diesel Engine Upgrade Cost?

• 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 (High Output): $12,995
• 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 (Standard Output): $10,495
• 6.7-liter High Output Cummins I-6: $12,595 (*Ending with model-year 2024, the 2500’s Standard Output Cummins I-6 was $9,795.)
• 6.6-liter Duramax V-8: $9,990
• 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 with integrated power take-off (PTO): $10,985

Diesel Power and Towing

Yes, diesel engines cost more up front, but they pay dividends over time. Numbers are king in the HD world, and diesel delivers it low and long.

• 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8: 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque/500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque (vs. 405 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque for the 6.8-liter V-8 gas)
• 6.7-liter High Output Cummins I-6: 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft (vs. 405 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque for 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 gas)
• 6.6-liter Duramax V-8: 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque (vs. 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque for 6.6-liter V-8 gas)

More horsepower and nearly double the torque translates into lower engine strain, better towing performance, generally higher max towing (can be 4,000-8,000 pounds over gas), towing comfort (for any load), improved fuel efficiency, and general satisfaction with life. Whether towing heavy or simply accelerating between stoplights, diesel will leave you smiling.

Diesel Versus Gas Fuel Economy

Better fuel economy (potentially 20–30% better than gas) and reduced wear from a diesel make a long-term financial case.

• Gas HD trucks average: 10–12 mpg loaded, 13–15 mpg unloaded
• Diesel HD trucks average: 13–16 mpg loaded, 17–20 mpg unloaded

Longevity and Resale Value

Resale value is also stronger. Try selling a gas-powered HD truck with 150,000 miles and compare that to a diesel with the same mileage—buyers still line up for the diesel. They know it’ll go another 150,000 without blinking. Diesel engines regularly last 300,000+ miles with proper maintenance.

Diesels retain value better, experience less high-RPM stress, and offer better engine braking—an underrated benefit for anyone towing in the hills. Even if maintenance is pricier (think DEF, fuel filters), longer service intervals and better longevity offset it.

Do It: Diesel Engine Upgrades

Even if your HD truck is your weekend cruiser, go diesel. Even in a base-trim truck (which is still plentifully equipped with technology and the essentials), the torque, fuel savings, towing capability, longevity, and resale value are hard to beat. Fancy leather doesn’t pull trailers. Diesel does.