Who Put the First Diesel Engine in a Pickup Truck?

When the first diesel engines in pickup trucks were introduced in the early 1980s, they offered a number of advantages over gasoline-powered pickups. Diesel engines offer more torque, which allows for improved acceleration and towing power.

They also generally offer better fuel economy than gasoline engines and are more reliable.

These advantages made diesel engines popular with truck owners, especially those who used their vehicles for towing or hauling heavy loads. The increased torque also made them appealing to off-roaders, who often need the extra power when navigating difficult terrain.

The first manufacturer to put a diesel engine in a pickup truck was International Harvester (IH), which introduced the IH D-Series in 1981. This was followed by General Motors’ introduction of the 6.2L diesel engine in its C/K series of pickups in 1982.

The IH D-Series was initially offered as an option on 4×4 medium-duty trucks, but eventually became available on light-duty pickups as well. It featured an inline six-cylinder engine that produced up to 135 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2L GM diesel engine produced up to 150 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines were popular with customers, and they helped make diesel pickup trucks a viable alternative to gas-powered models.

Today, diesel engines are still popular with truck owners who want increased power and fuel economy. Many modern pickups are available with either gasoline or diesel engines, allowing customers to choose the option that best suits their needs.

In conclusion, International Harvester (IH) was the first manufacturer to put a diesel engine in a pickup truck when it introduced its IH D-Series in 1981. This was followed by General Motors’ introduction of its 6.2L diesel engine in its C/K series of pickups in 1982, cementing the popularity of diesels for both commercial and recreational applications.

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Susan Delgado