Behind The Cummins 5.0L Pickup V-8

Updated Jan 12, 2015

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Cummins 5.0L Pickup V-8: Behind The Scenes

How fate moved Cummins 5.0L V8 turbodiesel from the next-generation Ram 1500s to Nissan’s Titans

By Bruce W. Smith

A decade ago, around 2004, Cummins engineers embarked on a new engine that would be another hallmark for the 94-year-old company: a 5.0L diesel V-8.

This new addition to the Cummins’ line would gain the same stellar reputation in the half-ton pickup world that their 5.9L in-line six has done under the hoods of hundreds of thousands of heavy-duty Dodge Rams.

By 2006, Cummins’ concept engine had evolved from all-night brain-storming sessions and computer models to a small-block V-8 diesel engine well on its way toward production.

Chrysler execs and engineers were just as excited with the prospect of coming to market with a V-8 diesel in the Ram 1500s because it would bolster the Dodge brand as a leader in the light-duty truck market.

But parent company Fiat had other plans….

Read the full story here in the December issue of ProPickup’s digital edition:

Cummins December Cover