Lifted Trucks Blog

For decades, the diesel wars have raged on like a high-octane rivalry among titans — Cummins, Duramax, and Power Stroke. Each brand represents more than just an engine name; they symbolize loyalty, engineering pride, and serious capability. Every diesel driver has a favorite, and every truck fan has an opinion. But which one truly stands above the rest?



​Today, we’re diving deep into the heart of America’s diesel culture — comparing the Ram’s Cummins, GM’s Duramax, and Ford’s Power Stroke engines on performance, reliability, towing, maintenance, and real-world ownership. Whether you’re buying a lifted diesel from Lifted Trucks or just love the sound of torque in the morning, this is the showdown that settles it all.

A Legacy of Diesel Power

Cummins — The Iron Legend

When you hear “Cummins,” you think of durability. First introduced in Dodge trucks back in 1989, the Cummins 5.9L inline-six diesel set new standards for torque, fuel efficiency, and mechanical simplicity. Over the years, it evolved into the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, a powerhouse that has become the beating heart of the Ram 2500 and 3500.

Unlike its competitors’ V8 designs, the Cummins remains an inline-six, offering fewer moving parts, more even cylinder pressure, and legendary long-term reliability. It’s an engine that can clock 300,000+ miles with proper maintenance — and there’s no sound quite like a Cummins at idle.

Duramax — The Precision Performer

General Motors introduced the Duramax diesel in 2001 as a joint venture with Isuzu, immediately putting Chevy and GMC back in the heavy-duty game. The current 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel V8, paired with the Allison 10-speed transmission, has become the benchmark for smooth, refined, and consistent performance.

Duramax engines are known for their responsiveness, low noise levels, and exceptional drivability, making them the diesel of choice for drivers who want both power and daily comfort. Found in the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, the Duramax delivers strength with sophistication — perfect for owners who want muscle without losing refinement.

Power Stroke — The Torque Titan

Ford’s Power Stroke lineup has been through multiple evolutions, from the beloved 7.3L of the early 2000s to today’s jaw-dropping 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke V8. This modern beast produces up to 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque, setting records and redefining what heavy-duty diesel power means.

Power Stroke engines are built in-house by Ford, giving the brand full control over integration with its Super Duty platforms. The result is a near-seamless powertrain experience that dominates in towing and acceleration. When you need torque on demand, the Power Stroke doesn’t whisper — it roars.

Power & Performance Breakdown

All three of these engines deliver awe-inspiring output, but they do it differently.

• The Cummins brings low-end grunt — effortless torque at low RPMs that’s ideal for towing and crawling.

• The Duramax offers the smoothest acceleration curve, with balanced throttle response and minimal turbo lag.

• The Power Stroke delivers brute horsepower and the most aggressive torque curve, making it the undisputed king of towing on paper.

Winner? Power Stroke takes the torque crown, but Cummins and Duramax remain legends for refinement and reliability.

Towing & Payload: Muscle Where It Matters

Let’s talk about what really matters to diesel owners — pulling power.

• Ford Super Duty (Power Stroke): Up to 40,000 lbs gooseneck towing — the highest in the class.

• Ram HD (Cummins): Up to 37,100 lbs towing, famous for low-end torque stability.

• GM HD (Duramax): Up to 36,000 lbs towing, with outstanding transmission control under load.

All three engines dominate in their own way, but Ford’s Power Stroke wins on sheer numbers. However, many seasoned haulers prefer the Cummins for consistent torque delivery and Duramax for its seamless towing experience — particularly in the mountains or during long-distance pulls.

Winner? Power Stroke for bragging rights; Cummins for steady, confident pulling power.

Reliability & Longevity

Ask any old-school diesel tech and you’ll hear the same truth — reliability is about design simplicity and long-term endurance.

• Cummins: The inline-six design gives it fewer moving parts, simpler maintenance, and legendary longevity. Known for minimal catastrophic failures and rebuildable architecture.

• Duramax: Smooth, consistent, and refined, the Duramax earns top marks for long-term reliability — particularly in models paired with the Allison transmission.

• Power Stroke: Early generations had growing pains, but modern Power Strokes are extremely reliable, built with robust components and advanced cooling.

Winner? Cummins remains the most trusted for 20-year ownership, but Duramax takes a close second for overall refinement and low maintenance frequency.

Maintenance & Cost of Ownership

Maintenance plays a massive role in long-term diesel satisfaction.

• Cummins: Easy access to engine components makes it cheaper to service, though injector and turbo replacements can be pricey.

• Duramax: Generally lower maintenance frequency, but parts and fluids (like DEF and oil) can cost more.

• Power Stroke: High output means more stress on components — routine maintenance is crucial but manageable when done on schedule.

Winner? Cummins for simplicity and DIY accessibility.

Drive Feel & Real-World Ownership

Every diesel driver knows that spec sheets don’t tell the whole story. The experience behind the wheel defines loyalty.

• Cummins: Raw, mechanical, confident. The torque comes in early, giving it an effortless feel. Great for towing heavy loads and long highway hauls.

• Duramax: Smooth and refined. Minimal vibration, strong acceleration, and quiet cabin manners make it ideal for daily drivers who still tow on weekends.

• Power Stroke: Explosive and commanding. Instant torque, strong throttle response, and a sense of unstoppable momentum.

Winner? Duramax for refinement, Power Stroke for thrill, Cummins for that old-school, unstoppable diesel feel.

Aftermarket & Tuning Potential

All three engines have massive aftermarket support, but they cater to different audiences.

• Cummins: The go-to platform for tuners and builders — endless turbo, fuel, and ECM upgrade paths.

• Duramax: Known for balance; it responds well to mild tuning and intake/exhaust upgrades without sacrificing reliability.

• Power Stroke: Modern emissions systems make heavy tuning trickier, but Ford’s latest ECMs are highly advanced and capable of power gains with proper tuning.

Winner? Cummins for hardcore tuners, Duramax for balanced daily performance upgrades.

The Lifted Trucks Factor

At Lifted Trucks, we’ve sold, built, and driven thousands of diesel-powered rigs across every generation of these platforms. Each one has its personality:

• A Lifted Cummins brings unstoppable energy — rugged, simple, and always ready for more.

• A Lifted Duramax combines performance with polish — aggressive looks matched with refined power delivery.

• A Lifted Power Stroke is the king of the hill — towering torque, massive presence, and modern confidence.

Whichever badge you prefer on your tailgate, a Lifted Trucks build ensures it looks as tough as it performs. Our team specializes in pairing the right lift, wheels, and tires to make your diesel both capable and unforgettable.

The Verdict

There’s no single winner in the Diesel Engine Showdown — just three ways to rule the road:

• Cummins: The long-haul legend — simple, proven, and trusted by those who keep their trucks for life.

• Duramax: The refined powerhouse — smooth, quiet, and engineered for balance.

• Power Stroke: The torque titan — record-breaking performance and sheer dominance in towing and acceleration.

Each one represents a different kind of owner — and all three reach their peak when customized, lifted, and perfected by Lifted Trucks.

If you’re ready to experience torque, towing, and timeless power, explore our inventory of professionally lifted diesel trucks — including Cummins-powered Rams, Duramax-equipped Silverados and Sierras, and Power Stroke Fords.

From worksite warriors to weekend adventurers, we build diesel trucks that do it all — and look unstoppable doing it.