It was originally designed and built for commercial trucking applications.
But then Chrysler dropped it into Dodge Ram pickup trucks in 1989. Legions of people have been in love with the 5.9-liter, inline-six Cummins turbo diesel engine ever since.
History
General Motors and Ford had already entered the diesel marketplace by the time Dodge partnered with Cummins to put the 5.9L turbo diesel in the 1989 Dodge Ram.
Because of its uniqueness and incredible efficiency, it became very popular with light- and medium-duty truck owners. The turbo diesel I6 could double the fuel mileage of many of its eight-cylinder competitors. The popular 12-valve engine was replaced by an even more-popular 24-valve version in 1998.
Emissions regulations adversely affected Big Three truck manufacturing across the board.
The venerable 5.9L was retired in 2007 in favor of a 6.7L version of the popular Cummins B-Series engines.
Specifications
Inline six cylinder turbodiesel 24V
Horsepower – 235-325 @ 2900 rpm
Torque – 460-610 ft.-lbs. @ 1600
Stroke – 4.72 inches
Bore – 4.02 inches
Compression – 16.3:1, 17.2:1
Top Aftermarket Upgrades
According to Summit Racing, these Cummins 5.9L I6 parts are the most readily available (number of options as of 1/17/2014 in parenthesis):
- Exhaust Systems (273)
- Performance Packages (97)
- Air Intake Kits (72)
- Pinion Bearings and Races (53)
- Clutch Kits (52)
- Air Filter Elements (47)
- Computer Programmers (44)
Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post.
wrong wrong wrong. i own a 5.9 cummins i6 and i own a ford 4.9 i6 and the fords i6 was available way before the cummins was. also cummins isnt a part of the big three it is its own company
Do you even know what your talking about Steve the 5.9L 6cyc cummins is a diesel and the 4.9L 6cyc is a gas block two very different kinds of engine and you are right about cummins its in contract with Dodge for there pickups only!
[…] this. The only diesel to make it onto the list, and it's the second newest engine on it as well. Top 10 Engines of All Time (#7): Cummins 5.9L I6 Turbo Diesel – OnAllCylinders __________________ "Don't let off, just stand on it! We've got parts!" Combat […]
Thanks for the info. Here’s another good piece written about the Cummins 5.9.
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/cummins-diesel.html
[…] our way to the ranch where we hunt. It was a nice drive. I don’t care much for possessions, but driving my ’98 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9L Cummins Diesel engine down the highway is therapy (her name is Twister). Having all the hunting gear and my dog completes […]
433k miles an no blow by still get 18 to 21 mph an pull anything 5.9 325hp 600lbs torque!
1993 I purchased a Dodge Truck with the 5.9 Engine – I drove it for 494,000 + miles still did not use oil between oil changes and got 21 mpg on Highway at 70 mph and it still ran like new when I traded it off for another dodge truck. I am currently operating 2012 Dodge and have over 200,000 miles on it. Thanks John 2023.