When did Ford use Cummins engines?
In short, Ford did not factory-install Cummins diesel engines in its trucks. Cummins-powered engines have primarily been used in Dodge Ram trucks and other brands, while Ford’s diesel lineup has come from International/Navistar’s Power Stroke family and earlier IDI designs. Enthusiasts sometimes perform aftermarket Cummins swaps into Ford chassis, but these are not dealer-supported Ford configurations.
To understand why that distinction matters, it helps to look at the history of Ford’s diesel program, how Cummins became a major diesel player for another automaker, and what remains true for factory-installed engines versus aftermarket modifications. This article outlines the official Ford diesel lineage, clarifies the role of Cummins in Ford’s ecosystem, and explains how aftermarket swaps fit into the picture.
Ford’s official diesel program and its engine partners
Ford’s North American diesel offerings have historically been developed in collaboration with International Harvester/Navistar. The engines most associated with Ford trucks—especially the F-Series pickups and Super Duty models—came from this collaboration, not from Cummins. The following items summarize Ford’s primary diesel engines and their builders for factory applications.
- 6.9L IDI and 7.3L IDI: Early Ford diesels built by International Harvester/Navistar for use in the F-Series and heavy-duty trucks; not Cummins.
- 7.3L Power Stroke and subsequent Power Stroke family (including 6.0L, 6.4L, 6.7L): Turbocharged diesels developed with Navistar for Ford, continuing the same Navistar-family lineage.
- Continued evolution of the Power Stroke line: Ford and Navistar/Navistar International supplied the core diesel platform through multiple generations.
In other words, the official Ford diesel lineup has been defined by Ford’s partnerships with International/Navistar rather than Cummins.
Summary of the factory-side permit: where Cummins fits and doesn’t
Bottom line for factory offerings: Ford did not produce factory-equipped Ford trucks with Cummins diesel engines. The Cummins engines most people refer to in relation to Ford are found in aftermarket projects or swaps, not as an OEM option from Ford itself.
Where Cummins engines do appear in Ford contexts (and why some swaps happen)
Despite the absence of Cummins in Ford’s factory lineup, there is a robust aftermarket ecosystem around swapping Cummins engines into Ford pickups. This is popular among enthusiasts who seek the durability and torque characteristics of Cummins power, especially in older Ford F-Series chassis. Typical scenarios and engines involved include:
- Common swap candidates: Cummins 4BT (3.9L inline-4) and the Cummins 6BT (5.9L inline-6) are among the most frequently used engines for Ford swap projects due to size and simplicity.
- Required adaptations: Engine mounts, exhaust, cooling, fuel system (including pumps and control electronics), and often transmission/drivetrain modifications to handle different power delivery and torque.
- Practical considerations: These conversions are done in the aftermarket, can affect emissions compliance and warranties, and must be navigated carefully with local regulations and insurance implications.
For enthusiasts, the appeal is clear: Cummins engines can offer long-term reliability and strong towing performance, but these installations are not sanctioned Ford options and require significant customization and compliance checks.
Bottom line
Ford has not offered Cummins diesel engines as a factory option in its trucks. The official diesel lineage in Ford vehicles has centered on engines developed in conjunction with International/Navistar (the Power Stroke family and earlier IDIs). Any Ford truck with a Cummins engine in the wild is an aftermarket modification, not a factory Ford product.
Summary
– Ford’s factory diesel engines have been built through a Navistar/International partnership, not Cummins.
– Cummins engines power Dodge Ram and other brands, not Ford's OEM trucks.
– Aftermarket Cummins swaps into Ford pickups exist, but they are not official Ford configurations and involve substantial customization and regulatory considerations.
Did Ford ever put Cummins in their trucks?
Ford started using Cummins engines in the 1990s until 2015, when the option was phased out in favor of Ford's own 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine.
Did Ford ever own Cummins diesel?
No, Ford never owned Cummins; however, there was a period in the 1990s when Ford owned a minority stake in Cummins. Cummins is an independent company that has supplied engines to Ford for medium-duty trucks, and currently supplies engines to other manufacturers like Ram (formerly Dodge). Ford eventually bought back its stock, and Cummins is now a publicly traded company.
- Ownership history:
- 1990s: Ford invested in Cummins and held a minority stake in the company.
- 1997: Cummins bought back its shares from Ford.
- Current status: Cummins is an independent, publicly traded company headquartered in Columbus, Indiana.
- Engine partnerships:
- Ford: Ford used Cummins engines in some of its medium-duty trucks (like the F-650 and F-750) for many years, but phased them out around 2015 in favor of its own engines.
- Ram: Cummins has a long-standing partnership with Ram (formerly Dodge), and its engines are often featured in their heavy-duty trucks.
What year did Ford have Cummins engines?
yes Ford did at one time own a piece of Cummins. During the mid 1990s all the way up through 2015 you could indeed get a Ford with a Cummins Engine. A match made in diesel heaven you say! Cummins engines were installed in Ford's heavy duty F650/F750 line of trucks.
What Ford truck has a Cummins engine?
A "Ford Cummins truck" is not a factory-built model, but rather a popular custom build, often called a "Fummins," where a Cummins engine is swapped into a Ford truck. Ford has never put a Cummins engine in their light-duty trucks (F−250cap F minus 250𝐹−250 to F−550cap F minus 550𝐹−550), but did use them in some heavy-duty commercial models (F−650cap F minus 650𝐹−650 and F−750cap F minus 750𝐹−750) in the past.
This video shows the process of swapping a Cummins engine into a Ford F250, often called a "Fummins": 1mJake SherbrookeYouTube · Oct 24, 2024
Common reasons for a "Fummins" build
- Combine reliability: Enthusiasts combine the widely respected reliability and power of the Cummins engine with the comfortable interiors and bodies of Ford trucks.
- Performance: Many custom builds are highly powerful, with some even producing 700 horsepower or more.
- Customization: A swap allows for extensive customization, from engine and transmission to suspension and interior features.
Important distinctions
- Not a factory model: A "Fummins" is not a vehicle that Ford manufactures. The swap is a custom project completed by individuals or specialized shops.
- Ford's actual Cummins trucks: Ford did use Cummins engines in their heavier-duty commercial trucks, like the F−650cap F minus 650𝐹−650 and F−750cap F minus 750𝐹−750, from the mid-1990s until 2015.
You can watch this video to see a 1968 Ford F250 with a Cummins swap and how it was built: 1mFord EraYouTube · Jul 9, 2021
