What year did Ford start using Diesel engines in trucks?
 

I know pickups didn't go diesel until the 80ies, but when was the first truck with a diesel offered and what engine did they use?

1983 was the first year for diesel powered Ford trucks. The engine was the International 6.9L IDI V8 naturally aspirated (non-turbo) diesel. This engine was used from 83-87. In 1988, the 7.3L IDI naturally aspirated diesel debuted, and was used from 88-early 94. In 1993, a turbocharged version of the 7.3L IDI became available, which was replaced by the 7.3L PowerStroke in late 94. The 7.3 PSD was used from 94-03, being replaced in 03 by the 6.0L PowerStroke, which was used through 2007. In 2008, the 6.0 was replaced by the 6.4, which was used for two years and marked the end of the Ford/International partnership. In 2011, Ford introduced the brand new 6.7L PowerStroke.

Hope this helps;)

Bryce

This is what is available when you search, but I want to know when they started putting them in actual trucks 2-ton and up.

Okay my bad I thought you were asking about light trucks. Sorry for the confusion, I'm not sure of the answer to your question but I'll do some research and try to get back to you.

Bryce

I know Kenworth started using diesels in the 40ies and is credited with being the pioneer of diesel trucks.

FORD advertised them for the 1961 model year.

i know of a 51 ford tandem dump truck that has a 170 cummins in it.

some of the old GMCs from the 50s had detriots in them !

Ive got a 78 F-600 with a Detroit in it.

what engine is in there ?
never seen a ford with a detroit !
and how dose it work with the truck ?

Back in the 70ies almost every truck had a 4v-71 or 6v-71 2 cycle Detroit, or a 555 cummins v-8. Cat didn't come to the road until a bit later with the 3208 and 3408 motors.

most of the 4 cylinders used were the 4-53, and V6 was the 6V53 series.
the 6-71 was an inline cylinder

Ford used Cat in the early-mid 70s in the L series trucks. I used to see some 1160 parts back in the 80s.

Currently looking into a '94 F-350. Have not went and actually looked at it myself but the ad says it has a 6.9L in it! Is that at all possible seeing as in this trucks era it would have been either the 7.3L IDI or the IDI turbo???

94 came with either the 7.3 IDI na, 7.3 IDI turbo, and 7.3 powerstroke engines.
but it is very possible the idi engine died and a 6.9 was transplanted in it's place.