Over the weekend, I got a sneak peek at a common-rail Cummins-powered Ford that will be pulling in 2.6, 2.8, and even some 3.0 classes in Kentucky…

Common-rail engines with stand-alone ECU’s may be the best way to go in the future, especially for guys that need more rpm to run with the P-pumped and Duramax trucks. In it’s test-hook, this truck left the line at just under 6,000 rpm.

It will also be a welcomed way of life for pullers that like a truck with good pit manners. With one small dose of ether for the initial startup, it didn’t need any more drugs to fire back up in the pits. In addition, it was 99 percent smokeless prior to pulling.

Of course, with all of the tuning advantages of an electronically controlled diesel, you can fiddle with the calibration and have yourself a loping, raspy truck that hazes at idle and is reminiscent of a 12-valve if you want.

As with anything though, the downfall (or the lack of growth in this area) may be due to cost. You’ll see more on this truck in the coming months.