The 3 BEST Engine & Transmission Combos You Can Buy in a 1500 Truck (my Opinion)

I rank the top Powertrains in the 1500/Half-Ton Pick up truck segment for 2026. I give the Best Engine, Transmission and Axle Ratio Combo you can buy for a half-ton **Get 25% Off all AMSOIL Products**, Sign up as one of my preferred customers here! 👉https://www.amsoil.com/offers/pc/?zo=31309211 Your first order pays for the membership! *GET 10% OFF Weigh Safe Hitches* 👉https://crrnt.app/WEIG/3475nWnl Or use Code "Gettys10" at checkout! Connect with me on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegettygarage/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegettyadventures What I Use: 6.4L HEMI AMSOIL Engine Oil - https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2022/ram/2500-pickup/6-4l-8-cyl-engine-code-j-esb-j/?zo=31309211 WIX Engine Oil Filter - https://www.amsoil.com/p/wix-oil-filter-wixoil/?code=57060-EA&_gl=1*1nha42k*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTgxMTYzNzYwNi4xNzQ3MzM4Nzgz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzg3ODIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDczMzg4MDUkajAkbDAkaDEwMjA1MDcyMDc.?zo=31309211 WIX Engine Air Filter - https://www.amsoil.com/p/wix-air-filter-wixair/?code=46930-EA&_gl=1*h9vgr7*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAzNTkzNzEyLjE3NDczMzgyMDA.*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzgxOTkkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzgxOTkkajAkbDAkaDY0ODQzNDY3OA..?zo=31309211 Cabin Air Filter - https://amzn.to/3JMZAHh Gear Oil - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-90-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svg/?_gl=1*it5o9x*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDgxNjkwMDUxLjE3NDc0MDExNzQ.*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDExNzMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDc0MDExODQkajAkbDAkaDE1NTc0MzUzOTE.?zo=31309211 Grease - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-multi-purpose-grease-glc/?code=glccr-ea&_gl=1*hp8cr9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAzNjEzODc5Ny4xNzQ3NDAxNDg3*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE0ODYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE0ODYkajAkbDAkaDU5NTEyMTc4NA..https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/?code=amhsc-ea&_gl=1*10x1frk*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkzMjMyOTA3OC4xNzQ3MzM5MTQz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzkxNDIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzkxNDIkajAkbDAkaDE4OTQwMDEyNDg.?zo=31309211 Rust protection - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/?code=amhsc-ea&_gl=1*10x1frk*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkzMjMyOTA3OC4xNzQ3MzM5MTQz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzkxNDIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzkxNDIkajAkbDAkaDE4OTQwMDEyNDg.?zo=31309211 What I Use: 7.3L POWERSTROKE Engine Oil - https://amzn.to/3ZLIWBD Engine Oil Filter - https://amzn.to/4gHTwRb Fuel Filter - https://www.amsoil.com/p/wix-fuel-filters-wixfuel/?code=33817-EA&_gl=1*hx3uv5*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQxMzc5MjkxMS4xNzQ3NDAxOTA0*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE5MDMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE5MDMkajAkbDAkaDMyMzA0OTY2OQ..?zo=31309211 Gear Oil - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-85-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svl/?code=SVLPK-EA&_gl=1*hka7u4*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTY5MjU2MjE4Ny4xNzQ3NDAxNzM2*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE3MzUkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE3MzUkajAkbDAkaDI5MTA4ODEwNQ..?zo=31309211 Grease - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-multi-purpose-grease-glc/?code=glccr-ea&_gl=1*hp8cr9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAzNjEzODc5Ny4xNzQ3NDAxNDg3*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE0ODYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE0ODYkajAkbDAkaDU5NTEyMTc4NA..https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/?code=amhsc-ea&_gl=1*10x1frk*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkzMjMyOTA3OC4xNzQ3MzM5MTQz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzkxNDIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzkxNDIkajAkbDAkaDE4OTQwMDEyNDg.?zo=31309211 Towing Gear: 10 ton Pintle hitch (2.5" receiver) - https://amzn.to/3r7Axvm 7 Ton Adjustable hitch (2" receiver) - https://amzn.to/46i2iAf Adjustable Pintle hitch mount (2.5" receiver) - https://amzn.to/3RqHGS3 15 Ton Pintle hitch - https://amzn.to/45SaCqv 10,000lbs Tie Down Straps - https://amzn.to/3ZBnxeh In this video, I break down my Top 3 powertrain picks for the 2026 half-ton (1500) truck segment, based on real-world driving, towing, ownership experience, and long-term reliability — not spec-sheet racing. When people shop for a truck, they obsess over horsepower numbers, but the truth is the engine, transmission, and axle ratio working together matter far more than any single stat. That’s exactly why this video focuses on complete powertrain combinations, not just engines in isolation. One of the biggest themes you’ll hear throughout this ranking is just how much of a game changer the ZF 8-speed transmission really is. Smooth, durable, well-tuned, and proven across multiple brands, it completely transforms how a truck drives, tows, and puts power to the ground. These picks are about balance — reliability, drivability, real torque delivery, gearing, and how these trucks actually perform in everyday use, towing, and long-term ownership. Some of these choices may surprise you, and some may spark debate — and that’s part of the fun. If you’re shopping for a 1500 truck in 2026, or just want to understand what powertrains actually make sense, this video is built to help you make a smarter decision. 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - 5.7 Hemi, ZF 8-speed + 3.92s 08:11 - 5L Coyote, 10R80 10-speed + 3.73s 13:55 - 3L Hurricane, ZF 8-speed + 3.55s