Diesel pickups are among the hardest vehicles for a portable jump starter to start, and makers rate their packs by engine size for that reason. NOCO says its GB150 handles diesel engines up to 7.0 liters, a range that covers today’s 6.6L and 6.7L heavy-duty pickup engines. S ZEVZO rates its 5,000A H021 for diesels up to 8.0 liters. At the very top, NOCO’s GB500+ switches between 12V and 24V and is rated for gas and diesel engines up to 45 liters, including class 8 semi-trucks. Here’s how to match a jump starter to your truck, based on each maker’s published ratings.
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S ZEVZO sent me the H021 to review.
I’ve used the S ZEVZO H021, AUXBEAM 3500A and NOCO GB40 on my own car. I haven’t tested any of them on a diesel. Engine ratings below are each manufacturer’s claims, and prices are from the makers’ stores on Oct. 17, 2026.
Quick picks
| Jump starter | Maker’s diesel rating | Peak amps | Price (maker store) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S ZEVZO H021 | Up to 8.0L | 5,000A | See S ZEVZO listing | Big diesel pickups, with a 74Wh power bank |
| NOCO Boost PRO GB150 | Up to 7.0L | 3,000A | $299.95 | 6.6L/6.7L heavy-duty trucks |
| NOCO Boost HD GB70 | Up to 6.0L | 2,000A | $199.95 | Mid-size and 3.0L diesels, smaller V8 diesels |
| AUXBEAM AJ3500 (with air compressor) | Up to 6.0L (maker page) | 3,500A | See AUXBEAM listing | Jump starting plus tire inflation in one |
| NOCO Boost MAX GB500+ | Gas and diesel up to 45L, 12V/24V | 6,250A | $1,999.95 | Fleets, semis, farm and heavy equipment |
Why diesels need a bigger jump starter
A diesel has no spark plugs. It ignites fuel by compressing air until it’s hot enough, which means it runs much higher compression than a gas engine. The starter motor has to spin that engine against the compression, and on a cold morning glow plugs or an intake heater draw extra current before cranking even starts. That’s why makers give diesel ratings lower than gas ratings for the same pack. NOCO’s GB70, for example, is rated for 8L gas but 6L diesel.
Heavy-duty pickups also often carry two batteries wired in parallel. A jump starter connected to one battery is trying to support both, which is another reason to buy with headroom.
Match the rating to your engine
| Common diesel displacement | Typical vehicles | Minimum diesel rating to look for | Picks that cover it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L–3.0L | Mid-size and half-ton diesels | 3L+, with margin | GB70, AJ3500, GB150, H021 |
| 5.0L | Older light-duty V8 diesels | 5L+ | GB70, AJ3500, GB150, H021 |
| 6.6L–6.7L | Heavy-duty 2500/3500 pickups | 7L+ | GB150, H021, GB500+ |
| 7.3L and up | Older HD trucks, medium-duty | 8L+ | H021 (up to 8.0L), GB500+ |
| 12–15L, 24V systems | Class 8 trucks, heavy equipment | 24V capable | GB500+ |
These are my matches based on each maker’s displacement rating. When in doubt, go one size up, especially if you live somewhere with cold winters.
S ZEVZO H021: the most rating per dollar on my bench
S ZEVZO rates the H021 at 5,000A peak for 12V gas engines up to 10.0L and diesels up to 8.0L, with up to 40 jump starts per charge. It also doubles as a 74Wh power bank with two USB outputs and a bright flashlight. In my test it started my car right away. A polarity warning (a red light and a beep) tells you if the clamps are reversed, and everything stores in a fitted carrying case. It charges over USB-C, but bring your own wall adapter. My full S ZEVZO H021 review has the details.
It is also on Amazon: S ZEVZO H021 jump starter on Amazon.
NOCO Boost PRO GB150: made for heavy-duty pickups
NOCO describes the GB150 as a 3,000A lithium jump starter designed for gas engines up to 9.0 liters and diesel engines up to 7.0 liters. It has a water-resistant IP65 enclosure, USB charging for phones and a 12V output for accessories such as tire inflators. Its 7.0L diesel rating is the one that fits 6.6L and 6.7L heavy-duty trucks. NOCO listed it at $299.95 on Oct. 17, 2026. NOCO GB150 page.
It is also on Amazon: NOCO Boost GB150 on Amazon.
NOCO Boost HD GB70: the mid-size option
The GB70 delivers 2,000A, and NOCO rates it for gas engines up to 8 liters and diesels up to 6 liters. It also offers USB charging, up to six smartphone recharges per NOCO, and a 12V output. At $199.95 it’s the value pick for 3.0L diesels and smaller V8 diesels. NOCO GB70 page. If you mostly drive gas vehicles, my NOCO GB40 review covers the smaller 1,000A model. NOCO rates that one for 3.0L diesels.
It is also on Amazon: NOCO Boost GB70 on Amazon.
AUXBEAM AJ3500: jump starter plus air compressor
AUXBEAM’s product page lists the AJ3500 at 3,500A for gas engines up to 8.0L and diesel engines up to 6.0L, with a built-in tire inflator. I used one to start my car from a completely dead battery in my AUXBEAM 3500A review. AUXBEAM’s specs have varied between listings: the review lists 4.0L diesel, and the current maker page lists 6.0L. Check the box or the listing for your unit. AUXBEAM also lists a larger AJ5000 series with a 160PSI compressor, rated for 12V gas engines and diesels up to 12L. For more combos, see our jump starter with air compressor roundup.
It is also on Amazon: AUXBEAM 3500A jump starter with air compressor on Amazon.
NOCO Boost MAX GB500+: for fleets and big rigs
NOCO’s flagship is a different class of tool. The GB500+ puts out 6,250A, switches between 12V and 24V, and is rated for gasoline and diesel engines up to 45 liters, including class 8 semi-trucks. It holds a 266Wh lithium battery that NOCO says recharges in 8.5 hours from a 12V auxiliary port or its XGC4 4-amp adapter. It also has two 2.1A USB ports and an integrated voltmeter. At $1,999.95 it’s aimed at fleets, farms and heavy-equipment operators, not the average pickup owner. NOCO GB500+ page.
Features side by side
| Feature | H021 | GB150 | GB70 | AJ3500 | GB500+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas rating | 10.0L | 9.0L | 8L | 8.0L | 45L (gas and diesel) |
| Diesel rating | 8.0L | 7.0L | 6L | 6.0L | 45L |
| System voltage | 12V | 12V | 12V | 12V | 12V and 24V |
| Phone charging | Yes (74Wh) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (266Wh) |
| Built-in air compressor | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Recharge input | USB-C | Per NOCO | Per NOCO | Per AUXBEAM | 12V aux or XGC4 adapter, 8.5 h |
All specs are from each maker’s product page or, for the H021, the maker’s listing and my hands-on review.
What else to look for
Headroom over hype. Treat the maker’s diesel rating as a ceiling for a healthy engine in mild weather, not a guarantee in a January cold snap. A truck that’s just under the rating will work better with a pack that’s a size up.
Safety protections. Reverse-polarity and spark-proof protection make a jump much more forgiving. NOCO advertises spark-proof technology and reverse-polarity protection on the GB70 and GB150, and the H021 warns you with a light and a beep.
A pack you’ll actually keep charged. A huge jump starter that sits dead in the toolbox is worth less than a mid-size one you top up monthly. USB-C charging, as on the H021, makes it easy to recharge from a truck’s USB-C port or a laptop charger.
Storage. A case keeps the clamps and cables together behind a rear seat or in a bed box. The H021 includes one.
How to jump start a diesel truck with a portable pack
- Charge the pack fully first. A half-charged pack might start a gas car but struggle with a diesel.
- Turn off accessories: lights, HVAC fan and radio.
- Connect red to positive and black to a ground or negative terminal, following your truck’s owner’s manual for dual-battery setups.
- Turn the key to “on” and wait for the glow plug or wait-to-start light to go out before cranking. On a cold day this matters a lot.
- Crank for no more than a few seconds, then rest. Follow your jump starter’s manual for crank duration and the wait between attempts.
- Once it starts, remove the clamps and let the alternator charge the batteries. Recharge the jump starter when you get home.
Cold-weather tips for diesel owners
- Store the pack indoors overnight in deep winter. Lithium packs deliver less current when cold.
- Cycle the glow plugs twice on very cold mornings before you crank.
- Use the block heater if your truck has one. A warm engine cranks far more easily.
- Top up the pack monthly, or after every use.
- Check both batteries. In a dual-battery truck, one weak battery can drag down the other.
FAQ
What size jump starter do I need for a 6.7L diesel?
Look for a pack the maker rates for 7.0L diesel or more. NOCO’s GB150 (7.0L) and the S ZEVZO H021 (8.0L) both qualify by their makers’ ratings.
Are peak amps or engine ratings more important?
The engine rating. Peak-amp numbers aren’t measured the same way across brands, so the maker’s gas and diesel displacement rating is a more useful guide.
Can a small jump starter start a diesel?
Some can start small diesels. NOCO’s 1,000A GB40 is rated for diesel engines up to 3.0L. For heavy-duty pickups, go bigger.
Do I need a 24V jump starter?
Only for 24V systems, which are common on semis and some heavy equipment. Pickups use 12V. NOCO’s GB500+ switches between 12V and 24V.
Can a jump starter charge my phone too?
Yes. All the picks here have USB outputs. The S ZEVZO H021 holds 74Wh and the GB500+ holds 266Wh.
Bottom line
For a 6.6L or 6.7L heavy-duty pickup, pick a jump starter rated for at least a 7.0L diesel. NOCO’s GB150 and the S ZEVZO H021 both fit, and the H021 adds an 8.0L rating and a 74Wh power bank. Mid-size diesel drivers can save with NOCO’s GB70. Fleets and 24V equipment call for the GB500+.