NOCO Boost GB70 Review: The Jump Starter for V8 Trucks and Light Diesels
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The NOCO Boost GB70 is the jump starter to buy if you drive a V8 pickup, a full-size SUV or a light-duty diesel. It is rated for gas engines up to 8.0L and diesels up to 6.0L, gives up to 40 starts per charge, and keeps NOCO’s spark-proof, reverse-polarity clamps. Its weak points are a six-hour recharge and an older charging design. For heavy-duty 6.6L and 6.7L diesels, step up to a pack rated for 7.0L diesel or more.
The GB70 sits in the middle of NOCO’s classic Boost line, between the compact GB40 and the heavy-duty GB150. It is the pack many truck owners end up with, because it has real headroom for V8 engines without the weight of a shop unit. This review covers how it performs, what it is like to live with, where newer packs beat it, and who should buy something else. It is based on NOCO’s published specs and manual, long-term owner feedback, and comparison with the packs in our jump starter roundup.
NOCO GB70 Specs at a Glance
| Spec | NOCO Boost GB70 |
|---|---|
| Peak current | 2000A |
| Rated engine size | Gas up to 8.0L, diesel up to 6.0L |
| Starts per charge | Up to 40 (NOCO rating) |
| Recharge time | About 6 hours |
| Safety | Spark-proof, reverse-polarity protection |
| Flashlight | 400 lumens, 7 modes including SOS and strobe |
| Housing | IP65 rated, rubber over-molding |
| Weight | About 5 lb |
| Extras | USB power bank for phones and tablets |
NOCO Boost GB70 2000A UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter
Gas up to 8.0L, diesel up to 6.0L
Check Price on AmazonDesign and Build
The GB70 is twice the weight of the GB40, about 5 lb, and noticeably bigger, with thicker cables and larger clamps that bite better on truck terminals. It will not fit most glove boxes, but it sits easily under a rear seat, in a center console on many trucks, or in a door pocket of a full-size SUV. The IP65 housing and rubber over-molding are the same tough design as the rest of the Boost line, so it handles dust, rain and being thrown in a truck bed box.
The layout is classic NOCO: a power button, a light button, a manual override button and a four-LED charge gauge. No screen, no menus. A white light tells you the clamps are connected correctly and the pack is ready.
Jump Starting Performance
NOCO rates the GB70 for gas engines up to 8.0L and diesels up to 6.0L, with up to 40 starts per charge. That covers most V8 pickups and SUVs (5.0L, 5.3L, 5.7L and 6.2L engines), vans, boats with inboard engines, and light-duty diesels like the 3.0L Duramax and EcoDiesel. Owner feedback is consistently positive on V8 trucks with drained batteries, including in cold weather, which is where small packs give up.
The limit is heavy-duty diesels. The 6.6L Duramax, 6.7L Power Stroke and 6.7L Cummins sit above its 6.0L diesel rating, and many of those trucks run two batteries. The GB70 may start one on a warm day, but for reliable winter starts choose a pack rated for 7.0L diesel or more; our guide to the best jump starters for diesel trucks compares them.
40 starts per charge, in real life
The starts-per-charge number assumes a modest load each time. A truck that needs several long cranks will use more. Even so, the GB70’s larger battery means you can usually help a second vehicle, or try again after a failed start, without the pack running flat.
Safety
Like every Boost pack, the GB70 is spark-proof and protects against reverse polarity, so a wrong connection does nothing instead of causing a spark or damaging electronics. On modern trucks with many control modules, that protection is a major reason to choose a smart lithium pack over plain cables. A manual override mode lets you jump a battery too flat to be detected; it bypasses the detection for that attempt, so confirm the clamps are on the right terminals first.
Power Bank and Flashlight
The 400-lumen LED is a real step up from the 100-lumen light on the GB40. It lights an engine bay properly and works as a roadside flashlight, with SOS and strobe modes for warning traffic. The USB output charges phones and tablets, but it is not a USB-C Power Delivery port and will not charge a laptop.
Charging and Standby
This is the GB70’s weakest area. A full recharge takes about six hours on its older charging design, so it is an overnight job. Newer packs such as NOCO’s Boost X models recharge over USB-C in under three hours. The fix is simple: recharge the GB70 after each use and every two to three months in storage, and it will be ready when you need it.
Which Vehicles the GB70 Covers
| Vehicle | Typical engine | GB70 suitable? |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, crossovers, minivans | 4-cylinder and V6 | Yes, with lots of margin |
| Half-ton V8 pickups | 5.0L, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.2L | Yes |
| Full-size SUVs | 5.3L to 6.2L V8 | Yes |
| Vans and box trucks (gas) | Up to about 7.3L | Yes |
| Light-duty diesel | 2.8L to 3.0L | Yes |
| Heavy-duty diesel | 6.6L Duramax, 6.7L Power Stroke or Cummins | Above its rating |
| Boats with inboard engines | Varies | Yes, for most gas inboards |
Cold-Weather Tips for the GB70
Cold is where the GB70’s extra capacity pays off, but lithium packs still lose output when frozen. Keep the GB70 in the cab rather than an exterior toolbox in winter, and if you know a cold morning is coming, bring it indoors overnight. On the vehicle side, turn off every accessory before cranking, crank in short bursts of no more than five to ten seconds, and give the pack a minute to recover between attempts. On a diesel, always wait for the glow plug light to go out. If the engine turns over slowly even with the pack connected, the clamps may be on corroded terminals; wiggle them for a better bite or clean the terminals first.
What Could Be Better
- Slow recharge compared with USB-C models.
- Not rated for heavy-duty diesels above 6.0L.
- Basic USB output, no laptop charging.
- Too big for most glove boxes.
Pros and Cons
Pros: covers V8 trucks and light diesels, up to 40 starts per charge, 400-lumen light, IP65 housing, NOCO’s proven clamp safety.
Cons: six-hour recharge, older charging port, not for 6.6L/6.7L diesels, heavier than compact packs.
Who Should Buy the NOCO GB70?
Buy it if you drive a V8 pickup, a full-size SUV, a van or a light-duty diesel, or you want one pack that can cover every vehicle in a household with a mix of cars and trucks.
Skip it if you only drive a compact car (the GB40 is smaller and enough), you own a heavy-duty diesel, or you want fast USB-C recharging.
NOCO GB70 Alternatives
| If you want… | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Something smaller for cars | NOCO Boost GB40 | 2.5 lb, 6.0L gas rating |
| Heavy-duty diesel coverage | NOCO Boost X GBX155 | 8.0L diesel rating, USB-C recharge |
| Clear screen and lighter weight | LOKITHOR J400 | Same 8.0L / 6.0L rating, 5.75-inch display |
Not sure between the two NOCO classics? Our NOCO GB40 vs GB70 comparison breaks it down by vehicle.
Quick Start: Using the GB70
- Turn off the ignition, lights and accessories.
- Connect red to the positive (+) terminal and black to the negative (-) terminal or a solid ground.
- Press the power button and wait for the white boost light.
- Start the vehicle. On a diesel, wait for the glow plug light to go out first.
- If it does not start, rest about a minute before trying again.
- Disconnect black first, then red, and recharge the pack the same day.
Step-by-step instructions and cold-weather tips are in our guide on how to jump start a car.
Related Guides
- 7 best portable jump starters for cars, trucks and SUVs
- NOCO Boost GB40 review
- Best jump starters for diesel trucks
- Key fob not detected after a jump start
FAQ
Will the NOCO GB70 start a 5.7 Hemi or 5.3 V8?
Yes. Both engines are well within its 8.0L gas rating, which leaves margin for cold mornings.
Can the GB70 start a 6.7 Cummins or Power Stroke?
Those engines are above its 6.0L diesel rating. It may work on a warm day with one partly charged battery, but for reliable starts use a pack rated for 7.0L diesel or more.
How long does the GB70 take to charge?
About six hours from empty. Recharge it overnight after each use and every two to three months in storage.
Is the GB70 waterproof?
It is IP65 rated, which means it resists dust and water jets such as rain. It is not designed to be submerged.
GB70 or GB40: which should I buy?
Choose the GB40 for cars and small SUVs, and the GB70 for V8 trucks, large SUVs and light diesels. See NOCO GB40 vs GB70 for details.
Does a jump start erase my truck’s key programming?
No. If the truck does not detect the fob after a jump, it is usually a temporary issue; see key fob not detected after a jump start.