When Texas buyers start comparing diesel trucks, three names always rise to the top: Duramax, Power Stroke, and Cummins. Each one has strengths, loyal followers, and proven capability. But when it comes to long-term durability and high-mile performance, the details matter.
This guide breaks down how each platform ages, what affects longevity, and how to choose the diesel that fits your needs.
Delivering a superior product isn’t a slogan at North Texas Truck Stop — it’s the reputation we’ve built over 37 years. Long before we specialized in diesel trucks, we spent decades in the luxury wholesale market supplying high-line vehicles to franchise dealerships across the country.
We earned trust the hard way: by delivering vehicles that needed no reconditioning, no excuses, and no surprises — even to the most discerning buyers in the business.
When we shifted from luxury wholesale to diesel truck retail in 2008, we brought the same standard with us. Today, customers come to NTTS because they know our trucks are held to a higher bar — the kind usually reserved for franchise-level luxury vehicles, not used heavy-duty pickups.
We don’t cut corners. We don’t hide problems. And we don’t lower the bar just because “everyone else does.”
This is how we do it, and why it matters.
The Duramax diesel engine family has shaped GM’s heavy-duty trucks for nearly 25 years. Born from a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu, the Duramax replaced the aging 6.5L diesel and launched GM into true competition with Cummins and Power Stroke.
Each Duramax generation is defined by its Regular Production Option (RPO) code — LB7, LLY, LBZ, LMM, LML, and L5P — and each represents a major shift in power, reliability, emissions technology, or design philosophy.
Below is a complete, diesel-enthusiast-focused look at every Duramax generation:
its strengths, weaknesses, key updates, and why certain years are still sought after today.
Diesel pickups are built to handle heavy workloads, long-distance towing, and demanding conditions — but that capability comes with responsibility. Modern diesels aren’t “fuel up and drive” machines; they rely on high-temperature emissions systems that need the right driving conditions and maintenance habits to last.
One of the most important components in today’s diesel trucks is the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). While the DPF often gets blamed for reliability issues, the truth is simple:
This guide breaks down why DPF systems clog, the signs of trouble, and what diesel owners can do to avoid expensive repairs.
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