Cold weather brings out the worst in diesel emissions systems, and if your truck suddenly seems to be regenerating more often, you’re not imagining it. Winter has a direct effect on DPF soot loading, exhaust temperatures, and how the engine manages incomplete combustion. In this guide, we break down exactly why regens increase when temperatures drop — and what you can do to keep your diesel running clean and efficient through the colder months.
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Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) isn’t optional anymore — it’s the backbone of every modern diesel truck on the road. Whether you’re running a Power Stroke, Duramax, or Cummins, the DEF system controls emissions, protects your aftertreatment, and keeps your truck out of limp mode. When it works, you barely notice it. When it fails, you feel it fast.
This guide breaks down how DEF actually works, why failures happen, and the real symptoms that tell you something’s going wrong — NTTS style: clear, practical, and built from real-world diesel experience.
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Modern diesel engines continue to dominate the heavy-duty truck world in 2025. Truck owners still rely on modern diesel engines like the 6.7L Cummins, 6.6L Duramax, and 6.7L Power Stroke for real-world work, long-term durability, and unbeatable torque. Despite changes in emissions technology and fuel standards, diesel remains the backbone of towing, hauling, and commercial use.
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If you own a business in Texas, a diesel pickup isn’t just a tool — it’s an investment. Whether you’re hauling equipment, towing trailers, or meeting clients on job sites, your truck works just as hard as you do. The good news? When tax season rolls around, that truck can work double duty — saving you serious money through write-offs and deductions.
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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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The CP4 high-pressure fuel pump has become one of the most feared failures in modern diesel engines. When a CP4 pump fails, it can send metal particles through the entire high-pressure fuel system, damaging the injectors, rails, pump, and lines. Repairs often climb into five-figure territory, making CP4 failure a nightmare scenario for diesel owners.
The good news? Most CP4 failures are preventable with proper maintenance and fuel-lubricity management.
CP4 pumps can fail for a few reasons — air in the fuel, water contamination, or internal wear — but the #1 cause is:
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The Ford Power Stroke diesel family has powered Ford’s heavy-duty pickups and commercial trucks for more than 30 years. Across multiple generations, Power Stroke engines have delivered huge gains in horsepower, torque, emissions technology, and reliability.
From the legendary 7.3L to the modern 6.7L “Scorpion,” here is the full year-by-year evolution of the Power Stroke platform.
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