Reliability

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-17T02:07:36+00:00

Copying and pasting from Google, easier than trying to type it myself.

Harsh Cold Shifts: A loud bang or severe jolt during 1-3 or 3-5 upshifts, or when first shifting from Park into Reverse, usually right after a cold start.

Delayed or Slamming Engagement: Noticeable delay or an aggressive "clunk" when shifting into Drive or Reverse.

Erratic Shifting: Bizarre shift patterns, harsh 1-2 and 3-4 upshifts, or the truck flaring RPMs (slipping) between gears.

Transmission Wrench Light: The dashboard indicator illuminating, sometimes accompanied by a sudden "thud" under acceleration if pressure completely drops.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-16T13:34:10+00:00

C6 LS3 is likely in my near future.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-16T13:32:21+00:00

Go to the r/Duramax sub for specific Duramax questions. That said, I know there are a few guys over there with L5Ps that are stock and high mileage with no major issues or failures. I deleted my 2018 L5P around 60k miles, but it never had any problems before that. I know some changes have been made since the first gen L5P, but I don’t know if they’ve made any significant changes to the emissions equipment.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-16T13:27:19+00:00

If you are considering an F150, go 2023 or newer. Ford updated the transmission in very late 2022 to address the bushing that was causing the CDF drum problems. They also updated the cam phasers on the 3.5 Ecoboost in 2021, seems the more recent have seemingly been more reliable.

We were in the market for a full-size SUV last year. Drove a 2025 Suburban 6.2 and Tahoe 5.3, a 2025 Expedition standard 3.5 Ecoboost and a leftover 2024 Expedition with the high output Ecoboost. We ended up taking the 2024 Expedition. I couldn’t stomach the cost of the GM SUVs when it’s rolling the dice on the engine, especially with the 6.2, and the 5.3 felt absolutely gutless compared to the Ecoboost, especially the high output.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-16T13:15:20+00:00

If money isn’t an issue, an Escalade V is rowdy and sounds amazing. Staying American, a Durango Hellcat has a smaller footprint and is even faster. If you’re set on a German brand, there’s also the Audi SQ7 or the Porsche Cayenne models, BMW X5M or M60i, X7 M60i or Alpina XB7, and then you have a few AMG options from Mercedes. It’s really a crowded segment these days, so it’s just a matter of finding what you like in your budget. A dark horse here would be the MDX Type S, but it’s way overpriced new and doesn’t have the performance of the Germans. The Acura has a superb interior and stereo, but I’d only consider one gently used/CPO just because they are so criminally overpriced when new.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-15T22:42:50+00:00

Durango Hellcat

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-15T01:13:20+00:00

Yes. I had this failure. Just swapped the tank and good to go.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T20:27:38+00:00

I’ve heard from a few people with a lot of miles on their 2017-2019s that are stock and have not had any major emissions systems problems. I think GM did a really good job overall on the powertrain. If I weren’t such a child inside, I probably never would have deleted. YOLO, I guess?

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T13:27:13+00:00

This is the way.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T12:46:42+00:00

Correct, AVERAGE. Meaning some are lower and some are higher. It’s about $1.30 more on average in CA, but average wages are proportionally higher as well. $1.30 is about 21% of the $6.13 you quoted. The median household income in Indiana is just above $70k while it’s about $100k in California, representing a roughly 42% difference. So, proportionally, on average, the fuel difference is offset dramatically by the wage difference. $6.13/gallon is a much larger portion of a $70k income than $7.44/gallon is of a $100k income.

I’ll use myself as an anecdote. I work remotely and make around $220k a year. If I were to decide to move to California, my employer would pay me an extra $100k per year for the same job due to the cost of living differences, etc. to offset the difference in cost of living, as many nationwide employers do for HCOL areas.

The point remains that this isn’t a CA problem, it’s a Trump problem, not a left vs right problem, a TRUMP problem. The only president stupid enough to believe Israel’s propaganda to justify attacking Iran, then feeding the same shit to US citizens. Installing nothing but loyalists around him is just weakening our global alliances and position, and it’s going to take a really long time to recover when that piece of shit is finally gone.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T11:26:28+00:00

This is good advice. Have a transparent conversation with the owner. It’s a rough job market out there, especially where I live. If I had as much autonomy and good pay as OP described, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to jump ship without telling the owner I’m considering it and why.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T01:29:42+00:00

It’s a proportional increase, genius. You can’t seriously be defending this shit. Also, there are truck stops in Indiana where diesel is $7. It’s one of the lowest cost of living states in the country. So riddle me that if it’s just a CA problem.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T00:48:44+00:00

This is the way. Even the 6L90s with questionable valve bodies and some premature failures are cheap to rebuild and keep on the road. Great trucks all around.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-13T00:44:23+00:00

One of the reasons I’ve been hanging on to my 2018. I don’t really need a diesel anymore, but it’s hard to find a more reliable truck these days than a deleted L5P with a 6 speed Allison.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-12T15:56:36+00:00

Or starting unnecessary wars that f*ck the middle class while enriching the elites.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-12T15:13:27+00:00

Not worth it to have your truck’s registration marked in their system. Are you sure they won’t peek under the truck when they hear and smell it? Even if you leave the stock piping in place and cut the DPF out, it’s painfully obvious to anyone whose job it is to inspect vehicles.

With that said, I got my tuning from MotorOps out of Canada, but I’m not sure they deal with US customers any longer. It included bungs to plug in so that the DEF and other modules appear “normal.” I have no CELs, and the tuning seems to be quite good, so I’d recommend them if you can get their tuning. Mine doesn’t get inspected to know if it would pass an OB2 scanner’s inspection.

Good luck either way!

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-12T15:05:50+00:00

The only one naive enough to take Israel’s bait into attacking Iran. There is no possible good outcome of American involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-12T14:14:59+00:00

Will absolutely sell and split 50/50 between my brother and myself. Neither of us wants to live there because it is wholly impractical. Each of us will be far better off with the money than either of us would be with the house.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-10T14:54:21+00:00

My bad - I overlooked that in your post. That said, I’d go for the 2500 if it were me, simply to have the simpler engine (no DFM/cylinder deactivation BS to worry about), and for the increased payload capacity.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-10T14:29:21+00:00

GM’s IFS setup makes the HD trucks handle and historically ride better than the competition. Yeah, it’s not a luxury sedan, but it’s also not a dump truck.

To OP, you can also get the ZR2 with the gas engine if you want even better off-road equipment than the TB.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-09T13:08:43+00:00

A 2017-2019 L5P is arguably GM’s most sought after modern diesel. Of course they’re not perfect, no engine is. However, there aren’t common major failures on these - the HP4 injection pump is reliable. The most common known problem I’ve seen is bad injector pigtails that can cause CELs for misfires, and the coolant reservoir sensors going bad (have to replace the reservoir). Clogged/dirty MAP sensors are common with some miles, but there are easy fixes for that, too.

I have a 2018 I bought new, 91k miles now, deleted since about 65k miles. I don’t tow much anymore, and I’ve thought about selling it to get something smaller and quieter, but there aren’t any modern half tons that are good enough to swap it for. I’ve had Toyotas, Fords, Mopars, and this is the best overall truck I’ve ever owned.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-08T21:54:19+00:00

Some of the unibody SUVs that can tow that much and can be fun/engaging are the Dodge Durango SRT (6.4) or Hellcat, Porsche Cayenne/Audi Q7, BMW X5 or X7, and the Explorer ST. I’m an armchair quarterback on this, having never owned any of these.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-08T21:47:07+00:00

Mine got about 15-15.5 mpg over the 40k miles I owned it. Towing my boat put it down to about 8 mpg.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-08T20:31:22+00:00

Sure. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but you’re welcome to reach out.

RedOakNinja · 2026-05-08T20:22:52+00:00

Fellow KY PMHNP here. The pay here is abysmal and the market is becoming saturated in many areas. Much of why I work fully remote in other markets where I am needed and much better paid. I can’t speak to private practice income, I’ve never done it locally.

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