Mr. Pickles

Yep, if all systems are working even mostly, you should pass no problem. I've passed with some serious P.O.S's in my day just trying to tune them and get them good and hot.

I've had a belt go on an intervetion engine (Honda) and its not pretty. That particular one was about $1700, and it was only a 4cyl. It was defect failure, not old age, but still. Its MUCH cheaper to replace the timing when its due than to deal with valves, head, etc. That's just plain ugly.

Aren't K&N's supposed to filter cleaner when mildly dirty than when brand new? Anyways, I've had mine for 3 years with no issues, just a very clean airbox (drop in filter).

I was getting the idiot light cause of the EGR all the time about 6 months ago. I took it off and just cleaned it repeatedly with carb cleaner while working the diaphram thing. I figured what the he!!, its already toast so it couldn't hurt. Cleaned out a bunch of crud, and its mostly fine now. I very occassionally get a light (and check the code to verify), such as sometimes long cruising at about 40mph in 4th gear. Must be that rpm, cause shifting to 3rd or 5th clears it up quick. Just a pretty much free suggestion. They want an arm and a leg for a new valve, and many areas can't pass inspections without them.

You should be fine. I think it depends on the type of tire too as to how it looks. A more agressive MT looks much more at home than a street tire. Here is mine on very worn down 31" MT's with 3" suspension + 3" body lift.

There are plenty of people running around just fine without the aftermarket steering upgrades. Just depends on how hard you use the truck. Like me, I should have upgraded long ago. Also, I there was a rumor that those UCA's at RoughCountry were in short supply and might/may already have- run out. If you're interested, act fast for half the normal price.

Schucks (Kragen/Checkers) has a decent enough gold plated one that I just bought for like $7 each.

Mine has been doing this recently also, and near as I can tell, its a loose and crusty + terminal at the battery. Of course, I've got a new gold plated on sitting inside where its been for 2 weeks cause I've been too busy. I'd 2nd the electrical connections first. Besides, that's free (or close to it) so you might as well start there first.

Sorry about the truck, but glad you're alive. I'd second the notion of another Pathy. Don't you drive it mostly? Did you ever ask what, in particular, the wife doesn't like? Anyways, good luck!

Go for it. I'd bet a turn in the pipe from the intake to the airbox would take care of any rain. If you don't wheel or stick the front in in the drink, worst thing is it does nothing, otherwise, maybe you score some cheap HP and grunt. Be sure to post up either way.

That eBay seller also has a set of upper and lower ball joints going for $59.99. I only replaced the upper ones so far, and they were a piece of cake since I was also replacing the UCA's as well. If you're thinking of upper control arms, I'd just do it all at once. The lower ones are a project being saved for another day.

Sounds like he's saying he's trying to go by the book and replace every bolt and nut cause they recommend it. I'd roll with what ya got man. Maybe replace some of the higher stressed bolts if you can find them, who knows, but I think you should be good.

Correction, I've met #4: Tim (revgolem) and his wife Sheri. Does that count as #4.5?

Dude, I bought all 4 plus all new TRE's for $105 + shipping on eBay. I had shopped around, then checked eBay and went for it. Here is a set currently listed on eBay Good shipping time, and they seem to be very solid parts.

Local news including NW Cable, cable news like CNN and MSNBC, etc. for breaking stuff and pics (but I despise the talking heads and all their BS), web news sources, and particularly friends, as we a few of us like to pass around storyies, differing viewpoints, etc. I've watched CBC lately a few times, which is shown here in WA, and actually find it good. Its nice to get an outside viewpoint that isn't 95% focused on US issues to the point of ignoring the rest of the world. So yeah, as many sources as I can reasonable get. I think a major problem is that so many people choose to stick with a single biased news source because they are comfortable with it and it tells them what they want to hear. One source gives you one angle at the story or issue, and helps then form an unbalanced view and understanding of events.

Just you MM, Jim, and Gardoni.

I used a flexible aluminum heat vent once, not the basic flexible venting stuff like on dryers, but the spendier aluminum segmented type. Still, I had about a 3" diameter cold air intake for like $8 (don't worry, not on the Pathy).

Come on now, lets not get too mean and personal. He was busy reading with his classmates. Er..., um........ Time out!

Um, and his buddies running the oil companies, and his interests in the oil companies, and his family interests in Saudi Arabia, and.......... oh yeah, he's president! Very convenient.

Wha tcu talkin bout ese?

At 40mph, more like a downshift to 3rd or, if you slow down some, 2nd. But that's just me. Its not like I don't have a thing for replacing parts...

I've also guestimated about 4 gallons left with the light on. I've never pushed it to complete empty, as 4 gallons at 18 mpg means I'm a moron if I've put myself where I can't reach a gas station at that point. Usually, if the needle approaches 1/4, if that, I'm heading for the pump. No filter or pump issues for me please, leave the crud in the tank.

I got a 4' whip by K40 Electronics from Truck City CB in Federal Way, and I think they have a shop in S. Seattle too. I wanna say it was in the $20-something range, but I don't remember. The guy in the shop recommended it over a FireStik and other brands, seeing that I'd be banging through the trees and stuff and needed the flex. True to his word, I've banged it into trees, parking garages, etc.- plenty of situations where a stiff antenna would tweak the mount, and all is well. Who knows, they may be overpriced or something, I don't have experience in the CB world. I do seem to have pretty great range though. Good luck!

A light foot is a good thing anymore. You can sit back and laugh at the guy rushing from light to light. On a side note, what are you guy's thoughts or the official line on 5th gear? I've been using it when I think of it as much as possible, including half of my commute when I'm cruising between 40-50mph on flat ground. There is no lugging and such, just a gentle cruise with the Flowmaster burbling along. But is there a problem rolling in 5th so slow? I haven't noted any negative effect, and I've been getting a solid 17+ mpg or so on surface streets and main roads without getting on the freeway AT ALL. So it works for my pocket book, but I don't want to stress or hurt anything. I'm sooo glad I didn't spring for the 32's or 33, and bought a 4 banger sipper for the lady.

You guys kill me. I believe I put up that idea when going through my mess and was told that was hack work. You really can do that though, apparently. When I took it to the body guy, I gave permission to go that route if he had to. He guesstimated and cut a well aimed hole above in the cargo area, but ended up putting a torch to it top and bottom, lots of work, and popped it loose. Welded her up, on goes the carpet, and nobody knows. The point being, once you access from the top, apparently its wide open and easy.