joecool911

Had a buddy with similar truck (ford). He had a blowout with his camper on and it tore the hell out if his rear bed panel. Lucky he got it to the side of the road without issue. He was towing a small enclosed trailer with a quad in it. Good thing is that it was considered a comprehensive claim.

I assume this is a mechanical gauge, otherwise it would defeat the purpose of having it. Which series is it? A lot of venders don't sell this gauge. Did it come with the tubing and fittings? I've tapped into my test port on the filter housing to install my bypass oil filter. But I bet I could tap into the inlet fitting on my bypass filter.

He does down to the frame work. He's got a years worth if work now. Doesn't do any flipping. Just custom work for clients. I use my truck for work daily. Bed carries mostly materials and tools. So having the project spread out over a few weekends shouldn't be a problem. First thing I'd do is the return line and draw straw once I had easy access. Getting fittings off the tank unit was the hard part of doing the 1/2" line to the engine mounted fuel filter.

Mike, Glad you have a church home. It would be nice to have lunch someday and talk about that tank unit project. It is exciting to be on a new church plant. Never experienced before and it's a growth opportunity for everyone involved. I am the treasurer and more than likely will be an elder too. We've only formed the "legal" part so far to satisfy the state and Feds for 501c3 non profit status. We will soon be forming the important part, church biblical leadership. I've grown a lot during the process. There is a guy in our church that restores old cars and trucks. He's an amazing painter! He does $50,000 restoration projects. You might be interested in a field trip to molalla. Joe

Jag, you're right. It's a personal choice. We are starting a new church in Colton. Our first service is this Sunday at 10:30 at the Colton grange. We've got a bunch of really nice people. Looking to bring new people to Christ and help Christians grow in their knowledge of the bible. You are welcome to join us this Sunday.

The USA used to be a favored nation in gods eye. That's how we went from nothing to the greatest nation on earth in the blink of an eye. But now our government is shunning god and we are seeing the consequences. There is hope for us as individuals, but no as a nation on our current path. We could be toast tomorrow. Think about your eternal life. Heaven or not. Regardless of what the government does. Making bakery's sell wedding cakes to same sex marriages or face the wrath of big brother. Religious freedoms being averted unless you're Muslim. We are on a bad path guys.

As a believer in Christ, the bible says its wrong and a sin. I look at it as any other sin. I hate the sin, but not the sinner. But it's a tough subject when family members are involved. I'll except it, but do not expect me to celebrate it in any sort of cerimony. If children are involved it gets tougher. But same concepts remain. People will say I'm judgemental. Ok, I am judgemental. We make judgements everyday. Between right and wrong. Somebody needs to stand up for what's right. I base my moral compass on the bible. Gods word doesn't change with the times. Call me a right wing conservative. Ok, fine. I have a daughter who is a lesbian. We've had a really close relationship. She knows my feelings and has never came out of the closet with me or my wife (step mom). But I'm not stupid. I guess it's as good as it can get. We avoid the subject and love each other. But there is a barrier between us that limits the depth of our relationship. I've not shared this much. But it's pretty faceless here. Lol.

Jag, I have no issues with your rant. I found it to be amusing. ;-)

On the prius forum you'd likely have takers by now. Why would a liberal have a truck? Trucks are built for work.

And a 5 minute shopping spree in his shop. All you can fit in a shopping cart.

We are looking to buy a high mileage vehicle. But not a sardine can, as my wife and I are not small people. We are thinking of a Passat or Jetta TDI. We do not generally buy new. But rather a few years old. Are there better years to look at? What to watch for? Are the automatics reliable or better going with sick shift? We would be paying cash and most likely private party. Do any of you have real life fuel mileage experience with these cars?

Might go down after winter heating season. Use a lot of heating oil in the east. Basically diesel with different color added. I've known people to run heating oil in their diesel rigs.

The trailer gets a definate propane smell to it while running the big buddy. Lots of humidity too. Like getting off the plane in Hawaii. You can feel it in your lungs. Not sure it's the end all solution. But it's at least a stop gap measure.

I'm thinking about a Champion 3.5k generator with the remote electric start. Mount on the rear bumper and build an aluminum box around it for security and ventilation. Run a plug back to it to run all the electrical including microwave, battery charging and air conditioning. Anyone install air on a TT that didn't come with it? The plug is there and a vent in place of where the A/C would go.

What makes the 24 valve engine noisier than later models? Is it the injection pump? Michael made a comment at one point that his truck was as quiet as later models. I'd like to achieve that, although not at a huge expence.

I like the concept of the coolant filter! Thanks for the link. Looks like it taps into the heater hoses somewhere, based on the size of the hose supplied. Do you know if a filter is available locally at a parts store? Be nice not to have to depend on ordering one every time. I have an issue with not being able to open my petcock on my radiator. Afraid that any more pressure on it will damage and require radiator replacement. Been pulling the lower hose for any draining. I imagine my radiator would do the same as yours. Do most of you feel it desirable to add the Wix conditioner to the coolant? Would the filter extend coolant life between changes?

So what is the bottom line for current oil recommendations for 24 valve engines? I'm as confused now as to start with.

Water pumps are pretty easy. I installed a napa pump over a year ago. Good luck so far.

So what harm has been done to my truck running the wrong oil? Is it a splitting hairs issue or have real consequences?

Does setting them a couple thousands less than spec make the engine quieter?

Ok, no mixing then. Sounds like capitalism scam though. Lol.

I am changing my bypass filter every 1,000 miles and adding a quart of fresh oil. Can I start adding the valvoline premium blue 15w40 that meets the specs for my age truck to the existing Delo 400LE oil in the engine? Not talking about adding synthetic to petroleum oil.

So, without doing a bunch of research myself, which specific oils meet the standard for pre 2007 trucks that are readily available?

Maybe someone can chime in with info you want. Sounds like you could really help us understand oil better. Good to have your knowledge here.

I've been looking for the MG oil and all I can find is the LE. Does it exist, does it make a difference? It's what's recommend for 24 valve cummins.