LiveOak

I don't think the synthetic oil hurt anything. I take it as a precaution, you have checked for oil in the coolant? Any remote possibility is the crank case vent tube but you should readily see an oily mess on the underside. Have you checked for blowby? Unless you can find a visible oil leak on the outside of the engine somewhere, Loosing that much oil is likely a possibility it's the turbo. Have you removed the downpipe from the hot side for a look. The other possibility is rings but you would be seeing noticable blue smoke.

I ordered a front drive shaft from Torque King today. The sell strap and bolt kits for this application. https://torqueking.com/product/40709/qu40709-universal-joint-strap-and-bolt-kit-for-spicer-1350-or-1410-yokes/?searchid=1393311&search_query=driveshaft+strap+and+bolt+kit

I am about to replace pretty much everything in the front end of the old girl. I can hear the front axle shaft universal joints groning and complaining. EVERYTHING in the front end is just as I purchase the truck new about 23 years ago and I think it is probably long past time to replace pretty much everything. I am using Dana/Spicer greasable universal joints, Timken wheel/hub bearings, and I think I am going to bite the bullet and get a set of EMF ball joints. Have not decided on control arms/bushings, and the steering linkage yet. Any suggestions?

Oh boy does that bring back some unpleasant, hot, and sweaty memories! My was doing the exact same thing a few years back, in 2023 I think. My truck still had the original factor pads on it from when I purchased the truck new and they were only about 20% worn, so I decided to just clean and lube everything up and use everything over again. That was a LOT of work and the brakes STILL hung up and over heated. I ended up replacing EVERYTHING, calipers, disks, pads, hoses, lines, fluid was double flushed. Hope you got things good enough to get back home without incident.

VERY nice looking work BFH. I will be taking a close look at my hood hinges in that area and may be placing an order. 👍

Has anyone tried the Motorad 7426190 fail safe thermostat it is 190 degree thermostat but depending upon the quality of it, I like the idea of a fail safe thermostat that fails in the open position.

I see you have a nice imprint of the bumper on your tail gate too from the crappy tail gate cables breaking. 😁

I went with an Eaton True Trac in the rear and a Yukon limited slip for the front axle. Both seem to be working great.

I would think the slightly higher temperatures the coolant runs at would aid in keeping the oil cleaner longer as well.

I am looking at the Spyntech Shorty Kit Dodge 00-15 Shorty Kit and the Yukon Gear & Axle (YA WU-04) Spin Free Locking Hub Conversion Kit Yukon Gear & Axle (YA WU-04) Spin Free Locking Hub Conversion Kit for Dodge SRW Dana 60 AAM Differential There are other kits but I don't know much about them and frankly don't know that much about the above kits. Eventually, I will have to replace the 22 year old wheel bearings in my fron axle. When I do get to that point, I would like to install one of the hub kits to eliminate the constant engagement of the front driveshaft driving on the road. I prefer manual locking hubs. I need to determine which is the best kit to go with and where I would be able to find a set of OEM style hub caps that have the hole in the middle for manual locking hubs. I suspect that someone must manufacture them. Just have not looked into it that deep yet and not fround any. I will be installing the kit on my 2002 Dodge Ram 4x4 SLT Quad Cab Cummins 5.9 HO. Thanks in advance for any advice, recommendations, or suggestions.

The old gal has been a great truck Mike. She has earned some well deserved TLC. Believe it or not, my truck which is pretty much identical to yours just turned over about 93,300 original miles since I purchased it new back in September of 2002. Still running great. Just had the ignition switch and clutch switch replaced as well as having a front axle driveshaft loop installed. I am looking at installing either a Spyntech or Yukon Gear front hubs so I can manually select 4WD.

How are your treatments coming along? Is it renal cancer that you are dealing with?

Have you check Rock Auto? Recently, they had a lot of clearance parts on sale at they did for my 2nd Gen truck.

Have you had an opportunity to diagnose the overboost condition yet?

So I can text you Biden & Harris memorabilia and your computer will pick it up and notify you? LOL!