Haha that was [censored] near the exact truck I've been loosely looking for but never thought I'd find; old school look, overbuilt, big honkin motor, 4x4 with a manual stick, and 5spd. It was a bonus with the new tires & rims, not to mention the 16,600 miles. I flew out to Rapid City SD (Near Deadwood and Sturgis) on Saturday at noon to pick it up, looked it over, signed the papers, handed the money and started my journey. I wish I would've had more time to turn it into a real road trip, because I was already very close to Mt. Rushmore & Sturgis area. MapQuest said it was going to be like 1,222 miles and about 18.5ish hours. It took me around 22 hours or so and a bit closer to 1,300 miles, because I stopped at a few road side curiousities on the way home, as well as a Wal Mart parking lot power nap somewhere in Minnesota.
Coming out of South Dakota and thru most of Minnesota, I was averaging 11.5mpg give or take. With a 75mph speed limit, I set the cruise control right at that in overdrive and it turned about 2,200rpm. I did stop and get off, for fuel, etc, and then get back on a few times. Typically would start in 2nd because 1st is so low, by the time you let out the clutch, it's time to shift again. It's perfectly happy shifting at or just above 2,000rpm during casual driving and seems to have plenty of "grunt" to pull it, even with the 3:55's.
Illinois had a lot more speed up/slow down, so mileage didn't vary too much, but on the far side of Illinois, thru Indiana, and back thru Ohio. At this point, I was getting into it a bit more, using 1st gear to start, and making my 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 shifts at 3,000-3,500. My 4-O.D. shift was usually around 2,000-2,500. During this stage, the cruise control was set at 70-75mph, and the terrain was a bit flatter too but still some speed up / slow down. I averaged 12 - 12.5mpg here. My gps showed the factory speedo being 2mph high. It has 265/75R 15 Cooper ST tires, E rated. Not factory size, but same overall O.D.
He changed the oil at 1,000 - 1,500 miles ago with Castrol 10w30, and I put about the same on it as well. Probably go with the 10/30 Rotella based on what you guys are saying.
Overall, it's better than in the picture other than a few small paint chips from not having mud flaps. It does not have the original twin-outlet exhaust. He said the previous owner had dual glasspacks, so he removed those and put on a 2into1 muffler with single 3" outlet. Sounds mild. I did notice at a rest stop that it has no Cat Convertor. Clean exhaust job, and would sound amazing with a mild Flowmaster. The engine is so clean, there is no bit of rust on the exhaust manifolds, and the engine looks brand new...literally. No ticks, no funny noises, nothing. Other than it riding like a lumber wagon and a little squeak from that now and then, it's a pretty clean beast. You can let go of the wheel at 75 and make a pot of coffee while it drives straight on down the road. It's no Camaro on take off, but it is pure TRUCK and should suit that purpose very well for me.
What I'd like to do beyond a good oil change is eventually put a cold air intake kit and a freer flowing muffler on it with same configuration- dual in, big single out. This should help it breathe a bit more efficiently. I know there are headers out there that will bolt right in, but I have some reservations about hacking into something that's this nice to begin with, so I am opposed to backing out any MAJOR bolts on the engine. Banks makes a great kit that supposedly posts some pretty great gains, but it's near $1800. Can't imagine spark plugs being toast after 17,xxx miles, but they are also 13 years old. Anyone use an MSD style ignition? Not a daily driver, but if I can make it function better and perform more efficently w/o digging into it much, game on.
Thanks for your input!
This is a picture just as I was leaving the airport with the Black Hills in the back ground:
