Recent content by emmett442

My 1974 Dodge 3/4 gets only 1.5mpg less than that on the highway and it doesn't even have OD. Fact is, trucks are still the heavy bricks they've always been, and as far as efficiency, it doesn't seem to matter what drivetrain or technology changes are made. Trucks big or small have been getting...

As far as I know, most of the TCC problems are solenoid related, not hard parts. And unfortunately, the solenoid lives in the side cover. Not ideal when stuffed in a FWD car. Not sure TCC problems are as much of a function of maintenance as it is blind luck.

Account for the kerf? Pretty sure that, no matter which process is used, the hole is machined AFTER the cap is split off.

I'm a closet GM fan, but I'll admit their chassis quality in this era wasn't the greatest. However, a lot of it was a function of environment. Probably fine cars where rot isn't a concern. Where it is, things weren't good. For example, GM used regular cheap galvanized fluid lines a decade later...

Standards are different now. Back in the day, a universal look with the old aluminum camper shells made fitment easy. An 8ft shell was an 8ft shell. Nowadays, everything is molded for a seamless look with the bed/cab sheetmetal, making them all direct-fit for specific models. Kinda dumb that...

It's not all bad. I chose an older full sized SUV because, at the price point, not much depreciates less. Even as the years and miles increase, a full sized SUV is worth a few bucks. Conversely, a $10k minivan will be essentially worthless later. That more than makes up for a MPG difference...

Not much you can do to prevent this. When the air temp rose, so did the dewpoint. Everything in your garage is still colder, below the dewpoint. ^= condensation. Heat the garage to raise it's contents above dew point and the condensation will stop. Else, wait for equilibrium to occur...

My biggest complaint with new full sized pickups. If you use one day-to-day, the height is less than ideal. Whether it's the cab or the bed, access is difficult. Can't reach anything in the bed without actually climbing in. Gone are the days of simply reaching over the side. Cab access is no...

All wrong. Hidden value. Good cars for the age/money. Doesn't get much better for a large sedan. Interior is cavernous, especially the back seat. Depending on trim, lots of comfort options like cooled front seats, heated from AND rear seats, massaging seats, heated steering wheel, etc. Ride is...

Doesn't matter. It's a wheel alignment, not a tire alignment. Ever see an alignment target clamped to the tire itself?

If you feel the need to do this (I don't), cheapest oil you can find would suffice.

A perrimeter/ladder framed vehicle is pretty flexy in the vertical direction. Doesn't get that truss-style strength of a unit construction. Normal.

I've a number of Avalon fans around me. I've been told that, if you are into "old man" cars like you mention, this is the most recent generation that offers those traditional characteristics. The later generations are lower, stiffer, get big wheels, and thus get a little more harsh, edgy...

FWIW, A LOT of engines do this. Start a car up, move it a few feet, shut it down, it may tick/rattle in the morning.

Even as old as they are, these trucks are still a dime a dozen. It's not the last you'll ever see. Keep an eye out later on and you'll probably find an even nicer one. Don't worry about it.