Rob

I had nothing to do with it. Don't start to picking on me again. Rob

I understand also. If he'd just driven a little further west to OKC, I'd have bought him a nice chicken dinner so don't feel too bad as I was left out too. Rob

Bruckner's in OKC has a white Titan on their lot. I'll grab some photos tomorrow. It looks plain to me and as sterile as a vanilla milkshake. Rob

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Whenever I lacerate myself, one of Momma's 13 inch wide "Maxi Pads" and a roll of duct tape is all that is needed to contain the bleeding from me; Just as it does for her. You guys are such wimps sometimes. Rob

Hi Morgan, Momma is not fond of me trying to replace the Dodge with an old Mack based solely on age. We both know that an old truck maintained well is just as dependable as a new one, (sometimes more so) and that would not bother me. She gets "concerned" when I take off cross country that I'll have troubles but I figure "trust it across town, trust it across country", but then again, I maintain it. I'd really like to drive that 73 RL everyday for a heavy truck, but realize it just might not be practical. I'm hard pressed to purchase a new heavy duty light truck when I have so many heavy trucks available that I prefer. Really don't plan to purchase another car that is newer either unless Momma wants new, then I'd take hers. I wouldn't be too afraid of Dodge with Fiat at the helm. That is a large conglomerate of companies and is much larger worldwide than it's appearance in this country. I think that this takeover, or buyout is a good deal to ensure Chrysler is a viable company for many years to come, but that is just my opinion at this time. Rob

That's a good link with several varying opinions. Seems the really negatives deal with the EGR, and turbocharger and parts always on backorder. I know a couple of line mechanics that work at Dodge dealerships and plan to ask them once I get home about issues also. They will tell me what they see from the service/repair and warranty side of things. I've always been a loyalist to Chrysler products due to very good service through the years and would like to stay that way. I have over 189,000 miles on my truck now with almost 100,000 miles of that pulling over 8,000 pounds on a trailer. I have had zero mechanical problems with it. I've had a couple of the 2002-2006 Dodge trucks in the shop for collision damage and they are built no better, or worse than anything else so that is not a factor. Thanks, Rob

I'm putting some thought to purchasing a newer truck to replace the crusty, but trusty Dodge that has hauled my posterior around the country for the past 13 years chasing old trucks to bring home. It has performed this task admirably since I purchased new in March, 1996 without a single breakdown. Only routine maintenance tasks have been required, and it is always ready to go at a turn of the key. I'm looking at a four door 2007, or 2008 Dodge with the 6.7 ltr Cummins engine, should I decide to replace this truck. My quandry is that I have several antique Macks that will perform the same functions as this Dodge just as admirably. This is where I'm leaning but Momma doesn't much care for the idea. She would like to have a truck, or car that delivers better economy than the Dodge, (V-10 gas), and is newer, than my 94 Olds Cutlass that I knock around in daily. Both of these vehicles are well maintained and are as dependable as a rock, so I'm in no hurry. Does anybody have experience with these new 6.7 ltr engines? I've looked on the internet and read all kinds of horror stories from people not happy with them, but you know how people tend to exaggerate in a negative forum. I'm looking for real world experience with these cause I've not had a small diesel in a lot of years; and never an electronic controlled one. Thanks, Rob

The stick that is shifted the most is placed closest to the driver in the USA I'm told. The triplex, and quadraplex transmissions were shifted in the auxillary much more often, (splitting gears in the main) than the main was shifted. In the duplex transmission, each main shift was split by one auxillary shift, so it really didn't matter how the shifter was placed, but was a matter of convienience to the driver. This is as I was told many years ago, but I have no hard evidence to prove anything. Rob

I forgot to ask earlier: Did that truck belong to the Bureau County Fire Dept. in Illinois? They have a very nice B model tanker that they still run and it is only about 70 miles from me. Rob

Gary, chances are that someone either used readily available emblems, or the hood has been changed through the years but it is hard to say. I don't know where to tell you about a manifold but yours could possibly be repaired as I've done several. Snap a photo of the manifold so I could evaluate further. Rob

Yes, they are the same item. Different names for the same thing. The power pulses transmitted to the crankshaft from the piston/rod combination sets up harmonic vibrations through the crankshaft. The dampner, or balancer is installed to counter these harmonic vibrations to both smooth the engine while running to relieve the crankshaft of torsional stresses preventing cracks, and ensure a long service life of both the shaft itself, and friction bearings. Uncontrolled harmonic vibrations will quickly render a crankshaft scrap from the minute cracking that will happen. Rob

Well I'll be.... A truck show that I'll have the free time to attend! I'll get there on Friday night if you need help setting up. Give me a call if help, (dumb labor) is needed. I'm in OKC until the afternoon of the 23rd. Rob 309-219-2070

Do you have any idea how bad of idea this was???? Just imagine trying to fart through a 3/8ths inch thick insolating layer of grease. What a MESS!! Rob

I feel everything is safe in my absence. Nikki is back from school and will keep an eye on things! I didn't leave home until 9:45am, (CST) and just arrived in OKC and checked into my cell, (room). Long drive to sit at once with stopping for fuel one time. Rob

No need there Mike. The "chick magnet" is accurate, but a couple years old. Rob

I am getting on the road to a class at OKC. Will be there until June 24th then returning home. I may look a few of you "shady characters" up whilst I'm in the area. This is gonna be awful painfull on my ass to drive that far cause the sunburn is to the "burning and itching" stage now. Done lined my shorts full of "Noxema" creme to combat the pain. I'll check in when I get to destination to ensure my honor is safeguarded. I don't want to be stabbed in the back while I'm gone neither; Otherwise, you'll get to deal with "Momma's Wrath". Rob

Although I got this big red, blistered bald spot now believe it or not I used to have a full head of hair. In fact when me an Momma started dating, (eons ago) my hair used to drag on my elbows. It hurt like a son of a bitch when rolling under or out from under a car and getting my damned hair caught in a creeper wheel too!! Rob

The "MR" was only there to load that "other thing" and take it to it's rightful place. Rob

My fuel tanks, and fund, are still empty; Yet I get no sympathy, just picked on making me feel terrible. I'm gonna donate to this cause though, and leave the trucks set a little while longer while I conger up some needed fuel. Rob

Can't say for sure but you display those tendencies. Rob

It is RUDE!! Rob

I sense "Dr. Phil" is just another "media hound" out to garner as much attention to himself as possible. I always liked the Jerry Springer Show, and the Morton Downey Jr. shows. At least you could stay awake through the episodes. Geraldo was alright until he calmed down cause somebody smashed a chair across his face. Now that's entertainment!! Rob

The first one I seen was in October of 1985 at Tidewater Mack and it was brand new. I used to "hang" there cause they did a lot of support for the B modes at the time. Rob

I prefer Jerry Springer. Makes more sense to me. Rob

Yeah, seven pounds gain last week. It's a losing battle I'm surmising. State of mental abilities: Jury is out. Rob