spankis

Will be there again. Filled up an 8gb card worth of pictures last year.

Lolz. It was Tri-County Dodge off rt. 79. The Suburban was a tan/pewter color. He didn't hide anything from the guy though, they're aware of the issue. Just said he wasn't sure he wanted to deal with it if he could still get a decent amount for it in trade.

So, problem solved. Dad traded it in on a new Cummins Ram with a 6 spd manual.

For what it's worth, 3S's are known to be tanks when it comes to handling accidents well. I've seen more than a few cars that have been completely ruined and have left the cabin effectively untouched. I've seen at least two where they have flipped and everything from the firewall forward is torn off, but the cabin remains nicely intact...

I appreciate the at least more serious response. I do not however understand why a new contract needs written. As it stands, no changes to my contract need to be made in order make this new phone coming in the mail tomorrow function. The only change they're trying to make is that any data charges I may incur be dealt with through a 25mb plan, or through my existing per-kB rate ( neither of which I use ). They ARE forcing the plan change. They aren't going to discount my plan if I take a shitty phone. So why should I give them more money if the replacement for my discontinued phone requires it when packaged with a plan. I'm not changing plans, I'm changing phones, because their lack of quality product FORCES me to.

I have a job, didn't say I didn't.... I choose to spend my money elsewhere, and not on things I don't use. Also you're not listening, as it seems most verizon employees don't. I got a phone that didn't require this plan, and it took a shit. Not my fault. The phone it's being replaced with now requires a plan, and comparable phones are no longer offered. I have to downgrade to fucking awful phones in order to NOT pay for data I don't use. Where am I responsible? I've not yet received the 2 years of service on the Verizon phone that I'm in contract for, at the rate I'm in a contract for.

Took a phone call during typing this....so I'm repeating some of what was said before I replied. Oh well. What should I look out for? I would look out for low oil pressure, as they are bad about spinning bearings, often because the pan has been dented up into the pickup tube. This is a result of a retard jacking by the pan, or by way of a lowered car hitting road debris/bottoming out. This can really only be tested if there is a real gauge in the car, as the factory one in the dash is crap. If the oil light is on run fast. Also ensure that the transfer case is sound, as parts are difficult to find and expensive. There is a transfer case test procedure that can be done by jacking up the car I believe, and spinning the wheels freely - found on 3si. Are there any mechanical differences between model years (besides looks)? There are differences between whether motors are 2-bolt or 4-bolt main, output shaft splines, and 5 or 6 speeds. 6 speeds were in later models, I believe starting 94 or 95 ( 2nd gen). 99 is considered the 3rd gen to most. As you'd expect 4 bolt are better, but it's really only of any concern if pushing the bottom end to its limits. If I recall the 6 speeds are considered more fragile, but again only when really pushed. When maintained, how reliable are they? They are reliable IF maintained, and IF they've not been abused. The motors in particular are fairly stout if maintained, it's the transmission and transfer cases that are generally the weak links. There a number of people you will find on 3si that daily drive their TT cars. It's when you start REALLY pushing things that things begin to break. Are parts more expensive than avg. if something needs fixed? Are parts readily available since they've been out of production for 11 years? Again, engine-wise, normal. Drivetrain, in some cases pricey and/or discontinued. Suspension, brakes, normal. The engine bay looks cramped, how easy is it to work on? It can be a bit cramped, but overall they're not bad. 300ZX are waaaaaay worse if you have any experience with them. What makes things difficult is that the intake manifold has to be loosened/removed to get to the rear bank plugs, and the rear turbo is tucked pretty tightly agains the firewall as well. For normal maintenance though everything is about as accessible as an average FWD car, with the addition of turbo piping. What would you expect to pay for a rust free, good running car? You could probably find a decent one for $7500k to $9000k. Also, a car with rust issues is one I would steer away from. Rust is very rare with these cars and would in my mind indicate neglect. Posing the same question on 3si in the "new owner questions" forum would net you even more info I'm sure.

K brah, when do I start? Company phone? Expense account? Audi?

Buck up and give me my degree early, and a fine paying job?

Thanks for the input. The deal is this though. The phone has a browser, yes. I had the guy look up how much data I had used since I got the env3 in October, and it was ZERO. I don't enjoy paying for services I don't use. The env3 had the same browser setup as this new phone I'm getting, which is not a real browser like true smartphones have. And Phil, my issue is that it's not that black and white at all. I'm not walking in there and choosing to get a new phone of my own volition, I'm being forced into a different phone because the shitty technology they issued me didn't perform. I feel I should not be forced into a different rate/plan in order receive the services my EXISTING plan entitled me to. Phil, if you can tell me that everyone I speak to is going to refute logic and flatly reply with the policy you've given I guess I'll maybe go another route....

So, I got my first Env3 last October, and since then I've gone through 3 Env3's because they are horrible pieces of shit. They have an issue where the batteries lose contact and turn off in your pocket, and you don't know this until you go to use the phone. Well, when my latest one started doing this they tried to give me a 4TH Env3 and I refused. All the current alternatives to an Env3 require $10 data plans as mandatory, and I use absolutely no data at all, so I don't want to pay for that. Either way, they decided to give me a Samsung Reality in place of my shitty ass Env3, and are now going to apparently charge me $10 a month for a data plan that I don't use. In my eyes, my contract entitles me to Env3's level of technology and functionality, at the existing rate I was paying, without any data plan. I'm not responsible for their current lineup of phones lacking a comparable product not requiring a data plan. Why should I have to now pay more for what I was initially entitled to receive according to my existing plan? Is there a way around this? All I keep hearing is that it's their new structure, while I keep telling them that my agreement falls under the older structure....

Sure does have some ticking, AJ. I honestly started hearing it probably 6 months ago when I last drove it, but wrote it off as the start of an exhaust leak. It's always been really faint until the misfire started. Craig, I'll keep you i mind if he decides to go that route.

Not entirely sure on anything yet, which is why it is difficult to make a very good decision at all. Sounds like I'm right to be suspicious of a "for sure" declaration of a wiped cam without having had the heads off....

The cam maybe I could, but I don't trust myself to go over everything else to ensure that anything damaged gets replaced. You basically pull the grill, radiator, condenser, etc. out of the way and pull it straight out the front I assume... If I had time and it were my own car I might make it a learning experience, but for my mother's only car I just want to get it back together quickly and correctly.

Very cool, anybody have suggestions for a good towing cam. Maybe the LS6 is a good option and I'm just misunderstanding or misinformed? Cheaper GM products rather than aftermarket would be great too.

I talked to Rob yesterday and he suspected the same. It has ran great up to this point.

Keep opinions/ideas coming here. Does the 6.0L drop into a 5.3 truck fine? Require a tune/bellhousing/etc.? Options on interchangeability that would be well suited for towing would be appreciated.

Also, if this is a serious suggestion, isn't that more of a top-end horsepower cam? The truck is used for towing at nearly 90% of its rated capacity, so low-end torque would be the goal if the cam is changed.

If that's all it needs, where does all that metal go? And what causes that kind of damage in the first place?

My grandmother used to work at the telephone company. She was busy plugging and unplugging all day long.

So these issues all began in THIS thread, where I was trying to diagnose a mystery misfire and MAF/Vacuum issue on my parent's 2003 suburban. After my early diagnosis was inconclusive, more than a few people claimed it was the intake gasket, but replacing that didn't help either. I gave up and my parents took it to Mcdorman Chevrolet near their home, where they ended up pulling the valve cover. They came to the conclusion that a lobe on the cam is apparently worn and their diagnosis reads that the "lifter/rocker is rough". From there my dad took it to a shop he's used for many years in Baltimore for a second opinion. That shop also concluded that the cam is likely bad, but that compression is good. Nobody has pulled a head off yet, so I'm not entirely sure how they are determining this with much certainty? Are they measuring valve lift I assume? Right now the truck is my mom's daily driver, and it is the only tow vehicle for my parents camper. Although my Dad would like a Diesel he's not in a position to buy one right now. What is the next step? First get a better diagnosis? Rebuild current motor or drop a new one in it? If the cam is wiped do you put a cam and lifters in it and call it a day? What is reasonable in this situation? Should I be skeptical of it having a wiped cam? The truck has 155kish miles on it, but is VERY clean and is otherwise mechanically perfect.... Any internal work on it is beyond my comfort level, so I'm just trying to offer my dad good advice.

2, not like it matters at this point lol.

If I'm not mistaken doesn't the Mustang's weight advantage easily make up for any slight power disadvantage?

Yea I know nothing of their service department, it was just the closest to their house in Canal. I appreciate the offer though AJ, I'll let you know once he decides what he's doing.

I'm not sure I am that comfortable to be honest, but I appreciate the offer Dave. I've never had the heads off one of my own cars, the deepest I've been is valve covers.