now that I think about it thats true. Two things that are minor but I was upset to find out chrome clad wheels meants plastic chrome wheel covers, cant tell the difference but still. And for a 40k truck the radio/clock display looks fairly chincy.

Also the oil change for modern truck that was magnificently engineered on all other fronts is kind of a PITA

+1 with the oil changes. I had quite a time getting the filter on. A few bad words later she was on haha

Heres a clip from the same trip, climbing the Palm Springs hill. (famous windfarm)

At about 1:40 I discuss the distance between my elbow and the wheel.

The trip from LA to the River/ Havasu is all climb until the top of the hill then you drop into the Palm Springs valley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bwK01ljZnc&feature=plcp

Vid will finish posting at about 7:45 LA time.

UD

The turn signals are a 3 blink automatic if you just give them a nudge. They will stay on if you fully depress the lever. If you own a German car such as a Mercedes, for example, then you'll understand better how they actually work.
I got 20.6 mpg today from DFW to Wichita on I-35 @ 75-80mph. The same trip yesterday I only achieved 16.5

I know how they are supposed to work.

They just dont work that way for me consistently.

The "detent" from 3 blink to full signal isn't pronounced enough for me causing frequent push through into full signal.

The 3:55 truck worked better for some reason.

I prefer the traditional America/Japanese style signal control to the Fords "Euro" style.

Uncle Dave

4x4? what axle?

nice. And I agree I know how the blinker works its just the pressure to do the 3 blinks and full isnt pronounced enough. Either way a silly thing to complain about on a great truck.

How about the rough paint on the bottom of panels, very nice thought to resist dirt and grime.

Never noticed rough paint on the bottom of the panels- nice touch though.

I think its far to nitpick about anything on a 40K vehicle and especially something you live with EVERY day.

My buddy with the white 3:73 FX4 truck found out after a week in Glamis (sand and dust) that there is no in cabin filter. He found this out 2 weeks ago when he complained about dust circulation and suggested the shop change the in cabin filter.

It is a GREAT truck. Nicest half ton made.

Uncle Dave

On a side note, I opted to have the truck "Simonized" which (according to google) is half scam, half real. They charged $450 for it. Now before everyone starts in on me about what a waste of money it was, let me explain WHY I bought it.. Simoniz warranties against acidic sap damage. If you get sap on the hood of your black truck on a 115 degree day, it basically eats the clear coat off. Every car I've kept at our lakehouse had to have paint work done because of the sap damage.
For $450, they'll simoniz it and guarantee the sap won't damage the paint. And if it DOES, the warranty will pay for the paint repair. Some people swear up and down by this stuff and others say its no better than regular wax..

I asked my detailer about it and he said he could replicate the process for about the same price but couldn't offer any warranty..

Anyways, I got called out to pull water samples at a cave near the lake. When I got there, the road was entirely overgrown and it would have been a 4 mile walk in 109* temps carrying all my equipment. So I pushed my way through.. Here is a picture of the truck after 8 miles of brushing up against limbs, leafs, trees, etc.. the second pic was after spraying the truck off at the carwash this morning.. Not a single scratch left..

Something to consider if you guys have to deal with brush marks and sap.. worth every penny in my book!

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4156/ertyt.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8375/qwertr.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/581/asdfeqb.jpg

I've put 2500 miles on mine so far & I've gotten ~615 miles out of my last tank ~30 gallons. It has all been I35 miles @ 75-80 mph. It has the 3.31 gears & I am a happy camper with it.