joethefordguy
Full Access Members
I'd just like to point out that the man making this statement is currently driving a 16 year old 5.4L. I'm inclined to think he knows of what he speaks...
thanks, but this one I cannot take credit for. I bought it at 96k 14 months ago. on the other hand, I did a couple of years of research before I found one equipped like I wanted, and in the condition I wanted. so there's that.
as to whether I know of what I speak or not, here's some credentials: DoD training as a heavy fleet maintenance manager, then 44 months operating and maintaining a heavy fleet of 50+ 4x4, 6x6 and tracked vehicles, with trailers, almost exclusively offroad, here and in Europe. (one muddy hillside in Germany will live in my nightmares until the day I die).
I worked my way through college as a parts changer in a garage (not a mechanic). I did learn enough to successfully swap engines in a 6 cylinder chevy PU.
finally, with one exception, every vehicle I've owned since sometime in the '80's has lasted well over ten years. the exception was a Buick insurance replacement for the wife that ate it's oil pump about 3 years in.
besides the muddy hillside in Germany, I've (personally) recovered a 6x6 using a chevy 4x4, recovered two M1's which had both thrown their tracks, out of the world's biggest antlion sand pit, recovered a 4x4 that had fallen upside down completely into a shell crater, two M1 chassis bridges that had fallen off the highway and into a baron's front yard, and recovered a light recovery vehicle (a tracked cannon chassis with a boom and winch) out of a mud puddle up to the turret. etc., here, Europe, and Southwest Asia. I didn't do this, but we were shown how to recover a tank laying on it's side with a rope and a tree. who knew? those guys are geniuses.
i do have some confidence when i post, but if the above taught me anything, it is that I do not know everything. one thing all of the above have in common is that my first impression seemed always to be "well, this is new. now what?" much of my knowledge comes from one of the most proficient Army Maintenance Sergeants that ever worked in the business, an E7 who was a genius of infinite patience. and my father, also an Army Maintenance Sergeant, though of somewhat lesser patience (most memorable Dad quote: "boy, you could screw up a wet dream").