You called it Moose. I agree 100%. I didn't want to get in trouble by talking of other rigs then Ford. Some of these sites are brutal when you say anything against the badge. I have no idea how Ford has been the #1 seller for 30+ years. The Chevy LS engine is far superior to the modular engines and I am not a Chevy fan, don't own one. OK there I said it. I also have a 2004 Dodge 1500 4 door 4x4, and yes with the Hemi. 178k bought it new and I have only maintained it according to the book. Finally put brakes on it at 150k because I felt guilty and just replaced the battery this past Thanksgiving because I was going to Montana and didn't want to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere and die.... The only mechanical thing I had done due to CEL was replaced the EGR valve, that was like 42.00 and 30 minutes. I could have cleaned the original and it would have worked, but thought what the heck, replace it.
Yes, the Asain rigs are kicking our butts again IMO. If we don't get it figured out Toyota will be the World market leader, may already be and the others not far behind. I would never buy another Ford if I wasn't able to work on them myself. I feel bad for these guys who are getting on site because they just bought a Exp and it is ticking or smoking, they are going to get a hard lesson to learn.
And yep, I certainly remember the junkers of the 70's, 80's and early 90's. I cut my teeth working on them. We gave Asia an open window to show us how to make a rig. Wait until China hits the markets with something. Unless old Trumpster puts a tax on Imports to level the playing field they will soon all be kicking our butts. You and I both grew up when in the 60's anything Asain made was a big joke. By the mid 70's we started saying, hey these rigs are pretty simple and run forever. China IMO is cutting that learning/quality curve in half. I hate to say it but all the parts I have bought from them look as good or better than the Ford parts I am replacing. The repairs on my 05 KR the only factory replacement parts I used were the lash adjusters and followers. The damn followers looked like someone made them with a torch and anvil, very, very rough.
Been great talking to you, some old farts going through old memories
Gary