CowboyTaco's 2011 DCSB TRD Sport

[Anathollo]

Interesting. Well, I don't know what all the stuff means, so I guess I'm still ignorant.

I'll text him the photos and ask him about it.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Anyone see anything concerning here?

Plugs are in firing order, so:

5 6
3 4
1 2

Number 6 looks a little burned, but I'm not overly concerned. Just curious if the internet experts see anything that I've missed.

 

[Anathollo]

@AlienXtx would be the guy to ask.
But there's also this guide here.
Know Your Engine - Read Your Spark Plugs

 

[Oswego]

Anyone see anything concerning here?

View attachment 19219

Plugs are in firing order, so:

5 6
3 4
1 2

Number 6 looks a little burned, but I'm not overly concerned. Just curious if the internet experts see anything that I've missed.

Pretty sure thats how my #6 issue started. Not to scare you but keep an eye on it. Might be in my build but I have no idea

 

[CowboyTaco]

Pretty sure thats how my #6 issue started. Not to scare you but keep an eye on it. Might be in my build but I have no idea

There are 30 pages of BS and pics of trucks that aren't yours in your build thread. Give me the 30 second summary version.

 

[Anathollo]

I'll text him the photos and ask him about it.

So this is what my brother texted back to me:

"Overall, no cause for alarm. Wear appears low and appropriate. I worry about chrome and nickel trending up.
Contaminants are low, a little boron may indicate a small amount of coolant. Sample again in a year to see if it gets worse.
A little bit of dirt is indicated by silicon, typical.
Condition of the lube is borderline. The viscosity is low at 9.1; should be 11.0. The report indicates no significant fuel dilution, it could be low due to shear (lubricant breakdown). Plenty of additives there, though (these deplete with use).
Oil analysis should be trended. The change and rate of change are more important. Contaminants are always the limiting factor with engines. Soot, water/glycol, fuel, dirt. Soot especially."

 

[Taco Loco]

@CowboyTaco the end of your spark plugs look pretty much normal for the 4.0 that normally runs a bit rich imo, the only concern I see is how dirty those threads look, we’re those plugs easy to remove or wut?

 

[CowboyTaco]

@CowboyTaco the end of your spark plugs look pretty much normal for the 4.0 that normally runs a bit rich imo, the only concern I see is how dirty those threads look, we’re those plugs easy to remove or wut?

#3 was a little harder than I thought it should have been, but the rest of them were as easy as could be.

 

[CowboyTaco]

So this is what my brother texted back to me:

"Overall, no cause for alarm. Wear appears low and appropriate. I worry about chrome and nickel trending up.
Contaminants are low, a little boron may indicate a small amount of coolant. Sample again in a year to see if it gets worse.
A little bit of dirt is indicated by silicon, typical.
Condition of the lube is borderline. The viscosity is low at 9.1; should be 11.0. The report indicates no significant fuel dilution, it could be low due to shear (lubricant breakdown). Plenty of additives there, though (these deplete with use).
Oil analysis should be trended. The change and rate of change are more important. Contaminants are always the limiting factor with engines. Soot, water/glycol, fuel, dirt. Soot especially."

Awesome! Thank you so much. That is certainly more analysis than what they provided. I may sample again when I get to 200k. At the rate that I have been driving lately, it won't be much time before I reach that mark.

 

[CowboyTaco]

So a big thanks to @Taco Loco for posting something about the 2 year warranty on AutoZone/Duralast rotors and the lifetime warranty on pads. I had developed the brake and shake syndrome.

I thought the warranty was only 12 months and was ready to fork out the cash to get OEM rotors and pads since those lasted ~120k (compared to the Duralast ~30k). So I checked my log back in post #2 of this thread and saw that I was barely within the 2 year mark. Called up AutoZone and confirmed that I still had valid warranty. This coming Sunday would have been my last day in warranty.

Anyway, back to smooth braking!

...and since everyone loves pictures (forgot to take a pic during)...

 

[CowboyTaco]

I know a lot of folks hate AllPro. I have their IFS skid and the transmission skid is on sale right now. I can get it shipped for less than the normal cost. I tried to purchase it and their website wouldn't allow me to complete the order, so I emailed them. It's been 2 weeks and no response.

I have a hard time giving them more money with their stellar reputation, but I also have a hard time passing up that price for the tranny skid. I also can't justify the cost to go with any other brand of skids at the moment.

Thoughts?

 

[TacoXpo]

I know a lot of folks hate AllPro. I have their IFS skid and the transmission skid is on sale right now. I can get it shipped for less than the normal cost. I tried to purchase it and their website wouldn't allow me to complete the order, so I emailed them. It's been 2 weeks and no response.

I have a hard time giving them more money with their stellar reputation, but I also have a hard time passing up that price for the tranny skid. I also can't justify the cost to go with any other brand of skids at the moment.

Thoughts?

AllPoo is now owned by Trail Gear if I remember correctly. So... maybe the douchebaggery won't be known by the buyer. I have a set of UCA that I should sell too. I just couldn't bring myself to selling them and not taking them to a band saw!

 

[CowboyTaco]

AllPoo is now owned by Trail Gear if I remember correctly. So... maybe the douchebaggery won't be known by the buyer. I have a set of UCA that I should sell too. I just couldn't bring myself to selling them and not taking them to a band saw!

Yeah, and I've heard bad things about the TG customer service as well. What UCAs you got?

 

[Silverback]

Fuck AllPoo... sell the skid you have and buy Bud Built.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Fuck AllPoo... sell the skid you have and buy Bud Built.

Yeah. If money weren't a concern, I'd be all over this. I pass by their shop on the way to my in-laws house, so I wouldn't even need to do shipping. ....even still, my options at this point are get the transmission skid or don't get the transmission skid.

 

[Taco Loco]

Yeah. If money weren't a concern, I'd be all over this. I pass by their shop on the way to my in-laws house, so I wouldn't even need to do shipping. ....even still, my options at this point are get the transmission skid or don't get the transmission skid.

save even more money by just getting 3/4 plywood, that’s about the strength of that skid.

 

[TacoXpo]

Yeah, and I've heard bad things about the TG customer service as well. What UCAs you got?

POS AllPoo ones that apparently were made without a welding jig. I literally needed to cut them out with a cutoff wheel (just the bolt due to excessive preload since their hole didn't line up.

 

[Silverback]

Yeah. If money weren't a concern, I'd be all over this. I pass by their shop on the way to my in-laws house, so I wouldn't even need to do shipping. ....even still, my options at this point are get the transmission skid or don't get the transmission skid.

Honestly.. sell the AP crap.. save up a few bucks over the next couple months and pick them up from Bud on your way to your in-laws. Have some good son-in-law/father-in-law bonding time installing them... or maybe Bud will even do it for you.

 

[CowboyTaco]

save even more money by just getting 3/4 plywood, that’s about the strength of that skid.

You think birch would be ok, or do I need to special order some hardwood ply?

POS AllPoo ones that apparently were made without a welding jig. I literally needed to cut them out with a cutoff wheel (just the bolt due to excessive preload since their hole didn't line up.

Ouch. Was going to say that I'm open for donations, but you can keep that.

Honestly.. sell the AP crap.. save up a few bucks over the next couple months and pick them up from Bud on your way to your in-laws. Have some good son-in-law/father-in-law bonding time installing them... or maybe Bud will even do it for you.

I've thought about this as well. I could probably sell the AP ones for what I paid for them with how much they have gone up in price. If I got the trans skid, I could advertise it as a full set on CL when I do eventually decide to sell. Honestly, my skids get very light use and have served me fine over the years. I'm thinking I might order the trans skid at the current price. Especially if we are going back to Arkansas. I put a little dent in my trans oil pan getting over the hump that @tex almost got high centered going to the lunch spot / overlook. Something is better than nothing.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Replaced the original serpentine belt with another OEM one that I got from Camelback. I figured 150k and almost 10 years was long enough for a piece of rubber. The old one will go under the seat in case of emergency.

Pics for reference in case I (or you) ever need it.