I didn’t really do a quick job. I’d say 3 hours if you rush and skip some of the cleaning I did. 5 hours if you have everything ready and take your time.

I go slow with connectors etc

consider replacing both vent hoses. It’s cheap and feels right. Be prepared for other hoses to need replaced.

Valve cover rebuild could have went smoother, I F'd up and put the spark plug tube gaskets in the wrong orientation, noticed only upon 1st attempt at reinstallation. Damaged the 1st one trying to get it back out, so paused and ordered 4 more (they're cheap), so I'm stuck waiting on parts. Dammit. I overanalyzed the orientation, and made the wrong call in the end, make sure the new gaskets will meet the spark plug tubes with the side with the tapered surface, despite all other reasoning to the contrary.

While I was in there, I found a coolant leak/crusty dried coolant at the water inlet housing connection, so ordered a new ring for that while I'm at it. I knew it was leaking at the block heater in the winter, but this leak was news to me, not sure how much volume was lost here or if it's just some crystalized buildup.

Also changed the PCV for the 1st time, that went smoothly. The hose that connects it felt very hard and brittle, so I was extra careful with it.

Hoping to have my parts before the end of the week...

picture doesn’t do justice to the difference.

I narrowly averted having to buy a new headlight assembly ($500+, unless I were to get one of the Chinese knock-offs)

My driver's side turn signal/DRL bulb socket came loose and half fell-out of the headlight assembly.
Since it's on all the time, that meant it's hot all the time, and it melted part of the plastic of the headlight.

Luckily I was able to pry and snip some of the melty parts away so that the socket could fit back in there.
I have some doubts as to how waterproof it is now but maybe it will last long enough.

I had to get a new bulb because of course much of the plastic melted itself to the glass...
Since bulbs are sold in pairs, at least now I have a spare bulb I can put into one of the storage cubbies.

I have no idea what LS owners would do in this case - their headlight assemblies are like $2000 and up. (big ouch)

For the curious - the turn signal bulb you buy is a 1156NA

Chip H.

Do the smart thing and replace your bulbs with LEDs. The original halogens just run way too hot, causing all sorts of problems.

have DRL turned off.

I actually like the amber DRLs. More than the white LEDs that most new cars have.


Chip H.

I did too, but I was getting underneath the truck to replace them almost yearly. I need them to work as a turn signal more than DRL

Add ons.

I installed the after market grill but added some flare.

Nice, how did you illuminate the insert?

On the weekend the old girl had the timing belt, water pump, coolant flush, new block heater, and accessory belt done by my mechanic buddy. 2nd time I've had to do this service in the time I've owned this truck.

That should address the 2 coolant leaks I had developed (block heater and t-stat housing o-ring), and be good to go until it's finally time to let this truck die.

Mechanic did note the passenger front wheel bearing has play in it, which sucks as I just changed that last fall! Hoping there's some warranty available for that.

Last night I got the F&R diffs, and the TC fluids changed, good to get done before winter arrives and melt water is dripping on me, lol.