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Yep, Trump is the master negotiator - that's how he got to be a billionaire DECADES ago. People are so blinded and brainwashed by their hatred of this man that all rational thought about this campaign goes right out the window. They'll take CNN talking points as gospel. The longer this drags on, the more hurt it puts on our enemies - more hurt = more negotiating power in OUR favor. As much as people ****** and complain, I see plenty of cars coming and going from Section 8 MA housing (paid for by US, the taxpayers) - they seem to have found money to keep their cars rolling. We can take it. We've taken worse for much longer, people forget! One by one, Iran's oil wells will become unusable - you can't turn of the spigot without causing damage to the well. Since Trump closed the Straight, Iran has nowhere to store the constant flow of oil. If they shut them down, they'll never have the same output again. Brilliant strategy. Plus, the rest of our enemies are screwed. It's a win-win.

A direct fit transmission dipstick is available for 2020-2023 HDs using part numbers from a 2019 model. You will need the following: Dipstick tube: 24265546 Dipstick (indicator): 24271875 Seal/grommet for dipstick tube: 15796802 (1) Flange Nut or lock/flat washer & nut: M8-1.25 Start by crawling under the truck and removing the heat shield between the pass. side catalytic converter and the transmission. Use a 10mm socket (if you can find one ) for the front bolt and a 13mm deep socket for the rear flange nut. A 1/4 inch drive ratchet works well in these tight spaces, but a box end wrench will do as well. Next, dampen a paper or shop towel and reach up and clean around the area of the dipstick tube boss to limit dirt and grime from entering the transmission during tube install. Now, raise the center pin in the factory installed plug to prepare for removal. I was able to use my fingers but a small flathead screwdriver or trim removal tool would work if yours is stuck. Next, we are going to pry up the remainder of the factory installed plug. I used a trim removal tool but a flathead screwdriver would work as well, just be sure not to gouge or damage the boss area. The factory plug has multiple ridges on it to keep it seated so it might take some working. After a good pry with my trim tool the entire plug shot into orbit in one motion. Now the fun part. Getting the tube to drop down just right can be tricky, especially as there are a few wires to dodge on the way down. I found that angling the fill tube towards the driver side and twisting as it went down from the top was the best way. Avoid jamming the tube with force that could bend it, tear the heat blanket on the firewall, or sever an existing wire. Use patience (and a step stool) and you'll get it. Once you've got the tube down, grab your seal/grommet and give it a light coat of Dexron VI ATF to ease installation. Now take the seal/grommet and slide it on to the dipstick tube. Move the tube over to the boss and slide it in, making sure that you have achieved a full contact/seal with the transmission. A cellphone or mirror can help here. Align the tube bracket slot with the extended stud from the transmission bellhousing. Using one hand to give some downward pressure on the tube, work a M8-1.25 flange nut onto the stud. My local parts house was out of flange nuts so I used a lock washer, flat washer, and nut combo. Keep downward pressure on the tube while you tighten with the 13mm deep socket. Reinstall the heat shield that was removed previously. Almost done! Grab your dipstick and give it a light lube around the seal area with Dexron VI... ...and send it home! Now as far as a proper hot check, I've always used a minimum transmission temperature of 145'F. The GM check procedure for these trucks says 86'F-122'F, but that's using the inane check plug thingy on the back of the transmission pan. Previous to that design, the hot check temp for Dexron VI was always 145'F min to 190'F max (ATF expands with heat). Perhaps there is someone out there with a service manual for a 2019 and can verify, but there you go folks. This truck should have had one of these sticks from the factory, and we HD users can debate with the non-believers (they do exist) why below or in different threads, but luckily we have a factory fit solution using original GM parts with about ~$60 bucks and some elbow grease! Special thanks to @64BAwagon for doing the leg work on the part numbers and the initial install. I found his thread (on a diesel site) while pondering if this was possible and his previous work made it a breeze. Get to dippin!

Sorry for the crickets: I’ve been waiting to find out when new long block comes in. It arrived at dealership this past Wednesday and dealer said it should be ready to be picked up next week sometime. all I can tell you is the lifters started rattling and the next the rod bearings went, dealer has little explanation why a truck with 28000 miles went!! I can tell you the motor has never been worked on and was doing great until it wasn’t, the oil was changed regularly on time as stated before!

I've owned my truck for Just over five years. I put new tires on it (earlier than needed), I've changed the oil and filters ahead of schedule and now I just completed the fluid changes recommended using the severe maintenance schedule in the manual. It always hurts to spend $2,100 but I'm doing everything I can to keep this truck in good repair. For one, that's just my nature. Second, is that I loan it to my daughter to pull a small camper when her family (grandkids) go camping. Given the cost of a new truck, or any vehicle for that matter, $2,100 is a small price to pay for reliable transportation that also provides good utility from time to time. All tolled, I've spent $4,500 on maintenance - so less than a $100 per month and less than 10 cents per mile. That seems reasonable. I wish I had the tools and ability to do things like the brakes, but those days are gone. I did all the work on my cars in my teens through my 30's. Then I got a job with a car stipend, leased cars, and never had to even think about repairs. However, in retirement (8 years), I now own my vehicles and I'll have to pay to get things done. I think the best thing I could do now is find a good independent mechanic so I don't have to rely on the dealer.

Intake leaks can make a whistling sound as they change the flow of air in the intake.

Last time Pepper was in for a recall at the dealer I waited in the lobby which got me swarmed by sales people naturally. GM had discontinued most family cars and I haven't any real interest in SUV's or trucks with two many doors. Only thing he had left to show I had any interest in was a V6 Cadillac. I pointed out that the paint on it was the same low quality orange peeled dirt ridden type they had sprayed on the Spark and the carpet wasn't carpet at all. Seats were some polymer that looked like polymer. All in all a Mirage with a $70K price tag. Somewhere Cadillac stopped being a luxury car. It's connectivity didn't leave me feeling pampered or even elevated over those vehicles costing under $20K. It left me feeling cheated. He didn't like being told so. ****************************** From time to time I've looked at new trucks in WT trim that are as close a match to Pepper as they make and after kicking the tires I fail to see what it has to offer that is more than what I have and walk away puzzled by the price tag that is nearly double, not what I paid but what it stickered for. Fact is many features were missing so it was less truck, more money. That was 2020 at the beginning of the 'supply chain" issues and that was the sited cause of the crazy pricing. Thing is, another five years down the road the price didn't rebound when the supply did and more features, deal breakers, loss of the Ecotect3 LV3 made it, IMHO, a STUPID buy. I missed the point where you get more when you pay more shifted to "I ask and you pay". The 30% loss of the $$$$ value over the last 6 years is mind numbingly greedy. We went out to dinner at a new spot in town this week. $70 for two for basics. No appetizers, no bottle of wine just pasta entree and tea. Yesterday we went to a movie. First time in since COVID. Ticket price was about the same as pre-covid with the senior and matinee discounts but one 'regular (small) soda and a small box of Junior Mints was $14!!! I asked the gal at the counter if they trained to hold a straight face asking that much for so little. She said no, the straight face comes from being hammered by customers about it. Poor girl. I expect it will be the last movie I see in a theater where the volume is so loud I wear earplugs and so cold I can see my breath. There were about six people in attendance. I wonder why? It was a good movie. "The Sheep Detectives". (shameless plug)

I discovered this years ago. We all assume that the dealer is more expensive, but that is not always the case. I've been buying genuine GM (Delco) windshield wipers, because they last much longer, from the dealer for less $$ than cheap aftermarket ones at Walmart or parts stores. Same with air and oil filters, quality Delco Gold AGM batteries, and actually ordering tires from the dealer because they will price match on-line prices from places like Tire Rack. Be aware, dealers also sell off brand parts that are less than genuine GM, avoid those if you can. Also, dealers all have different price marks so shop around at various GM dealers and you'll see big price differences on the exact same parts.

Every time lately when I think I want a replacement for one of my vehicles I test drive a new one. I’ve long passed the desire for a different model. It would be a direct replacement. Van for van, truck for truck etc. it was different when I drove 50K miles a year, I now drive 12K. I don’t see much difference except for more intrusive gadgets. I like driving my own vehicle without the aids since anti lock brakes. Bluetooth was enough I don’t care about CarPlay. I can see my phone without the glare. I don’t use my vehicles GPS. I get my vehicle detailed and realized two hundred dollars is better than 50K. And the experience looking out the window is the same. My grandfather used to smile every time I showed up with a new vehicle. He walk over to the 74 Cadillac my father gave him pat it on the fender ten years still going strong he would say. I’m reminded of a sign I saw passing a use car lot one day. Everyone drives a used car.

The engine drain plug seal came in today as he figured it would take three days. It is as Newdude stated, that part number I was handed and the list price is 7.51 and I get 10% off due to it being the dealer I bought the truck from so was 6.76 ( Canadian ) and not on backorder. I did ask the partsman if they normally just hand the mechanic a new drain plug and he said that is their practice at their dealership. Certainly different then it used to be years back for such an item that on some engines will deteriorate fairly often with few use cycles and would guess due to a different plug and seal design in thinking about engines 30 or more years ago. I looked up a popular local independent parts dealer that handles a mix of GM genuine parts and various other manufacturers and their price is 10.19 and probably don't have them in stock either. Its almost as if some of these independent parts supplier stores have realized customers just assume its going to be more expensive at the dealer so they buy it there instead not realizing they are getting screwed on some parts.

I expect two weeks max. It finally dawned on me that the pause is for other countries to step up to the plate. They’re the most affected. China is the last piece. I fully expected the massive military campaign to continue. Then I realized this pause takes care of the second guessing and the what if’s. It’s really amusing to watch and listen to the people claiming there wasn’t a reason for this. They said the opposite for quite awhile. Trump said it had to be done even if it cost the midterms for his party. When have you ever seen that before? The price had to be paid even if it costs an extra 1$ per gallon. Some people are patriotic some are just looking for an edge. You don’t think they would use a nuke if they get one? They just killed 30 to 40 thousand of their own people for simple protesting. I’ll pay a little more for gas. The least I can do.