Donstar

Long before DRL's were mandatory in Canada, it was becoming increasingly popular to turn on your low beams while driving your car/truck/motorcycle. This was especially common on cloudy, foggy or poor weather days. Using my headlights while driving in the US in the 70's and 80's would usually spark some polite reminders that my headlights were on. Now, seeing a vehicle with lights on during the daytime is generally recognized and such reminders are exceptionally rare. I personally believe increasing your visibility is a good thing and having your vehicle do it automatically is a plus.

I do like the possessed idea, but I think most older members will be reminded of their crystal radios. They provided endless hours of battery free listening pleasure!

The mpg's of the current 2500 equipped with the 6.0 is not horrible and remind me of the pre Vortec, fuel hungry 1/2 tons. However, I agree they are bad enough though to seriously consider whether using a 2500 as a DD makes sense. There was a time when it was a viable option for me to have a second vehicle to absorb some of those daily driver duties. The amount and type of driving you do will determine whether a second commuter car is worthwhile, but it worked in my situation. Arguably, the $'s saved may not have made owning an extra car lucrative but seeing the miles stay low on my truck was truly a bonus!

Maybe further discussion would be more appropriate for the Off Topic section. It is an interesting topic and worth sharing experiences. Back pain impacts a huge percentage of us in varying degrees from annoying to crippling.

? "The pain is not lower back but just a hair above"

All of the above comments have a common theme and that is the truck is not the issue. Get a proper and thorough medical assessment. Back pain is a very broad term and similar symptoms can have very different causes. The medicine or treatment that works for a friend could be ineffective and inappropriate for you.

I agree 100%. Some people dream of exotic cars if they win the lottery...my dream vehicle is on this page!

Yes, I know there are bad experiences out there but I've had good luck in finding skilled mechanics.

We loose perspective on "low" gas prices. Fuel in my area just went down to $1.34 per litre recently. It still cost me over $100 to fill up my V6 truck yesterday but I felt that I got a good deal! I've looked at the Bolt as a second vehicle and it is a fine looking car, imo. I find that "new" looking vehicles tend to take on a more traditional and acceptable look after a few years. ? I believe when there is a surplus of product in the market and deep discounts are being offered, this is the time to look more seriously at making a purchase!

Welcome to this forum. It is unfortunate that you didn't inquire before replacing the motor! ? I had the same initial thought as duquephart. but the problem could also be a be a poor connection or severed wire. Personally, I'd save myself further aggravation and take it to a pro at a reputable service centre. He or she will have the proper tools, knowledge, and won't simply guess!

Definitely! There were obviously those who thought your white taillight treatment was cheesy. If I recall correctly, members also made positive comments. There are a lot of original ideas on this forum that deserve recognition in the cheese thread ?

I never disagree with you Grumpy! I sometimes have a different opinion.... My '56 Austin (teen project car) still had provisions to hand crank the engine. If the electric starter quit, the last thing I'd have considered (even back in the '60's) was to hand crank my car. This for me is comparable to a transmission dipstick. It may be useful to some in rare circumstances, but has long outlasted its usefulness to most vehicle owners.

Welcome to the forum! Providing us some more information may result in more accurate responses. For example, what type of tires are on your truck and what type of driving conditions are you expecting? If your truck is 4wd and came with all season tires you will be fine for most road conditions. If you have the money, dedicated snow tires are ideal. They help you brake as well as go!

You are absolutely correct in your defence of the V8. I have understandings in my life that I choose to maintain even though I suspect that more knowledge may shake up such beliefs. IMO, our love for the V8 was entrenched in our minds at a time when automotive engines were much less efficient and gas was less than a dollar a gallon. My current V6 has double the horsepower and probably burns about 40% less fuel than the V8's of the 70's -90's. The current V8's far exceed the power needed to safely operate these trucks but appeal to the fun aspect of driving and to our egos. "Bigger is better". Personally, I am excited about the prospect of buying a truck with the 2.7. It has more power and is cheaper on gas than my current 4.3 that already meets or exceeds my needs! I am finding that I enjoy more and more to challenge my old ways and beliefs and I encourage you and others to do the same. Change is often good!

I may be doing my research with blinders on but I believe this engine is generally receiving good reports. I hope it succeeds and any bugs are gone when it comes time for me to buy!

Interesting topic! My question is what will this modification do to enhance my driving experience? Or, what is the likelihood that this procedure will prevent engine failure during my period of ownership? Will it enhance my resale value? If it will save my engine from premature failure and subsequent costly repairs then it could actually have a positive environmental impact. It sounds like an inexpensive modification and I would appreciate hearing the potential benefits. BTW Individual contributions to increasing or reducing environmental harm may seem small or insignificant but I will usually choose the more environmentally compatible option. Polar Bears actually do matter...

I agree there is no comparison to killing to a pet to a human but allowing either to die in a hot car is abhorrent. I understand that the plan is to leave the air conditioning on but it is not uncommon for pets to die in hot cars even though the owner took steps to keep the vehicle cool. Pet ownership can be inconvenient. When travelling, my wife and I get our meals at a drive-thru even though we'd far rather dine inside a restaurant. When stopping at a grocery store, one of us shops while the other takes the dog for a walk.

I was hoping a substitute for gas (biofuels?) would be developed and simply be a plug' n play solution! The future is in electric vehicles and I am hoping to make the switch before I have to or we all hit crisis mode. The video you attached is excellent and I watched all of the speakers or the first 45 minutes. I will finish later. Nobody can dispute the ability of electric motors to provide ample power for our personal vehicles. If you've been on a modern cruise ship chances are it was propelled by electric motors. The best criticism people come up with against electric motors is range and recharge. EV's are already on the streets around the world including black cabs in London. As supported in the video, the future will only see improvements in the supply of power. I was looking at Chevy Bolt on the weekend for my wife. I believe the battery pack is guaranteed 8yrs/100k miles. I can safely expect that come replacement time, a significantly improved power source will be ready for install. It would be worthwhile for your video to be added to the thread below.

The issue should have nothing to do with the appearance of the individual and my response has nothing to do with geography. In both of our circumstances somebody was trying to make sure designated parking is kept available for you and me. You see this a bad thing, I don't.

An option to bad mouthing someone not as fortunate as you in appearance or mind is to fix your handicap card to hang in a manner that is clearly visible. I've had one for many years and I understand that they may require a little tape nearing their expiry date. I am more physically challenged than many and I recall a similar situation to the one you described. My card was laying on the dash and hard to see without some effort. Coming out of the store I saw a woman closely scoping out my truck in search of a handicap notice. I thanked the lady for watching out for those of us with legitimate challenges. It is unfortunate that people will park in designated handicapped spaces and I appreciate those who make the effort to stand up for those in need.

FWIW Public awareness of the dangers of leaving pets/children in hot cars has reached an all time high. This is a good thing. ( I appreciate some may be over zealous in their efforts to catch offenders.) I hate leaving my dog at home and will only do so when absolutely necessary. (Grocery shopping is an example) All other stores, I take my dog (on hot days) into the store. Even businesses that have signage discouraging pets will allow me to browse with my dog on hot days. If approached by sales staff, I politely ask if it is alright because I can't l leave her in the car. I have never been sent out of a store with my dog. This widespread awareness includes storeowners and can be used to your advantage.

Maybe "history can inform the present"!

If rekindling this thread prompts someone to consider adding an exterior camera to their truck, don't ignore the aftermarket options. A few months ago I bought a wireless system from Amazon to give continuous view behind my travel trailer. I was skeptical of having a 7" monitor on my dash but not a problem. (I am sure others may find it annoying). I have since added a front licence plate camera and it is proving to be a nice help when pulling up to an obstacle. The system can accommodate up to four wireless cameras and is able to record. The system c/w 2 wireless cameras and a third licence plate mount camera costs less than some members are spending on their OEM rear camera addition. If you've driven a vehicle with a backup camera or sensors for several years, you will miss the feeling of added safety driving a vehicle without this option. Adding OEM is the cleanest way and will add value to your truck. However, if money is a concern and you need rear-vision, economical alternatives are available! OEM 360 is how all vehicles should come from the factory, imo!

Great link. There are many businesses that specialize in adapting vehicles to meet the needs of most physical challenges. I used to rent vehicles for my mother from a business that rented only to the physically disabled. It was a true eye opener to see the alternatives to traditional driving methods! As a side note, I remember many years ago switching from my work truck to my commuter Austin America in my large work boots. My problem wasn't missing the pedal, it was trying not to hit two at a time!

If you're buying new tires for looks, then I suggest taking your time, look around, and continue the discussion with other '19 owners. If you need a more aggressive tire now to take you to remote locations then consider remaining with close to stock size. (I sometimes go +1 on the width or aspect) Your best highway and city performance will be achieved with remaining stock. Looks are important but spending a large amount of money to replace new tires for a negative impact needs serious consideration, imo. When I go slightly larger, it is strictly for my personal mini-macho boost. I know very, very few people who would notice or value larger tires on my pickup :-)