Well...you guys were right. Check engine light finally came on and spit out a bad TPS code. Replaced the sensor, and all is well again. This thing does NOT like to move unless it`s fully warmed up though. Someone told me that this truck has more electronics than an F-16 jet fighter...lol. I love it though.

Thanks to all for your insight and knowledge!

 

any specifics we can help you with?

 

I thought the 2000s were interesting since they were sort of a transition model, halfway between a 99 and a 2001. I still miss it

Anyway, both my 2000 and 2001 have the 4.7L and it should move fine even cold. No idea where I'd start looking for what would cause this to happen though.

 

the only thing you may feel when cold is a locked up clutch fan, but you will definitely hear that one, and it should unlock in a 1/4 mile or less (1/2 mile if it has a heavy duty clutch)

 

+1 on the fan clutch

my power steering sticks for the first 5 seconds or so when the engine is started completely cold when its under around 40 degress, but after that its completely fine.

 

The only thing it really does when cold, is that it shifts a little slow from 2nd to 3rd gear sometimes. The fan clutch always does that too where it`s locked up and really loud but always settles down after a few seconds. I usually let it sit and warm up to full operating temp, but sometimes that isn`t always an option.

 

that warm up period is unnecessary and wasteful let it sit long enough for the oil pressure to come up and then drive, the only (good) thing you do by letting it warm up is to warm the passenger cabin up some.

the parts that need to warm up are the trans, t-case and diff fluids, and they dont warm up till you start driving.

 

I don't know how cold it gets were you live but I've seen a lot of vehicles get ruined by people getting in a driving them right away. Same things, piston slap and valve train tick with sludge.

 

im in NJ so below 0 is rare, but does happen on occasion.

however in modern engines warm up is unnecessary for the engines sake. once the oil is flowing you are good to go (if you have oil pressure oil is flowing), anything beyond that is wasting gas. the vehicles ruined were ruined by lack of maintance, NOT by getting in and driving.

the important parts to warm up are the driveline (tranny, t-case, diff) and they cant warm up until you start driving.

 

I used to let mine warm up just so it wouldn't be so cold when I got in, but with the heated seats I don't really bother anymore. I guess I learned from my parents when it comes to car habits and they never let it warm up, and my dad is a mechanic, so he'd know. I also agree on the the other parts that warm up, until you start moving those have no friction to get warm. I've never had any difference in anything with the truck cold vs warm, but we don't get winters that are too extreme here in Denver. The mountains are a different story though.