That has been the best investment in any vehicle I have ever owned! I am currently using the freebie download of the 01 in the DIY thread, and it is great so far. Even though I have a 99 so far everything I have looked into so far has been the same.

 

I have the "phone book" size shop manual, and it has come in handy, but this is a job I want someone to do right. More than once, I've had to have someone to redo what I'd done. I have a guy who really knows his stuff, and told me he could do the job for 400-500 bucks, not including the parts and working the heads. How is that on price?

 

I think that's a great price if your planning on selling it or trading it in. If you plan on keeping the truck, expect to pay at least a grand or more if you want it done right.

 

I do wish I had sold it a few years back. Fuel pump went out after 40,000. The transmission was completely shot at 70,000 miles, radio quit working in 2002, and the paint keeps flaking off, like it has leprosy. But, it is a paid-for truck. It has about 90,000 on it now, so I'll get it fixed, and keep on driving.

 

Guy finished with replacing the head gasket in my truck yesterday. Runs good and no leaks. Here is the round figure cost--gasket set-73.00, new head bolts-30.00, machine the heads-130.00, oil coolant and engine cleaners-30.00, his price for the labor-500.00. A bit cheaper than what the local shops would charge. After seeing what all was involved with this job, I was more than happy to let him do it.

 

Glad it worked out for you. I would stay on good terms with that guy because anyone else would have charged double for the labor involved.