That reminds me of this Top Gear episode on Toyota trucks... love that show

http://youtu.be/xnWKz7Cthkk

 

In the 3/4 ton and up US market there is no foreign choices that would make a reasonable alternative to the big 3 pickups. I think I'd have one of these anyway though. To me the few grand I have into it makes it seem like a good value considering the regular beatings it seems to enjoy receiving. Gas'll get you though. $$$$!!!! Can't really think of any vehicle other than maybe a better truck I'd rather have. But to get a better truck would be ultra $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Value, man. That and they are pretty badass!

 

I do think the big 3 have improved the R&D and design aspects of their companies, and like it or not, I think government restrictions and soaring gas costs have forced the domestics to think differently. They simply can't continue to produce in the same manner they did before.

It's tough to say how long that research will take to hit the market though. For instance, I worry about the junk they've thrown on the 5.7 hemi engine just to get it to 20mph highway. That MDS is not proven reliability yet. But the newer 3.6 pentastar engine looks to be a real winner in the sedan market, as does the new 6.4L hemi for the SRT lineup. I'm still a little scared of it though, being their first go at variable valve timing, but if they nail it, it'll be a beast. I heard rumor they may add a blower to the 2012 or 2013 challenger and get it up near 550 horsepower from the production line.

Can you say 11 second or better quarter mile with a 5/50k warranty?

 

Back on topic,
The exhaust seats are hardened inserts from what I have seen. They cannot just harden a section of metal independent of the rest, well why would they? Now if one is to make a hardened section then it would be intake, not high temperature exhaust valve seats, but regardless they are inserts and it doesn't matter again from the ones I have seen, but I am not a head rebuilder.

The ones I have seen have seats, so I don't know.

 

So I am going to do the kegger mod (completed and on bench waiting to install). Truck has 133,000 miles. Cat was replaced within last 8 to 10K.

I have not driven truck more than about 100 miles or so since I picked it up, so cannot speak to oil consumption or other issues.

When I install kegger mod, will be installing double roller timing set, new water pump and stat, plugs rotor wires and plugs, and tune (SCT).

I have not seen or noticed any head or overheating issues. Should I plan to go ahead an buy a set of heads such as Odessa, and have them on shelf ready to install? Thinking about HS rockers on new heads if I do this. Think maybe upgrading to HS on current heads may not be most effective.

Wonder waht shippong costs are for heads?

Thoughts?

 

Why not pull the heads now and inspect them for cracks?

 

If I pull them, I wouldn't put used ones back on as they are. Since they are alum, magna flux isn't a home option. No machine shop in this hotterville, so taht would be no help. If it was not a glaring crack, I would receive no gain from looking. That's why I'm thinking of setting a pair on the shelf to be ready. It seems that cracked heads are nearly as inevitiable as blown plenum from what I am reading.

just thinking of being a little proactive. Between two trucks and a car, taking it down for this at any time would not be an issue or time critical.

I am just not yeat at the point where I have decided to go ahead and put this on the project list - yet (but I may...)

 

Stock heads are cast iron. If you have aluminum heads, you already have aftermarket heads on there. (and I would be real curious to know which ones.....)

 

Aluminum?

 

Do not underestimate the Powah of the Mod Side.