Howdy All!

Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know about my truck.
As you may recall, back in September of '97 (I know, it seems like only a
few months back), I wrote you to let you know about my '89 F150 that I was
so proud of.

Well, the day after Christmas, it started making  a terrible noise
(KA-POKATA-PING, KA-POKATA-PING, KA-POKATA-PING)
when I was driving, so I stopped in at Desert Rat 4x4 (I like the way I
have been treated there in the past, and will continue to go there in the
future, so all of you Fly'in Highers can just stop right there!) and had
them check it out.

Well, after about an hour and a half, (they took it romping out back and
then put it up on the rack, to check out everything, not just the noise.)
He brought me the news,....it was bad,....really bad,....it was in fact,
painful,...

...it was, EVERYTHING!!

That's right, everything was wrong with my beloved truck.  Bad shocks, bad
brakes, bad transfer case, bad transmission, bad bearings, bad hubs, bad
dog, bad breath, bad bushings, bad engine, bad, bad, BAD, BAD, BAD!

Total estimated cost of repair:  over five thousand dollars.  Five BIG
ones; FIFTY FRANKLINS; 5K; 250 AJ's; let's face it, no matter how you
describe it, it was a lot of moolah.   In fact, (as many of you may well
remember), it was going to cost me just about $1000 MORE to fix it than I
spent to buy it in the first place!

So, with head held in hands, I drove off. (This is a figure of speech, if I
really held my head in my hands, how would I drive the truck?).

As I was heading home, I happened to pass by Bell Dodge.  (Are the hairs on
the back of your neck standing up yet?  If not, they should be!)  I pulled
in, hoping that I could look at (and maybe sneak a test ride) one of the
new Dodge RAMs  (You know, the fantasy trucks),  as this has always
brightened my mood in the past.  I talked to the salesman, he checked out
my F150, we talked some more and looked at several trucks, and I started to
feel better.  I told him that I really didn't have the money for a new
truck, and prepared to leave.  He then dropped the bomb.  (Buy a truck or
I'll kill your entire family!  -No, only kidding.  I did have  you going
there though, didn't I?)

He told me if I bought a new truck, he would give me $5300 for the F150.
Five BIG ones PLUS $350; FIFTY THREE FRANKLINS; 5K PLUS $350; 265 AJ's;
let's face it, no matter how you describe it, it was a lot of moolah.   In
fact, (as many of you may well remember), this was just about $1000 MORE
than I spent to buy it in the first place!

I went home.  I thought about it.  I told my wife about it.  We both
thought about it.  Then we thought about it some more.   We went to bed.

The very next day we picked a bunch of them weeds and we put them in the
sun to dry.  (OOPS!  Wrong story)

The next morning Tanya, Gunnar, and I headed back to Bell Dodge to see if
they were serious about the offer on my F150.
When we got there, the same salesman I had spoken to the previous evening
was waiting for us.  (Psychic?  No, just a good salesman who knew a "kill"
when he saw one. ;-> )

After much dickering, walking around and looking, whining, and fidgeting,
(I told you Gunnar was with us!)  We finally found a truck I was happy
with.  A truck I would be content with.  A truck that was the last 97 on
their lot (remember, it was now 2 days after Christmas.)  A truck that the
dealership wanted, no, say needed to sell quickly and cheaply.  A truck
that I could afford.  (How much?  $37,500, after my trade in, $32,200)  A
truck that would get me to and from work without breaking down. A truck
that didn't smell funny.  A truck with a heater.  (Remember the last
camping trip?) And WHAT A TRUCK IT IS!

OK, here is the part that I have been holding back.  Are you ready?  Hope
so, here we go.
NEW 1997 Dodge RAM 2500HD (That means 3 quarter ton, Heavy Duty), 4 Wheel
Drive, Club Cab, Longbed Pickup truck WITH custom blue paint, chrome
wheels, cab clearance lights, V10, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Cruise,
AC, Tilt Wheel, custom cloth interior, Infinity CD....

-- wait a minute!  What was that back there?  Did it say V10!!??

Yes folks, I did.  I am the proud owner of a 300 Horsepower, 450
Foot/pounds of Torque, 8.0 Liter, Fuel-Injected, 10 Cylinder Monster
Engine; which has been carefully packaged inside of the most beautiful, BIG
pickup truck you have ever seen!

I think that when this summer rolls around, expect to find me in the
mountains.

TTFN!
Devin.

In case you are interested, here are the full specs on the truck (taken
from my window sticker):
2500HD Club Cab Pickup 155" WB
Exterior Color: Brilliant Blue Pearl Coat
Interior Color: Mist Gray:
Engine: 8.0L Magnum V-10 MPI Engine
Transmission: 4 Speed HD Automatic Transmission

STANDARD EQUIPMENT:
Shift-On-The-Fly Part-Time 4x4 Transfer Case
Solid Axle Link-Coil Front Suspension & Sway Bar
Sequential Multipoint Fuel Injection System
Heavy Duty Gas-Charged Front & Rear Shock Absorbers
Independent Front Coil Suspension Springs & Sway Bar
Quick-Ratio Variable Assist Power Steering
Stainless Steel Dual-Catalytic Converter Exhaust System
60-Inch Rear Leaf Springs - 8800N GVWR
Auxiliary Power Outlet
Gauges - Fuel / Volts / Engine Temp / Oil Pressure / Speedometer

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:
Laramie SLT Advantage Package N28H
   Premium Decor Group
   Premium Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat w/Cloth Rear Bench
   Air Conditioning, Non-CFC Refrigerant
   Power Windows & Door Locks
   Seed Control & Tilt Steering
   Light Group & Overhead Console
   Bright Chrome Front & Rear Step Bumper w/Step Pads
   Tachometer
   Chrome Wheels (16x6.5) w/Center Caps
   Power Exterior Mirrors

Trailer Tow Group
   Class IV Trailer Hitch Receiver
   HD Flasher & Adapter Plug
4 Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
4 Speed HD Automatic Transmission
Anti-Spin Locking Differential
8.0L Magnum V-10 MPI Engine
   Heavy Duty Service Group
     - 136 Amp Alt / 750 Amp Battery
     - HD Engine Cooling
     - Auto Trans Auxiliary Oil Cooler
     - Transfer Case Skid Plate
6-Way Power Driver Seat
Cab Clearance Lights
Air Dam
AM/FM Stereo CD w/Premium Infinity Sound System
Tires: LT245/75R16E A/T BSW (5)