OK. This subject is coming up again for me. Here's what I'm lookin' at. My current '98 is a d#*% good truck. I like the "nuts & bolts" aspect of it but it has a little salt damage that really isn't bad, but I don't feel like messin' with it. So, I want a good "nuts & bolts" truck and am looking for another '98 or even as far back as a '95 in clean shape. I will go as new as an '02 'cause I can P-pump it if I HAVE to. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind new gen electronic engines (an Audi Q7 V12 TDI would be nice) but I would really rather have at least one vehicle in my driveway that DOESN'T have to rely on all that crap. I've just had too many experiences with weird stuff happening with cars of various makes that shakes your confidence out on the road ya know? Just the other day my wife's Odyssey would turn over but not start until I turned it back off and reinserted the key. Then later the cruise wouldn't work and I had to shut it off and turn it back on. The car doesn't even have 100k on it! What's next? T#ts up? Anyway, I'm ranting----sorry. I would like to have a truck to build and hot rod a little. Obviously, a '95-'98 would be easy enough but what about a '98. 5 to an '02? If the VP craps I'm P-pumpin' it------that's all there is too it. P-pump motors drive just fine for me and would probably drive even better with an automatic. So what do you do if you P-pump a 24V? Retrofit a '98 instrument pod or just use the ECM? I've done some searches and chatted with some well known shops and such. I like the late 2nd gen trucks because they had better interiors, 4 wheel discs, etc. , but a '98 12V is OK too. What's a dieselhead to do?