Funny Brian you should mention the head resurfacing. My truck, when it went in, came out with one new head and the other rebuilt. I assume the rebuilt one was resurfaced as that's part of the job. Anyway, it might explain my engine's longetivity. It also might be a clue to why others have problems after the repair and even to what the root cause is. I think from a marketing standpoint, I'd rather blame a bad gasket (read vendors fault) than bad machining (read bad quality control).

Another guy on the ORC board about 1.5 years ago, after a mileage poll of vbangers Vs. V6, claimed 365,000 miles and climbing.

Part of the reason I think the 3.0 is more reliable is from that poll. Hands down the V6's kicked the 4bangers butts all over. I mean really bad. Most 4 cyl guys were doing headgaskets in the mid 100'000's out their own wallets. At least the 3.0 people didn't have to pay the dough. Most had described their 4 bangers as "tired" at 200,000. The V6's pulled all they ever could until they croaked completely.

I think when you talk about a 2wd truck that doesn't weigh as much and has less drag, the differences between the 4 cylinder and V6 get very small in longetivity. However, add big tires, lots of weight, lots of rolling/wind resistence, hard trail use, and you have your 4 cylinder foot to the floor a whole lot more than a V6's. That's just plain hard on a motor no matter how you look at it.

PS, if you scan these boards, there are WAY more posts about 4 cylinder rebuilds and V6's. I kinda trip out on the perception the 3.0 is less reliable, when I look around I just don't see that. It's just not very powerful for a V6 and really is too small in comparrison to the competition's motors.

Just remember, I don't have to "take my time", "Not be in a hurry", "take is easy", or "be patient". I put my foot down, the truck accelerates. Not a rocket, but with the 4.88's and 33's, I never have trouble top gear passing on the freeway. In fact that speedo is passing 90mph a little to quick for comfort. How many stock 4 bangers can claim that?

Frank.