I just double checked the fuel pressure with a guage. Only this time I hooked into the outlet hose between the fuel rail and the pressure regulator.

Specs say 35psi with vac hose attached. I got 40.
Specs say 40 with vac hose detached. I got 48.

Then a bizzarr thing happened. After removing the vac hose twice more just to be sure, the pressure jumped to 48 and stayed there. With or without the vac hose connected, I was getting a steady 48.

Whaddya think??? Should I go ahead and change the pressure regulator and hope that's the problem or, based on the readings, is it a pretty sure bet?

Think I'm gonna say what the hell and go for it. This truck has been tested in every way, shape, and form. I am down to the pressure regulator and every sensor that could be sending a bad signal. Like they say "Garbage in, garbage out". The ECM can only react to the info it receives right?