Well after only 165k I blew a ring on my rig. Oil is coming out the spark plug socket on the passenger side-closest to the cab cylinder. I'm really bummed. I figure there are three options before me.
1. Total rebuild (40+hr of labor)
2. New motor ($2200 liftetime Warrenty w/65k + 18hr worth of additional labor).
3. Newer vehicle

Can't even begin to do it myself in -8F degree weather, nor would I want to. I would have no problems putting in a new engine and dropping 2-3k, but I live well within the rust belt, so other problems are sure to surface with the body/other components.
I guess in the end this is just a rant. I really expected more mileage out of this thing considering how well I maintained it. Is there anything I could have done to prevent this? I don't tow or ask a lot from it. The truck gets driven regularly and does not sit for long periods of time. F$%k!!