- Install alternator cradle, alternator, and serpentine belt.
- Finally the rest of the intake
So that's it. I say this one isn't for the faint of heart. I'm happy I did as I definitely feel like my wrench game leveled up after this one. Glad my stubborn ass actually took help when it was offered. This would have been a bear solo. I honestly feel like this was actually harder than the engine replacement.
So first I want to talk about some issues I noticed while under there. First I found a harness that came off of it's mount and dropped down on the passenger side exhaust flange and is melted through. Could explain the electrical issues I had with my headlight:
Next discovered both LBJ boots blown. I believe it's only been a year and half since I put these on (non OEM). Not a good look. I'm seeing another coolant leak on the core support. Replaced the entire cooling system just a couple years ago. Also some sort of small oil leak. Not sure if it's pan or rear main. Ugh.
So after the job, the truck fired right up which I was happy to see... HOWEVER, it threw a code immediately for HILL DECENT and TRACTION CONTROL. Seems to have thrown it into limp mode. It had a smooth high idle, then would drop down and lug. No RPM movement when I apply throttle. I never put it in gear. Just shut it down. I'll pull a code this evening and go from there. If it's not this damaged wiring harness that I sort of just taped up and moved away for now, it could be the aforementioned diff vacuum lines. Stay tuned I guess. After all that work, I was a little deflated to have this pop up, but when you've been wrenching as long as I have, you know this is more par for the course vs. that rare unicorn day when everything goes right, as expected, and ahead of schedule.