Just wanted to say thanks for all the knowledge on this forum. I have a '95 3.2 4x4 Passport, 166k miles. Had the timing belt and all the related work done about 18 months ago, new radiator about eight months ago. Last August, the alternator died while I was camping in BFE Oregon. At nearly the same time, I began to notice a regular knocking sound from the engine, more than the normal clicking of the valves. Within a couple months, it started sounding like either a fan/shroud collision or a diesel.

I tried running two different engine cleaners through, but they didn't help--they may have even hurt my fuel economy. I was about ready to push the beast off a cliff when I found this forum. After reading through numerous posts, I pulled the timing belt cover loose and bingo! The belt was visibly loose, and there were wear marks on the lower surface of the cover. Took it to my mechanic, sure enough the hydraulic tensioner had failed. Sadly not under warranty. But the engine purrs like a kitten now. The valves don't even click, though that might have more to do with the quart of HyPer Lube and remainder of 20-50 I fed it after giving up on engine cleaners. Oil pressure even looked good for awhile, though its dropping off some now.

Anyway, thanks for sharing this wealth of information! I was at my wit's end, but now I have much more confidence that I can rehabilitate my rig. Next up: tires, bushings, running gear and whatnot.

What kind of tires are you going with?? and what size?

These trucks look sweet if you go bigger, without going too big.

I dunno, probably whatever fits the stock wheels at this point, I don't have much money to spend on getting fancy. Just want to knock out all the routine and long-delayed maintenance on the beast so I can depend on it. It LOOKS in good shape, and I think the engine/transmission are solid, but the rear end clunks (leaf spring bushings) and it needs an alignment along with tires, and suspension work and maybe front half-shafts are probably going to end up on the list. Rear wiper spline shaft is stripped. . . power windows stick. . . power locks too. . . cooling fan might not work. . . park brake needs adjustment (doesn't work). . . frame member holes for skid plate need retapped or something--stripped. . . and if I get real ambitious, I could run a new wiring harness so I quit intermittently blowing the ignition fuse!