Just got a 2000 sr5 3.4l 6cyl. 126k miles. Mechanic checked it out and said it looked good, new trans fluid (had me a bit worried,) timing belt already done, everything works right, a tie rod issue maybe, and a leaking steering rack but only a little. Its' maiden voyage was a 1,400 mile trip with 1,000 lbs in the back. Performed flawlessly, not great gas mileage but what did I expect. I noticed however that I got about 3 more mpg with shell gas than any other, and I kept records the whole way on gas used, miles, conditions, altitude, etc. Shell (two fillups) I was right around 20 mpg, everything else 16.5-17,
Question 1: any other experiences with different gas and mpg???

So, I am looking to do some stuff to keep this truck in great working order to keep it for many years to come. I did the front o2 sensor, cleaned the MAF sensor, replaced air filter, got new plugs and wires (will install soon.)
The list of stuff to do keeps growing though, at speed (55+mph) there was a shudder in the steering wheel that would go intermittently, sometimes would totally disappear and drive totally fine with no shaking though. The mechanic who looked it over before I bought it showed me that there is a little play in the wheel, and told me it might be the tie rod.
Question 2: Any advice on what to look for here to diagnose as either inner or outer?

Question 3: I have looked at the deckplate mod, and was wondering a few things before I go ahead with it. Do I need to get a new air filter as well (just replaced with FRAM) Also, what is this mod going to do for me? Is the noise difference just a bit or is it obnoxious?

Lastly, I am looking at installing a trans cooler. I have read a lot about the strawberry milkshake, and it seems that this is a quick way to kill my new purchase... I don't do any towing, but would like to have a little more cooling than just the smallest aftermarket trans coolers for driving in the mountains (lots of overdrive and extra shifting.) However, I live in a cold climate (Montana,) and am wondering about bypasses until the fluid gets to a good operating temp.
Question 4: Any advice here, anything that's relatively cheap and easy to install. Have seen the hayden and the tru-cool, what else is out there that might be a little more "plug and play" or easier to install. Any tips/tutorials that might help me out here? Have seen a few, but I like to go into things like this seeing a lot of different options.

I can see that being a member of this forum is going to start costing me some serious coin... But I would rather have it running well and do some preventative stuff than to have to cut my losses and scrap it if something big happened. It is a really great looking car inside and out for being 14 years old, I've never owned something as well put together as this. You can tell they built these things very well
Question 5: What else is there that I can do to keep this thing running as well as possible?

Thanks everyone for your input, sorry to ramble so much, had to separate the questions because I have so many to ask.

 

I will hit 2 of your questions :

Cannot say that I have , but Shell is good gas, so if it works, stick with it.

I cannot answer about the trans cooler , but I went ahead and replaced the radiator as a piece of mind issue after reading the same things. $ 105.00 or so from Advanced Auto after an internet coupon provided by a member here, and no more worries regarding that.

EDIT - More details on the Advanced Auto deal: https://www.yotatech.com/52068225-post38.html

We bought the rig in the sig in February w/ 122K - it is at 125,8xx now. I changed oil shortly after I bought it with 5W30 Pennzoil semi-synthetic and will go to a full syn the next change.

I can almost average 20mpg on highway trips - this mornings fill up after a few days of the work commute was 16.84 mpg.

So, all in all not bad for a 4x sport utility running the A/C and plodding in various levels of traffic.

Enjoy , and welcome aboard !

Britt