I picked up a B&M MegaShifter at a swap meet, the cable is old with signs of outer ware, but works. I installed it into a 92 Toyota Pickup (mini truck) with a Chev 350 + 700r4.
I routed the cable in the same way the videos/manuals, but maybe not enough room for my setup to have the least amount of binding/resistance. I avoided hot/moving parts. I also feel I adjusted it pretty well for all the geashift positions.

1. I'm not sure how much force should be required in a proper setup. Could anyone please share a some kind of example/guidance as to how much force/effort is needed to operate it?
2. Any general tips for what I'm doing too would be welcome.
3. Could a new cable make much of a difference?

Hi there, Previous Toyota Yaris driver (sadly recently written off) with one baby but I hope to have another in a year or two.
I loved my little hatchback and had no plans to upgrade but seeing as it’s now forced upon me I am looking for a car that is just big enough (being a mum now doesn’t mean I need a massive SUV).
The Yaris was great but we want to do extended rear facing and the car seat will not fit rear facing behind the drivers seat (for if we are able to have a second baby). Fitting the pram in the boot was also a bit of a shove and slam and hope it didn’t fall out before it was closed.
I like the fuel efficiency and ease of parking smaller cars though. Just need something a little bigger.
Budget of 15-20k not including insurances
I was thinking maybe a (year range reflects what we can afford).
Mazda 3 2012-2015 under 100ks Kia Cerato 2017-2020 under 100ks
Or maybe something slightly bigger like a compact suv? Honda HRV 2014-2016 under 100ks Suzuki vitara 2015-2018 under 100ks
I was really hoping to not have to go this big but Kia Sportage or Mazda cx5 we can get in our price range but higher kms 150k ish
Any recommendations for a good car that is big enough but not ridiculously big? I online grocery shop and my husband has a bigger car for weekend getaways. Safe and reliable are my main priorities.
Thanks.

Images: https://imgur.com/a/a7KmJ0d
Selling my medium sized Watt Wagons Hydra with a 2300 watt Bafang M620 Ultra motor. I paid $6,400 in June 2021 and it was delivered in late October 2021. I've put a little more than 700 miles on it since, mostly on the road. Asking $4750 and located in Seattle, would prefer local pickup since it's a heavy ebike.
As you can see there's some dirt and a couple of scuffs here and there, but nothing major and no damage to the carbon frame. About 100 miles ago I disassembled the motor and packed it with Mobil Unirex N2 grease (and a new gasket) to quiet it down a bit and promote longevity. Medium frame is a 460mm reach, I'm 5'9 and it fits me well.
This is an extremely powerful and fast bike that is a ton of fun on or off road. In higher assist modes you barely even notice hills. It has a tendency to monster-truck over roots and rocks and carries speed on the trail, and the Tannus inserts allow you to run super low pressures for insane amounts of grip which is especially nice for technical, rooty climbs.
Probably will not come with the lock, lights, or trail bell. I've got a few spare Shimano 11t cassette cogs, motor gaskets, etc. that will come with the bike.
Pinkbike link here: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3626533/
Full specs below:

• Size medium carbon frame (I believe WW sourced Dengfu E22 frames)
• Northern Lights Cerakote (clear coated so it's quite a bit darker)
• Matte clear frame protection on toptube, battery door, and chainstays
• Archon X1 controller upgrade with programming cable (custom tuned to 125w-750w in 5 increments with class 3 28mph limit in eco mode and unrestricted 1000w-2300w in 5 increments in sport mode)
• Modified throttle with Honeywell SS49e hall effect sensor for finer throttle control
• 52V battery (before WW switched to 48V)
• 10 amp fast charger (and a spare more portable 2 amp charger)
• New DVO Diamond E2 e-bike specific fork set at 150mm with a clear protective wrap
• Manitou Mara shock - 150mm rear travel
• Magura MT5e with e-bike specific levers (wired into the controller to cut power)
• 203mm Magura MDR-C rotors front and rear
• MTX Braking heavy duty e-bike brake pads
• Shimano XT M8000 11-speed derailleushifter
• SunRace CSMX8 11-51T cassette (with spare Shimano SLX 11-42T)
• Wolftooth Goatlink (for larger cassette compatibility)
• Garbaruk extended derailleur cage (again larger for cassette compatibility)
• 27.5x2.8" Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires
• Sun Ringle 40mm width wheels
• Tannus Armor (with tubes) front and rear
• SDG Bel Air V3 Saddle
• 170mm KS Rage-i dropper post
• PNW Loam XL Grips
• OneUp Aluminum pedals
• Protaper aluminum bars trimmed to 780mm
• Crud XL front fender
• SKS Mudrocker rear fender

4K/HDX/SD Vudu/iTunes/Movies Any Where/Google Play I Cab Aaccept Cash App/PayPal/Venmo For Payment Do Note Codes that can be Spilt Are Sold As Spilts
Disney Splits MA With Points/ Google Play No Points
Beauty and the Beast live Action HD GP $1
Guardians of The Galaxy vol 2 HD GP $1
Star Wars Force Awakens $1 HD GP $1
Starwars the Last Jedi HD GP $1
Starwars Rouge One HD GP $1
SD Movie Codes
Alex Cross SD vudu $1
Concussion SD $1
Cabin in The Woods SD iTunes $1
Divergent SD vudu $1
The Divergent Series Insurgent SD vudu/Google $1
The Expendables 2 SD vudu/iTunes 50 cents
The Expendables 3 SD vudu $1
The Hunger Games SD vudu $1
Now You See Me SD vudu $1
The Perfect Guy SD $1
The Perk of Being a Wallflower SD vudu/iTunes $1
Twilight Breaking Dawn pt2 vudu/iTunes SD 50 cents
UnderWorld Awakening SD vudu $1
All HD Movies MA/VUDU/ITUNES And Some Are iTunes 4K Most Are Listed as iTunes 4k or vudu
Baywatch HD vudu $1
The Boss Baby HDX vudu/ma iTunes $1
Fate of the Furious HD vudu/MA $1
Fate of the Furious extended HDX vudu/MA $1
Ghost in the Shell Live Action HDX vudu $1
The Girl on the Train HD iTunes $1
KingsMan the Golden Circle HDX vudu/iTunes 4K $1
Paranormal Activity 3 HD iTunes $1
Snatched 2017 HDX vudu/iTunes 4k $1
Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 HD vudu/iTunes 4K $1
Trolls HDX $1
xXx Return of Xander Cage HDX vudu/iTunes 4K $1

Gray Tools is a Canadian professional tool company based in Brampton, Ontario. Founded in 1912 by Alex Gray (1883-1969), Gray Tools is Canada's largest professional tool manufacturing company, with 4000 industrial products available.

Gray Tools Canada was founded in 1912 by Alex Gray as a machinery equipment supplier. As the automobile industry was starting up, Gray began making automobile manufacturing tools and tool kits specific to the automobile companies in nearby Detroit. In May 2012, President and owner Alex Gray III sold the company to Garry Nuttall and Frank Dominguez. Alex Gray III remains with the company as chairman.
As of 2013, the company employed 60 people at its head office in Brampton, Ontario, where all manufacturing is done. Company warehouses are located in Brampton and Edmonton, Alberta.
Gray Tools celebrated its 100th birthday by making a large donation of tools and equipment to local schools and by initiating the Gray Tools Canada Highest Standard Achievement Award, presented to a student with exceptional success in vocational education.

A simple philosophy

Having left home at 16, Alex Gray travelled the world for many years before settling in Toronto, Canada. During his travels, he met a wide variety of tradesmen who earned their living with their hands and their tools every single day. He quickly learned that the quality of a man's work and his choice of tools were the difference between prosperity and poverty.In 1912, he decided to establish Gray Tools and began manufacturing hand tools specifically for the accomplished professional. His early experiences taught him the value of maintaining close relationships with the users and the resellers who served them. The strength of these relationships and the mutual respect they created helped Gray Tools become the standard amongst these uncompromising users.Today, over 100 years later, the business continues to be built on relationships and trust. No different from generations before, we continue to spend time with the people who use our tools and appreciate the difference a better hand tool makes in their hands.We are extremely proud to be the only industrial-quality manufacturer of hand tools in Canada. Our goal is always to exceed your rigorous expectations for quality and reliability. We continue to deliver tools of the highest standard, providing tradesmen the confidence to perform and achieve exceptional results.As we enter our second century in business, we look forward to being a part of your future projects, achievements, and successes.

-The Team at Gray Tools Canada Inc.

Part of Your Success Since 1912

1912. The year 1912 was one of great personal significance for Alex Gray 1st in that it set his family’s course for a century.
Alex, now twenty-nine, and two of his brothers incorporated the Gray Manufacturing & Machine Company Limited in September.The letterhead described the company as a “Manufacturer of steam and power pumps and special machinery”.
1920's. The first hand-tool catalogue was printed in 1922. There were two editions of the catalogue, which were identical except for the cover. The Canadian edition Gray-Toronto was issued by the Gray Ball Bearing Company Limited.
The catalogue listed 302 different hand tools including sockets, wrenches, handles, extension bars, universal joints, and associated parts. In addition, many wrench sets were produced specifically for certain cars made at that time. Tool sets were packed in handsome hardwood boxes with a natural-stain finish and brass trimmings.
1930's.To take advantage of the prosperity of the forties, the business had been gradually growing for many years, not only in technology and manufacturing expertise but also in physical space.
In 1937, a single-storey addition was added to the west side of the factory. This increased the building size to 43,000 square feet so that it extended the full length of the city block. The company now had three street frontages and was at a main intersection serviced by two bus lines. This made it a site that employees and customers could easily access.
1940's. After ten years of decline and misery, Canada was pulled out of the Great Depression in 1939 by the Second World War.Hundreds of Canadian factories devoted their energy and resources to supplying the Allies with massive quantities of war material, and Gray-Bonney did the same.
The Canadian Armed Forces became the single largest customer for the company, buying tools, machines, and other miscellaneous metal parts for military use.
1950's. Gray Tools continued to expand with the catalogue now listing more than 1,800 items. In addition, new products were often larger: for example, pry bars were longer, tool boxes had more drawers, and roller cabinets needed extra room.
To fill that need, a 17,000-square-foot, two-storey, cement-block warehouse was built in 1953, on the east side of St. Clarens Avenue directly across from the 1929 factory.
1960's. Peace and prosperity followed World War Two. Canadian factories and businesses had not suffered the devastation of bombardment.
For the first time, several innovative marketing features were added to the Gray-Bonney line. The wrench sets were packaged for the first time in colourful cardboard boxes with cellophane wrapping.
Also in stores now were multi-panel counter displays that mechanics could revolve to better see and touch the many different tools that were available.
1970's. Due to increased customer demand the need for expansion became evident.
The construction of the current Gray Tools facility in Brampton, Ontario took place throughout the winter of 1969 and the spring of 1970. One major improvement came in 1974 when a nickel-and-chrome electroplating line was purchased and installed. Although for many decades all of this work had been done by Industrial Electroplating, the increased factory space in Brampton made it more economical to have an in-house plating line.
1980's. In the early 1980s, Canada entered a new economic era defined by a revolution in information technology and globalization. Although always important, it was particularly necessary at this time for the company to try to differentiate itself from its competitors.
A very effective way was by providing excellent customer service. Travel allowed C. Alex to establish a connection with customers that they rarely, if ever, had with another company or company president. Over the course of several decades, C. Alex journeyed all across Canada for at least two months of each year, visiting distributors in many cities, towns, and villages.
1990's. As the demand for tool storage solutions increased Gray launched the PRO, GT and XL series of “Made In Canada” toolboxes.
For the mechanic who needed to store many pounds of tools as well as hard hats, safety glasses, and other work-related objects, a larger and more substantial box was especially useful.
So the box itself was made using heavy-gauge sheet metal, and the casters were made wider and larger to support the weight and to roll easily on the floor. Often, the box was sold as a set consisting of a bottom roller cabinet with a second, stepped-in top chest resting above.
2000's. In 1912, Gray Tools was the only company that manufactured a broad line of hand tools in Canada. In 2012, Gray Tools is still the only company that manufactures a broad line of hand tools in Canada.
With over two hundred million tools manufactured and sold, the company has a proud history. The business standards of integrity and quality, the emphasis on customer service, and the respect for Canadian heritage have persisted unchanged for a hundred years.

Hello Everyone,
I am in need of a pickup truck to replace my 4Runner as I have two jetskis and am looking to get a UTV and need to tow it (roughly 7500lbs max). I am not sure if I should go to a to a 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton. I have a paid off 4Runner TRD Pro I am selling. I am willing to finance or lease depending on which is better for a new pickup based upon reliability .
Requirements:

• Ride needs to be as comfortable as possible since I will be doing 4 hr+ drives to Moab/Lake Tahoe with a trailer alot. I also live by lakes locally and during the Summer-Fall I constantly will be towing as I am a big fan of offroading and going to the lake. I really am sick of tire roar in my 4Runner and it makes my ears ring on long drives.
• Bed can fit appliances as I am going through a remodel and am sick of renting pickups. I didnt realize how often I needed to use a bed of a truck.
• Least annoying driver's infotainment to use.
• Most reliable of the domestic brands (I used to be a Toyota fan but I drove the new Tundra and hated it both in looks and ride quality so I am ditching them for good)
• Capable of handling a dirt and gravel road (I noticed alot of top trim trucks have 21-22in. rims. which makes me question if you can take them offroad at all).
• Nice enough to daily when I am not driving our SUV (BMW x7). My wife often uses it so I dont want to be stuck without a car and I want to buy something purely for me to use. She absoutely despises pickups and asked me a bunch of times to not get one, but I have learned SUVs just suck for towing large weight, she can drive that and leave me be.
• Least punishing dealership experience for servicing, again Toyota here is awful for this, its so bad I go to a Lexus dealer for oil changes, brake jobs and diff fluids just so I wont have to deal with the insane backlog.
• Durable enough to handle salt on roads without rotting out and capable of being left outside in snow without ruining the paint.
• Must have at least a v8 if its a gasoline engine, my 4Runner has a v6 and its so slow. (I am not opposed to diesel either if they are reliable)

Budget: 100k max
No Brand Loyalty (used to be Toyota but the hybrid v6 utterly put me off and the interior I did not like, especially the tablet.
No EV trucks, my neighbor had a Rivian R1T and already dumped it when he tried towing with it and shared with me his experience, I dont want to learn the same lesson he did. Plus I refuse to own anything without Apple Carplay.
I give zero shits about fuel economy as long as its not under 10mpg and can take costco premium without knocking if its gasoline.
What I have checked out so far.
Toyota Tundra Capstone: Ugly looks, annoying tablet, awful ride that actually made me feel carsick, laggy powertain that doesnt save really much gas, and why white leather in a truck?! The dealer tried to offer me an allocation on a TRD Pro like my 4Runner with 20k markup! I told him to get lost.
GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate: Loved the interior, it rode almost as nice as our SUV, not sure however if its reliable or can go offroad with the 21inch. rims. The supercruise is amazing but they told me 7-9 months with all the options I wanted so I walked out (I just wanted the supercruise) and they tried panic calling me a few times, they STILL are blowing up my phone even a week after hounding me.
Ford F150 Raptor: Tire roar was unbearably loud at highway speeds even worse than my modded 4Runner and the markup was unpleasant. They have even less inventory, just v6 F150s in low trims so I bailed on them too. Again same as the GMC dealers they are phone pests. I didnt even get to try the super duties because they didnt let me drive one and said a v6 F150 is enough (basically trying to force me to buy something on the lot), sorry I want something better If I am willing to pay that.
I am not sure where I should go from here honestly, I am not very knowledgable about trucks, I liked the idea of the 2024 GMC 2500 HD AT4 as well, but all the GMC dealers here are connected and have the most miserable inventories. They have used current gen HD 2500/3500 trucks, but their interiors just dont match up to price they are asking, they remind me of Tahoes in the worst way.
I was thinking that the offroad variants with more sidewall would be a better ride, but I am not sure when it comes to trucks and could use some more info on this. I heard good things about Ram minus their reliability. Where I live pretty much everyone has a top trim GMC Sierra/2550 or Ford SuperDuty as their hauler because they always are towing horse trailers or boats. What would you all reccomend?
Thanks!

This is long but the details are necessary.
When my mom was a teenager, she got pregnant in very small town & her parents were very upset. They took her to LDS family services (in 1990), and she selected three families as options for my brother to go to. The family was supposed to send photos and letters for the first year, but they only sent one letter and no photos. Fast forward to 2014, I share a Facebook pic asking for ppl to help find my brother & it went baby-viral and I found my brother via his grandparent.
The family was very close to my moms hometown and a town we lived in for a very long time, which was the first red flag considering she chose families who lived far away from her. We also found out he was diagnosed with the same terminal illness my little brother has, that the doctors told us was a spontaneous mutation (obviously genetic), which is another heartbreaking, but necessary, detail of this story. We went to visit him and when we walked in the house, my mom immediately recognized his grandparent as the same secretary who was sitting behind the desk every time my mom had an appointment at LDS Family Services. Furthermore, they start talking about their background and my brothers upbringing, and they do not match any of the profiles my mom selected (she only selected parents with college degrees and his mom worked at Wendy’s most his life, no degree, amongst other details like that).
On top of ALL of this, the grandparent ADMITTED she had known who my mother was all along and our family because she had un-redacted documents…. Right, you would have those considering you were the secretary at the adoption agency. So they knew before my mom had her youngest son, who is terminally ill, that she had given birth to a terminally-ill child with a progressive disease AND they knew her name. It was supposed to be a closed ANONYMOUS adoption and these people knew my mothers name the entire time. Idk if any of this was illegal or not, but I’m still very upset about this.
I visit my brothers grave knowing my mom was coerced into giving him up by parents motivated by religion to an adoption agency that corrupted the rules and morals in their favor only. I visit his grave knowing my younger brother spent his whole life wanting someone else to relate to, only to find out his only brother was going through the same exact struggles, too late in his life to form a lasting bond.
Did I mention that once my brothers adoptive dad found out he was disabled, he divorced his adoptive mom, remarried & adopted 14 abled bodied children with her? It keeps on giving.
I try not to let it disrupt my peace but the intense betrayal has even fucked with my social interactions with Mormons in general, they support an institution that did this to my family.
I’m upset and my non exMormon friends I talk to about this just say things like “wow that’s fucked up”. They don’t understand the depth. They don’t understand that my extended family doesn’t view him as my brother because he’s sealed to another family, that he is a secret and we can’t really talk about him. That his disabled body is now “perfect” as if he wasn’t perfect here, just the way he was. That in Mormon heaven, I am not his sister.
TLDR: the secretary of the LDS family services somehow, coincidentally, became the grandmother of my older brother via adoption, despite her daughter & husband not matching any of the criteria my mom chose for the parents.

Location: USA, TX
Price range: $20k is the edge of actually affordable, <$15k would be much smarter and more comfortable. $30k max if I'm being as reckless with financing as most Americans these days.
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Budget says used, but not 100% opposed to new with the state of the used market.
Type of vehicle: SUV preferred, open to small truck or crossovewagon.
Must haves:

• 4WD w/ 4LO (or very robust AWD), 8in+ ground clearance, decent approach/breakovedeparture angles, full-size spare
• reasonable maneuverability (not super wide, decent turning radius).
• reasonable long-haul highway comfort/manners (cruise control, no death wobble or excessive wandering)
• room for 4 adults and their gear, good cargo space for extended camping, room to sleep in total area behind front seats
• buttons (not touchscreen) for key functions (climate, radio, lights, vehicle modes) full-size spare,
• acceptable fuel mileage (min 18mpg highway)
• decent visibility (no major blindspots, stupid big flat hood, tiny rear windshield, etc)

Desired transmission: Automatic preferred, manual not a total dealbreaker
Intended use:
50% of anticipated miles will be adventure trips w/ a partner or friends (ie 90% highway, 10% remote offroad). NOT intended for deliberate rock-crawling or hardcore wheeling, overlanding, etc.
Other 50% will be occasional grocery-getting, poor-weather commuting, and cross-town errands and socializing in a highway-heavy city with clogged arteries and narrow neighborhood roads.
At home, I want it to have good utility for giving friends rides, schlepping furniture and bikes, and being a reliable source of mobility in crises.
I DON'T need a typical commuter, and willing to accept compromises in efficiency as result. My "daily driver" is my bicycle, including for most local errands. Expecting 5-10k mi/year, majority highway.
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes (but as a someone who has been driving for 15 years)
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Fluids, pads, sparkplugs, pads, bulbs: yes. Intend to do more, so important for this work to be somewhat cheap/easy in a driveway context.
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Likely not anytime soon. Important for these systems to be dependable and not crazy expensive to have work done on.
Additional Notes:

• Safety is important (people drive insane everywhere these days but especially my area, also many deehogs on expected trips).
• Real off-road capabilities needed for responsible, self-reliant travel in remote areas, but not in a recreational enthusiast way. Don't intend to make wheeling/overlanding a hobby or expect to have similarly-equipped friends to bail me out in these situations. Terrain including but limited to sandy arroyos, steep loose-rock. I don't want to be in a vehicle punching above its weight, I want to be in one that's in its element.
• Major weather events that I'd like the vehicle to handle reasonably well include: downpours on oil-slicked roads, and occasional ice and snow storms (generally with no plowing, salting, or sanding). I realize this points more to AWD and good tires for close-to-home usage.
• Renting a true 4WD vehicle only when I need it: No, in those situations I want it to be my vehicle that I know, trust, and am personally responsible for, and I don't want to deal with the additional logistics of renting.

Vehicles you've already considered:
Initial bumpers: nothing larger than a 4-door short-bed Tacoma/Frontier, nothing smalleless capable than a Crosstrek.
Most likely contenders so far:

• Lexus GX 470
  • + Full-time 4WD with Torsen seems like best of both worlds of 4WD/AWD for all of my adverse-condition capability desires
  • + Probably the best-driving of the "trucks"
  • + (y'all know the rest, I won't go too deep)
  • - difficulty in finding affordable one in good shape
  • - Efficiency of FT 4WD w/ v8
  • - Honestly too fancy, I dislike most luxury trappings
• Toyota 4Runner (3rd-5th Gen)
  • + 4Runner shit
  • + Full-time 4WD found on a few select trims too (but probably too competitive of a market for me to seek them out)
  • + Efficiency of V6 a bit better (don't think I need more really)
  • - pretty rough around the edges for the price, not impressed with brakes in particular
  • - Market is crazy, hard to justify vs value proposition of the GX
  • - 5th Gen feels too big (esp wide)
• Subaru Outback (2010s+)
  • + Perennial do-it-all underdog.
  • + 5-10mpg better than the "trucks"
  • - Worried that it just won't cut it for expected offroad (AWD losing power to wheelspin and low articulation, CVT issues), and the most capable versions (XTs, Wilderness) compromise efficiency, affordability, and repair costs/ease to the point of having no real advantage vs anything beefier.
  • - Low ride-height not an asset on truck-filled Texas roads
  • - "Car" advantages pretty minimal, feels closer to a unibody SUV.
  • - Not super impressed by real-world reliability and cost/ease of repair of 2010s models

The Maybes:

• Nissan Xterra (2nd Gen)
  • + More affordable version of GX/4R
  • - ...but at a commensurate loss in reliability and comforts (especially vs GX). Out of production, and well-cared-for survivors seem rare.
• Toyota Tacoma (4-door, short bed)
  • + It's a Taco
  • - I can't really justify a truck bed (I know, I know, that hasn't stopped 95% of Tacoma owners before me), and would need a Softopper or camper shell to keep gear safe, and maybe also an extender to sleep inside a 4-door version.
  • - A bit longer than I want for trails and parking lots
• Nissan Frontier
  • (see Tacoma/Xterra)

The Close-But-Probably-Nots:

• Toyota FJ Cruiser
  • - trash visibility
  • - Big exterior, small interior
  • - Cult Following and Toyota Tax
• Other Subarus (Forester, Crosstek)
  • + Better visibility/ride height (Forester)
  • + Better maneuverability, angles (Forester, esp Crosstek)
  • - Less cargo space (esp Crosstek)
  • - Less powecapability
  • - No real additional value proposition over Outback
• Jeeps (Wrangler Unlimited, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee)
  • + Most efficient smaller 4WDs
  • + Ease of maintenance
  • - Reliability below my acceptable threshold for remote and solo
  • - Wrangler too off-road focused for 1000mi+ roadtrips.
• Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, etc
  • See Forester
  • - below off-road capability threshold.
• Old stuff
  • It seems like they stopped making what I really want in the mid-2000s. ~'95-'05 Cherokee XJ/ZJ, Pathfinder, Rodeo, Trooper, Montero, Sidekick, Tracker, etc. The few that are left often fit the budget, but with serious concerns about reliability, safety, and remaining life. Ultimately, I don't think I'd trust one of these long-distance or in the backcountry unless it was a really prime specimen (which is rare/expensive).

TL;DR: Please confirm that a 4Runner or GX is the only thing that really makes sense, than an Outback won't cut it, that I did good research, and that I look good in this dress.
(Or please point out if I'm off-base or missing something)
Thanks!

I require a car with [2] doors. I [do] need room for cargo or passengers.

• Ideally would like the 3 door extended cab style for a little extra space and a ~6ft bed, though this is harder to come by on mid size so its negotiable.

My price range is [$15-18K USD]. Could stretch but would prefer to stick to the lower side and save for future maintenance/upgrades.
Minimum # of seats: 2-3 (ideally extended cab)
Must haves (mpg/fast/high seating position/tech): 4WD, decent clearance, fast is nice but this is a truck.
This car will primarily be used for: commuting daily, utility on weekend (Diy, hobby)
I'm looking to get a new pickup truck in SW AZ good for daily driving, light offroading, and occasional hauling. I want something with 4WD and reliable primarily with a good amount of power. I've been looking at Tacomas but can barely find anything that isn't extremely high mileage so I've been looking a lot of F150s as they are plentiful and fall within the budget much more easily. The only concern I have is my primary desire is reliability. My experience is that Fords are okay WITH lots of TLC, but Toyotas can handle a lot more. I've never owned a Chevy/GMC or Ram, but am open.

I require a car with [2] doors. I [do] need room for cargo or passengers.

• Ideally would like the 3 door extended cab style for a little extra space and a ~6ft bed, though this is harder to come by on mid size so its negotiable.

My price range is [$15-18K USD]. Could stretch but would prefer to stick to the lower side and save for future maintenance/upgrades.
Minimum # of seats: 2-3 (ideally extended cab)
Must haves (mpg/fast/high seating position/tech): 4WD, decent clearance, fast is nice but this is a truck.
This car will primarily be used for: commuting daily, utility on weekend (Diy, hobby)
I'm looking to get a new pickup truck in SW AZ good for daily driving, light offroading, and occasional hauling. I want something with 4WD and reliable primarily with a good amount of power. I've been looking at Tacomas but can barely find anything that isn't extremely high mileage so I've been looking a lot of F150s as they are plentiful and fall within the budget much more easily. The only concern I have is my primary desire is reliability. My experience is that Fords are okay WITH lots of TLC, but Toyotas can handle a lot more. I've never owned a Chevy/GMC or Ram, but am open.

LOCATION: Northeastern Ohio
FOR SALE, LOCAL PICKUP ONLY: One complete and functional Tempest cab and one modded Space Invader project cab.
The Tempest is the cheapo version - unlit marquee and generic riser. But it is fully functional, was only lightly used. Acquired about one year ago. No mods whatsoever, in great shape.
The Space Invaders cab was a project cab widened to accept a monitor up to 19.75" wide. Presently has a 5:4 DVI monitor in out - not truly "mounted" due to not having VESA ports, but it is adhered in place and fully usable. The cabinet does not have a computer or controls - it has a control panel drilled for a 1P 4+2 button layout with two admin buttons, and a place for an analog flightstick or 4-way joystick as well as a button hole spinner plus two associated mouse buttons. Control panel has filled in holes that could be re-drilled for a 2P 6+2 button layout. Kickplate has been modded into a door to access storage shelving inside. Comes with a custom riser and a storage box that fits inside of riser. Marquee modded to pop out in a rather half-assed manner.
Prices negotiable. Asking $200 for Tempest, $50 for Space Invaders. PM with inquires.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

9-yr old Amber Hagerman & her little brother were simply doing what kids do on a warm TX.January Morning in 1996-Riding their favorite bikes, just blocks from the safety of their grandparents loving home. The delivery ramp at the vacant grocery store lot was inviting to the siblings, & they rode up & down until the youngest Hagerman left for home. Amber innocently stayed behind,not ready for the fun to end. Moments later, an olive-skinned male in a dark pickup truck pulled up & in a flash, grabbed Amber, tossed her into the front cab, & devastated the lives of many, forever. Four days later, the 9 yr olds lifeless body floated up in a creekbed, just a few miles away. APD believe that someone saw something, esp from the adjoining laundromat that sat within ear & eyeshot of the abduction site. If you or someone you know saw something, heard something, please contact the APD at (817) 575-8823, you can remain anonymous. Let’s give this child & her family justice after nearly 30 years. We love you, Amber.

I’ll try to keep this brief: new to education, this year as an education assistant, hired next year to teach special ed in first grade at the same school.
The school is a public charter housed in an old building in Minnesota, and last week there was an electrical fire. We were outside in the sun (minimal cover) with our kids in 90° weather for nearly 2.5 hours and there was no plan for what came after evacuation. Other EAs and support staff ended up going to a nearby gas station to get water to ration as leadership didn’t communicate any sort of “disaster” plan. Somehow no one got heat stroke or heat sickness beyond exhaustion and sunburn, and dismissal and early pickup executed as cleanly as could be.
Classes were cancelled the next day - the fire was minor, but they think everyone running their window AC units caused the wires to catch. Their solution? A patch job with “guidance from an electrician” done by the custodian. We returned the next day with instructions that we can’t use AC. We’re on a streak of 90° days through year end, which is thankfully Thursday.
All state testing is complete. There is no more instructional merit to these last few days. Our students and families are largely within a refugee population and all are at or under the poverty line. Many don’t have health insurance. I asked what to do if a kid has heat stroke - was told to send them to the office (we don’t have a nurse, just admin) and that “her son was in a classroom for a day with temps over 100 and was fine.” Apparently it’s not a state regulation that we need AC to hold classes, and ops/leadership has made it clear they’re prioritizing ending the school year without extending since we’re at quota for missed days with this winter’s storms.
Additionally, I take some psychiatric medications that put me at increased risk of serotonin syndrome (which can be lethal), higher risk with excessive heat. I’m worried both for the kids’ and staff but also my own, and have just been appalled at the handling of this entire situation. It feels so reckless and like such a safety issue.
TL;DR: an electrical fire at school leads to no use of AC for the rest of the year in 90° heat.

Earlier this year I called into a Toyota dealer and ordered a base model LE Camry. There's no negotiation on Camry's right now so we discussed the price (MSRP + doc fee). I paid a $500 deposit and waited a few months. She (saleswoman) had asked about a trade and I asked about trade in value for my truck but told her no I wasn't planning to trade it in after I got the value. No conversation about financing except she told me that the 3.99% might not be available when the car comes in.
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I had gotten about a three week window when to expect the car and got a text message this week it had come in. It was a really convenient time for me except I had NO time to run into the city. I asked her to send over the documents in advance to review and that I'd drop them off and pick up the keys later in the day. She asked about financing and I told her I was paying cash. She offered extended warranty and I declined. She offered a maintenance package and I declined. I kept asking for the documents and she said she was sending them and they never came. I sent her a picture of the check and insurance information. Finally it was time to leave so I told my daughter not to come with (she was going to drive the car home) because I still had no documents. I ended up stopping by on the way back from my appointment in the city to see what was going on and got an extremely cold shoulder. We barely talked and she gave me the keys and I left. She asked me to move the car elsewhere in the lot which I did and we came back and got it the next day.
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So...I'm curious. Is all this about not going into the dealership and spending an hour with the F&I guy? In my mind we already had a deal. She said price was non negotiable and I accepted it and paid the deposit. It should have been extremely simple.

I am looking at picking up a mid 90s extended cab. It's in decent shape but has been sitting prob at least 10 years or more. What work would you do to a truck truck that has been sitting this long? Fluids are an obvious for me but I've never bought a vehicle that hasn't moved in a long time. Would you guys do anything like brakes etc right off the bat? Thanks for all the advice.