1997 GMC Sierra 4x4 extended cab
 

Hi, my name is David, and I just inherited my Dad's 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 extended cab pickup. Dad passed away last December, and my 1988 F250 diesel died after my step-son abused it by driving up a mountain after the lower radiator hose had developed a large leak. Being a diesel engine, it somehow survived the initial over heating, but a week later, the water pump failed in a spectacular way, causing unknown damage. Since I had only paid $1,500 for it about 3 years ago, and since it had over 337,000 miles on the original engine, and I didn't think the rest of the truck was worth the expense it would have taken to rebuild the 7.3 IDI diesel engine, I sold it "As Is", and traveled about 1,000 miles to pick up Dad's truck. Now that the long story is out of the way about how I got this GMC half ton pickup, I joined here because I am thinking that I would like to keep Dad's old truck long term, and fix her up a bit, with the help and advice of other members here. Having 4 wheel drive is a big bonus for me, as I hate to have to put tire chains on in the winter, and both locations where I currently live, are located in "Snow Country" (the mountains of Southern California, and near the base of Mt. Shasta in Northern California).
Dad lived in Roswell, New Mexico, so I need a new smog certificate to register the truck in California, but can't get one, because it is currently showing a misfire code for the #6 cylinder, and an O2 sensor fault (the O2 sensor fault might be caused by the misfire, or so I have been told). I am NOT an auto/truck mechanic, but usually try to do most of my own auto/truck maintenance and repairs, when ever I can. I have a good supply of tools, which has been increased by the addition of Dad's tools, and he was a certified aircraft mechanic who also did almost all of his own auto/truck maintenance and repairs, including some engine rebuilds, many years ago. I'll start a new thread regarding my work on diagnosing the cause of my #6 cylinder misfire, instead of going any further with that subject in this introduction message.
I look forward to learning more about my Dad's truck from all of you in the coming weeks and months.

welcome from maryland