Thanks for the warm welcome and diagnosis tips. The EGR operation parameters are quite helpful and will allow me to get started before my Electrical/vacuum manual arrives from Ebay. I very well might need to dig deeper into the forum archives if it is something strange, but (and this is the "rest of the story" about Arizona) I really think it is going to be deteriorated vacuum tubes and or hoses from our "dry heat". The other thing to know about Phoenix is that with the fuel here, you can sit a vehicle without fuel stabilizer for about 60 days before VERY bad things begin to happen. When yours arrives, make sure you take the cap off and sniff it before trying to pump year old varnish through your filter and injectors...more on that with later posts.
In AZ, OBD2 emissions involves only the readiness flags being set in the computer and a functional check engine light. No one needs to shove anything up her exhaust pipe! That's why I only wanted a '96 as I have a scanner.
Why the 5-speed? I am a professional Porsche mechanic and plan to keep this truck for life. I will not ever overhaul another automatic transmission again. Way not fun for me....I want shafts and forks and gears (oh my). Just revealed my age I guess (47).
After emissions will come the mechanical restoration. Of course there are significant oil leaks from the heat so I'm not messing around.....priority number 2.....engine out and stripped to the short block for inspection, cleaning and sealing.....Rod bearings may be an oportunity crime, but not gonna mess with the rest of the block. Will definately post pics of the overhaul.
Thanks again for the posts. I think this forum is going to be alot of fun and education.
Cliff