Also...the trucks I have been looking at in the affordable price range is 99-00.
So that is good info on the forged rods. You say late 99? was there a 99 1/2 model year? So the early 99 model did not have the forged rods? And I'm guessing the way to tell is the date on the sticker somewhere in the truck, like inside the door, which gives the year and month? Thanks Maintain.
Stories like yours Tylerp are what have pushed me to look for a manual...