Test drove my future baby and had some questions

[ronnyek]

1) the truck was a 2004 6.0l, 90k mi.. 5 or 6 speed manual etc. This was my first completely bone stock truck... And 1st gear felt real good... But getting on the fwy the thing was falling on it's face.

My daily driver is a BMW 135i which is a little rocket so I know it's going to be slower. I drove another 6.0 that had less miles but was tuned and it felt real good getting on the fwy.

Is this predictable behavior?

2) is driving the 5spd somewhat difficult?
3) I checked for white smoke etc... The thing is immaculate underthr hood and not like it had been washed.. Anything I should look for?

I appreciate everyones time

[dayusex]

check if degas tank has oil in it. Look on the heads and see if it has studs, if it does it will be a big plus. To see if it does it will have a nut rather than a bolt. Also make sure it dosent blow coolant when its hot. As for falling on its face on the freeway it could possibly be not making full boost, plugged air filter (you would see black smoke).

[ronnyek]

hmm it runs well, it idles well, it runs strong in first gear other gears just dont seem to kick in. I am looking at this as a potential gamble... doesnt SEEM like the headgasket is blown... and I realize cleaning and swapping with a stock takeoff is relatively cheap, but if its something else who knows?

Underneath there was some surface rust in places (what I've seen on other vehicles) but no oil or anything.. everything looks REAL good.

If the VGT vanes were stuck, would it drastically affect power? Is there a built in boostgauge someplace or would I have to have a odb2 gauge?

Finally, what would cruising speed on the fwy? I am not sure this was a 5spd or 6spd but I think it was doing like 2k at 70...

Also seems like the front ball joints are going or something, theres a bit of play in the steering before the wheels actually turn... is swapping these a difficult job?

Any recommendations for other things to look at? I guess powertrain is my only concerns. This weekend I intend to go take a look at it again, in the light..