7.3 powerstrokes had their issues but at least the turbos were simple... my 2015 6.7 dropped a unison ring at 80k miles and it was a nightmare finding the parts. Ended up replacing the whole turbo pedestal because the bolts snapped off in the block from corrosion. Flagstaff shop charged me 1800 for just the labor on top of the parts.

Yeah, that antioxidant paste is no joke. I had a similar rude awakening on a house from the 70s where I just assumed I could use the same old nuts. The corrosion is the real killer, it creates resistance and heat which just makes everything worse. You gotta use those purple wire nuts that are specifically rated for aluminum to copper connections, they're like the only safe way to do it without a professional crimp tool. The paste is a must too because it keeps oxygen off the aluminum and stops that white powdery gunk from forming. It's frustrating because the inspectors in my area are getting strict about it too, they check every single box now if they even suspect aluminum was used originally. Definitely a lesson nobody forgets after they've had to redo a whole floor's worth of junctions.

Snapped right at the hinge" is just how everything breaks these days, isn't it? Seems like nothing's built to last past the warranty anymore, even the good brands.

The cardboard layer buys you years of peace. I put down a thick layer of wet cardboard under my beds five years ago and I've pulled maybe three weeds total. Meanwhile my neighbor who skipped it is out there every spring fighting quackgrass that punches right through. Even the fancy soil mixes don't stop grass if you skip the barrier. You can use plain brown cardboard from shipping boxes, just peel off the tape and wet it down good before you pile on the dirt. Have you noticed if their beds are getting more weeds than yours are now?

Friend of mine got dragged into one of those arguments on Facebook over pineapple on pizza. Said a guy went full essay mode on him, three paragraphs about culinary integrity and regional authenticity. Then my friend just replied "cool story, dude" and posted a screenshot of his own Hawaiian pizza from the night before. The guy got so mad he DMed him a 2 minute voice memo about disrespecting Italian culture. All over a $5 topping. My friend blocked him and we joke about it whenever we order pizza now. People need to touch grass.