2004.5 RAM/Cummins exhaust manifold leak advice needed

[brutal]

Just as a followup to the thread.

Thanks again to fairrpe86 for the referral. His guy got me squared away and did a great and very reasonably price job on my truck. Took a while to get into his queue, but it was worth the wait. Some of that was parts availability (turbo housing). I ordered a BD 2-piece manifold to initially attempt the repair myself, but gave up after not making much progress with the bolts and breaking one so easily.

He changed out the manifold for me - three total broken bolts, the one already, the one I broke, and another on the #6 cylinder that let go during repairs. He also changed the (cracked) turbo exhaust housing with a checked out (OEM) reman part for a super reasonable price. He said every bolt was pretty bent and required some extra efforts to remove.

I also had him adjust the bands on my trans which also entails replacing the filter and (some fluid) to adjust the reverse band. Something I was prepared to do myself, but since it was in his capable hands, I had him do it. Jury is still out on the trans as it was acting weird before, while 4x4 elk hunting, but that's not his doing, it's mine for not servicing it sooner.

I'm very pleased with the work and wouldn't hesitate to use him again if he's available.

Had a very cool shop that I unfortunately didn't' get enough time ogling, and a cool rock crawler project I would have liked to eyeball closer and learn more about. My mistake for having the wife come pick me up too soon during the drop off. lol.