Consider getting a valve adjustment. It may help with the idle shake and will help to ensure the engine is at optimal performance. Engine mounts are also another possibility for the shake.
"No guts" at highway speed is pretty much the nature of the beast. You really need to mash the throttle to get the truck moving on the highway. Among other things, the brick like aerodynamic quality of the Ridge is working against you at higher speeds. They did some tweaks in 09 (slightly larger engine displacement, transmission programming tweaks, among other things) that probably helped a little.
When exactly do you hear your knocking and clicking? I would doubt it is the steering rack. Sway bar bushings & endlinks, struts, and CV joints are all possibilities.
"No guts" at highway speed is pretty much the nature of the beast. You really need to mash the throttle to get the truck moving on the highway. Among other things, the brick like aerodynamic quality of the Ridge is working against you at higher speeds. They did some tweaks in 09 (slightly larger engine displacement, transmission programming tweaks, among other things) that probably helped a little.
When exactly do you hear your knocking and clicking? I would doubt it is the steering rack. Sway bar bushings & endlinks, struts, and CV joints are all possibilities.