You have to remember something about the military and anything government. Everything goes into a contract and whoever is the cheapest wins. Does not matter what any technician/operator says. It's all down to the beancounters making that dicision.
Yes, I really don't care for the sight tube on the can. I actually don't care for those types on anything. Radiator, oil pans, fuel tanks. They alway seem to leak/seep after a while. What about a sight glass that's used in a lot of radiators in the industrial market. I'll see if I can take...
Why don't you get a new minivan. They turn the headlights on for you. It will also turn on the high beams and sense if any their is any oncoming traffic to turn them off... Are your headlights that bad that you need the highs on all the time?
See, the engineers were thinking about corrosion prevention. It's hard for it to rust if it's coated in oil...
On the 6 bolt mains, do a pair of bolt come from outside the engine block or are they all internal
Ouch. Maybe they oil treated the underbody in late fall. Take a look at it and see what kind of condition it's in. It does seem a little weird tough that the owner and truck are about 1000 miles away.