Gearheads Road Trip stopped by Tinfiny Ranch to say hello. The poor guy ran right into a concrete pour as is likely to happen any time you visit our mountain lair. Nothing stops mud, least of all visitors, so we trundled off to the Big Box store to pick up some concrete.
Lowes has a price break if you buy 70 bags of concrete or more. That ends up being 3500 pounds and the Bomber, my 1990 1/2-ton Suburban groans under the weight. The rear leaf springs invert to frowns and the truck sways down the highway alarmingly. You want to keep it around 45mph.
3500 pounds was a bit nerve wracking on the twisty mountain roads so I’ve since developed a new plan: I order two pallet loads of concrete which gets me to the 70 bag discount but I take the pallets home one at a time. 2800 pounds is a lot easier to haul, and the Bomber totes it nicely with no sway issues. You still don’t want to make any drastic maneuvers, though.
The 1990 Suburban was an oddball, the last year of the straight front axle 4×4. That axle, kind of like a Dana 44, was upgraded a bit for 1990 making it a one-year deal. It’s got the manual locking hubs, 6-bolt wheels and leaf springs. For a 1/2-ton ride it’s a real Dream Axle if you’re into that sort of stuff.
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Thanks for letting me ride along!
Soon to be found on Wikipedia:
“Denial Wrench”
This will rank highest on my funniest phrases of 2019.
Oh heavens! Robert Pandya and Joe Gresh all at the same place and the same time! Plus doing manly men stuff like totally overloading a poor GMC 1/2 ton with 2800 pounds of concrete! My life seems drab and dull compared to the lives you two gods of the road live…
We’re not worthy!
We’re not worthy!
That’s 3500 pounds!
What would be the equivalent amount of Yoo-Hoo the Bomber could handle? I have plans…..
That reminds me…
I should also mention the 1990 was the last year of the straight front axle 4X4 but it was also the last year of the square-body Suburban. GMC/Chevy trucks went with a new body style in 1989 but the Suburban stayed with the square style for two more years.
Not as much fun, but I’m pretty sure you can get stuff like that delivered.
Yeah but it costs like $75 unless you have a contractor account. Then it’s $20 delivered.