The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Road Trip in my 1949 Suburban Carryall

I drove my 49 Suburban 852 round trip miles to Missouri from Wisconsin on Wednesday and came back Thursday.

This was the first time I had driven it more than 60 miles from home. It was a good shakedown cruise and now I have some more things to tweak. It ran well although the tailpipes look black and a little sooty so carb work coming up.

I found out that I have a 2:73 rear end (84GMC 1/2T). At 60MPH the tach is indicating 2200. I have not figured the MPG yet but hopefully it will be in the high 2 digit range. The steering still needs more caster. I can't drive it one handed like my 06.

I have had it professionally aligned twice with very little improvement so I am going to try it myself.

I also developed a small exhaust leak about 40 miles from home. I don't have the doors weather stripped yet and the wind noise at 60 is terrific.

I have put it away for the winter at home where I have heat in the garage so I will keep occupied when the snow flies. Over all I am happy with the truck and I am glad after 7 years I can drive it.

Weeds

Cool! There's always more work to do on them.

Congratulations,Weeds. I definitely know the feeling of driving it after an extended period of parts scattered all over and no end in sight.
And it only gets better..............

Congratulations. Now that's my idea of a shakedown trip. Glad it went smooth as it did.

Congrats from down here in Illinois also [censored]. As a fellow flyer and after meeting you and the boys, I'm sure you covered all the bases on the pre-flight. A little tweaking to get them to fly straight and level is always necessary after a major frame and power plant over haul.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Weeds, congratulations on a job well done. I've said it before, your an inspiration to us all and give us hope on our project.
What a shadedown run. That shows confidence in your own work. Way to goooooo

Congratulations' I look very forward to just driving mine and routine maintenance .

What a fun day that must have been - and perfect weather to.

Congratulations.

Congratulation, that is what they are all about, driving. how many thumbs up per mile did you get?

I have not figured the MPG yet but hopefully it will be in the high 2 digit range. (Quote from weeds)
I didn't think that my post was "way off" topic.
I just gave an example of what one of my vehicles with a 273 rear end gearing was capable of achieving for MPG's.

Weeds,where did you go in Missouri ?
Have fun with your new toy !!!


Tim

Marty, Cletis, Alvin, Bowtie, Tiny, Denny, Webster, PaPa J, Auwing and WeBeOld, Thanks for all the replies and compliments. The trip was from Brodhead WI. to New Haven MO. Many thumbs up. Had a conversation with a guy at a stoplight in Muscatine IA. Said he had a 48 panel with a 454. He couldn't believe that I was so far away from home and then the light changed and thats the last I saw of him. All in all a good trip and I think I will finally make the Stovebolt gathering in KC in 2011. My wife said she might even go with me!

Weeds

Congrats from Fond du Lac, WI on a safe and fun first voyage.

I hope there are many more to follow.

that is one fine job you've done. super nice truck. congradulations on the trouble free trip, it's a testament to your workmanship.

Hey Weeds. I did a 500 mile trip in my 55 TF. Sure was fun and noisy. It was going to be a mock-up for the trip to Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, it was in the summer. These old trucks are hot when it is hot. I opted to ship the truck. Hehehehe

Have fun my friend

I am glad you stuck with it all of these years of hard work. Nice job!

Reads like a good time!

I'm glad it worked out.

old trucks are fun!

Especially when they run!

-W