In the world of truck customization, there is a common rite of passage: buying a half-ton pickup and immediately installing a six-inch lift to accommodate a set of 35-inch tires. I’ve been there myself with my old rig, “Big Red.” While the aesthetic is undeniable, the reality of living with a heavily modified half-ton rarely lives up to the fantasy. If you crave height, capability, and reliability, the truth is simple: stop trying to make a half-ton something it isn’t and just buy a Heavy Duty (HD) truck.
The primary argument for the HD platform—whether it’s a Ford Super Duty, a Ram 2500, or a Silverado HD—is factory engineering. To fit 35-inch tires on a half-ton, you generally need a massive lift kit that stresses the vehicle’s geometry. These kits often lead to premature wear on ball joints and bushings while significantly degrading ride quality. Conversely, most HD trucks can run 35s natively or with minimal adjustment. Many models, such as the Ford Tremor, even offer 35s as a factory option. Because these trucks are engineered from the ground up to handle large diameters, you maintain a calibrated speedometer, proper suspension geometry, and the peace of mind that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Furthermore, the mechanical simplicity of an HD truck is a major advantage for those who actually use their vehicles. While half-tons rely on Independent Front Suspension (IFS) with complex CV joints, trucks like the Ford Super Duty utilize a solid straight front axle. While you still have U-joints to maintain, a straight axle is inherently more robust and nearly impossible to knock out of alignment under normal conditions. You trade a bit of IFS ground clearance for a driveline that is built to endure.
Got some rain last night, but then I am going to be riding my mountain bike to work in the fog. I did the bus thing yesterday, the Navigator App Pay thing worked fine, but who wants to pay and ride a slow, yokel local bus to work. But you could take your SuperDuty to work. But that sucks too, even if the Drive Safe and Save app keeps reminding me to turn off battery save to record all my trips I’m not making in the F-350.
I haven’t looked at gas prices lately, ⛽ but I put fuel in the SuperDuty on Sunday for the first time, not that much fuel though, as I haven’t driven much but I figured with gas prices only going up, it’s best to fill the tank on the big-block up. I probably should be very afraid, but I don’t honestly care that much 🤷♂️ as a SuperDuty isn’t a commuter vehicle. Instead, I am riding my mountain bike to work today. No bus fare 💰 for that, so more money on said SuperDuty. I am glad the market is recovering, I heard it was something like 7,200 on S&P 500 yesterday, smashing through that old number, 📈 got to pay for that SuperDuty on paper, though I think the markets need to grow another 2% to have truck fully paid for though individual investments don’t necessarily track that big number. I need to feel less guilty 😳 about said SuperDuty as I drive through more hick towns that smell like the world of cows. 🐮
I’ve been studying spray-in bedliners, 🛻 and I am leaning towards a Patriot Liner fro ADK Off Road, assuming they can get me in before the end of May. Seems like the product most similiar to the Bullet Liner I have in my old truck. I want something durable, that gives me some more insulation and grip over the stock truck bed. I may call when I get into work. I’m making peace ☮️ with yet another cost in building my new rig, but it needs to get done before the cap is installed in late May.
Well, I have a bunch of work to do, 🚿 and my stomach is full of Apple pancakes 🥞 so it’s probably best to get in the shower and then ride to work. Then get working on regex’ing those emails so the correspondence dep’t can use the data, dealing with broken user accounts, and making lists of lists (LOL!). 🐦 Charged up my bike light so after work again I can go out to Five Rivers. I was stuck in the office 🏢 late last night catching up on work, but I was able to spend maybe an hour out there. Tonight I have a Save the Pine Bush Zoom Meeting, which I can probably do from Five Rivers.
Surging tech stocks carried the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to new records on Wednesday, a milestone in major indexes’ rebound from war-fueled losses.
The S&P 500 closed above 7000 for the first time and hit its first closing high since January. The Nasdaq composite surged 1.6%, notching its first record since October and its 11th consecutive gain. The Dow pared losses, trading 0.1% lower.
Investors took in more positive signs on the state of the U.S. economy. Bank of America this morning said consumer spending held up despite a turbulent start to the year and rising prices at the pump, adding to a chorus of big lenders seeing resilience in the American economy.
The Trump administration wants automakers and other American manufacturers to play a larger role in weapons production, reminiscent of a practice used during World War II.
Senior defense officials have held talks about producing weapons and other military supplies with the top executives of several companies, including Mary Barra of General Motors and Jim Farley of Ford Motor, according to people familiar with the discussions.
