55 Fargo Posted February 12, 2013 Report Posted February 12, 2013 Hey all, posted this on the car side with a few topics 5 speed trans, and driving old Mopars at higher speeds. 1 thing I have discovered is this. On my truck, tonight going down the highway, speeds from 30-45 mph, in 4th gear, with 3.23 rear gears, not much throttle response, after 50 mph lots of throttle response. At 60 mph, could go a lot faster, how fast I do not know, but would say 80 mph would not be impossible. Even with front end and steering work, that it needs, new tires, I do not think these type of trucks would be all that much fun barreling down the road at speeds over 65-70 mph. I see these units as 60 mph creatures, with stock suspension and steering, regardless what has been done gearing wise to enhance speed and lower rpm. Tim I did this 20 mile drive tonight in the dark, it was fun, outside temp, about 18, love drivin this old girl better than my 47 especially at night, 12 volt lights are still better in my books too..... Quote
ggdad1951 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Posted February 12, 2013 I've gotten perfectly happy with a top speed of 47MPH in FEF, honestly much faster would scare me with how stock I've kept him. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Posted February 12, 2013 (edited) I would have no trouble cruising at 60 mph, but need to address front end, need outer tie rod ends, alignment etc. At 45-50 mph, things are just gettin going, because of my 3.23 diff gearing. If i had 4.11 gears, would be driving no faster than 50 mph, it would be windin up quick, love the 3.23 gears... Edited February 12, 2013 by C38Spitfire6 Quote
wallytoo Posted February 12, 2013 Report Posted February 12, 2013 If i had 4.11 gears, would be driving no faster than 50 mph, it would be windin up quick, love the 3.23 gears... try it with 5.83 gears. or 8.11s. lol. Quote
MBF Posted February 12, 2013 Report Posted February 12, 2013 In stock form these vehicles were designed with the steering gear, tires, and brakes of the time. I'm also happy at 40-50mph cruising speed they were designed for-just in case I have to stop or steer. I'm not a purist by any means, but my vehicles are stock and I try to run them where they were designed to run. Just my 2 cents. Mike Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Posted February 12, 2013 Hi Mike, yes these trucks are not meant for high speeds, just thrown in a V8, with stock steering,suspension and brakes, do not think 75 +mph will feel that comfortable. I find 55 mph and probably 60 mph no problems, the 3.23 rear end helps a lot too, lowering rpm... Quote
Merle Coggins Posted February 13, 2013 Report Posted February 13, 2013 Fred, My truck is equiped with 3.73 gears and 15" rubber and I've hammered down the interstate at 65-70, even pushed 75 at times, although I agree that 60-65 is more comfortable. 50-55 on back roads is even more comfortable. When I did the trip to Dayton, OH a couple of years ago (WPC Meet) I ran the interstate from my home in Waukesha, WI through Chicago to my Mother's home in Brownsburg, IN (Indianapolis Metro). If you drop under 65-70 on I-294 around the Windy City you'll get run over.(even though the speed limit is 55) And with the speed limit on I-65 of 70MPH, the same is true.(although it helped that the speed limit for trucks is 65) The truck never complained, but it certainly wasn't as comfortable as doing it in my modern daily driver. Merle Quote
48Dodger Posted February 13, 2013 Report Posted February 13, 2013 The number of paved roads in the neighborhood where the target sales were for these trucks...? Very few. They were hybrids of their time....car and tractor. Where I live, the roads this far out were not paved until 1970. You couldn't drive over 45 if you wanted to. To put them up against vehicles 65 years newer....and on their turf? Not fair. lol. Lets see how my 2006 Hemi Dodge Ram does in 2071 along the current crop of go fast transportsers.....bet they still have horns, and bet ya I hear'em often. lol 48D Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted February 13, 2013 Report Posted February 13, 2013 My big truck has a 6.42/8.38 two speed double reduction rear end in it and I have driven it at 55 MPH but it's way nicer at 45-50. My 52 1 tonner I drive it at 55MPH when on the freeway with the 4.3 rear end. I do like to drive a little bit slower on my back roads around here and be like old Mr McGoo weaving just a tad bit doing 40-45. Those impatient people who hate being behind someone enjoying their old iron at 45 just cannot wait to pass ! Once they pass I give em a couple big air horn blasts and big smile! Bob Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 13, 2013 Author Report Posted February 13, 2013 Hey Merle, those crazy freeways, gotta be a blast with the truck, at least you could keep up with traffic. I prefer to stick to the slower quieter roads, I feel comfortable at 55 -60 mph, but things need some work for anything faster... Fred, My truck is equiped with 3.73 gears and 15" rubber and I've hammered down the interstate at 65-70, even pushed 75 at times, although I agree that 60-65 is more comfortable. 50-55 on back roads is even more comfortable. When I did the trip to Dayton, OH a couple of years ago (WPC Meet) I ran the interstate from my home in Waukesha, WI through Chicago to my Mother's home in Brownsburg, IN (Indianapolis Metro). If you drop under 65-70 on I-294 around the Windy City you'll get run over.(even though the speed limit is 55) And with the speed limit on I-65 of 70MPH, the same is true.(although it helped that the speed limit for trucks is 65) The truck never complained, but it certainly wasn't as comfortable as doing it in my modern daily driver. Merle Hmmm, 2071, gonna be any DinoSqueezins left.... The number of paved roads in the neighborhood where the target sales were for these trucks...? Very few. They were hybrids of their time....car and tractor. Where I live, the roads this far out were not paved until 1970. You couldn't drive over 45 if you wanted to. To put them up against vehicles 65 years newer....and on their turf? Not fair. lol. Lets see how my 2006 Hemi Dodge Ram does in 2071 along the current crop of go fast transportsers.....bet they still have horns, and bet ya I hear'em often. lol 48D I have driven bigger trucks built late 60s early 70s, and those felt best under 60 mph, whats the hurry with everyone anyway.....LOL My big truck has a 6.42/8.38 two speed double reduction rear end in it and I have driven it at 55 MPH but it's way nicer at 45-50. My 52 1 tonner I drive it at 55MPH when on the freeway with the 4.3 rear end. I do like to drive a little bit slower on my back roads around here and be like old Mr McGoo weaving just a tad bit doing 40-45. Those impatient people who hate being behind someone enjoying their old iron at 45 just cannot wait to pass ! Once they pass I give em a couple big air horn blasts and big smile! Bob Quote
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