My old 1963 C10 was a factory original 283 v8 with a 2 speed Powerglide and the 3.73:1 rear end.
I drove that thing all over the western United States.
I guess the longest straight haul, only stopping for food and fuel was from Denver, CO to Sacramento, CA, via Las Vegas, NV and Bakersfield, CA. That's about 1300 miles straight through with 2 drivers. Winter of 1982 and all the main mountain routes in Northern California were close due to snow. Had to go a southern route to get through.
I did make a speed run from Sacramento, CA to Salt Lake City, UT in the '63 to pick up my brother and his Toyota Landcruiser. He blew the engine so I had to run pick him up and tow his Toyota back to Reno, NV. It was loaded wall to wall with his hunting gear, including 2 Antelope he had shot. He lost oil pressure and thought it would be ok if he went slow and "nursed" it in. He found out the hard way, engines don't like no oil pressure.
My 1962 C10 had a 230 I6, SM420, and 3.90:1 rear end. I've driven that one from Sacramento, CA to Reno, NV. That's about 125 miles one way up Interstate 80 at about 55-60mph in the slow lane.
When the 230 I6 finally died, I put a 1967, 275hp 327 v8 in the '62. It's still slow, but it still gets there. :-)
Last edited by 62Stick; 02/23/2017 11:51 PM.
