Mine could easily pull a higher gear, it's a '57 LCF stock 283 V8 2 bbl., SM420 trans and 7.10:1 rear end. Even with 100 bales of hay on it it's not struggling, right now I have 8.00x22.5 0n the rear, I'm looking for 10.00x22.5 and it should help a little.
The 8.00x22.5 rear tires were the stock offering for your truck, the 10.00x22.5 were the max optional size tires. Stepping up to the 10.00 should give you a little faster road speed, but will also change the calibration of the speedometer.
Your 283 when new produced 160 HP and 270 pounds of torque, the OP's 216 in his 1941 COE made 87 HP with 172 pounds of torque...there's a BIG difference between these two!
Mike B
