Well I guess I'm the bad apple in the bunch.
June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation funding the construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System. The 50's trucks at that time were designed to take much poorer roads than today, at speeds driven at less than 50 mph, on roads that had no posted speed limit, because nobody was crazy enough to try. It wasn't till the late 50's early 60's that the "need for speed" became a marketing tool for selling automobiles. The V8 engine was created to push these heavy cars along because the 6 cylinder was simply running out of legs.
The frames on our trucks are designed to flex. The suspension is stiff on purpose for farmers (for example) doing field work, going through ditches, riding over rocks and hitting deep pot holes. The same truck navigating today's modern expressway traffic at 75 mph is like a "drunken sailor" trying to walk down a sidewalk. The body makes the truck top heavy and the body roll is scary. It's white knuckle driving. You have to drive slower than the current traffic flow, anticipate the need to panic stop sooner and watch for the nutters that try to cross traffic in front of you. The coffee in your cup holder is on the floor and your seatbelt (if you have them) is straining to keep you in your seat.
Modern frames are stiff and their suspensions are designed to handle modern roads, respond to make the passengers comfortable, while negotiating rush hour traffic.
Last edited by buoymaker; 12/21/2022 9:18 PM.
