Comparing to a Task Force 2-ton is probably not an accurate comparison.
PA Farmer -- my '49 3800 was identical to yours in that I had a 216, the 4-speed SM-420, 17-inch bias plies and the 5.56 ratio HO-72 rear axle. A decent cruising speed was 45 mph. I could barely get to 55 but it was screaming like it was going to come apart.
When I found the 4.11 third member to swap out in the HO72, it gave me a comfortable 50-55 mph cruising speed ... as long as I was on level ground. Any hills or head winds and it would not maintain that. And it was slooooooooooowwwwwwww going up through the gears. And not at all good in heavy traffic.
Switching to a 235 or a 261, coupled with the rear axle gear change made the truck very modern road friendly with those relatively simple upgrades. I still run 17 inch bias plies. But even here in NE Alabama, I have to down shift to make it up the mountain (State Highway 79 in Skyline) or risk blowing a head gasket ... again ...
Last edited by John Milliman; 04/20/2026 6:10 PM. Reason: typo
