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Originally posted by ftyler:
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Originally posted by bake_sale:
I don't plan to travel the freeway extensively, maybe 70 miles per week. I wouldn' have any problem driving at 60 mph during these trips.

This truck also has a new intake manifold, eidlebrock carb, headers, maybe something done to the cam too. Would these modifications allow the truck to travel at lower rpms driving at freeway speeds?
Thanks.
Unfortunately no. The mods you've made would allow your engine to rev higher and get there faster than it would stock. And you would have a higher top end speed and faster acceleration as a result. But it would not lower your rpms. Changing your final drive ratio is the only way to lower your rpms. You can do that either through a ring and pinion change, a transmission change (if the transmission has overdrive) or both.

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Originally posted by northerngmc:
Remember that forty year old suspensions and drum brakes weren't always meant for today's freeway speeds.
Great point. But I haven't had any problems whatsoever with my 38 year old truck with it's stock setup. The truck handles great a 75-80 on the interstate. You really have to drive smart and not try to stay with the fast lane traffic on heavy traffic days. I'm going to switch my single master cylinder over to dual sometime before the end of the year so that will help me have some braking ability, should a brake line give way. eek wink

-ftyler
Excuse me for my lack of knowledge, but by would these modifications allow the engine to handle running at higher rpms? If so, then maybe the transmission or gear ratio change wouldn;t be necessary. Again, I don't plan to drive fast or far < 100 miles per week.