Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
7 members (JoergK., BarryP, Hugh63c10, Gdads51, Pre '68 Dave, 2-Ton, 1 invisible),
315
guests, and
3
robots. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,164 Posts1,057,076 Members48,463 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 13 | Hi,
I wonder if someone who knows tire size and drive line could comment. I am trying to figure out if a truck I am looking at is up to my task. Specifically I wonder if a stock 36 Chevrolet truck is capable of running 50mph.
Tires are 6.5 X 20 so if I understand things right that gives a height of 33 inches and about 612 turns per mile. With a ratio of 5:43:1 that means about 2765rpm. I don't think the engine should be run much above 2000 (?) or so.
Thanks,
Tom
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | Your going to be doing good running 40-45 with your 36. The other side of the coin is stopping it. I had a 34 Chevrolet firetruck and stopping it was always my biggest issue. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | it might get to 50 Tom, and with no load might hold it for awhile ... according to the Info Kit [ get a PDF here], the 207 [if it still has that] was 'advertised' as capable of 3800 RPM ["engine revs per mile in high gear = 3447"] - likely most of them were run those revs when fully loaded - and run to death .... your choice  Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 | If you feel you have the power,you can go up a size or two on your tires. I see a lot of trucks that size running 7.50 or 8.25's,and the added height may get you to 60 mph or so. I'm pretty sure with the stock engine you won't have enough power to go any faster than you can now with any kind of load.
Speed | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Again, look at your braking capacity. Those trucks are geared for slow or slower speeds, not only because of the small engine, but because of marginal brakes for higher speeds.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | |
|
|
