The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts top speed hiway in 49 1 1/2 ton? 2 speed

got a chance at a awsome 49 1 1/2 ton flatbed with a 216 with a 2 speed rearend and original 216 20,000 orig miles what would be top hiway safe crusing speed with the 2 speed rearend??? thanks

About 49 MPH it may go 55 but it'll be screaming it little heart out. If you plan on driving it much a new firewall insulation pad and floor mat shouldn't be overlooked, unless you enjoy earplugs. But they sure are allot of fun.

Safe? That really depends on brakes, tires and steering. If those parts aren't up to the speed it won't be safe.

ok.... if all is well good breaks, tires ect. ect.. what would be a comfortable hiway speed on a big bolt with 2 speed rearend and 216???

45-50 mph is about top speed.

35 - 40 mph are an economical cruising speed. They are not a highway truck: there were very few turnpikes in those days, and the interstate system was still a dream. 48 - 50 was a flat-out max, because if you could get to 55 it would hammer your engine apart fairly quickly.

That said, grab it if you can, but plan on a diff change. The truck will be much happier.

Might go a bit faster if ya run it off a cliff.

When I last drove Dad's ol wrecker, about 50ish was all it was good for without flooring the pedal. Speed aint exactly what these old trucks were about.

I gotta agree here. My 1/2 ton didnt seem to happy at 50, better at around 45 and the gear ratio was a better then what a 1 1/2 ton would have. The 1/2 ton was 4.11 while the 1 1/2 would start at 5.14 or 6 something in low. Remember a 2speed wont go faster, just gets you going better when hauling. Bigger tires will help the speed but will throw off the speedometer. I would think 45 would be to fast for it with stock tires...

our 47 2 ton will go 50, but that about all. Its got the newer 261 motor in it.

Sounds about right, mine has a 302 GMC engine. Although the gearing has more to do with top speed than anything else.

but is 50 mph comfortable for it?? or screaming????

It's will be screemimg at 50 and can do short burst to 55, 45 is at the top of a comterble crusing speed 40 is a nice drive.

thanks ill do a "nice drive" keep her at 40 do not wanna over stress the ol girl.. thanks

I agree with all said about top speed. From 40, 45, 50 MPH, is about it for the normal working truck.
I have a 1950 6400, and I enjoy the cruise to do a bit of work with her bed and hoist, and dumping the load, or gravel, is all for the fun and use of it. Not for burning up the road !
Ha ! Just to look at them is what its about, especially when recalling learning to drive on them in the 1950's !!

MJD

Concur with the gang! Upper 40's is all I want to do with my 49. You just can't get in a hurry with theses old babies. They were made to work in the fields and make short hauls to town.

That seems about right. If I remember my history correctly, we didn't even have Interstate highways when these trucks were designed and built. No wonder they aren't built for the highway speeds. I'll enjoy the slow ride when ever I get the chance!

Mind you, some roads were still dirt back then too. Being 'paved' was well..... rare. Going 35mph on a pot hole filled country road with a 3/4 ton and higher truck would just about send the driver through the roof I'd say.

My 50 GMC 1.5ton in high can prob. go 50 mph, unloaded. Might make 50 loaded if the road is flat or slightly sloped down. And I used it to haul full bins of apples up until 9 years ago. Use your ears... if it sounds too loud, prob. means you're going to fast.

My 52 GMC 3/4 can barely make it to 45 with its ratios....

Funny thing about these old trucks;since I started driving the old trucks,going 45 or 50 has gotten to be okay with me,and it seems I've become a little mellower and more tolerant with the other drivers I share the road with. I guess it's all in how you see things.
Speed

I had my hubs altered to accomodate 5 stud corrvette ralley wheels and the machineist found that the casting was quite far out of round from the factory.So he trued them to the bearing surface and turned them so they would be balanced. I haven't tried them but it makes me wonder about the times I had my 56 Nomad up to 140 MPH with the 450 horse 327 with a stock set of hubs and bearings, no wonder the beast used to shake and rattle so much.If I had to live my life over, I'd want a raise.

Keep it at 40-43 in hi axle an 33-35 in low axle..
get a tach ....3900 rpm max for 6 cylinder
I run my 48 ,2 ton ,2 speed axle, 60 -65 ...but I have a 292 in it ...I always stay under 3600 rpm
for good measure