The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk impressions of a 41 as a daily driver

Hello folks,

Question....Can a 41 half ton realistically be used as a daily driver?

I bought my 41 half ton about a month ago with the intention of using it as a daily driver. The truck has the original 216, 4 speed box, torque tube with 4.11 rear. Its been converted to 12 volt.

After sorting out a couple of initial problems the answer at this albeit early stage is a definite yes. I've covered a few hundred miles around the suburbs and into the city. No country driving at this stage. The truck has no problems keeping up with traffic. The high driving position gives you an excellent view of the road ahead. Others drivers can see you ( can't really miss you )and so far at least keep their distance. The truck has decent sized brake and direction indicator lights fitted which are a must for driving in heavy traffic. The brakes are adequate. You have the addition of decent engine braking to help slow thing down a bit. Very little engine braking on modern cars, although with ABS and four wheel discs who needs it. When I'm out in the truck I think of other road users as total idiots and drive accordingly.

The truck runs really well up to 50mph and would probably be ok up to 60 for short periods ( I've got tall tyres (30.5 inch ). I think anyone wanting to go faster would need to upgrade a few different areas, brakes ,diff ratio, steering, seat belts etc.

Anyway from a complete beginner at this game, if you are considering using your old stovebolt as a daily driver, go for it. Put a smile not only on your dial but everyone else who sees the truck out and about. These trucks are meant to be used. Get out there.

Let the good times roll

I put a Patrick's 3.55 R&P set in the rear and it works quite well. The torque tube will save you money in maintenance and be more reliable. I have to laugh at guys who are insistant on putting power steering in a truck like yours. These trucks are quite maneuverable and have light steering. New original master cylinders are available and should probably be on your list of must-do's. I have a '45 GMC and although I don't use it as a DD, I like it better than my new ones for working around the yard and running errands. It's actully easier to load and unload, because of the folddown tail gate, and wooden bed and low bed sides. And the runningboards make like ewasier on my back as well.

Hey Mozzie the Aussie,
Daily driver? Heck yeah!
I'm not sure how you can afford the gas, er, petrol though. When I was last in Perth, price per litre was well over what we pay for a gallon.
What part of western Australia?
-David
Kustoms-and-Sleds

K10 You're right the steering is good. The truck has a new braking system all round. Great fun to drive.

David. I intend converting the truck to run dual fuel. LPG is less than half the price of petrol(gas) out here. I'm in Perth. When were you out here last?

Seat belts!

Mozzie,
I was last in Perth Jan. '03 for about 3 weeks while the USS Abraham Lincoln floated just off the coast. We were undergoing deck repairs after 6 months at sea in preparation for returning to the Persian Gulf.
I stayed with a friend of mine there and as always had a blast at The Mustang.
I really like Perth. It's much like San Diego.
Cheers,
David

Mozzie
What colour is your truck? I think I might have passed you not so long ago in the tunnel on the Farmer freeway

For me, an old stovebolt works much better as a daily drive if you don't HAVE TO. All the little quirks of a 50+ year old truck got to be a nuisance back when that's all I had to drive. Tolerable, but still a nuisance.

Mozzie- Mine is a 1954 AD half ton, and I'v been driving exclusively for the last 10 years- THAT IS- I don't own anything more modern than 1954. And it does just fine. Original engine and 4 speed. I did add AC, modern electrics, seat belts and radials. But everything else is 54.

Drive it and have fun!!!

Pete, glad to see you check in,, wish you would do it more often,,,,,I think that anything that will run is a daily driver...Fred

Bill.......Seat belts, yeah I sort of chucked that one in. I suppose ideally they should be fitted no matter how fast ( or slow ) we drive. Anyone out there fitted them in a 41 - 46?

Mugsy.....A lot of people say that about Perth and San Diego. The bright lights of Northbridge. You party animal you.

Panhead......The truck is black Pete. I haven't been in the Poly Pipe with it yet mate. There are a couple of 41 - 46 utes in town. I've seen a green and a grey ones. There is also a cream one for sale at the moment. If you want to take the old truck for a spin round the block, let me know when you are in Perth and I'll try and catch up.

Scott....Time will tell how practical it will be long term. But so far so good.

Microbe...Its good to hear that its worked out long term as a daily driver for you. I know that Dusty has used his 40 as a daily driver for years.

Dale......Fun. I'm having lots of that mate.

Cheers Guys

Let the good times roll

Joker......As my old man used to say 'If it goes when you want it to go and stops when you want it to stop, don't complain

Mozzie
Would love to go for a spin. Will actually be in Perth this weekend. Email me your phone number to [email protected] and I'll give you a call. If nothing else we can catch up for a cold one and chat. The Green ute is a nice rig, not sure if you had a chance to get a good look. Do you have any details on the cream ute? I have found a 57 GMC in Melbourne for $12.5K GMC Pickup but its a bit rough.

Hey Joker, I often drop by here but dont often post unless I can add something. Thanks for the thoughts.

Stay safe everyone.

I drove a forty one Chevy every day for a couple of years. It was about 20 miles one way. Part hyway and part city. It was all original.I didnt do anything to it. Just bought it and drove it. This was about 20 years ago. I traded it for 3 baby calves.Two of them died. Worst trade I ever made. Wish I still had that old truck. Stay off the freeways. Freeway drivers seem to be a little crazy around here.

I think I'd agree with the statement above that its easier to use an old truck as a daily if you really don't have to...

Or at least if you don't have to rely on it.

What seems to be working for me is having two of them licensed and insured. That way I can work on one and drive the other. Since its not uncommon for at least one of mine to be broken its much less stressful to have a spare!