The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1 ton gas mileage

What should be the gas mileage for a 48 1 ton with single wheels and with everything stock(right down to the tires )?When I got it I thought it should get around 16 mpg at 45 mph.But after takeing it for a spin around the block at 45 it's running the motor fast and now I'm thinking maybe it isn't going to be as good as I thought.Not that it matters much at this point, almost have it ready to start driveing,but just thought I would ask since I couldn't find anything in the search.

If your motor is running fast at 45 MPH your gearing is way too low. If everything is stock you are probably going to get around 6 MPG. One tone trucks were and are built for work and not for cruising.If you wannma get good MPG with that outfit,change the rear to something around 3:08 gears.

When I drove my 1 ton around the country, drivetrain near stock but with a 1955 235, 4.56 gears (you have about 5.14) and my tires were about 33" tall.
Running the engine at 2,400 rpm was about 52 mph, and I got about 12 miles to the gallon. Running any faster and the mileage dropped fast.

The truck weighes 4,400 lb empty, probably about 5,400 during the trip.

Grigg

Hmmm I see,it looks like I need to drive it the way it is now and see what it gets.But since I live right near the Blue ridge mountains there's a lot of hills that I'll need to go up.I don't know how much more gearing it can handle with the stock motor.

If I do need to change my gearing can I go to a 3/4 ton rear 4.56 I think.Or can I get a gear set to go in it?

Right, the 3/4 ton center section is the simplest gear swap.

I felt that even with 4.56 and 33" tires mine was geared to slow, and I too live in the mountains. I would have really liked 4.11, and possibly 3.73 although that may be pushing the limit of the available HP.

Where in VA are you?

Grigg

I put 4:10 gears from a 71 in my 1951 1 Ton. The tires are nearly 32" and I figure I get decent mileage out of it. I would have a difficult time in the mountains because the 216 doesn't have enough torque for the steep hills in high. I would be going for the 4:57 from a 3/4 Ton, if I were you. Denny has two or three sitting around his shop. Maybe he could part with one.

Well, I really like driving mine with a 4.10. I don't have a tach, but with my original 5.14 it was screaming for mercy at 45 - 50 mph unless it was loaded. 35 - 40 was a good, gentle speed, but useless around traffic. I was always in top gear. Now, with the gear change - which was spendy, but worth it - I can actually get on a freeway if I want to. I like 50 - 55 mph, and can easily enough manage a 60 mph cruise if I want. Economy is acceptable. My tires are 235/80R16.
[IMG]http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk293/hotshoe36/Our%20trucks/DSC00862.jpg[/IMG]
This is a pic of a 3,000 lb load(7400 GVW) I hauled over a 40-mile route which included a short 10% up grade. The truck has its original 216, and I was not unpleased with the way it handled the load.

Sorry, moderator, I have no idea how to make the upload acceptable.

Grigg,
I live near Hillsville .

Well at this point I think I'll run it this way and see how it does,should be able to get a good idea what gearing would be best.

It's good to know that I won't need to change my axle to do it,might make things a little easier.

Back in the late 50's and early 60's we still had a couple of GMC 3/4 tons with 300 gallon gas delivery tanks on them. We ran 7.50x17 tires on them with the 3/4 ton ratio of 4.56 with 248 motors. They averaged 14 to 15 out on the highway running 60. This should still be attainable. Pulling a trailer pulled them down below 10. The pickups originally came with 228's but in those days it was very common to put in new GMC 248 short blocks. We originally installed the 17" tires for weight carrying and the 228's struggled. The 248's handled it fine and the fuel mileage actually went up.

I have parts of a '50 1-ton that I got from a guy who replaced the original rear with a 14-bolt Chevy with 3.42 gears. With a tired 216 that truck would no longer haul a load so he parked it and picked parts off it until he sold what was left to me.

About a week ago I got the remains far enough apart I can no longer call it a truck...

If you are going to use it as a truck be careful changing the gears too far.

Yea,I want to use it for light work most of the time and still be able to drive it alittle, like to work about 10 miles ,5 of that is back roads.Thats why I think the 3/4 ton rear would be the best,(if I want to change at all),it should be good gearing for both.