The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk still steers and stops like a boat

i have a 36 high cab 1/2 ton that is bone stock aside from dual exhaust port i had welded on. I recently redid the drum brakes, the front suspension and steering components are in working order (no modifications whatsoever) I have been tinkering on this truck for a few years now and have always had the intention of restoring it as original as the day it was built, yet i am thinking that maybe i would actually like to go faster than 40 without the fear of not being able to stop in time or lose steering control. Are there any brake and steering options that wont compromise the integrity too much. I also want to be able to keep the original spoke wheels. Thanks for any info

I dont know the answers to your questions, but sounds like a cool truck you have there. Good luck with it

Do you throw out an anchor to stop?...

no anchors, i just use my feet Flinstone style!

That's one of the pleasures and challenges of driving an original vehicle. Properly maintained and adjusted the steering and brakes will work well.....for 1936. There's nothing you can do that I'm aware of to keep the stock set up and get modern performance. Driving my '38 with all of it's warts is more fun for me than turning it into a clone of something it's not. It's like driving a time machine. What you give up is the ability to day dream while driving. You must be aware of where you are and what's going on around you.

I think a person has to make a decision about mid 30's vehicles. If you keep them original, you have to drive them like they were driven in the 30's. Or if you want modern brakes, etc. you have to give originality and upgrade.

Sounds like my thoughts.

I have the desire to drive a brand new old truck to see how they drove new.

When they were fresh from the factory, did they drive that badly? My first new car was a 1962 so that's as far back as I can go. I remember driving my dad's new 1956 Desota before I got my license, and it was a silky smooth ride.

But would a factory fresh 1936 truck drive like a dream. Putting all the "character" aside. I would love to try it to see.

Pictures??

I dont have a 30's truck, but have several older vehicles. I think the advice given is right on the money. I think you will be pleased with it, when done - as long as you git your mind right to the year of the truck. It well do what it was designed to do quite well too, just not to todays standards. I ride a 39 Indian and have model T's, for how old they are - they do quite well and have really impressed me. I have 60,000 miles on my Indian over 20 some years. Rebuild your truck well and it will impress you for sure, that's my guess :-)

Your truck will never ride all that great, even when new I doubt it rode nice, it is a truck after all! Just look at a '36 car next to a '36 truck, they are really totally different animals. Cars were designed to ride nice, trucks were made to haul.

Heres where I am with my '37, it might give you some ideas which way to go.

I went with disk brakes on mine since the fronts were rusted away and rears were some odd ball set up. Its was the easiest route to go since I upgraded to a '79 rear axle. Mine stops OK, but I still wouldn't enter any stopping contest! I'm not sure which way it will go if I had to really stand on them, I just hope it goes in a straight line.

Steering is another issue I worked on for a while, I have had four steering boxes in the truck over the years. I now have a rebuilt with NOS parts '41 truck steering box. It bolted right in and uses roller balls inside for easier steering and has a slower ratio which also makes for easy steering (more turns lock to lock). I did cut the top of the steering shaft off and weld on a '37 end so I could keep the '37 wheel and column tube. You would never know by looking that its a different gear box, yet driving it makes a world of difference. Its still nothing like power steering, but way better then stock was. The narrow radial tires help along with the modern tie-rod ends. I switched out the ball and socket tie-rod and drag-link ends to the newer modern ends found on the '50s trucks.

As for ride, I have been working on that for years. I am happy with it now, its not new truck smooth, but not so bad it beats you to death. I ended up with less leafs per spring pack, teflon liner between leafs, and a soft modern tube shock per wheel. A 200 mile ride doesn't feel like 2000 any more.

Joe

Hi Christian, Just remember that these trucks were closer to tractors than cars. Low horsepower with strong gearing to handle loads, heavy duty springs, big steering wheels, etc.were the norm. If you put 500 pounds in the bed, you'll be very surprised by how much smoother the ride is--- also try a ride in a 3/4 ton truck as compared to a 1/2 ton-- the 3/4 will shake your teeth out. Joe's mods (above)will make a big difference and you might give the suspension tricks a try.
Something to try regarding the steering-- always have the truck moving (at least a little bit) while trying to turn the steering wheel. 2 advantages from this-- steering is MUCH easier and the strain on the steering box is MUCH less. I'm sure that you already know this but some who have never driven older vehicles may not. I saw a young lady lifting herself completely off the seat while parking because each turn of the wheel was done while completely still.
Welcome to the group and good luck with the truck!
Glenn

Another trick to good steering is to make sure your tires are not too soft. While running soft tires may give a slightly softer ride, it’s hard on the sidewalls, lowers your gas mileage and makes steering more difficult.

It's a truck... let off throttle sooner and mash the brakes sooner too... it takes a little getting used to... but it's fun, once you get the hang of it.

Old trucks are supposed to be fun, not cozy.

-W

Right on, Woogeroo!!!

For the brakes you might be able to upgrade to the 51 and up bendix brakes and still retain the original wheels,as for the steering you might be able to use a 41-6 steering box for a little better road feel and will turn a little easier. Even though I lowered my 37 a little and upgraded the brakes to disc along with the 41-6 steering it still rides and handles like a truck but does stop better.

Weight is a big factor, adding some to the rear does help. Mine rides much better with a full tank of gas compared to a empty one. My fuel tank is behind the rear axle so 120 lbs of fuel really makes a difference, to bad I can't afford it right now!

Joe