The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Want more of a cruiser

My 38 is rebuilt to "all stock" specs. It has a 3 speed tranny and 4.11 gears, stock suspension and enclosed driveline. The 216 has been rebuilt with insert bearings. Truck has bias ply tires.
I'm thinking a set of 3.55 gears and radial tires would probably make the truck "feel" better on the highway.
I don't want a hotrod - I love the stock look of the truck. Just want to feel a little more at ease on the road at speed (50-60mph).
The brakes, shocks, and all steering components are also rebuilt (all stock) and in very good shape.
Opinions please.
Thanks.

I'd try the radials first. They may make you feel much better at 50 mph. Not sure 3:55's are a good idea with a 216 unless you live in flat lands.

Here's my list of what I would do, by the way, none of which would change the looks of your truck.
I would go to an open drive line with a 3:55 to 1 ratio, or close to it, and a T-5 transmission which will allow you to drive with anyone else on the road with it's 5th gear overdrive. I would also go with the radial tires and I would poly line all four of your under carriage springs, for better spring response, also go to modern day shocks and go to a 41-46 steering box, which is a bolt in. It is a recirculating ball steering box and will better help the steering, especially with the radials. You will have to pull the outer column off of the stering wheel shaft to cut it and weld the top part of your 38 shaft onto the bottom of the 41-46 shaft to use you 38 steering wheel on the top portion. Your steering wheel won't fit on the 41-46 shaft.
All of these items work very well to make a truck like yours much more easy to drive and more trustworthy. And no can tell.
There are some other things you can do for safety and convience in case you breakdown. Newer parts are easier to get.

You get alot of engine braking with 4.11 gears. Yes the 3.55 helps you go faster but the engine also seems to spin faster going down hills. It's not as easy to slow down, especially with a load. Not a game-changer, just something to be aware of.

Thanks for the input guys. I will think on this a little more. Probably put some radials on and see how it feels. May use that as an excuse to get some new artillery wheels!!

I second a vote for the 3:55 gears. I had a '51 Chevy Fleetline before my '59 Apache, and the car was almost unusable on modern roads with 4:11s. I swapped in a powerglide rear (3:55s), and the difference was amazing. No, the car did would not win any races, but driveability improved 100%. I never had any problems with braking, but I also drove the car very carefully. I had stock drum brakes, but I completely rebuilt everything, and they worked just fine.

As long as you're not going to haul any heavy loads, you'll be fine with the 216.

Chris

tcox, I did that job on my restored '36 Chevy pickup using all OEM Chevy parts from street rodders, no expensive aftermarket Patricks gears. If you're interested in what it took to do the job or the quality of the results please feel free to email me. [email protected].