I am about ready to get my 65 long bed back on the road. But kinda worried about long trips/cruises or hauling stuff in the bed long distances. I know this is odd, subjective and very random. But how far do you, would you or did you drive your old truck? Were you worried?

Any of you guys use your truck as a daily driver?

 

I drove my 63 f100 str6 150 miles home from an ebay purchase, other then the carb leaking fuel, it was a 50 mph ride. I asked the owner if it was road worthy, he never thought I meant 150 miles on the highway!

 

Every fall I take mine on our annual hunting trip - 180 miles one way. You always worry that something may break on an old vehicle but with proper maintenance the worry lessens. Not a daily driver but I drive it as much as I can!

 

I have a 66 F250 I6 300 4 spd. It's pretty much the stock set up. Drums all around, single pot, no power anything. I made extra sure the brakes were tuned up and that the brake lines were good.
The only "upgrades" it currently has is I switched the load-o-matic dizzy and autolite 1101 carb out for a standard points dizzy and a carter yf.
I started driving mine to work and back a a couple times a week, about 90 miles round trip. And yes, I was very nervous at first.
Hauled some loads of mulch and a few engine blocks to test it out too. Once I got comfortable I took it on a 450 mile round trip in two days. After that trip I'd be pretty confident to drive it anywhere.
I always keep an extra set of electrical components (points, condensor, voltage regulator, solenoid, etc) fluids, and some tools. Haven't broken down yet, but it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it

 

I wouldn't hesitate to take mine cross-country and used it as my primary vehicle until about a month ago.

My '90 that I just started driving again has broken down about 3 times in the last month but I carry enough tools, parts, and know-how to get it back up and running on the side of the road. The '66 has never broken down to the point of not being driveable.

 

I live in north central North Carolina and have driven my truck to Atlanta Ga and upstate NY.


John

 

I've taken my 63 f250 4x4 on 33's a couple hundred miles round trip twice not because I really wanted to but it's the only truck I have. Turns out I enjoyed it and found out she's pretty dependable even though she doesn't look it. Slow bouncey ride though 55 maybe 60 tops I'd guess (speedo doesn't work).

 

I drive mine daily about 10-15 miles. I also drive it most places I go and have driven it 8 hours a day for 3 days with no problems. Not sure of the miles. 1965, 390 automatic with disc and power steering.

 

I live on the left coast. I've taken my 65' short bed to Vagas many times to visit my brother and my mother, when she was alive. She loved that old truck. Reminded her when she was younger.

One summer I drove it up to NY to visit some friends and than on down to Texas to visit some family - than back home to the Central Coast.
Never had a problem except keeping the tank full. :-(

I must admit though, I've made some extensive mods from the factory original.
428, C6, complete suspension transplant from a 76' (except for the 3" drop beams front and 3" drop brackets in the back).
Complete power steering and power brakes, also from 76' donor.
Switch over to the 9" (3.25 rear gear) with a 3000 Stall Speed TC...
Surprisingly, I averaged 17mpg on the trip. Of course that was driving like a sane person. Which is Not what I built the truck for....... :-)

 

Used to take 63 F100 from West central Tx to North central Mo couple times a year. Hauled WC Allis back once. 800 miles oneway. One trip coming home rearend started whining about 150 miles from home. No real breakdowns on any trip.

 

My first 61, I moved from SoCal to Arkansas with. Built side boards on the bed and had it loaded all the way to the top of the cab. Pulling a trailer made out of a Chevy 8' wide bed, also loaded to the top of the 2' side boards I made for that one.
My present '61 has been a semi-daily driver for the 11 years I've had it(hey, I've got a Jeep and several motorcycles, I've got to rotate). I pull a car trailer, biggest load I think I ever pulled with it was the trailer and a '77 F250 long bed Camper Special. Pulled that load over 150 miles with no problem.

 

Bought mine in missouri and drove it 500 miles back home

 

Back in the 90's my '63 2wd was my daily driver for 7-8 years. Longest trip was to the SW corner of Oregon....about 2000 miles round trip. Hauled a bed full of stuff on the return. No problems.

Drive em! And enjoy the ride.

 

Nice to hear so many have that faith in their older truck. Carrying tools and some spare parts makes total sense, thanks for that idea. I hear most do about 60-65 on the freeway. I am hoping to go a little faster, that will get you cussed out in Cali...

 

Back in the 70s i drove a 63 flareside from San Francisco to Pittsburgh, PA straight through with two other guys in the cab. We all graduated from Navy C school and were being transferred to the east coast. We just took turns driving. 59 hours. It was brutal, but the only problem we had with the truck was a flat tire. That truck rocked it!

I guess this doesn't help with the conversation, though. LOL. I just wanted to chime in. Too much coffee today.