Gear HELP.... Need highway speed
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New User
Joined: Oct 2015
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Gear HELP.... Need highway speed
Ok my 63 is stock.... I know nothing about gearing or read ends.... My truck runs smooth and the I-6 needs some love but only tops out at 55mph.... I will be taking an 8 hour trip in a few weeks... I need the truck to be able to do highway speeds 60+mph... I was told by a friend to change out the gearing and the motor should be able to push that truck along to those speeds.... Any help would be appropriated.
Last edited by Savagediver31; Dec 12, 2015 at 10:14 AM. Reason: Typo
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Welcome to FTE Post the data plate info on your truck particularly axle code. I believe you can replace what's called the "third member" in the differential and change the ratio. Not too expensive, but may be tough to get knocked out in a "few weeks".
Back up a second though, - determine whether your truck has been maintained over the last several decades to safely operate at those higher speeds. Tires, braking system, shocks, leaf springs, steering gear, king pins, tie rod ends, drag link, etc. Worn out components wear super fast once they get going.
Back up a second though, - determine whether your truck has been maintained over the last several decades to safely operate at those higher speeds. Tires, braking system, shocks, leaf springs, steering gear, king pins, tie rod ends, drag link, etc. Worn out components wear super fast once they get going.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
SD31, A couple things you need to be aware of, your truck is running a 223 that has very small gonads, and was built in an era of average truck speed being about 45 mph. Trucks were not driven then like today nor were there 70 mph roads to drive them on. As noted by Ted, is it safe to run it at higher speeds.
One more thing, I am not aware of limiters, are you saying if you keep mashing the gas it will not go faster or just sounds like it is topped out?
John
One more thing, I am not aware of limiters, are you saying if you keep mashing the gas it will not go faster or just sounds like it is topped out?
John
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Thanks for the welcoming. Today will be the first time i see the truck in person and drive it as i purchased it through pictures and phone conversations. From what i have seen and my father picking the truck up, it is a solid truck. It's not like i am dropping in a new V-8... do you really think adding 10-20 MPH will harm the components you mentioned? I just want to get the truck to go little faster so a road trip doesn't take quit as long as it will. Also want to keep up with the flow little better and not become a slow moving hazard. Thanks again and i really really hope to have more answers and "WILL' Have more questions once i take her for a spin.
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JO WILKER..... i just posted a reply to TESTER9 staying i haven't driven the truck yet... but the owner said it "tops out" at 55mph... i will get to drive the truck for the first time today as i am coming home for Military leave for a couple weeks. I will be able to talked more and receive all of your guys advice better once i get to know her little more... just didn't want you all to think i was a one time poster or ignoring your advice.... Thanks again Talk soon.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,771
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From: tujunga, calif
Another thing to check is the vacuum advance on the distributor. If it doesn't work properly you get no advance as there is no mechanical advance. A 223 will be a dog without it.. If that is ok, then you need to find out what rear gears you have..
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Take it out on the road and hold it on the floor. As long as it is in hi-gear you should not harm it even if it is screaming.
I am saying that engine is a woose at best, it aint gonna go much faster as is. Once your tour is up you might want to think about replacing the drive train but for now just drive it.
Thank you for your service. sir
John
I am saying that engine is a woose at best, it aint gonna go much faster as is. Once your tour is up you might want to think about replacing the drive train but for now just drive it.
Thank you for your service. sir
John
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
I don't know what ratio is in the rear end in your truck (assuming it is a 9-inch, which it probably is) but, good chance it has 3.50, 3.70 or 3.89:1 gears or, something along those lines. ....could even be 4.11.
A low gear ratio is high, numerically. A high ratio is low, numerically. Example, 3.00:1 rear end gears would be a high ratio. 4.11:1 gears would be a low ratio.
The axle code will be listed on your warranty plate. I believe (possibly) on '66 - earlier trucks, the tag was on the inside of the glove box door. If not, the plate should be on the rear edge of the drivers side door. The rear end SHOULD have a ratio tag attached to one of the (10) studs that holds the 3rd member to the 9-inch rear end housing. But, If someone has messed with the rear end, they may have left the tag off.
Going to a higher (lower, numerically) rear end ratio will drop the engine RPMs at highway speeds. However, going too high in ratio MAY kill the engine's performance if the gears cause the engine to operate under its power band (lug the engine). --the engine MAY struggle all the time to get up to speed or to try and maintain speed.
A low gear ratio is high, numerically. A high ratio is low, numerically. Example, 3.00:1 rear end gears would be a high ratio. 4.11:1 gears would be a low ratio.
The axle code will be listed on your warranty plate. I believe (possibly) on '66 - earlier trucks, the tag was on the inside of the glove box door. If not, the plate should be on the rear edge of the drivers side door. The rear end SHOULD have a ratio tag attached to one of the (10) studs that holds the 3rd member to the 9-inch rear end housing. But, If someone has messed with the rear end, they may have left the tag off.
Going to a higher (lower, numerically) rear end ratio will drop the engine RPMs at highway speeds. However, going too high in ratio MAY kill the engine's performance if the gears cause the engine to operate under its power band (lug the engine). --the engine MAY struggle all the time to get up to speed or to try and maintain speed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Townsend, MT
'63 and older on the glovebox, '64 and later on the door.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Thanks for the information. I own a Bumpside ('69 F100) and I wasn't sure when the placement of the tag changed locations on the Slicks.
Years ago, I had pulled a 3.89 9-inch 3rd member from a Slick. I just remember that the warranty tag was on the inside of the glove box door (axle code 12).
Years ago, I had pulled a 3.89 9-inch 3rd member from a Slick. I just remember that the warranty tag was on the inside of the glove box door (axle code 12).
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
To answer an earlier question, there IS a big difference between 50ish and 70 mph. What I mean by that, while there's no way for us to know the overall condition of the truck, typically a '63 pickup truck was rode hard and put away wet. Springs and shocks, totally spent, kingpins loose, tie rod ends, drag link - brakes, drums worn or cracked, wheel cylinders trash, hoses original, master cylinder leaking, steering box worn out, empty. How about tires? When was the last time the wheel bearings were inspected and repacked with fresh grease? Jus' sayin'.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
That's a load of bull. Max horsepower was rated at 4,000 or 4,200 so they will easily spin that fast.