I would tell people 10-12 years ago that any vintage vehicle could be daily driven, and wondered why more vintage vehicles weren't. Why do so many people own vintage vehicles but only drive them 2.7 miles per month?

Thers a famous swap meet(Pamona) that I always wanted to go to, but I reasoned that there was no point going in a car that couldn't haul any parts home, but 10 years ago my truck wasn't fast or healthy enough for me(223ci/3-spd/3.92:1), and I told myself "someday it will be healthy enough to drive out of town slowly"
I never liked the thought of renting a newer truck or borrowing one from someone, and buying a new truck is out of the question($$$).


Last year I rebuilt a 223 and put it in my truck and it has been running very well for the most part. So yesterday I drove 200 miles in 4 hours at 50-55 mph with some typical southern CA gridlock. I was supposed to stay with a friend and we'd go to Pamona this morning together for the swap.

30 minutes after arriving, I felt sick and fatigued, ended up having a fever, I put pressure on my hosts and felt bad, and last night while trying to get some sleep I couldn't stop thinking about the MISERABLE 4 hour journey I was gonna have to make today. It was then that I realized I'm over it.

Driving these trucks with original drivetrain on extended drives is really not fun. There. I said it.
In any other modern car(with radar cruise control...) that drive would be 2.5 hours MAX. But I can't justify the car payment, I really really don't want it. But It is time I finally admit that with a stock drivetrain, long journeys just aren't feasible.(I knew this 12 years ago but figured it was because the truck was unreliable and beat up) Now it drives as smooth as silk--and it still sucks.

I hate the thought of swapping engines, adding an AOD, or a hiway friendly 2.73. I kills the originality, but makes it more livable.
I got up and started my way home at 5am, zero traffic, and it took 3.25 hours at 55-60(3000rpm) the whole way.


My current project is a 1972 GMC 1-ton with the same top speed as my current truck; I am planning on swapping the trans with a NV4500 that should allow it to cruise 85 no prob, and factory style cruise control can be found at any time. I better not be disappointed.

Thanks for reading my nonsense.



EDIT: Oh and I got about 19 mpg on the way there, and probably closer to 17-18 on the way home.

 

You know, maybe it's just the set of circumstances that happened to you on this trip. Unfortunately you got sick, which is beyond anyone's control and just maybe that overshadowed and ruined the whole trip.
I usually take a couple of long trips with my truck each year. One with just myself and other with friends and their trucks to the the Badgerland F-100 show in Wisconsin Dells. We dont have to go near any real major cities. And since I started traveling to that show with friends we started to not take the interstates anymore. The trip via 2 lanes at 55 to 60 are much more easy going and enjoyable. And the small towns we go through always have folks who honk, wave, and appreciate these old beasts. We pull into a restaurant or conveince store and we usually pull a small crowd of nice folks. Either trip is about 5 hours each way, and I got to admit I am really happy when I get there. As much as I Love my 56, 5 hours of driving it in one day is more than enough! LOL
But it still is something I always look forward to the next day and the trip home.

 

One of the everyday joys in California is the unrelenting crush of other people who share each experience with you.

Sorry about your weekend and, yes, you are getting old. There, I said it.

 

This really sums up the whole point here.

 

When these trucks were new, how many took them on 5 hour journeys regularly or rode them on the interstates?

They were built at a different time for that different time. I drive mine to get a glimpse of then, not recreate now.
​​​​​
Edit: Being sick (at any point in history) generally diminishes ones enjoyment of activities.

 

The memory of a few 600 mile days in my '65 Mustang--by then a well worn and previously wrecked vehicle--keeps me from dreaming that classic vehicle dream.

Yes, I am soft and weak.

 

I believe the 223ci was even offered as far up as the F700, could you imagine being a long haul driver in an F500-700 with one of these puny engines driving for 18 hours per day back in 1958? Lord almighty.

 

Sorry to hear your trip did not turn out like you hoped.
Maybe not feeling good was from an exhaust leak?

I am sure I am not as old as you, 63, and I know my truck is not as old as yours, 81 F100 w/300 six, but when I did a body off frame rebuild I did it as a driver.
A 2.75 rear gear and over drive with the NP435 helps.
The farthest I have taken it is an hour and half each way at 55 MPH for lunch last weekend.
I have been thinking of driving out to OK from NC for a truck show in a year or two but we will see how that plays out LOL

Hope you are feeling better and keep the trips shorter you dont want the truck to go bad from sitting.
Dave ----

 

I've driven my stock '49 F-2 on two 1800 mile round trips. The drive could get a bit tiring but we did 6-7 hours a day to get to where we were going. The Bonus Built cab might not have been built to do such a journey but it was fun and I hope to do more in the future. The only problem is I had neck surgery a year ago last Christmas and recently rebuilt the engine in the truck. The engine is better than ever but the neck isn't as good as it used to be. I took a few short trips around here to break in the engine and my neck started complaining. Hopefully my neck will be better by the fall when I'm hoping to take another trip to PA. All part of getting old.

 

When these trucks were built, the highway system was not that great and speed limits were slower.

For long trips and current highway speeds, the restomod changes are worthwhile.

Some current speed limits are as high as 80 mph.

 

The technology in the newer vehicles is great.........until it quits working. Then a bad sensor puts you in safe mode or on a tow truck. Then you get the repair bill. My daughter's SUV will correct your steering if you wander a tiny bit or the stripes in the road at an on ramp is close. I don't like the car taking control. Her chipped windshield was over $2K and had to be calibrated.

I am at that point where things are starting to fail on my newest vehicle. I just had to tear the entire dash out of my truck to replace motors for the A/C box. I have a steering angle sensor/clock spring code that keeps me from using my cruise control and having operable air bags. The sensor is over $400 and labor is ridiculous. I had a wheel speed sensor go out halfway into a trip hauling my travel trailer. Had to limp it into a town and find one. I can't afford a new truck and I can't afford to pay a shop to fix mine. I get pi$$ed enough to say I'm taking it to a shop and then I get the repair quote. I end up fixing it because I have to. Makes me want a BASIC truck. There's just no pleasing us OLD guys.

I think the answer is a gamble. Buy the truck of my dreams with ALL the bells and whistles WITH the extended warranty and make sure to get low payments that go longer than I'm going to live. Is that doable? Never mind. I don't want an electric truck.

Just to clarify, I still love my 52. It's fun to drive. I use it as a work truck locally because of it's limitations. And I'm saying "OLD" guy because my grandkids tell me I am. Didn't realize I was.

 

Putting in a late model engine does not mean you lose all the reliability.

A late model Coyote engine does not require catalytic converters, the ECM needs to be reprogrammed, but most of the electronics on new cars is not necessary. The PATS system needs to be deleted, however many performance and economy improvements can be programmed at the same time.

Besides, a person can go with a 302 that has a carburetor, to keep it simple.

Those old engines from the 1950s usually would not last 70,000 miles without needing at least a valve job. They did not get decent mileage either. It is not uncommon for modern engines to last 200,000 miles with regular maintenance. In fact 300,000 miles is not rare.

A quality restomod can give you the classic looks of yesteryear while giving you modern handling and performance and increasing the reliability substantially.

 

"...I drive mine to get a glimpse of then, not to recreate now." That's a great quote I can very much relate to. I'm old--76 as of today--and I know I'm blessed to be looking forward to my 6th cross country old truck driving adventure coming up in October. Long uncomfortable days of driving and challenges along the way are all part of the experience. The trips would be easier in a modern vehicle (or a modified old truck), but it wouldn't be the same. Thanks bmoran4 for reminding us why we do what we do!

Jim

 

I'm pretty new to this hobby of old trucks. I bought mine just under 3 years ago, and I've only taken one 300+ mile trip. On that trip I was not at all concerned about pushing the drivetrain, it was the suspension I was concerned about. My truck (48, EAB flathead, crashbox 4 speed, 32 rear) handled 50-55 just fine from the power perspective, but I felt pretty uncomfortable with the steering, suspension and brakes above 55.

That said, I'll be doing it again this year. Driving this truck is a blast. And yes I'm old too, 72 years old (maybe that's no so old to some folks)

 

btw folks, I'm 33.

The "I'm getting old" is more me being facetious, and rather, "I'm learning and becoming wise as to why most people don't drive factory stock 65 year old vehicles[especially on long road trips]"


M2HB-- I never said modern swaps LOSE reliability; I implied the opposite: Modern swaps HELP reliability, but at the cost of character. Originality gives a vehicle soul and character, in my opinion. For every modern piece of equipment you swap in, the vehicle loses a part of what made it special. Again, this i know is controversial, I don't wanna start an argument. Just my opinion.

In the beginning of driving this truck, I couldn't care less about it's character; I almost swapped in a chevy 350 because the original engine was too expensive to rebuild. But today I feel bad that the truck has spent so many years/miles in stock configuration, why change now. Hopefully it won't have "out-of-town" duty for much longer if I get the '72 GMC on the road this year.




Thanks for all your stories and chiming in, everyone.