Stock top speed??
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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Stock top speed??
I keep reading that these trucks have a top speed of 50 -55 mph. I just bought a 52 with a OHV I6 and 4 speed transmission. I was hoping to use it for commuting when the weather is nice but 55 isn't gonna cut it. Whats the deal, are they geared real low, or are they just real under powered? Will a M5OD bolt up to the early I6, would the over drive or a higher ratio rear help?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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I think it's a combination of very low gears and fairly low revving engines. I think the tires were smaller back then, too. At least smaller than the last 10 years. My '60 has a 27" tire with 3.73s, my '05 has a 31.6" tire with 3.73s and OD.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Bearspaw Alberta Canada
Not sure what "these trucks" means but the 49-51 shop manual has the following rear end specs:
F1: 3.92, 4.27
F2-F3: 4.11, 4.857
F4: 5.83, 5.14, 6.66
F5 and larger: 5.14 up to 9.04 with the 2 speed rear end.
Rab
F1: 3.92, 4.27
F2-F3: 4.11, 4.857
F4: 5.83, 5.14, 6.66
F5 and larger: 5.14 up to 9.04 with the 2 speed rear end.
Rab
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
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From: Oxford, Indiana
There's not a prayer of the M5OD fitting your 215. The M5OD has a small block Ford bellhousing. The only way that you'd pull that off is by installing it in tandem with a 300 c.i. 6 cyl. out of a later truck, but rumor has it that they don't fit very well. There was an OD manual transmission available that would fit the 215, but they are pricey and getting hard to come by. Do a search and you should come up with a fairly recent thread that will tell you everything you need to know (if you can pick your way through the petty squabbling).
The easiest and least expensive thing you can do at this point is swap in a 9" axle out of a '67-'72 F-100 with a 3.50 or 3.73 gear ratio. Read the stickys for info on the swap. I wouldn't go with anything numerically lower than a 3.50 or that little 215 will have trouble getting out of its own way.
The easiest and least expensive thing you can do at this point is swap in a 9" axle out of a '67-'72 F-100 with a 3.50 or 3.73 gear ratio. Read the stickys for info on the swap. I wouldn't go with anything numerically lower than a 3.50 or that little 215 will have trouble getting out of its own way.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I drove my '60 F100 down to the spring shop on Friday to have the front springs rearched and a leaf added. My friend followed me there to give me a ride back. I had him clock my speed, because I wasn't sure if my speedo was right. When my speedo read 60mph, his read 63. I have the 223 w/3-speed on the column. It did just fine cruising down the freeway.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
Define Top Speed
Straight and level 4th gear and standard rearend?
or In what we call Kentucky Overdrive - after cresting the top of the hill - kick it in netural and hope the brakes hold up - which the don't have a prayer of doing.
Straight and level 4th gear and standard rearend?
or In what we call Kentucky Overdrive - after cresting the top of the hill - kick it in netural and hope the brakes hold up - which the don't have a prayer of doing.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Lukes,
I have no idea where you live, but the aforementioned '60 F100 (292/Fordo/3.73) would do 65 on the highway fine (no tach so maybe it had more) but that won't cut it in my neck of the woods for commuting. It was like a scene in a movie, EVERY other car on the road passed me like I was standing still.
I have no idea where you live, but the aforementioned '60 F100 (292/Fordo/3.73) would do 65 on the highway fine (no tach so maybe it had more) but that won't cut it in my neck of the woods for commuting. It was like a scene in a movie, EVERY other car on the road passed me like I was standing still.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Highland Village, TX
Lukes,
I have no idea where you live, but the aforementioned '60 F100 (292/Fordo/3.73) would do 65 on the highway fine (no tach so maybe it had more) but that won't cut it in my neck of the woods for commuting. It was like a scene in a movie, EVERY other car on the road passed me like I was standing still.
I have no idea where you live, but the aforementioned '60 F100 (292/Fordo/3.73) would do 65 on the highway fine (no tach so maybe it had more) but that won't cut it in my neck of the woods for commuting. It was like a scene in a movie, EVERY other car on the road passed me like I was standing still.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,224
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From: scotia. NY 12302
another factor to consider is the solid axle technology, if you are retaining it. even with a refreshed suspension, a bump road or with a lot of traffic, i would be white knuckling it at 60 mph in my stock f-1. dick r
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