cruising speed on stock drivetrain?

[danheit]

Guys, I know this has probably been beaten into the ground, but I wasn't really able to come up with anything using the search function, so here is my question:

In my 55 Task Force with the 235 cid and the 4speed trans and stock rear axle, not clipped, completely stock all the way down to the brakes, what is a reasonable expectation for cruising speeds with this setup? I don't plan on any interstate cruising, but am wondering if I can get by with my current setup for a while with just jutting around town, or if it will soon be time to start looking for a newer drivetrain. What should I expect speed wise from this truck?

[Red Foreman]

My bone stock 59 Apache 235 3sp likes around 60-70mph.

[danheit]

Really?! I was figuring somewhere around the 45-50 range. 60-70 sounds great around here. That's road trip speeds!

[mr48chev]

It will quickly let you know what "too fast" is. They ran fine on 60mph highways when they were new though. We always tend to forget that when these trucks were new they were work horses that got driven at highway speeds and hauled or towed loads on a regular basis.

the difference between driving 55 and 60 and up for me is often gas mileage. The lower gears like the 55mph and the gas mileage difference is worth going a bit slower on the way to work and back.

[duwem]

My 50 with later (58-62) model 235 but stock 4 on the floor and torque tube/rear axle with newer rims and tires runs 55-65 with the engine humming. If I had the carb sorted out it may do more, but would get scary at any faster than that.

[G&R's57GMC]

My 56 with I6, 4sp, 3.90 gears and 235/70Rx15 tires was happy cruising 55-60. Changed the tires to 31x10.5 R 15s and its now happy at 55-70 mph but I'm happier at 60 mph because of the wind noise.

[G&R's57GMC]

My 57 GMC 4x4 with 347 V-8, 4sp, 3.90 gears and 265/70Rx16 cruises 65-70 loafing along
go figure the tires on the 56 & 57 are about the same diameter. The I6 sounds like the pistons are changing holes while the V-8 is purring.

[meter swinger]

My 59 has a 327/th350 390 rearend drum brakes 29" tall tires. Its wound pretty tight at 65. when i had taller tires (31") it was better. Usually my biggest fear is other drivers who like to jump in front of me and hit the brakes.
Posted via Mobile Device

[JumboAMONGus]

i still have stock tires from the 60s ,,been 100mph

[tmoble]

my original 235 had a little issue first time I ever drove it on the freeway. bone stock 57, 55MPH, tossed a rod, made this nice viewport on the side of the block. Still ran, but down on power and kinda messy. After I rounded up another 235 I kept it to 45, like a farm truck.