Can you cruise at 80+mph in your truck?

[y5mgisi]

Last weekend I drove from Portland to Phoenix and back. I took my '12 gmc. It was comfortable and easy to cruise at 80mph+ for hours on end. After a while I thought, I have never owned a solid axle truck that I would ever want to cruise over about 70mph. Tops. So I was curious, can you comfortably cruise at 80mph or better in your truck for hours on end?*

The reason I ask is I have great visions of taking the burb and the 78 on lengthy road trips. But as it is, that drive wouldn't have been fun in either of those trucks. So I'm wondering if I'm spinning my wheels trying to get something to do a job that it simply can't do, and if I need to be looking in a different direction. Particularly an ifs direction.

[Shifty One]

Not with my gearing/TH400....unless I didn't mind hammering the hell out of my engine.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

NOPE!

My K-10 is a 4-spd, np205 T-case, 3.73 axles, with 35" BFG's.

Turns a hair north of 2400 RPM at 60 mph. 80 mph?? Haven't even tried hitting 80 with it, let alone cruising long distance at that speed. LOL! Thing would be screaming.

[special-K]

I don't really drive anything at 80+, but I have driven these old 4wds coast to coast, up and down the coasts, and all over. I guess I did run a '71 with 33/12.50s from Maryland to South Carolina 75-80 mph down I-95 once. I drove my '69 Power Wagon with 14.50/37s and 4.56s from Maryland to Flagstaff, all around, and back. Went to the Florida Keys in it once and down to Cape Hatteras 1/2 dozen times. I've blasted an hour or so running it up to 80, but just don't drive that fast anymore

[Mr. 250r]

When i first got my 91 suburban it had military 36s and me and 4 other friends drove it out to missoura for a canoe trip averaging like 75-80 it seemed fine with the over drive granted i wouldn't do it now because the 60 has a death wobble lol but i felt fine my passengers didn't as they aren't used to/in to big trucks so they were uneasy.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Mr. 250r: Cool name!!

['63GENIII]

The freeway that I take to work every day has cars that seem to run about 85-90 on the way home. Gotta keep up if I don't want to get hit! The '63 has no problem doing it and feels solid. It does seem like at that speed though the 396 starts working in gallons per mile! Now that makes me uncomfortable!

[lowrollin70gmc]

I normally cruise at 70 because it does cut down on the in-cab noise. But it sure cruises at 80 just as well, the torque just tugs it along. Good suspension bushings and steering components make all the difference. Even tugging my car hauler it's been stable at highway speeds.


Not that I recommend speeding this badly, but last summer I lost a power steering return line at about 85 (in a 75). Just felt heavy and a little tough to drive. Pulled over a few miles later and discovered the hose and fluid everywhere. Reattached the hose, refilled with fluid, and did 1500 miles in the burb over the next 5 days including two dragstrip runs.

I wouldn't worry about solid axles at speed, Ford and Dodge still put them under brand new trucks (with weaker unit bearings).

[Stocker]

With 4.10 gears, 33" tires, and a th350 trans.... not a chance. 60 mph isn't too bad, and 65 starts to get a bit busy. It'll do 70 if I insist, but I don't think it's too happy there. Any extended freeway trips are made in the Tacoma anyway. No worries....

[junksaver]

Slow down and enjoy spending time in a classic truck.

[60sIron]

350-4 speed 4:56 gears and 33 x 12.50 tires = NO

[y5mgisi]

Thanks guys. I think that the end result is that if it weren't for engine and gearing issues that the old trucks have, they basically drive fine at high speeds.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by junksaver

Slow down and enjoy spending time in a classic truck.

Good answer. I enjoy driving my older trucks more than going that fast.

This thread is about suspension, not gearing. On the hiway I don't see the suspension being a factor at all, no matter what the age. If anything, the ride smooths out the faster I drive. The upward motion gets mellowed by forward motion causing you to pounce forward. I love that ride far more than a mush bucket. But, the right lane is for slower moving vehicles. I have no fear of someone running into my large vehicle doing 60-65. been doing it all my life and never even considered it. I've never had even close to an issue with that. People need to slow down and I put my money where my mouth is. I slow them down... you're welcome

[jjzepplin]

I put too much time and money and more time into my classic to go fast all the time. I know I can - and it would be safe but for what purpose? We will all get there eventually. The good lord will take me in due time, No need to rush things.

[coopdog]

I have tried to hit 180 but the trucks sweet spot is around 150 - 160. good thing I have a radar detector

[y5mgisi]

Its not that i am wanting to go hot dogging down the hiway. It was justa bit of a wake up call on my road trip that some states have 80mph speed limits and it would just be nice to be able to do the speed limit. I know gearing is really the main thing. I was just trying to get a feel for the reality of these trucks traveling at that speed or so, for long periods of time, without it being more hassle than it is worth. It would seem that if you had the gearing, the truck itself should not be the problem. And if your truck cant cruise at those high speeds, then something is worn and needs replaced.

[ryanroo]

from an issue of safety, all of my solid axle trucks will. all have kingpin d60s. the green truck is being built to hopefully replace a modern equivalent truck. ish. it should cruise at interstate speeds (70-80) with little concern. the other two are being pushed pretty hard for that. the jeep will do it from a powertrain perspective pretty easy, but i hate running that fast on the balloon tires. the K20 would do it, but jeez what a racket!

i dont have any idea of thinking they will compete with any IFS truck in ride quality/comfort, going fast or slow.

i like my old trucks for putzing around. i drove slow in my newer trucks too. i hate interaction with on duty police officers.

none of them are fun to drive fast compared to the lady's Beemer. now that, i go fast in....

[Vintage Windmills]

Biggest issue with high speed is brakes and stopping distance. You have twice the kinetic energy to dissipate at 80mph compared to 60mph.

For me, I can log 700-800 miles in a day with my 01 HD without a big trailer. The IFS, leg room, and seat height really make it comfortable. Even with IFS in a older truck, it still wouldn't have the leg comfort of a newer truck for people on the taller side like myself.

Originally Posted by ryanroo

none of them are fun to drive fast compared to the lady's Beemer. now that, i go fast in....

The biggest frustration with cars like that is that they torment you to go fast all the time and you become paranoid about cops. This country needs an autobahn

[CdM]

coil over conversion 3 link setup on a dana 44, 12 bolt semi float with auburn posi running 4.56's with a 38.5 tire and a 700r4. Sounds just fine on a 64 to do 80 mph with. Mine is not done yet, so its just a guess at this point.

[1985-GMC]

Sure thing, she does just fine hahaha

[special-K]

I realize your question is to address long distance travel, especially on 80 mph hiways. I have driven cross country many times in non-overdrive 3/4t 4wds with big tires and enjoyed every inch along the way. I don't drive 80 mph anywhere in anything. People can pass. Fuel economy and safety drop off a cliff at over 65 mph. So does your truck's happiness. 80 mph is the speed "limit", not the speed "requirement". People are in too much of a hurry these days. Don't be one of them. Help them slow down by driving an old truck. It's cool not to be one of the thoughtless mass. Who knows, maybe the person behind you will be forced to think, or God forbid, learn a lesson in patience.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I'm with you guys on enjoying the ride.

I'm never in a hurry driving my '78 that is as old as I am. I know I get sore if the kids work me too hard playing ball in the backyard, so I try to show my old truck the kindness of not making her "sore" either. I do drive 55-60 in a 55 zone... But she hasn't seen an interstate in the year it's been in my possession. Most times I take the back roads and cruise along at 40 or so.

When I was a kid growing up in the 80's, the family truckster was Dad's '76 K-5. When I drive my K-10, I re-capture all of those old sounds, smells and sights of riding in the old Blazer. The smell of the exhaust from a carbureted, non-catalytic converter equipped mill.. The sound of that old 350 just humming away... The view of the road over that long, flat hood. I just don't get that from the new stuff.

I don't have any hate for the new trucks... But they are just transportation. They don't take me down memory lane like my old K-10 does. I am always a little bummed out when I get to where I'm going and it's time to shut 'er down with the old truck. That's never the case with the '06.

[Tito19]

Not a chance. 305,sm465, np205, 4.56, pushing 35"BFG's. @50mph she's screening.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Originally Posted by Tito19

Not a chance. 305,sm465, np205, 4.56, pushing 35"BFG's. @50mph she's screening.

I'd say so!! LOL! I'm guessing about 2600 at 50??

[jeffahart]

Right now I'm running 33s with 4.56 sm465 and 350. Since there is no tach not sure of rpm but the whole engine, drive train and suspension smooths out around 63 mph. And it just rides nice at that speed, very curious indeed. I may consider driving it to the Brothers show and shine this year. But I have no real desire to do a long range trips in this truck or commute. I like to drive my car, it has become a great place to make phone calls. But I still enjoy Mall Crawling!! I love that saying!

One thing for sure; with this drive train you are forced into throttle discipline!