Posted by Caleb in Manhattan KS [70.184.232.53] on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 13:58:37 :
In Reply to: engine change posted by John Schroeder [72.45.9.93] on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 20:15:02 :
If you are up to the task...DOOOO ITTT!!!
I have learned on mine that adding the power steering is really only good for low speeds and off road, and the power brakes arent even required. As a matter of fact, I don't even have the booster on mine hooked up and it's no problem to stop, heck, it takes more effort to engage the clutch than to make a hard stop....holding it on a steep up or down hill does wear on the leg a bit. I have cruised my half ton at 60-65 miles per hour and it actually felt tighter though hitting rough spots in the pavement caused a bit of excitement. Stopping requires NOT riding the brake like you might do in a more modern vehicle...brake fade. I really prefer to keep it under 50 and to heck with everyone else on the road....their hurry is no concern of mine (but I don't want to piss everyone off so I keep it off the interstate). Though I don't take mine on the interstate, but I do regularly drive a 5 ton Kaiser with 1000 gallons of water on the back down I-70 at 45-50 mph (20 pulling the hills) and it is WAY less comfortable than my WC....it is a big red fire truck though.
Making the truck more comfortable on the highway is the name of the game. Isolate the cab from the frame with rubber or urethane bushings, the gears will make some noise as will the front axle joints and wear will likely be increased but can be kept at bay with high quality grease and oil. If you have the time and money and want the modern axles with a wide selection of gear ratios, get a set of axles made to the right width, or if keeping the originals, work with a transmission that fits your needs and the rpm range of the transmission. Just remember, it is a 50 year old truck and the "sudden stop" at the end is what all of the modern safety is for. The name of the game is to know your truck and make sure it is properly maintained because they can be much less forgiving in that department than a modern vehicle.