Posted by Keith in Washington [24.41.55.59] on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 13:06:30 :
In Reply to: 1949 Powerwagon at highway speeds? posted by Tim Norris [24.147.199.135] on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 09:55:42 :
Yes it will if you make sure of a couple of things.
1) 4.89 gears with 9.00 X 16 will give you 3000 RPM at 60 MPH
2) Disk brakes are a must. You will get too much fade and loose stopping power in one stop from 65. I know I did it.
The axles can take hwy speeds with out any problems if they are rebuilt with all new bearings, bushings and seals. The original steering is OK if it is totally rebuilt. That means all new bushings, tie rod ends, all new spring bushings and drag link cups.
I have a 42 Carryall WC53 with a V8 that will travel at 70 all day down the freeway. It runs true and straight and is not difficult to drive at all. I run Michelin XLs or XZLs and both do just fine. The XLs make a lot more noise. Make sure you have disk brakes, in the front at a minimum, to stop the truck. I will drive mine up to 200 miles one way, after that I put it on a trailer. Do not ask about gas mileage, it is not good even with a small block V8. I can get better fuel mileage if I put it on a trailer behind my diesel truck with a huge camper on it which gets 10+ MPG.
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