Posted by Paul Cook in Kempner, Texas on Friday, August 25, 2006 at 3:12PM :
In Reply to: LET ME re-OPEN this topic (WC 3/4 ton speeds) posted by dave in Plano, TX on Friday, August 25, 2006 at 1:22PM :
I'd get a lawyer. I can't believe the seller misrepresented that Command Car as a Viper. What with you living so close to the Texas Motor Speedway, I can't even imagine how disappointed you must be.
With that top end, that vehicle is only good for military reenactments and parades. Oh, yes, there's those Texas Power Wagon Reunions - but you Viper types shouldn't have anything to to with those guys.
I wouldn't worry too much. It almost time for you to sell it and get something else, anyway.
Dave... You know I'll keep after you to come to some of our events.
Seriously, though, I compared the speed of my WC-52 with 4.89's and stock military 9x16 NDT's to the speed of my '54 C-1-PW with 5.83's and 38 x 13 x 16 Super Swampers. The higher gearing of the WC-52 and the taller tires of the '54 PW gave me the same disappointing highway performance. The drive into town is a series of gently rolling hills with several 1/2 mile stretches of level road. Neither truck liked pulling the hills but loved taking off on the down grades. Each would GRADUALLY pick up speed on the level. Obviously both speedometers were off. I had my wife clock me and the best I got on a level stretch with either truck was about 45 mph. By the way, my street has a 70 mph speed limit.
I'd guess that you would get that if you had a long level stretch before you hit the radar - like the back stretch at the speedway.
Of course, if I were trying to sell you something - 4.89 gears for example - I'd figure out the THEORETICAL speed that does not take weight and wind drag into account and try to get you to be unhappy with what you had. Can you find a vendor of 4.89 gears who will post a performance bond of - let's just say $1000 to cover the trouble and disappointment - to be paid to you if you cannot get 52 mph any time you want, and will refund the cost of the gears and your expenses for having them installed?
And Dave, folks exaggerate a bit and boast of top speeds that they achieved without telling that it was on a long downhill with a 40 mph tailwind. Power Wagon people should brag about their performance OFF ROAD and leave the top speed crap to the Viper guys.