Choosing a slick that will run with modern traffic

[DKC]

I've been looking at f100 slicks within a 200 mile radius of Cincinnati. Although it was a year out of "slick category" I once had a 67 f100 with a 6cyl and 3 on the tree. Completely stock and unchanged since factory. It had enough power, but was geared so slow, engine had to turn uncomfortably fast to run with normal 2 lane traffic. Forget the freeway.

I'm looking for an F100 slick that appears as stock as possible, but will run 55 mph without straining it's heart out. Here's what I've found so far. 1)- 64 stock 6 cyl. and 3 speed. Seller says it is a 45 mph truck. 2)- 65 stock, 352, factory 4 speed with grandma gear. Seller says it is geared to be a 45-50 mph truck max. 3)- 66 Custom Cab converted to 302 and automatic. Seller does not know what was in it from factory, and does not know rear axle ratio.

So here's my question-- Is there a bolt-in third member that will gear these trucks to run with modern traffic. I don't live in the mountains and I've got and f-350 powerstroke if I actually want to haul something. Your opinions and experience please.... Doug

[ThinLizzy13]

I'm in a similar boat. I've got an F250 4spd with 6cyl and 4.56 rearend. It turns out about 3200 rpm at 55. I avoid the highway at all costs. I plan on putting 3.50-3.73 gears in the rear, and getting a little taller tire. After this I should be around 2300 rpm at 65; much better for highway speeds.

My uncle has a stock 63 f100 with 6cyl and 3 speed and it seems to run comfortably at 60.

You can find rearend ratio/tire diameter calculators online that can give you an idea of what Rpms you can get with what gears are in rearends.

[66camperspecial]

You will have to build one to drive in modern traffic which is not hard to do,most F100s have 9 inch rear ends which make gear changes very easy and all you have to do is find a center section with the ratio you want. They were all made to work and even though highway speeds were up around 70 back then they were still geared to work,I have a 66 F250 that originally had 4.10 gears which became 3.54s and now it converted to a 1/2 with a 460 and 2.75 gears and is real nice on the highway now. I would recommend finding the truck with the best body and the bed length you want and build from there.

[bobenhotep]

I can cruise 60 no problem, 300 with a 3 spd manual and 2.75 rear

[64 f100]

One thing I will say about the 223 in the 64, those can be made to run better. But stock utouched you can only go up in gear ratio about one jump or you have no power at all. A yblock 292 engine is a better performer and even stock with a gear change can do fairly well. If you build it with performance in mind, you can do a lot with it. Just expect to spend a lot of money. Best bet is something with a 352 , lots of options with this engine. Standard with overdrive was available usually with 3.50 gears. Fuel mileage isn't great regardless but can be improved.

Rich

[Country]

On my restored 66 I have a 240 engine three on the column with 3:50 gears.
I sometimes run 50 and sometimes 70. It runs great either way. Sat I drove 130 miles to a car show and back at 70.

My other 66 is non restored 100% original with 47000 original miles has a 352 with 3.50 gears. I run it 70 as well.
Single biggest complaint I have is overall road, wind and engine noise and terrible gas mileage. Engine and drive train seem to be doing ok.

[eminencefront]

My 64 has a 292 with 3.25's in the rear.

Original 3-speed on the tree.


Really most of them, even the small 6, will have plenty of power if you're just pottering to town. The transmission and rear gearing will make the difference for you.



Public Service Announcement: The power and Gearing is tertiary to solid suspension tuning and brakes. Spend at least twice as much time verifying ball joints, steering links, bar ends, shock mounts, wheel bearings, pads, and brake bleeding, before you go hopping it up.

I don't mind riding in the right lane, but 70mph in the center with washy mid-century steering components is a recipe for disaster, and it might not just be your life you are messing with.

[banjopicker66]

On my '66, I have restomodded all the mechanical components, and am still working on body, but I got it to where I was real happy with it before I took it down for paint.
With a 460-C6 in front of 3.25 gears, it has a great balance of power for towing and good mileage on the freeway. Of course, I have power steering, power disc brakes and new steering components to make it safe on the highway.
With a 600 CFM carb, she gets decent mileage, about 15-17 on the highway (empty) and lower of course while towing, but I have all the power I would ever need.
The 460 also has later '80s serpentine belts and pulleys, which makes it nice and easy to add A/C later.
And it all looks stock Ford, because it is.
Just my thoughts, and best of luck to you!

[charliemccraney]

My truck with 28" tires in 4th gear (1:1) and 3.70 rear gears is at 3000rpm at 70mph. That puts 55 at about 2500. That is a perfectly fine rpm without overdrive, if you ask me. Many slicks should fall into that area.

Use a gear ratio calculator, such as this one http://www.apexgarage.com/tech/gear_ratios.shtml to find out what a given combo will do.

[MeZapU]

I have my modded 352, 3.50 rear gear but I installed a Tremec 3550 5-speed. It makes all the difference in the world. 55-60 mph is about 1600 rpm's in 5th. I estimate I went from 10-11mpg's with the cruise-o-matic to about 13-14mpg's with the Tremec, but I've never gone a whole tank of gas on the interstate to get a conclusive number. And I almost want to install 3.73's to make towing a bit easier.

[ICEMAN6166]

My truck with 28" tires in 4th gear (1:1) and 3.70 rear gears is at 3000rpm at 70mph. That puts 55 at about 2500. That is a perfectly fine rpm without overdrive, if you ask me. Many slicks should fall into that area.

33" tires 4.56 front and rear ends t98 4 speed 3000 @ 60 mph.
no problem with 75 mph or more, if i keep it at 55-60 im 11-12 mpg but i keep up with traffic and run the speed limit (65mph) so i dont usually get good mileage.
its not the reason i have a truck, if i want to save some gas i drive my rambler.

several years back i had a 65 f350 with a 390 and 4.88 that i ran up to or past 100 mph. truck held the road just fine but sounded like a concorde jet taking off.

[Toyz]

"Modern traffic" around here= 75+ until you get out of town. Thus, the only time I see 60 is on the way up or down. 31" tires, 3.25's and C6 behind a well worn (out) 460 works just fine for my limited usage. My uni build will probably utilize an E4od and 4.11s behind the stroker so I can climb all the way to Salina wih ease.
Wind noise is my main gripe; the shaved rail doesn't seem to have helped and it doesn't seem to be from the door seals.
Paulh

[stswartz]

Just finished rebuilding my 65 F100 with 240 cid and 4 speed on floor T-18. i have 3.00 rear end and it will run on the interstate at 70 mph and 2500 RPM. The granny gear first gear helps but i can easily start off in 2 on flat ground. Did beef up the 240 with clifford 6=8 and new cyl sleeves.

[chris401]

From what I have seen in 60's Fords= A F100 352 automatic/manual normaly had 3.50 gears and the 6cyl manuals normaly had 3.70 or lower. Normaly you can find Galaxie's with 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50 and 3.89(31 spline?).

[66camperspecial]

My 66 with a 460/C-6 with 2.75 gears goes down the highway easily and not bad around town too,it started out as a 352/4 speed with 4.10 gears then 3.54 gears and then the 460 a little later and now with 2.75s

[deadheadno1]

These trucks in stock form were designed to be run at 2600 to 3400 rpm's. They would run freeway speeds at these rpm's. They were not realley gas milage minded designs because all fuels were cheap at the time. Today everyone is used to low rpm designs of modern powerplants. For our old engins 2000 rpm's is well below the power band.
When I bought my '66 f350 and drove it home the 352 felt comfortable at 60. It has no tach but with the 4:10 dana I figure I was in about middle of the powerband, where it was designed to run.
If your old beast is stock and in decent shape then wind it on up and get in the powerband, you won't hurt it and you might be plesently suprised.
Tom