Whats the top speed i can expect with stock drivertrain?

[POSoffroadingNJ]

first post here and looking forward to rebuilding my 69 that belonged to my dad back in the 80s. Just seeing what the top speed will most likely be with my stock drivetrain. 302 (.30 over), 3 speed column, and dana 20. stock axles as well (30 front, 9" rear). i tried searching for it but no luck. any help would be great. looking forward to speaking to everyone for info! the nv3550 swap is in the future but much more before that.


thanks

 

[661buster1963]

cool truck to get from dad, congrats.
What size tire you have and what axles ratio (if untouched it should be 3.50 or 4.11)
Top speed could be real high if you got a tailwind, going down a hill and got it neutral.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Tire size matters too.

Basically a V8 powered Bronco will go faster than it should be driven.

Over 90 mph.

 

[broncodriver99]

Basically a V8 powered Bronco will go faster than it should be driven.

Over 90 mph.

X2 on that.

These trucks were designed to cruise in the 55 MPH range. They will exceed 75-80 but you would have to be nuts to drive on that fast, especially if lifted.

 

[Brent13]

Yes, I'd not look into setting a new land speed record in these trucks. Mine feels absolutely solid at 60-65mph. I had it up to 77 and it still felt solid, but that was a long stretch of straight interstate. Turning at 77, not me, would not be safe. I try to stay at 65 or less, and it feels great. And my speed numbers are from GPS, so I have to believe they are accurate. I am 302 and C4 with 33" tires and 3.50 gears.

Brent

 

[POSoffroadingNJ]

thanks guys biggest tire id go is 33 but im really looking for top speed as is now. i need to check the tags again for axle gears so i will get back on that. thanks for all of the responses so far. im not looking for a rocket but highway speeds are desirable for me.

 

[Digger556]

With 4.10s, 33's and no overdrive, I kept in under 65mph



Now with 37's, 4.56s, overdrive, healthy 351W, and most importantly, a WELL TUNED SUSPENSION, the truck cruises confidently at 75+MPH. Everyone that has ridden with me comments that they had no idea we were traveling as fast as were were.


If you want to go fast, make sure all suspension parts are new and tight, check for frame cracks around steering box, have a good cage, get a 4-wheel alignment and don't make any abrupt moves.

 

[Justafordguy]

Mine with 33" tires will easily go the speed limit on any road I've ever been on.

 

[Timmy390]

My 74 with a very weak 302, 2v, 3.50 gears and 32's would do 70-75 but that was about it and it took some time to get there.

After the 4.11 gear change, it would get there faster and had more but as said, who wants to go that fast in a 40 plus year old lifted rig.

Now after the 351W upgrade with EFI it's scary fast and lots of power. 70 with ease with lots left but I stay under that.

Tim

 

[70_Steve]

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

[ugly74]

Am I the only one here who risks life and limb just for the heck of it?

With a fairly hot 302, C4, 3.50 gears and 32" tires, I got mine to 110mph on more than one occasion.
It wasn't bashful about getting there either. I didn't watch the tach, but she was screamin pretty good. Over 5k rpm, I'm sure.
Quick lane changes would've been a butt puckering experience....but it felt stable enough otherwise. No rattles or vibrations, but lots of wind noise!
Assertive driving is why I installed a cage, and why I'm acquiring parts for 4 wheel disks.

 

[jckkys]

I did 90 perfectly stock, with 2 EBs Both had 3.50 gears. The 289 with 4.11 gears got to about 80. A carbureted 351 went past 100 where I was scared enough to back off. My experience driving through NJ and dealing with the NJ state police makes me think that's not the best place to find your top speed.

 

[Prizefighter]

When I was 16 I reached 100 mph in mine twice. I hit a bird with the roof and and it sounded like a gun went off in the cab. I had a '77 with a 302, 235/75r15 tires, and 3.50 gears.

 

[POSoffroadingNJ]

ive read elsewhere that i wont be seeing those higher speeds because of the 3 on the tree. Anyone here have the stock 3 spd trans and stock gears getting over 70?

 

[SeanT4x4]

I have a 302 with 33s and all new suspension and I don't like to go over 65. Still have the stock manual steering box so I think that leaves some slop in the whole deal on my rig. Even so with a 3 spd and 4.11 it sounds like its spinning pretty fast at 65. Ive gone faster but not for any length of time.

 

[JWMcCrary]

Fastest mine ever sees is behind my tow vehicle on the trailer.

 

[POSoffroadingNJ]

Fastest mine ever sees is behind my tow vehicle on the trailer.

that sounds like my jeep ;D

 

[Broncobowsher]

First time I did it was with a worn out 302 pulling a trailer. Topped out at 88 MPH going downhill. Would loose speed going up.
Later with a fresh 302, no trailer, still on 31s and 3.50 gears it had no issues hitting 100 MPH.

Second Bronco had 4.11 gears and a built up 351. It pulled 100 MPH no problem. This was on both 31s and 33s. Smaller motor would have done it as well. It was well withen what a stock motor could do, I could just do it faster. The drag strip was tripping the lights at 86 MPH.

Later did 4.88 gears but kept the 33s. Worked great with the overdrive. With the OD locked out (didn't want any full throttle shifts into OD just to be nice to the transmission) I hammered it on a closed high banked track. The lift worked against me. Air packed under the front causing noticeable lift. The lift lightened the front end and took away the caster. At 100 MPH I was steering left to follow the banking to the right all while the horizion was tilted 45° out the windshield. Motor was really zinging, 6000 RPM it was a good thing I had better than stock rods in it. It did it, was not a smart thing to do. That was the last high speed blast before I sold it. Sustained driving I would normally lift by about 80 due to the front end lift. This was not a powertrain limitation, it was a chassis limitation due to aerodynamics. But before I lifted it, it was still stable at 100 MPH.

 

[LilMixedUp]

with my first build a 76 with K bar S (remember them??) suspension and Duff dual shocks, mild 302 and C4, with 33's and 3.50 gears; as my daily driver regularly drove 60-65 and weekend trips on interstate 70-75 with no issues, shakes, or lane swapping.

 

[ugly74]

ive read elsewhere that i wont be seeing those higher speeds because of the 3 on the tree. Anyone here have the stock 3 spd trans and stock gears getting over 70?

The 3 speed is still a 1 to 1 final drive, same as a C4, or pretty much any non-OD trans.
With a 302, power and RPM limits won't be the limiting factor.
I think most people don't go faster because of steering, suspension, or economy.