Driving a truck

[Steve Jelf]

Along with farming, Dieter Mitchell does mechanical work. He just finished getting a TT running for some folks who want to use it as a parade truck, and I went over to take a look.

The cab is recent, probably made in the sixties or seventies, but whoever built it used glass so old that it's wavy.

The tank holds 300 gallons. At 6.3 pounds per gallon a full tank of gas would weigh 1890 pounds. Add the weight of the tank and you're well over a ton. I suppose that's why so many of these trucks have broken upper spring leaves.

I drove the thing about a mile, and it was the first time I've ever driven one of these. It drives like a truck. It has a Ruckstell, and took the steep hills with no trouble.

Everything on this side of the engine is stock. It was a little slow starting cold, but after that started instantly every time.

The other side of the engine has an aftermarket grease and coolant slinger.

[Steve Jelf]

He's smiling because it's out of the shop and he can get some other things done.

[Burger in Spokane]

It drives like a truck, .... imagine that !

[Tom Hicks]

Most trucks these days don't drive like trucks. Ford pickups haven't been available with standard transmission for years. They have all the good stuff to make for comfort like any car. They drive like Cadillacs, you don't even know you were driving a truck. Suburban mom's love them, spacious cabs with rear seating for kids, soccer balls in the back, more comfortable than any car and handle like a dream.

It is part of the sissification of America.

[46woodduck]

Just think, with 300 gallons of fuel you could drive it across the country and probably only need one fuel stop. Pack a bag and fill a cooler with drinks, adventure is calling.

[George N Lake Ozark]

Now Steve has to learn how to pic guitars.

[Bud Delong]

25 years ago after buying my first T i looked at a nice TT stake rack.Driving it was like watching paint dry and the sound of the gear combo made use of ear plugs a must! Our 2015 Ford rides like a truck and with the bench seats and folding console it will carry 6 adults very nice with a lot of room! It also handles our 13,000# fifth wheel very well and i can either shift the six speed auto trans up/down/or hold in any gear i wan't or empty i let it shift! I would think Ford still offers a six speed stick but i would favor a dual range that you could split shifts like a truck trans.You can buy a [work truck] for about 1/2 half the cost of a top of the line and probably sit on cement block's if it makes you feel more of a man!! Bud.

[Adam]

Looks just like one that sold at an outdoor auction near Janesville, WI on the Saturday before Christmas maybe 7 years ago.

[HPetrino]

I imagine the original buyers of the early TT's viewed them a similar leap in load capacity, comfort and speed. 15 MPH may not seem very fast today, but it probably looked like warp speed to guys who had been using a team and wagon, particularly since it could maintain that 15 MPH all day long.

[Tom Hicks]

I imagine the original buyers of the early TT's viewed them a similar leap in load capacity, comfort and speed. 15 MPH may not seem very fast today, but it probably looked like warp speed to guys who had been using a team and wagon, particularly since it could maintain that 15 MPH all day long.

And 15 was probably as fast as most roads would allow, especially since they were shared with those who used teams and wagons. Not having to harness and hitch up the horses made life easier to.

[D Stroud]

A TT with the "high speed" rearend gears and a three speed auxiliary transmission with overdrive will get down the road quite well. The TT that Dallas has now got to 42 mph on a GPH. That was with just a bare chassis, and a very tired engine, and a Chicago auxiliary transmission, but it would cruise very easily at 35 MPH or so. Add on a Rocky Mountain Six Speed (which had another under/over drive), and it could move along much faster (maybe ) with enough power. Dave

[Angmar]

I agree, I had a 24 TT with a Jumbo Giant, hi speed Ruxtel rear end, tall rear tires and boy could that thing move(till you came to a hill and had to gear down).

[A Whiteman]

Hmm, yes my old TT does about 45 mph but, I only noticed grey hairs after driving it that fast for the first time!

Albert will cruise comfortably at about 30, but he does not really like going much faster.

I have even had old Albert "sideways" on gravel corners - now that was an unexpected bit for "rally driving" !!

To use a TT on club runs I think that earplugs and an over drive are pretty much compulsory, but the cab keeps me warm and dry!

Cheers, Adrian

[otrcman]

I wonder if that wavy glass is some sort of safety glass or just plane sheet glass ? My natural aversion to seeing my own blood would insist on knowing for sure.