the ultimate truck camper truck.
they don't make them like they used to
Forum Discussion
valhalla360 wrote:JRscooby wrote:
In the '70s I had a few 427 GMCs (and a couple of Super Duty Fords, when SD implied 850 in VIN) I would pull out of quarry grossing 110,000 lbs. Step grade, or soft ground, put both boxes in 1. Might have to drive a stake in the ground to tell it was moving, but if your patient it will get there. But, once started downhill, would take a running automobile to pass.
When did they stop including a granny gear in trucks? As you say, you won't win any races but pretty much nothing short of the axle shearing off was going to stop it from turning the wheels.
Some time in the late '70s the buyers of light trucks learned the auto trans, with the amplification of the torque converter would match the load starting ability of the "granny low" 4 speed. And without needing to worry about the driver's skill level on clutch engagement and the first shift, they started giving the auto higher GCVWR.
The GMC I posted about was not a pickup, but twin screw. Had a 5 speed main, and a 4 sp auxiliary transmission.
