Top Speed

I searched, i really did...

Ive been pondering, Ive heard the old jeeps were really only able to go 45-55 and have seen a few scattered posts that elude to this as well.

Seeing as Im planning on a new drivetrain, i was wondering, just what speed my jeep would be comfortable at. I know its driving by the seat of your pants and you need to remember to pack extra clothes.


Heres what im looking at:

4.3L Chevy V6 or Buick 225
Sm420 Trans or T98
Dana 18
Overdrive Unit (Herm)

this will be using the factory axles on a 56.

I know ill have way more power, but what speed will i be able to achieve if i so chose to go that fast?

 

At about 75 the hood tried to lift off my 3b!:twisted: these Jeep are short, and handle like something form the 60's. I cruise in mine at 60 often and it's fine. but I often like to go slower and enjoy the ride, it's amazing how much more I notice on a trip in my Jeep.

 

you'll have all the speed you'll need.

 

I was just worried about the axles holding up to that kind of torture if it was only meant for 45-55...

thanks, i got about 4 pages in to the search with no real answer so.... thought id ask.

I think i'll feel ok at 65mph, im a motorcycle guy so being out in the open with just you and the road isnt something im new to.

 

I run mine as high as 65 but feel more comfortable at 60 or so.
I was following a landscaping truck on the freeway to work one day when a plastic wheelbarrow flew out of it at 65MPH, that'll put a wet spot on your seat!

 

I'm new to the whole Jeep scene but I've had mine at 70mph on the freeway recently. That's in third without the overdrive engaged and it is comfortable besides the doors whipping around a little. I figure that it could do more with third and the overdrived engaged but haven't wanted to take it faster. The only time it got ify was geting some side wind which felt unstable doing more than 70 (3"lift)

 

you have doors, that changes things a bit..... i wont be running and outter structure like that. no rollbar, softop hard top, no doors... 65 in mine will feel a lot different than yours.

 

brave man i didnt get my 2a above 50 till i put my roll bar in and im stiil iffy bout runnin 65 70 but ive got about 4 inches of lift pluss a soa setup so it gets harry any speed i go

 

im staying stock height. But yeah, for anyone whos never experienced a jeep at high speeds with NO bar, doors, top, or seatbelts.... you don't really know your jeep IMHO...

I'm all for saftey equip, but im also all for being the way things were. Im a firm believer that people have become too sissified. The old timers did it and survived. Look at how tough they were compared to us.

If WWII were to happen today, we'd all be screwed. i know there are plenty who are ready to fight and die for the country, im one of em.. but NONE of us are remotely as tough as the greatest generation was.

I figure it it was good enough for them, its good enough for me. granted, im going with more power... but thats just an improvement to their orginal design. :twisted: