VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 Chevy 1 Ton Truck Gear Ratio Change

I was wondering if there is a "simple" change I can make to give me a road speed greater than 30 mph in my 1 Ton farm truck.... I'm not interested in leaving everyone behind but rather be able to travel at around 40 mph without winding the engine too tight. I'm not hauling any loads, just wanted to add some flexability when touring.

Initial queries about an overdrive last year didn't go too far and sounded complicated. Is there anything I can do with the rear end gearing to help or are there other solutions? Thanks, Maxie.

Hello Maxie.
Here is some info how to get your truck to go faster. I drive my -26 truck 35 to 38 mph with 29 pinjong and ring gear in the rear.And without stressing the engine at all.
https://vccachat.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=000100#000006

Arvid :)

G Day Maxie

Great to here that you are driving your Chev truck. There is a few easy steps to follow to get the old girl moving along a bit easier.

First trick is to change the ring and pinion gears to the higher ratio that was used in the 1929 trucks as there were two ratios used in 1929 just get the higher one and you will find that it is a straight bolt in swap with no modifications needed at all.

Second trick is to run bigger tires 650 X 20 or 700 X 20 will increase the top speed a little.Remember to readjust the caster angle of the front axle with the bigger rear tires. Be sure to run 36-38 lbs in the tires all round.

You can use a Tillitson Carby JR 1 I think it is will give you better throttle response.
I also find that by running the Champion W89D spark plugs that the truck runs real nice.
All these changes will give you a very usable truck that will run 40-45 mph nice and easy but make sure you got good brakes if its a 27 or earlier. Some people will tell you that these changes will make your truck die on the hills and none of this is true. You will be travelling 10 mph faster and find that you roll over hills easier now that you are moving a little quicker.
Make sure that if you are going to run faster besure to have the engine or at least the flywheel balanced to cut down on the vibrations.
If you have any further questions just email me direct as I have run my truck with these modifications for 20 plus years and would never go back to the 28-30 mph top speed traffic hazard that it was when I first got her on the road.
Twin4

Great, I'm checking into locating the 1929 ring and pinion first to see what it does. I already have 650s on the back and front. Much approciate it, Maxie