Top speed

Well i ran 1.5 million miles in a 96 fld with 430/470 Detroit with a 13 over and 3.73 rears. It would do all the speed o said 85 and still have a gear left is all i know for sure never found a race track long enough to try top end and at speeds over 80 MPH i want a controlled environment and a closed course because at those speeds and 80,000 some one is going to die if something small happens let alone a big problem(Steer Tire). I have been over 150 on water and over 200 in a car and over the speed of sound in the air so speed is no stranger to me but 18 wheels and 80,000 is not made to go over the speed limit that was really made for the average car to drive. Just cause the speed limit is 70 don't mean you have to do it on frozen ground in a blizard. Same goes for a truck that will do 100 just cause it will don't mean you have too. My harley will run over 120 but no need to do it on the road and wind up sausage when 50 will get me there and have allot better time.

 

When I worked at Southwest Kenworth back in the early '80's, I spoke to an old man that had a Freightliner cabover with a V-12 Detriot in it. He told me he got a ticket for 135 in Texas in it. I laughed and called Bravo Sierra. He went to the truck and pulled out the ticket and proudly showed it to me. He said spent 4 days in jail for it. I don't know what trans he had or how it was geared.
I had a Kenworth A model that would easily go over 100, It had a turned up Cummins, 5X4 and 3.70's with 11r24.5 tires. The speedo stopped at 100 and I took a picture of it up in Wyoming one time on hwy 85 with the needle pointing straight down. We did a lot of insane stuff back then.
I have a 379 Peterbilt now with a 1lw 475 Cat, 13 double over and 3.55's I have had it up around 90 but I think maybe the computer stops it from going any faster? I don't remember where the rpm's were but I know it was not topped out.

 

kd5drx: I always felt that over 60-ish, you lost the music of the hog to the wind. Kickin' back and listenin' to the pipes gargle is the whole point of the ride!
I drove a '87 anteater with a 444 comalong in it that was supposed to run out at 105...but 90 was the bravest (dumbest) I ever went for a short while. I believed that over the speed rating, the tires get hotter, more prone to damage. I still believe it.

 

Previous owner had my 1996 W900 set at 75 MPH when I purchased it; I had Cat reset the road speed governor to 105. With 3.70 and a 13 over, I could put the needle about half way between 0 and 80. (pointing straight down), no idea how fast, although a State Troopers that works I-10 around the Breaux Bridge scales can prove/testify it will run 92 mph, if he remembers a certain Sunday back in 2005. I also had proof on paper, but it was too painful a reminder, ($$$$), to hold on to.

My present W900 is long legged, 3.36, 13 over, 24.5 normal height rubber, with the road speed governor set at 125. I brought it to 102 mph (gps) in west TX, trying to hang onto the shirtail of a reefer pulling Frt'liner from Kalifornia. Slow moving interstate traffic holding him up, was the only reason I stayed with him till the I-10 / I-20 split, where we parted ways.
I'd like to have asked about his drive train setup, but he wasn't real friendly, so I just stayed in the background.

 

Ex BullHauler, probably...

 

Over the years I`ve driven several triple-digit trucks.Cummins,Cat and Detroit powered.Lots of fun on the right road but all of those go fast truck didn`t have go fast tires or brakes.
The real kicker (way back when) was riding along at top speed and getting passed by a large car like you were tied to a tree.lol
Current truck has a 470 Detroit,13 spd and 2.93 rears on low pro 22.5 tires.According to the shop foreman-the computer says 107mph.I`ll never know.

 

never ran those big tripple digit numbers .......seen my dad run them back when he pulled frameless dump in a 359 .........but i been 83 with 190,000 on rt. 23 in ky ....makin a run for that boyd co. line lol..............

 

Speak for yourself. I already make to little money. You take another 50 or 60 bucks a day away from me and I may as well just quit

 

Freewheelin' ina' Road Camode, I rode ...My crazy friend and I were lucky to live through that. I only watched Daytona till lap 70 tonight then went to the funeral home for another of my best old friends box show.
Don't sound like I missed much?

Just like a race bike/car sled whatever.
You go run lets say 90+ all day cross the Dakotas, Your due for a reman.
Then you race again. I have had alternaters fly apart, impellers break off water pump shaft, you name it.
You got to spend the big bucks to play with the big trucks..
Heres the fastest dude I ever met.
http://www.saltflats.com/arfons_memorial.htm
Art killed a couple folks also like many other drivers I know and interact with.
The high speeds are the house of pain.