Highway speeds

[newagon]

Just curious as to what everyone's rigs will run on the highway?
I've heard comments from people on here saying that 70 mph is scary... i've found that not to be the case. The '88 Wagon will cruise all day at 85 mph and not break a sweat, and will push well over 100 as long as there is enough gas in the tank (playing with a porsche cayenne)

[will e]

The tired old 360 was not happy doing anything above 65 you could tell it was a struggle.

The peppy rebuilt 401 gets to 85 without a problem. Truck seems to be stable. I don't normally drive that fast due to gas and safety.

[War Wagon]

We my son made a high speed run home when my dad got sick last year. He said it was turning 3900 RPM and that is all it would do with 3:07 gears and 33" tires, you do the math. He said it was smooth but the noise from all the rattles was unreal. Dang it Zack. The War Wagon will run 70 MPH all day.

Jim

[drlocke]

In driving amongst [rectum] Massachusetts and Connecticut drivers on the interstates I can give most of 'em a run for their money with the Waggy. I found that I could accelerate briskly--even from 70 up to 85MPH, which is as fast as I dare go. The 327 felt like it could do quite a bit more but more would be a bit scary.

Wind noise gets pretty bad at those speeds, and the vehicle takes such treatment out of my hide at the gas pump.

[derf]

With no overdrive, I don't like to run much over 70. That and the wind noise is horrible that fast.

[badaboom]

Best possible would be bouncing Speedo needle 85+

Best general running is around 65-72 MPH, performance, road noise and rpm 2700-3000.

[JeepBountyHunter]

I never had trouble at or above highway speeds in my old 88 Waggy. Hardly any wind noise as the seals were replaced on the doors..just the tailgate had leaks. I loved being able to 'stomp' it at 55, and past other's on the freeway with ease...probably up to 70 was okay though.

[tgreese]

Originally Posted by War Wagon

you do the math.

33" * 3900 RPM * 3.07 ratio = 125 mph... seems unlikely. Air resistance goes like the square of velocity, so you need twice as much power at 125 (3900) as at 88 mph (2750). It's a very substantial barrier.

My truck will run 75 easy; haven't tried any higher speeds (too much wander).

[89grand]

I do 70-80mph on a daily basis, there are times when I like the 2.72 gears.

I've had the Grand up to 95mph back when it was still stock.

[Serious Johnson]

Year before last, on the Interstate near Kansas City, pulling a 7,500 lb enclosed trailer, 3.73s, 33s. The 85 MPH dial had been useless for a while, but My Dear Wife following in her RX-8 said we didn't drop below 100 for several miles. Never claimed to be smart, but I can build a motor!

S.J.

[War Wagon]

[quote=tgreese]33" * 3900 RPM * 3.07 ratio = 125 mph... seems unlikely. Air resistance goes like the square of velocity, so you need twice as much power at 125 (3900) as at 88 mph (2750). It's a very substantial barrier.[quote]

You also have to count the slip in the auto so not sure what it really was but too fast by me. He held it flat out on the 6 mile flat straight, 5 lanes wide. He said there was no traffic at all so he let it rip. 20 years old and had the it can't happen to me mind set. Dang it Zack!!


Jim

[brent]

Comfortable 80; no shimmy, no noises of strain or pain.

Anything more than that my engine gets WAAAAY too hot and I will be pulling over.

[Dirtball]

I've kept mine to around 70 or so only because it's still new to me and because it's very rarely on the interstate. It did 70 with no problems, and could have easily done more. Now, we'll see what happens when I get it lifted...

[youngjeeper]

If I go over 55mph for more then 2 miles, it starts to overheat. 36's and 4.88's. 60mph we're pushin about 3000rpms, engine doesn't like it.

[710 Burner]

I don't generally have a need to exceed 75. Anything over 65 and my rig starts using fuel algebraicly. For every 5 mph over 65 I go the fuel consumption doubles.
Derf, I can't believe the wind noise would be worse than a CJ with a soft top in a 30 mph head wind.

[Lake Norman Woody]

I had mine out on the HWY this weekend took her to a wedding over in Winston Salem heading up 77N to 40 E going 75-80 no problem she runs smoother than most new cars & looks better as well.

[Don S]

..



... I read a disclaimer written by AMC that one should NOT drive these FSJs over 90 MPH due to the extra whirling gizmos under the body.

... Twenty years ago I ran my ’76 401 at well over 100 MPH for a 50 mile stretch except for one little town. This was with no lift and 29 ½ inch street tires.
Couple of years ago Cole Trickle and I were bettering 80 for short stretches on I-25. I was very close to 90mph with a 2inch lift and BFG 31x10.50 15s. Cole was in his Honcho.

... I have proved to the state of New Mexico (they gave me a signed affidavit and it wasn‘t a freebie ) that my 401 will go 79 mph. Aerodynamically the Wagoneer felt as good as any full bodied cars of that generation… well maybe not as good as a 59 Plymouth Fury tuned induction Police Interceptor at 135 MPH.

Have a good one and CUL.. Don S..

[CustomWag]

Fastest I ever went in the wag is 75 & it was fine with it. Basically I just don't like to drive fast & don't have a need to. Faster you go the less reaction time you have. Country roads to and from work, 50-55 is fine with me. The wife has called me the "wagonmaster" since long before I got the wag, cause she says she feels like she's on a wagon train when I'm drivin

[Chrome]

Everytime I hit the interstate I cruise at 80-90 mph. My built in cruise control is stuck at that speed no matter what I drive.

[stratman]

Coming out of Death Valley several years ago, I engaged the cruise control at 85 mph for miles. My '77 wide track Chero w/3.54's, 33's, part time t-case and Mellings stage 1 cam ran fine and straight with the ac on. The Thorley headers and twin 2.5" exhaust sounded like a speedboat but was not too intrusive in the cab. Can't remember the rpms, but I believe they were close to or a little above 4,000. I was most concerned with the tires as they are not high speed rated but I had no problem with them. Since the speedo is off due to the larger tire diameter, the true speed was probably closer to 88 mph. Normally on the 5 freeway in Southern Cal. I drive at between 65-75 mph and get passed by just about everyone!