Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1961 Ford Econoline truck/170 6 cyl., street rod magazines, 1961 ford econoline

Question
Mr. Sears.....could you tell me what the gear ratio was in this truck originally? I want to change the ring and pinion to run the trucks engine at a lower rpm while getting more speed out of it on the highway....it is geared pretty low....Could you tell me what KIND of rear end it has also? 9in./ dropout? etc.....etc....thank you again sir52hqb

Answer
My answer is based on experience. Changing the ring and pinion to a lower the gear ration will make the truck a slug. I was a trouble shooter for Ford in that era and we had a problem with that model truck as underpowered. The factory changed the axle ration to the one that you probably had to make the truck driveable. That engine was only a 2.7 liter engine and is smaller than any engine used in a current mini van. The van has the aerodynamics of a brick and just does not have the poop with the three speed transmission to support a lower axle ratio. The best advice is to find an overdrive transmission or an overdrive add on. They are advertised in the street rod magazines.
Brad