New workhorse truck question
- Thread starter Brownsfan
- Start date
tracker2762
Well-Known Member
When I first got a new wheel horse, the front wheels would shake every time you hit a bump. It got worse as the tires began to wear. If you take a look at the front end of these you'll notice that they have been modified to stop this from happening. It took a couple years to do this and fixed most of the problem. Maybe the stiffness will ease up as you break it in.
Big Babooba
Well-Known Member
I've driven both a Workhorse P51 & P57. The P51 was a piece of crap. The P57 was much better. Both could use better springs in my opinion. Maybe they could take some lessons from their corporate cousin - International.
browniehound
Well-Known Member
Agreed. But I like it better than the very large steering wheels on the mid to late 90's model truck. Its like a Bus steering wheel. Can't believe I'm complaining about steering wheels when I couldn't get a power steering vehicle for years.
Also, someone told me UPS is junking all non-power steering, high step trucks after next peak. Any truth to this? I'll believe it when I see it!
iowa boy
Well-Known Member
I think we have a better chance of getting the turkeys back next year before they decide to junk all the mid 1980s technology.
Anonymous 10
Guest
It's better than an old p500
I think we have a better chance of getting the turkeys back next year before they decide to junk all the mid 1980s technology.
I am in the process of sending a bunch of my 1988 & 89 GMC 8's to the crusher right now!
Thank God there are people like you.........they were putting a new engine in one of our P800s a couple of months ago.
JustTired
free at last.......
That's why the old (late 70s) Ford 500s were so good. They had independent twin I-beam suspension in front. 70 MPH down a bumpy country road and rode like a Cadillac. They actually must have test drove the vehicles back then in all kinds of road conditions. Now, if they do anything, it's probably a mile or so down an interstate.
iowa boy
Well-Known Member
How do you get so lucky? We have one tagged to get a front end put under it whenever the parts get here.
soberups
Pees in the brown Koolaid
The may have ridden a bit smoother, but with no power steering and the turning radius of an aircraft carrier they were utterly brutal to drive. Try doing a 15-point turnaround on a narrow gravel driveway in one. They also had totally inadequate leg room for anybody over 3 feet tall. When I drove one, my knees were bent out sideways around that little Pinto steering wheel and I had to press the pedals with the sides of my feet. I felt like I was getting an exam with my feet up in the stirrups at an OB/GYN. The seat was pretty much an upholstered board, with an inch or two of dryer lint for padding. And the stick shift was of the optimum height and position to whack me in the nut sack every time I got up to open the bulkhead door. These vehicles were pure crap and they should have been sent straight from the assembly line to the crusher.
JustTired
free at last.......
I agree with the turning radius and the seat. I can also see that if you were above average height, that could be a problem. But when in good working order, the steering was easier than most. And on bumpy, potholed roads they didn't try to throw you into the ditch like the GMs did. They didn't get stuck in the snow quite as easily , either. Everybody has their opinion of certain vehicles. I know I sure hated it when I lost that Ford. Especially since it was replaced with a 700. It would have been nice with the same amount of work as I was doing in the 500, but as we all know, the more room you have, the more pkgs and stops you get. Anyway, that Ford was the only pc I hated losing.
