Can a slick be your only vehicle?

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » January 19, 2007, 5:50 pm

The power brakes won't take any mileage -- they just take a little vacuum. I have a long discussion about power steering and mileage many moons ago over at fordsix. There was a lot of consensus that the loss from PS is pretty negligable, particularly if you retrofit to the newer Saginaw PS unit.

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » January 19, 2007, 6:55 pm

Have you considered an air dam under the front bumper? It would definitley change the looks, and probably not for the better but might help mileage a little. Maybe a camper shell or tonneau cover would help, some people claim they do, and others say they get better without them. Sounds like your already getting better mileage than most.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » January 19, 2007, 8:14 pm

my slick was my daily driver for about 3 or 4 years.
then i bought a mustang for a dd.
i still drive my slick, but i wanted another vechicle for when
i am working on my truck.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » January 19, 2007, 8:30 pm

My only caveat is that YOU CAN NOT DRIVE A VEHICLE YOU'RE TRYING TO RESTORE.... not even Boyd Coddington.
That is one of the cast in stone laws of Slick restoration.
But aside from that, there is no reason on earth a person couldn't drive a slick as dependable daily transportation "as is" with the exception of the disk brake upgrade.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.......duh.
U@ss

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » January 19, 2007, 10:03 pm

Yeah... I would ditch the drums, or at a minimum, you need a dual cylinder master +/- booster......

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » January 20, 2007, 11:17 am

dotcentral wrote:Have you considered an air dam under the front bumper? It would definitley change the looks, and probably not for the better

<--- I don't think they look too bad.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » January 20, 2007, 12:22 pm

Uncle Skip wrote:My only caveat is that YOU CAN NOT DRIVE A VEHICLE YOU'RE TRYING TO RESTORE.... not even Boyd Coddington.
That is one of the cast in stone laws of Slick restoration.
But aside from that, there is no reason on earth a person couldn't drive a slick as dependable daily transportation "as is" with the exception of the disk brake upgrade.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.
Disk brakes.......duh.
U@ss

Skip thats fine if theres something available to do the conversion with.unfortunately, its kind of limited on applications.
there are no conversions for f250 4x4s with closed knuckle front axles,
or f350s with straight axles so the best you can do in those cases is the dual m.c. and making sure your drums and shoes are in good condition.
my 4x4s stop like new , and dont pull or lock up , so i know it can be done.
depends a lot on where you live and drive too.guaranteed if we both drove our trucks equal mileage in our own areas you would wear your disc pads out way before i did the shoes on mine.
why?
you have to stop way more than me because theres traffic lights everywhere and stop and go traffic.
i get out on the road and go many miles before needing to stop.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » January 20, 2007, 12:28 pm

Cuthbert..... you are right on (all counts).

U@ss

65Truck_Nut · Post by **65Truck_Nut** » January 21, 2007, 5:58 pm

hey guys, I have been driving newer pickups and cars over the last 7 years and have grown tired of the high payments and insurance. Right now all i have is my slick.I just bought a new 302 to go in it and then a little brake work and swap my rearend out for one with higher gears(preferbly one out of a 70 model that had a v8 automatic) then i will go anywhere in it.It has antique tags and insurance is 600.00 a year. I could build two slicks or three for the price of a new ride and still drive something that i can find outside wal-mart because it dont look like every retarted new car or truck. Tax time coming up we are thinking about buying my wife a car and we have been having this same discussion and have our sights set on a 65 mustang that needs some TLC. Thats my opinion for what its worth....KEEP ON SLICIKIN IT UP!!!!