I'm going to look at a 78' F600 4x4 today. I am totally unfamiliar with these trucks. Anything particular to this model that I should be aware of and on the lookout for? I would be using it to for firewood hauling and as a fun project, I have always liked the bigger trucks though I have never owned anything heavier then my 85' F350.

What I know about it; 78' F600. 361 or 460 V8 - owner is not sure. 4x4. 5 speed. It appears to be a shorter wheelbase. Looks like it has been sitting for awhile.

 

Probaly not a 460. Unless I am badly mistaken those models only came with a 330, 361, and 391 in the gas engine. They put 429s in the 79s, but not sure they were in the 78. Brakes are a little on the weak side compared with newer trucks, but chances are that you could never overload it enough with firewood for this to be an issue.

 

The truck itself is tougher than nails. It will be a little weak in the power department but will work. My Dad had a 76 F500 with the 330 gutless put never quit. Just be prepared when pulling out on the road.
Have fun with it and post pictures.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I will be sure to start a thread if I pick it up.

Assuming this truck is a factory 4x4, how does the 4WD function, part time? Low range? I am curious if the truck could still have a 2 speed rear with 4WD.

 

No 2 speed rear with the 4x4 models, single reduction only. The transfer case is a Rockwell 223 C & has both high/low ranges. It's operated by 2 shift levers...1 for 2 or 4 wheel drive & the other selects between high/low ranges. These trucks were not equipped with locking hubs from the factory but they were available through warn & selectro.

For a Ford built F600 4x4, the first 3 of the vin# will be either F65 or F66.

 

Thanks for the info. I will post the VIN after I look at it.

Since these trucks are "single reduction" are they typically geared more towards highway usage? I do not plan on trying to drive it down the interstate at 80mph, but I would need it to run comfortably in the 50 - 60mph range.

 

I would say they are definitely not geared towards today's highway speeds. I've owned 2 '79 F600 4x4's and both have/had the 7:17 axle ratio, the other common ratio is, I think a 6:20 gear and would be better for more frequent highway trips. I've yet to get any real drive time with mine, so I can't give a real estimate of top cruising speed. The first one was a severely abused, non running basket case and I'm hoping to get the current one on the road this year.

A pic of my current F600 4x4 <a href="http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/fordrealdrive1/media/PART_1436298109280_2015070795143920_zpsk9bgan6x.jp g.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u679/fordrealdrive1/PART_1436298109280_2015070795143920_zpsk9bgan6x.jp g" border="0" alt=" photo PART_1436298109280_2015070795143920_zpsk9bgan6x.jp g"/></a>

 

Nice looking truck! And thanks for the additional info. I really like the look of a medium duty 4x4 truck, you don't see too many of them around either.

I can't say I really need 4WD, or even a heavier truck then I already have. I guess I really do not need another truck at all, but you can never have too many old Ford trucks around IMO

 

You're welcome, glad to help, and thank you for the compliment! Good luck with your potential buy, take lots of pictures too!

 

These were great trucks. The killer I see here is "sitting for a while". The most common serious problem with that is the brakes. Brake fluid attracts water. Water in the wheel cylinders causes them to rust, which in turn causes the seals to stick and tear, or to wear and tear, both of which result in a leaking wheel cylinder. With brake pressure, you start to lose fluid, and you can have a blow out at the cylinder with a lot of fluid loss. Not good.

So, the first thing is to go through the brakes. A life-threatening job if you don't know what you are doing and don't have the right equipment. Wheel stud torque is at least 200, maybe as much as 400 ft/lbs for example.

As for cruise, I would not be surprised to see 45 to 50 mph as a "comfortable" cruise speed. Even with a 2 speed, our '58 292 hit a wall at 60. The 330 is a bit better, but you may be rpm limited depending on gearing.

Anyway, it's hard to beat the basic truck here. Just be sure you are up for either learning a new hobby or paying a real truck repair place to make sure you are good on brakes and tires.

Good luck.

 

Checked it out, here is what I found;

Truck is straight and all there. Some rust through in the floors by the door sills, both sides - does anyone make pans for these? Also some rust at the bottom of the grille and on the driver fender, both repairable but it would probably be easier to replace them if I can find the parts. It has an 11' or so flat bed with sides welded on it, looks to be in decent condition, usable, would work well for my intended purpose and would probably clean up well. Dump bed but the owner says it does not work. It has a large PTO winch on the back between the frame rails, it is intact and appears to be all there, no idea if it works. The engine appears to be an FT style block, 4 barrel carb, guessing it is a 391. Owner says it runs but needs a carb, says it will start. I did not try to start it as he was not there. I would want to fire it up before purchasing it.

Thinking I would like to buy it but a couple of things bother me; 1) tires - they are 9.00x20" on what appear to be split rims to me - they look like the same wheels as on "fordrealdrive's" truck. I do not see much in the way of modern tires available, anyway to retrofit a more moderns size tire and wheel or am I over thinking this? 2) What is overall parts availability like for these things? I would be looking to do a mostly stock restoration, not show quality, but something I would enjoy driving and can use for truck chores. I would get this one on the road and the take down my F350 for a Cummins swap I need to have one truck operational for firewood and truck chores.

I have the VIN and codes of the door tag, any help deciphering these would be appreciated;

VIN F70 8 or B (not sure which) VDE8769

So I am guessing this is an F700 not an F600? What about factory 4WD?

Wheel base 158". Color M. Type/GVW F709. Body 4A8. Trans 9. Axle GHN. Max GVWR 27500 lbs. DSO 760655

 

Thanks for the feedback and reality check, I appreciate it.

When I looked at the truck, the owner was not present. I have not had the opportunity to talk with him in person. It does appear he has been using it to plow his driveway with. It has a plow mounted to it but will not be included, I really do not need it anyway. It does not have license plates on it, I am guessing he did not drive it on public roads. I will chat with him over the next couple of days and find out more about the major operating systems and the truck in general.

I am quite comfortable with most automotive repairs on older stuff. The brakes and drive train do not scare me too much, other then the huge size of everything. I have some experience with drum brakes on older vehicles and my F350, won't claim to be an expert but I am confident I can figure things out (or at least know when to ask for help). Are brake parts readily available? New tires would be a must, they hold air but, the sidewalls are checked.

Highway speed is a concern. I live in the mountains above Denver, CO at about 9000'. I would use this truck for firewood and general truck things. I think it might be fun at the cruise nights in Denver too I would need something that would safely run 50 mph up here or I would be a hazard on the roads. I need to figure out what the gear ratio is. I am guessing that re-gearing the Rockwell's is out of the question on a cost and gear availability stand point?

 

Brake parts are available through NAPA. However, it may take some doing as most of the help thinks the world stops at F350. IIRC find someone who knows where the books are vs. the computer screen look up. Probably a larger store with old fartsters...

Drums? Salvage only, no one has had any luck with drums here for some time, again, iirc. Certainly no new parts available.

Regear? Pretty expensive I'd guess.

Back to the brakes. If you can, check the back sides of the tires. Look for any leaks or really clean, black rubber. Brake fluid makes the tires clean up nice, but only where it drips on them. If there are no leaks, you could bleed the system to start with and see what the fluid looks like. This is a two man job or a power bleeder is needed.

No plates. Make sure he has a clean title. You may have an issue with back registration and he may have to sign off that it was not on the road....ymmv, check your dmv office before you pay.

Also, is it driveable? If it's a non-runner and you have to tow it home that would be more like a "he pays you" deal imo.

Extreme example:

http://s194.photobucket.com/user/eas...C1699.jpg.html

 

I will take a better look at it over the weekend, hopefully with the owner so I can get it started and maybe move it. He claims to have a clean title, no issue with back registration where I live, just need a title.

Any thoughts on decoding the VIN?

 

Post a picture of the warranty plate on the drivers door.

Or post the VIN and all the info on the plate. The VIN does not have axle or trans info, thus the need for the info on the plate.