There are many topics all over the place about F-1/100 trucks, and other small "personal sized" trucks (F-250's, 350's, etc.), but the threads about the big trucks, is limited. Hardly any info that pertains to the small trucks does any good in the world of big commercial sized vehicles. Since there is only a very small handful of us that own or operate, or have even seen a "Big Job" or comparably sized truck, I would like help keeping a tech type article alive, that is ONLY for big trucks. Big trucks, including F-500 and larger trucks, ABSOLUTELY nothing about F-1/100 trucks in this thread please. I would info about air brakes, frame dimensions, engine sizes, tranny options, single and tandem axle trucks, busses, COE's, etc. We do seem to have avery slowly but surely increasing number of members asking about big trucks, and there are only a few of us that can answer their questions. So, if you have a question, or have info, please post it in this thread. I ill be bumping this thread daily to the first page, since we seem to have exceeded our limit of sticky threads.

 

Great idea. I find myself having to research everything to death just to see if something made for a f-100 will work on my f-600. Time to get a data-base going. Be especially nice if we could find a place that sold parts for the larger trucks.

 

Just move my fence so the my F-7 big job can come up front so I can start on her.. just waiting for the tow truck to put her in her new spot. I want to keep the large wheels, so the wheel wells will look right...I'm going to used the stock frame ....No hot rodding on this truck ...

 

sorry the green truck is in the way..

 

Joe,

I agree with you.

Have you thought about asking the Moderators/Administrators to add a sub forum here for 48-60 F-5/500 & larger trucks?

That might be a good way to do it in lieu of starting a thread and bumping it once in a while...

 

I asked before about that, and they said no. I talked with fomoko, and he informed me that this forum has met or exceeded it's allowed stickies. It kind of stinks too, since the heavy duty section in the beginning of the forum list doesn't really attract any attention towards "big" trucks, mostly late model super duties, and even though the forum is titled F-100 and larger, well, we already know how that works. Totally different worlds...you can talk to a lot of people about F-1/100's, but they have absolutely no clue when it comes to "big" trucks.

 

Ok, I'll start.

Sheet Metal: This is the most commonly asked question......All F-100 thru F-900 sheet metal IS interchangable, EXCEPT for the front outer fenders, and the running boards. ALL other body panels DO interchange.

Engines: The 52 F-7 was the introduction of the Y-Block in the trucks. It was a 279 Lincoln for F-7's, and 317 Lincoln in F-8's (except for very rare special orders, they all came F-7 279, F-8 317). The 53 F-700 as far as I can find through research, had nothing available except the 254 flathead six. I can find nothing that says otherwise, so if someone has info to contradict, please post it. The 53 F-750 ONLY had the 279, UNLESS you special ordered a 317, but that was rarely done, as the 317 was standard in the F-800. Again, this is what I have been seeing and finding in my research, so if some one can add, PLEASE do.

Drive axles: Tandems were aftermarket on all trucks UNTIL 1954 when Ford produced their first in house tandems. Anything pre-54 is an aftermarket conversion. I had a T-800 53, and it had a big Rockwell type transfer case installed backwards (at least that is what it looked like) and an adapter bolted to the top of the forward rear axle.

Parts Availability: Except for basic restoration parts (door handles, gauges and such) Job Lot Auto is the only regular source for "big" truck "hard" parts (brackets, engine parts, etc.) Napa and Car quest still have a lot of parts available for these trucks (amazingly, they have a large selection of parts available). No one reproduces the fenders, or emblems.

 

Over on the Stovebolt.com site they've got a whole separate sub-category in the listing for what they call Big Bolts. I like it. You're correct that the big trucks and little trucks seldom share issues.

Also, I'd like to see the F-4s and dual rear wheel F-350s included in the big category. They share parts, wheels, and supplier issues with the bigger rigs.

 

Can do. I agree, I think that maybe Ford trucks of yesteryear really are sperated at the F-3/350 line. Then again at the F-6/600 line. A big thing with F-350's is the fenders. If it had the 16" wheels, they are the same as the F-100/250 trucks, if 17" wheels, then they are the same as the F-500 thru F-600 fenders.

 

If I can get the two trucks home like I've been trying to do off and on, then count me in. Meanwhile here's a pic to keep everyone happy.

 

Hey Joe

Excellent thread. When I need PARTS for my Big Job ... here are some of my go-to guys:
Chuck from Chucks trucks ... very knowledgeable & nice guy .... seems to be able to locate hard to find parts for the larger trucks. He restores Big Jobs and knows them well! Has website: chuckstrucks.com
Shop: (203) 288-2769
Home: (203) 287-9830
Orders Only: 877-288-2769

Half Ton Fun Bob Selzam 166 Toms River Rd Jackson, NJ 08527. United States 732-928-9421, Mail order and open shop. Specializing in new old stock Ford parts ... He has parts for the bigger trucks too. I needed a fuel pump push rod for my 337 Lincoln and he had it along with water pumps & wheel bearing seals. No website!!

As u know parts are often difficult to find for the larger trucks so i hope this might help.

 

Thanks Kieth. That is a big help. Ok, another couple of sources. Havi, thanks for the nice picture. I think that is a really neat looking one.

 

The frames on the big trucks are 34" wide, outside to outside. I've found, that the best donor frame swaps are those of the other commercial trucks.....Peterbilt, Kenworth, Ford L-Series, etc., etc. Also, The Big Jobs, have a 4 row radiator, including the six cylinder powered F-700's, and even the F-600's. These radiators, would be perfect for people wanting to keep a big block engine cool. They also have a 20 gallon tank, as opposed to the smaller 17 gallon tank. If a person were to modify the running board brackets, they could make the 20 gallon tank work in the smaller trucks too.

 

Interesting, are the gas tanks on the '56 F-600 located in cab still then?

...man I got to get out to mine next week, stupid snow!

 

Count me in Joe. Got totally wiped out by Havi. Sure looks like my F8 under the
plant. 10 tons baby binder nope now I see it is dense top. This is what my trucks
do. I have nothing against light trucks but I need the heavy stuff. Once again I
dont run Lincolns any more, all got 391s all got OD5sp all got new spring brakes.
No problem with NAPA parts, just dont lean on my fenders.
Sam.