I am looking at a ford f600 tomorrow and need to to figure out what brakes it has ie lucas girling or ??? On this model year was there a real expensive setup or is it pretty standard this would be my first med duty so I am trying to sort out the big money items before I fall in love. I understand that the ned duty will be more expensive but on one post I read that the lucas could be $1000 a wheel.

Any tips on evaluating the truck would be great.

 

Ford didn't start using Lucas-Girling brakes until 1980 or so. That F600 will most likely have a Wagner 4 wheel drum set up with a mechanical parking brake mounted to the rear of the trans. It will have one of 2 styles of vacuum booster. First version mounts between the master cylinder and the firewall like the light duty trucks used. The second version mounts to the frame rail under the cab. I'm not sure which one was used in 75. These systems are a lot easier on the wallet than the Lucas-Girling brakes but drums are getting hard to come by.

The trans should be a New Process. If my memory is correct it would be a 445 which is a beefed up version of the more common 435 used in the lighter trucks. 2 speed will be an Eaton unit. Eaton-Spicer or what ever they call themselves these days is very good at supplying parts for old/obsolete components.

 

thanks for the info. Thats what I was hoping to hear. On the brakes is it possible to upgrade them to a more modern setup? If parts are unavailable?

 

Clay has been repped - excellent info

 

As far as updating you would have to find a later truck with a similar GVW to measure and match with. It would consume a lot of time and effort to find out if it would indeed work. Most of the parts for that system should still be available although most if not all would be aftermarket. Find a parts house that specializes in larger trucks. If it's available these outfits will know where to get it. Also I'd suggest you locate an old service manual if possible. Ford shop manuals are always the best but older Motor or Chilton truck manuals are very helpful too. These books have lots of exploded views which can come in real handy. A couple of tool suggestions would be to locate a pressure bleeder that you can borrow or rent. Pressure bleeders make an often miserable job a whole lot easier. The last tool suggestion I have is to locate a short adjuster spoon for use on the rears. Snap On had a dandy one and may still make it. If you like I can get the number off of mine.

 

krewat

that's real good info to know I have a local napa and fleet pride are real good for that stuff. Believe me I do not want to get into update fab etc etc just need to know the options and the reality of maintenance costs. I am narrowed down to an f600 for a lil over a grand or a 95 f350 for 800 with a 460 and a 5 speed needs nothing but some cosmetics..........decisions decisions decisions

oh yeah and tell my wife I am adding one more car to the driveway.......at least my f250 will make someone a great parts truck.

 

I have two F-600's. One '73, with the booster under the cab on the frame rail and the '76 with the booster on the firewall. The guy that I bought the '73 from said that it was prone to brake failure and he was unhappy with the single cylinder master cylinder. My plan is to use the system in the '76 on the '73. Make any sense?

 

Yes it does. Hydravac ( booster on frame ) systems can be a royal PITA to get bled out. Dual line systems with the firewall mounted booster are usually easier to bleed. School busses were the first vehicles to use the dual line setup. Mechanics who serviced these systems when they were popular often referred to them as " school bus brakes ".

 

Thanks Clay.

 

Clay
Finally, someone who knows what they are talking about, I also F600 (79 dump 370 cid) with brake problems. I got a tell you I am intimidated by the size, I have done brakes on my ¾ and 1 ton but I can lift those drums, everything on the truck is super-sized.
I need to replace the vacuum booster (on the frame under the cab) it is badly rotted, any idea how much I should be looking to spend? Also where to find one?
Thanks
Dave
If anyone needs manuals, I got a complete set of service manuals from
Bob Johnson's Auto Literature
92 Blandin Avenue
Framingham, MA 01702-7072
(508-872-9173)

 

charlton

u can rebuild that hdrovac set up I saw a nice write up on an old gmc website. I will try to find it. It links to a website that has all the parts as well. the weblink is at http:// The Stovebolt Page -- For Old GM - GMC - Chevy Trucks! /techtips/bendix/index.htm and the website is ReMan Brakes - Huge Selection of Auto Parts for the brakes and there parts

hope this helps

 

Hi Dave,
On the money end I really don't know. I repair trucks for a living but rarely see the bills. I would suggest you look around for truck parts vendors in your area. A lot of truck spring shops also carry brake parts and would be a good place to start. Green_Monster posted a link that I haven't tried yet that may be a good source. If the parts houses near you don't carry brake components ask if they can recommend a supplier. There has been a lot of consolidation in the aftermarket parts industry over the last decade and most of the outfits work together to keep customers happy. Forget the chain parts stores such as Autozone. No disrespect intended toward them but you need someone who knows medium-heavy trucks not cars.

Larger trucks can be intimidating but after awhile you'll get so used to it you won't give it a second thought. Be sure to use jacks and stands that are rated heavy enough to handle the weight. The rear drums on your truck weigh around 175 lbs each. You can use a car floor jack to lift them. It takes a bit of balancing but it saves your back.

Also a few posts back I mentioned a brake adjusting tool made by Snap On Tools. They still list it in their catalog. Snap On number is S9523. Snap On says it's for GM trucks but I've used mine on Ford, Dodge and IHC also.

 

1973/79 F600's have drum brakes front/rear. There are three possible sizes, as it depends on the GVW (14", 15" or 16").

New, or good used brake drums for these trucks are very hard to find.

It could have single H/V brakes, or split H/V brakes as it depends on the weight capacity of the rear axle.

The only 4 speed manuals offered for 1970's F600's were the Warner T-19 or the New Process 435.