f500 questions.
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Junior User
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From: mostly in trouble
f500 questions.
Hi all,
I found a f500 4x4 (I think it's a '69 but i didn't look to make sure) in a scrap yard. I'm thinking about buying it and using the drive train for a conversion project that i just started. Anyhow one of the questions I have is about the wheels, what is the availability and where to buy wheels? Did Ford make the cabs and front ends wider on the f500 compared to a f250? The drive train on this f500 looks to be a 390, a manual transmission( I don't know which one), and huge divorced transfer case. Thanks for any help I'm kinda of a newbie when it comes to this style of truck.
I found a f500 4x4 (I think it's a '69 but i didn't look to make sure) in a scrap yard. I'm thinking about buying it and using the drive train for a conversion project that i just started. Anyhow one of the questions I have is about the wheels, what is the availability and where to buy wheels? Did Ford make the cabs and front ends wider on the f500 compared to a f250? The drive train on this f500 looks to be a 390, a manual transmission( I don't know which one), and huge divorced transfer case. Thanks for any help I'm kinda of a newbie when it comes to this style of truck.
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
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From: Central Illinois
Regarding the wheels, I'm gonna assume the truck has the big 5 lug x 8" pattern since it's an F-500. F-600s generally had the 6 lug x 8.75" pattern. Either way you'll want to see if the wheels are the widowmaker design first of all. Pictures below. Second, you'll want to see if they are hub piloted widowmakers. That's worse yet. Look up at the recent thread about widowmakers and read the threads I attached for available replacement options. If the truck has hub piloted widowmakers, the only fix I know of is to convert the hubs to a stud piloted mounting. If it has the 6 lug x 8.75 pattern, new or used tubeless 22.5s are available. One of our members has a set of 22.5s for sale IIRC.
I'm gonna pass on the other parts of your question. Except to ask if the truck is a Marmon-Herrington conversion. When Ford brought the F-100 and F-250 4x4 business in-house in 1959 they continued to maintain an AWD relationship with M-H on their bigger models. The truck might be worth having for that reason alone. Stu
I'm gonna pass on the other parts of your question. Except to ask if the truck is a Marmon-Herrington conversion. When Ford brought the F-100 and F-250 4x4 business in-house in 1959 they continued to maintain an AWD relationship with M-H on their bigger models. The truck might be worth having for that reason alone. Stu
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I answered the questions that I had about the body today. I didn't look at the rims, it only has tires and wheels on the front. So I figured I'd look around the scrap yard and see if i can find some for the back. The scrap yard owner told me he would sell it for $0.25 on the pound. I looked at the front hubs and they're Warn locking hubs. I do have a new question about the transmission it appears to have 6 speed (counting reverse). Would that tranny, be a 4 spd overdrive tranny or a 4 speed with a super low granny gear? Any Idea what the ratio might be in the axles and t-case?
thanks, jason
thanks, jason
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
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From: Central Illinois
This is what I said over on the thread about widowmakers in case the threads get separated. Stu
The term "split rim" can be misleading. The widow maker is a true split rim because it breaks apart right down the middle of the rim. Pictures are posted in the F-500 thread. If you look closely at the pictures you'll see that the technical name for the widow maker is "Firestone RH-5°". There are also other kinds of rims (too many different designs to list their names) that split at the face of the wheel. These are commonly called "lock ring" or "split ring". They are still safe to use if not damaged, badly rusted, etc. All multi-part rims should be handled with care and serviced using a cage. Stu
The term "split rim" can be misleading. The widow maker is a true split rim because it breaks apart right down the middle of the rim. Pictures are posted in the F-500 thread. If you look closely at the pictures you'll see that the technical name for the widow maker is "Firestone RH-5°". There are also other kinds of rims (too many different designs to list their names) that split at the face of the wheel. These are commonly called "lock ring" or "split ring". They are still safe to use if not damaged, badly rusted, etc. All multi-part rims should be handled with care and serviced using a cage. Stu
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
No such thing as a factory F500 with 4WD, all were 2WD.
F600's were first offered with factory 4WD in 1971.
Prior years were all conversions, usually by Marmon-Herrington.
F600's were first offered with factory 4WD in 1971.
Prior years were all conversions, usually by Marmon-Herrington.
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