Did'ja know that Ford classified 1973/77 F500's & M450/500's as Light Trucks?

That's where the parts are listed...in the 1973/79 Ford LIGHT Truck Parts Catalog.

Doesn't make much sense to classify F500's as "Light Trucks" since there isn't much difference between an F500 and F600.

And, if y'all are unaware, M450/500's are genuine Ford Class A Motor Homes. How many of y'all have ever heard of...or seen one?

 

I certainly don't know enough about the designations to disagree, but I can easily understand Club Wagon thinking of a P350 as "large"; I think so too, since I've never personally owned a vehicle this hard to see out of when backing it with reference only to the two side mirrors!!!

Club Wagon, I looked back at the initial question of your thread, about roadability and handling. For my example (Grumman-Olson aluminum body on a P350 powered by a 300 six and with single rear tires, not duals), it currently is pretty bad! But I think I can make it a lot better. First, I believe all the front-end joints need replacement. The steering box and rag-joint may need attention, too. As I said, I haven't started on this project. It might be that my truck lacks any sway (actually anti-sway) bar, which could be a good addition. But probably the worst feature of my truck, which exagerates the already-bad effects of loose front-end joints, is the tires, bought new by the previous owner. Instead of modern truck radials (which I will get!!!), he had a set of bias-ply MILITARY TREAD tires installed on the 16" split rims. You've seen these tires on Army trucks: big center rib and big sideways cleats with right-angle edges. Guaranteed to grab hold of the slightest ridge or ripple in the pavement and jerk the vehicle all over the place! Their sole positive attribute is that they wear like iron. In fact they might as well be made of iron, as bad as they handle! My only question is what to do with them, since they sure won't stay on my truck. Now none of that is a good answer to your question, Club Wagon, since you want to know how a properly-shod P350 with tight front-end joints and proper allignment works on the road. I won't be able to tell you that for a while, and I'm as interested in the answer as you are.

As to the adequacy of the 300 six as a powerplant for a loaded P350, I think it depends on the individual engine. I am going to rebuild mine with all of the standard hot-rodding tricks that will improve low-to-midrange torque and fuel efficiency. Better induction, better exhaust system, a little more compression with a tight squishband, DuraSpark 2 ignition; also balanced, and having ARP rod-bolts and forged pistons for longevity. These things were geared for pulling power, not economy or long highway runs, so a six, especially a "built" six, will do the job.

 

You guys are a bucket of laughs debating the "purity" & academics of the suitability of discussing FORD chassis step vans in the 'Large Truck' section of the FTE forum.

FYI here's a fair working/generic definition of what a step van is:

What Is a Step Van? | eHow.com

I'd be happy to entertain asking modville to relocate this thread in another section, if anyone can convince them where it would be more appropriate. I freely admit having had trouble deciding where to post the topic of FORD chassis step vans on FTE.

However, IMHO if "orphans" like the Fiesta, Merkur, or Edsel have any relevancy to a discussion of FORD chassis step vans, or FORD Trucks in general, nobody posted any evidence of it.

Please keep in mind that the extremely interesting, informative, 40+ page & long running 'Vintage Step Van' thread, in my link from the Hokey *** Message Board, is on a Hot Rod forum.

 

Uh huh . . . after which you continue the "debate" . . . making you a bucket of laughs, too, I guess.

 

You have only yourself to blame, because you posted this thread in the Large Truck forum.

You could have posted the question in the 1948/60, and/or 1961/66, and/or 1967/72, and/or 1973/79 trucks forums.

Other peeps have, because I've answered questions pertaining to P Series Parcel Delivery's in all these forums.

Maybe you should ask FTE Administrators IB Adrian and IB Tim to start a new forum just for P Series and Step Vans. But, Step Vans are Chebbies.

 

You're the one agitating to have a FORD Chassis 'Step Van Fans' topic moved. Having made my opinion clear, "Maybe you should ask FTE....to start a new forum" yourself, OR desist?

Sorry, but I agree with: What Is a Step Van? | eHow.com, AND the many contributors on Hokey *** Message Board's 'Vintage Step Van' thread, as to what "Step Vans are".

You have only yourself to blame b/c you posted on Fiesta, Merkur, Edsel & Chebbies, then tried to split hairs between what's 'Light' & what's 'Large'.

IMO there is no debate on; what step vans are, OR that Fiesta, Merkur, Edsel & Chebbies are not FORD Trucks.

Go see a dentist.

 

"Blame"?? Page 2 of this thread, twelfth post down, you got a little **** about our digression on orphans. Post thirteen, Bill reacted to your criticism. Post fourteen, I tried to smooth the ruffled feathers. It apparently didn't work.

You are too touchy for this medium if a digression from the subject of your thread annoys you, and if you can't react with humor or just let it go. Meanwhile, your need to assign "blame" is absurd.

For what it's worth at this point, I thank you for your link to the long discussion of step vans on another site; very interesting.

 

Don't be "absurd". NumberDummy introduced "Blame" here.

My reaction was to post "You guys are a bucket of laughs"-written proof I did "react with humor". IMO it was hilarious to digress about "purity" & what is 'Light' vs. 'Large' in the same breath w/Fiesta etc, or to maintain step vans are "Chebbies" despite 2 links to the contrary. Shame you fail to see the "humor".

Sorry, but at this late date your "ruffled feathers" critique seems more than "a little ****". Suggest you follow your own advice & "let it go" fercrissakes.

If you agree Hokey *** Message Board's 'Vintage Step Van' thread "very interesting" it should be a no brainer for you to contribute On Topic, here in 'The Step Van Fans' thread. Or maybe you're "too touchy for this medium"?

 

WAAAAAAHHH, WAAHH, WAAAAHHHH, . . . .

Ah, but you can protect the content of the rest of the thread now; you've driven off those who were willing to try to help with your questions but commited the sin of being irrelevant to your thread (How awful!!). Have fun! You'll get the last word.

 

No. Seems you're determined to "get the last word" by having it locked.

The Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forum thread, Step Van Fans (like the Hokey *** message Board thread, Vintage Step Vans) are both in the public domain & subject to the deprivations of hecklers. Only mods "can protect the content" from those who've "commited the sin of being irrelevant" by way of their obsession w/Off Topic derailing.

 

I have a1969 ford p350 grumman olson step van with single passenger door must be really rare cuase I haven't seen or heard anyone talking about them .I need help.

 

I have a 1984 P350 which are pretty common although mine is a KABmaster and most I seen are KURBmasters and are less tall. Is your sporting the in-line six engine? What kind of help do you need?

 

Yes mine has 3oo inline 6.will a straight axle from a f250 bolt in place of 7 1/4 × 6 bolt pattern axle .for more modern wheels or do you know of abetter idea.5 speed transmission out of f250 .rearend from f250.for higher gears.more able to get up to speed. Exhaust system intake systems.

 

does anyone know if you have to have commercail insurance on these trucks or can you have regular not using for work!

 

No P350's or P400's were assembled after 1976. No P500's were assembled after 1977. No P600's were assembled after 1979.

So, whatever you have, is not a P Series. Your truck has a 17 digit VIN .. The 5th, 6th and 7th digits is the series code, post what it is.