Hey everyone my name is James and I am new to the forum and I just recently picked up a 66' f600 that I plan on playing with. The truck has a L300 I-6, 4 speed tranny with a 2 speed rear-end and a flat bed. from what I can tell it was nothing special and was just a personal farm truck. I have read a lot about these widow maker rims and I am praying that's not what I have, and from what I can tell they aren't but I am looking at upgrading to newer style rims if possible I don't know how much trouble it would be. I don't know if it runs at the moment but I need a few days of me time to determine that. I am newer to the heavy duty trucks but restoration is not new to me. About 8 years ago I restored a 1966 f100. I look forward to the input you guys can offer.

-James

 

Welcome to FTE.

Congrats on your truck. I spent some quality time in a '58 F600, 292, 4/2, 14' dump bed. A very handy truck.

Post 7 here will show you pics of split vs. lock ring:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...f600-hubs.html

This thread contains that link, as well as others, and a discussion about lock ring and tubeless wheels:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...00-wheels.html

The "best" solution would be 22.5 tubeless, with a 9R-22.5 tire. Your lug pattern should be 6 on 8.75 inches, which is common on Ford, GMC, and IH. Those threads talk about sources for such wheels.

Are you familiar with the two speed axle?

 

Great info I will check those treads out, I am not very familiar at all with a two speed rear end but that is why I came here .

 

Post 5 has Eaton links with all you need to know on the two speed.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-problems.html

My dad used the axle as a 5th gear and did not split gears.

You may consider running it for a while and getting used to it and the other aspects of the truck before you try splitting.

 

I have driven a split axle before, the fire dept I am in one of our reserve trucks is a 75' IH with a 5/2 gas burner. Absolute blast to drive.