I've just got a few questions about my dump truck. I recently purchased a 1968 Ford N-850 single axle dump truck that has air brakes and a 401 big block in it. It has 61k original miles on it and as far as bodies and beds go, it seems to be in excellent shape. My questions are concerning the transmission shifter as well as the fact that I'm having a heckuva time trying to find a reliable source for parts. I guess my number one question is...the shifter that is in the truck as of now sticks up way past where it should be compared to a stock ford shifter of the same era. This makes it look cool as far as the big rig bs look of a shifter that sticks up a foot past the drivers normal height of where the shifter should be but in turn also makes it a pain in the butt trying to coax the ol girl in gear while keeping up with the giant steering wheel and no PS while going down the road quite a task. My question is what shifter would fit in the truck as a direct replacement to the stretched one that is in it? Or would I be better off hacking on this mangled up pipe with threaded rod welded to the end?



Here she is btw...

 

What transmission does it have?

Post the VIN and all the codes stamped on the Warranty Plate, either located on the inside of the glove box door or on the left door face below the latch.

A 47 year old truck with 61,000 miles on the clock is unrealistic, especially one that was used commercially.

Do not believe the miles shown on the odometer, as it reads to 99999.9 then returns to ZERO!

So, it could have 161,000, 261,000 or lawd only knows how many miles on it.

The cab is essentially the same as 1961/66 F100/1100. All the weather strips (including inside/outside of the doors) have been reproduced, other cab and door related parts are available NOS

 

The truck title says 61k and the odometer reads 61k so I'm goin by that. The truck is orange on the inside of the cab and hood and doors etc and it is factory paint. Indicates to me from prior encounters that it was formerly used as a state truck. So while it may seem unlikely it very well could be actual and original miles. I will have to get the vin. I checked it before to see what motor and it has a 401. It's a 5 speed with 2 speed rear so idk.

 

One other thing I forgot to mention is that the past two owners before me had it for the last 20 odd years. The guy I got it from only put 900 miles on it since he titled it and that was 4 years before I ended up with it. My dad had an old 1965 F350 dump truck that had 103k on it and we had it for 27 years and only put 10k on it. A lot of times around here old trucks sit forever in between uses. Such as hauling shavings or mulch or trash, etc. I know it seems far fetched but judging by the wear on the chassis and inside the cab the truck was either extremely well maintained or just sat forever. Don't mean to step on toes, or start an argument, just saying you could be right or it could be original.

 

Was looking at your picture of your truck and wondering if you have pictures of the hood scoop and its placement? I have a N-750 and was thinking of using a scoop on mine. Under hood pictures would be nice too. Thanks

 

Still kicking myself for not rescuing 2 just like that from the scrapyard 3 or4 years ago.

Mileage could very well be correct on a seasonally used vocational truck like this.

My 1974 F600 has fewer than 40k miles. It was a water dept truck from a local township. Door stickers from oil changes verify the mileage.

Being a township truck, it even came with a bed pillow behind the seat.

 

Haha that's funny about the pillow. I have yet to make it over to my dad's house where I last parked the truck. Hope to get some more pics this week. There's a guy about 12 miles from my house that is said to have about 7-8 of these old trucks so I'm gonna try and talk to him before long for some insight. I know of one he does have that is a teal and white and has a wrecker body on it. The hood scoop is basically installed on it with a couple dozen studs off the bottom of the scoop. I think it is mostly on it for looks as the breather draws from about two feet away pointing toward the grill.

 

Be aware that the TRANS & AXLE codes are not within the VIN .. Both are listed separately on the 2nd line of the Warranty Plate.

 

The scoop was used on gas motors that had 4-barrell carbs on them. The scoops were also used on the trucks that had diesel engines

 

There's one just like that 3 miles away from me, except 4X4. Just sitting on the side of a dairy. Probably hasnt moved in 10 years.