Hey all...

Been a long-time admirer of the Ford C-Series and had spent a good deal of time looking for something in good shape. Well, it seems that the only people that actually take care of these trucks are fire departments. They are usually kept indoors and reasonably well maintained. I now have two Ford/FMC C-Series firetrucks, and are these things a blast to drive around!

The first one is a 1979 C700 with a 429 BBF, a Clark 5 spd M/T, and 7.17 single speed rear. Very low miles when I picked it up. Only about 29,500 as it was a rural pump truck.



The second one is a 1988 C8000 with a 3208T Cat, Allison trans, and 6.50 single speed rear. This one had roughly 35,000 on the clock, again being a rural pump truck.



I'm struggling with the idea of pulling the pump / utility body off the 1979 and turning it into something else... Ramp truck, 5th wheel for a camper, etc. However, everything works on it and I just can't bring myself to tear it down. I don't know, I may just have to keep looking for a solid, clean cab / chassis that I can play with. Might even look into installing a 7.3L into it just for grins.

Anyway, hope you enjoy these. :-)

___

Bill

 

That's a couple of very good looking trucks you have there. In your opinion which one drives better, the 429 or the 3208?

 

Sadly the fire apparatus holds such little value to anyone else, they usually just get scrapped. Unless you find someone looking for parts to repair another one.
Both of them are going to be very, very slow moving if you plan to try to use them other then around town. I would guess the 3208 would be a slight bit better on mileage if you try to repurpose it, along with faster gears.

 

Like the C's, used to drive a 70? on a milk route, 391 5/2. Drove L with 3208, some people had problems but I wouldn't swap one for 7.3.