I will post restoration progress of my 1966 N700 CrewCab here along with my 1965 R702 (N Series)
Have to load photo's from my phone.

Bit of History: Truck was ordered new by Northern Pacific Railway as in these pics. Holly Green with heavy black vinyl interior.
Truck was built June 1966 In Louisville, KY truck plant
330 FT with a 5 speed direct trans and 2 spd Eaton 6.50/9.04 rear diff
Wheels on rear are as ordered and have May 1966 Date Codes as did the 2 that were on front.
Before moving truck I had new Toyo tires and the wheels custom made. Front wheels will get painted 1966 Argent to match the rears
Northern Pacific Railway used it as a hi-rail truck in Billings/Yellowstone MT. I have statements from others who remember truck in other small towns in area.
Reason for the funny looking front bumper which had to be removed to properly ship it along with the stake sides.
The dump bed was originally Red. At some point it was covered in diamond plate but underneath the wood looks fantastic

This truck has the quite rare optional 1 million mile odometer. It had just turned 100,000 mi when engine was rebuilt/replaced. I did pull the pan to verify. new inside looks never run.
Unknown exact year/month the older gentleman I bought it from purchased it but it's going on 32 yrs ago when his brother was added to title and they rebuilt brakes, added the new engine.
Made it approx 100 miles before owner had a stroke and never drove it again.

I have it on video of him telling me stories about truck ( I assume they were prior to rebuild re-do) He is now 91 yrs old.
Before I left he asked that if he was ever in Phoenix to visit other family if I would take him for a ride. Of course! I have updated family and hope to make that call soon!
He had many many vehicles and this was his favorite and had dreams of having it back on road. Told me his big plans what he wanted to do with it.
Hidden behind chicken coup for 31+ yrs is daughter in law of 30 yrs did not know truck existed until after I bought it.
He was sure excited when I spoke to him that day. He had just had Kidney Dialysis just prior but wanted to speak with me.
Sure hope I am able to take him for that ride!

I had big plans of the possibility of installing new chassis with late model 7.3 gas or a 2020 or newer 6.7 10R140 combo but after digging in to truck it is far too nice to do that.

I have decided to do a Full Restoration a little at a time but really want to get it on road and drive a bit. At this point I am restoring from cab back just so I do not have to re-do any of it later.

 

Home!

Hidden behind chicken coupe 31+ yrs in this location Engine was rebuilt/swapped then drive approximately 100 mi Owner did a bunch of other work then had stroke and never drove it again. Owner now 91 yrs old.

As found sunk way in ground no flat tires.

 

As found

Day of rescue. May 1, 2021

Nice gentleman I bought it from. 90 yrs old at time. Bound to wheelchair. He told me incredible stories and how where he bought it. (Railyard)



Going to new home.

Sat so long it sunk way into ground. Appeared to have flat tires.

 

Sneak preview of the restored diff.


Add drums then ready for install.

 

Nice truck! I would build a house on it and go for the ultimate road trip.

 

Thats a great find for sure. Parts sourcing might get to be somewhat challenging , but thats part of the fun anyway . Looking forward to see what you do with the flatbed, Rollback, Motorhome, etc etc . Good luck

 

Amazing find! You do awesome work and I’m excited to see this new project take life.

 

For now goal is to get it on road make sure all is working properly.

i have tons of metal scrap to haul off etc.

I will pull the dump bed to help access of frame from cab back. Will see what it will take to rebuild.

No firm plans quite yet will have to see how it all plays out.

Right now leaning towards putting it back to as delivered.

really do want a 1966 big truck to be used as long distance camper. Gathering parts will see which one works out.

 

Truck was then moved from 31+ yr spot to a friends house a few miles away.

Another friend in area is a manager at local tire store. Pre-arranged he had company that would make proper wheels. I said i wanted a really good tire for front and suggested the Toyo 170’s.

he drove to my friends house and installed new tire/wheel combo on front.

plan was i would fly up install new brake hydraulics then drive to phx.

First was to check if engine free. Engine would not turn. Thinking engine seized decided to ship instead.

Turns out the PTO was engaged engine new as told. Did not figure that out until i had soaked cylinders and pulled pan. No moisture in cyl and it seemed fine. Then discovered PTO engaged.

i had also Found a NOS kit for the Holley carb
rebuilt it, engine fired instantly. Of course NOS points condenser too

clear sailing after that! Whew!

 

Should be a cool truck. A traditional type roll off or a hook lift would allow for multiple beds and more use for the truck. Could even swap between a camper bed and a flatbed that will haul cars.

 

That’s some meat on those brake shoes! Is that front bumper attached to the frame rails or was it added on? Really cool project. More pics please.

 

This was a hi-rail truck in Billings/Yellowstone MT and purchased new by Northern Pacific Railway. Built in June 1966 at the Louisville KY truck plant along side other N's
The front bumper was because of the hydraulics to operate equip for high rail. It had 2 PTO's one to run that and one for the dump bed.

Vid of as found just prior to moving it for first time in 31 yrs

Front bumper was removed for transport as were the sides.

 

Rebuilt booster. Found NOS kit.

Blasted n painted original wheel.

Finally restored!



Only thing left is to install NOS kit in the 2spd Eaton control unit. Cleaned n ready.

Big un. Ready for install

 

As always amazing work.

 

I understand your dilemma regarding which way to go with the restoration, however, doing an 'as delivered' from Ford before being modified or up-fitted for railway use would be an best-case scenerio in my mind, at least till you build an removable camper body for the chassis.
Im just 'spit-balling' and I too would be all over the map with ideas but it is your truck now and as the current custodian of this historical artifact I know you make make it into the best original N-Series Crewcab it could possibly be.
Please continue adding photo's of everything you see that is currently there and as you progress with your upgrades.
Thank you for sharing with this enthusiastic audience.
Pete