Ok, a lot of you had been following my progress on my F-800 build. I ran into a lot of problems, and almost sent it all up the river. Been through tough times in the past few years, but we had a turn around this year. Things are going better (still not great on many sides, but alot better on some). Well, I have the then 55, and the fire truck. I have done a lot of research and searching for the fire truck end of things, and came to the realization, that the only parts worth anything were the Ford F-750 parts. The fire body was an off brand that only lasted a few years back in the day. So, in order to restore the fire truck, I would have to completely replace the entire fire body with something from another rig. Since that is not an option, I made the decision to dismantle and part out the fire truck. This was a very hard decision to make, but I now have parts available to FTE members only in the way of Big Job stuff. In dismantling the fire truck, I was able to keep the body (the best part of it anyhow). I now have an excellent body for the semi project, and will not need to do any major body work any where on this thing, including absolutely no rust repair. I don't have to cut any thing more than a couple of bolt holes in the body to mount the air brake foot pedal. Upon disassmbly, I discivered a very poorly built fire apparatus. Parts of this truck were cobbled together and generally crappy looking. The pump is some off brand unit, and I have not been able to find anything for servicing it. I even contacted some places where it was built to get help, and got none. As much as I stressed over tearing down the fire truck, I am now happier with the decision, and am getting happier as to the results of the semi project. I managed to reuse almost all of the frame brackets, and even punched a whole for mounting the clutch bracket/pedal parts off the fire truck. Since thefire truck body was in such excellent condition, I have decided against installing a sleeper, and will build it into a day cab 18 wheeler. I updated my galleries, and have some pictures of this build in there.

 

wow that will be a great looking truck when you are finished. Beautiful setting in the background as well. I live in the city so I have to keep everything inside as much as possible. I love the big trucks just like you. My 69 N850 arrived yesterday. I am pleased with the truck. Wrecker will go to sandblasters soon as I can get a trailer. I though I could get one on Saturday, but none available.

 

Thanks Kevin. Yeah, the country shots are good ones. We live in the city now too. The neighbors don't mind about the trucks. The white L-series is the chassis/drivetrain donor. The 54 was a good parts donor, but I had to part with it (it was full of rust and damage). This thing has been a dream since I was young, and will hopefully be everything I want it to be. I am still kicking around the idea of going vintage look with painted wheels and stock type front bumper, but really think the idea of a 22" "Texas" bumper, and 6" or 7" stacks and Alcoas would be really nice looking. I think it would look really neat with the vintage look, but would be really clean and cool looking with the stainless and chrome all over the place. Not sure yet, will have to see what the next few months brings. I should have the initial assembly finished within the next couple of weekends, and could start a full tear down and restoration next Spring/Summer.

 

Sweet truck Joe! Is the fire pump a "Bean" firepump? If so, I've rebuilt them before. We had one on the farm and couldn't find any parts for it, so I machined the arts I needed. Let me know if I can help.

 

Now you have me thinking about chrome alcoas for my truck.

 

No fabman, the pump is some off brand. I couldn't find any thing identifying it anywhere. It's full of rust and chunks, but it does work. Too much work. If it was a name brand, it would be a lot easier. The truck is already stripped. FTE member C-700 is coming up in a week to get some of the parts off it. I figure I should be ok, since the parts from it are going towards saving other old trucks, and it looks like the only thing that might go to the scrap yard is possibly the pump and the steel of the tender body. I think I may have the ability to save everything Ford off of it. Hey Kevin, Alcoas would look good on that N truck of yours. I know it would look good all vintage looking, but I also know it would look really sweet with the chrome and flash like on the Pete's and KW's.

 

I think it would look sweet as well. We have a big semi junk yard about 8 miles from me so I will go price some out. I also will need seats for it as well. Actually need seats for both.

 

We have a semi yard here too, but he only has a few trucks in it. Over in the valley (western side of the Cascade Range), is Anderson Brothers. They have an entire yard that is just semi trucks.

 

Got the front end on. Had to do a little trimming around the frame openings in the gravel pan. It's all gonna fit like it was made that way




I did manage to set the grass on fire too . Got to use caution when grinding the front corner of a frame and the grass around you is very very dry .

 

Nice project Joe, was you still gonna put air ride on the rear? Just wondering if that was still a go? My opinion your and Kevin's truck would look awesome with polished alcoas. Growing up around trucks all my life chrome, polished aluminum, chicken lights, etc. is a big thing to me. Nothing like polishing your truck all weekend to haul loads out of the mines all week. Just my opinion though, which I can see the point of going vintage too. Gonna be a nice ride, and Kevin's is gonna be awesome lookin too. Have a good one bud.

 

Yeah, if the economy doesn't crash, and the dollar doesn't fall to apenny, I would like to go air ride. I think it will be a mixture of vintage and chrome. If I go real clean and classic on the overall look, and set it off with chrome and polish, I think it would give it that "that's a beautiful truck" look. I may go back to a big truck 5th wheel, but for sure am going to at least put a regular sized 5th wheel, and a goose neck hitch set up. I am planning on a reciever hitch to be hidden in the rear light panel as well.

 

Oh yeah, I am also taking 3 inches out of the front to give it a lower look, and nestle the front fenders around the rubber. In my gallery, I think I put a shot of the CAT tucked inside the engine bay. It is a perfect fit. Even the radiator is going to clear all the pulleys and crap. I do, however, have to run with an electric fan, but I have the 5 speed main box with the 4 speed auxilliary trans (it has two unders, a direct, and an overdrive gearing range). I should have enough gears to keep it form working too hard, as long I am not pulling a lowboy with a D-8 CAT, or something.

 

It's just beautiful..... If it wasn't for guys like you the big Fs would fade away. How bitchin is that Truck. When I was a kid, those were the modern trucks.

 

Got my air brake chamber redrilled and tapped today. It is an E-7 Foot valve, bendix part used on the Ford Louisville's. I managed to reroute the ports, eliminating the need for the bulky and ugly manifolds that mount through the fire wall. I will now be able to cut a reinforcement plate, drill some holes, and bolt it straight onto the fire wall. Picked up some schematics, and since I won't be running air for a trailer, I can reroute the entire system and decrease the lines to 2 supplies, and 2 deliveries. I will be able to run the system in a more straight forward manner than the complexity used on the big trucks now days. Since it does not have to meet DOT rules, and I don't need a CDL, I can legally and safely clean up the system, and make look original. It's kind of turning into a neat project. I have managed to actually build a custom truck, and make it unique, and will eventually add the "Hot Rod" style, and the best part, even thought it's powered by a CAT diesel, it is still ALL FORD.

 

Hi Joe
Congrats on your progress!!! Can't wait to see her when she is completed.
Keith