I am getting serious with starting my C600 project finally, the Spring has come and so has the fever. We have so many angles we could take with it, but there is only one I would be satisfied with. My stepfather almost had me talked into taking the cab off and putting it on a '85 3/4T Ford chassis. I was very close to doing that today, but I was told to stop and think about it before I did, so that is exactly what happened. I just looked back from the tractor today and stared at it, thinking about how was made to operate. After keeping that thought for an hour or so, I made the conclusion after talking myself around the situation...it needs to stay a 2T. It needs to be a dump truck, it must be a '55 and not the shell of one. He tells me it would be more steet-able as the '85 chassis, but I really can't say I care. Everything may be hard to find and expensive for that truck, but that is how the world turns. So, it is going to stay a complete '55 600 series. I just want to be a little bit more informed though. Who here knows what it is like driving one of the bigger trucks of the time period? I have driven this thing maybe twice, both in a field. Although bouncy and rough, what can one expect in a field? I am willing to bet they don't handle anything like my '96 Blazer, and don't need to. The truck was stuck in low range, having a differential ratio of 8.11 : 1. Now, having that ratio she went about 25/30 MPH tops. My stepfather was trying to use that as leverage to sway my opinion before, but I know it can do better than that in high range. 5.83 : 1, what can I expect with a propane powered In-line 6 300 with a granny low 4 speed out of a '85 F 250? I know the In-line has more power potential than the boat anchor 239 in it, so would it Be safe to assume 45 MPH? And from those who are experienced with these vehicles, is it even safe going that fast with the vehicles brakes? I am not one of those speed lusting punks you might think of HS students, I don't mind taking my time. Fuel efficiency really isn't a big issue for me, I am not expecting much from such a large vehicle. I mean, I was getting 8.5 MPG in my '86 Dodge pickup! I know that there are power steering solutions out there, so that is not one of my concerns. Everything will need to be 12V overhauled to meet the needs of the newer engine and just convenience overall. The wheels are another thing on my mind. I was only able to find a set of 2 900R20s, which I would like to swap for the RH-5s on the front. The rears will need to stay 8.25-20 splits though. I saw a F-600 at the junkyard with RH-5s which had new tires on them, so I want to guess there is a shop around here that services them. One suggestion I got was using 10 lug wheels of a similar diameter, would this work? I am asking all of these questions just to be more informed of my future position with this vehicle, and what I may or may not be able to do with it. I would like to use it as a work vehicle, but in all reality, I can't see myself driving a 54 year old truck and making a profit. Maybe as a yard truck in the late future it would serve a greater use to me. Does anybody drive their trucks to make money? That would be interesting to hear about. Thank you for reading my long winded story and questionnaire, any and all responses are be appreciated. I am after all going to college next year, so I have plenty of time to work with this truck. I can't see myself completing this project this year, maybe not even next year.

 

They aren't that bad to drive. Also, it should of been a 256 in the 600, not a 239, unless maybe it was transplanted. The rear end can be hamdled, and you don't need a 12 volt conversion. What you need to do, is give me a call. My number is 541-279-1157. Also, get in touch with Carl......FTE member C-700. He is currently restoring a 54 C-700 from the ground up. I had a 53 F-750 fire truck. I drove it several times to town, more than 20 miles away. I got around 6 mpg, and the 7.20:1 axle ratio was slow. It had the 5 speed direct tranny, and the Lincoln 279 Y-block. It topped out at around 45, and started to talk back at you at around 50. It had the original tires on it, and they looked like they were from 53. It had 7200 on the clock. I even took my kids to school in it a couple times. My dad has a 55 F-350. It is all original, and it has worked all of its life. It has hauled many loads that exceeded its GVWR, and never missed a beat. She's being retired, and hopefully will undergo a full frame concours restoration beginning next summer. So, give me shout. It's easier to explain it all to you in person. I in Oregon, and am up until about 11:30 my time.


Later.......Joe

 

I'll be one to support you keeping the truck original, but not so original that you keep the "widow maker" rims. To me the outer rears need replacement first since they are the ones that would blow out from the truck. Your hubs, though, won't take a 10 lug rim, like was suggested to you, because the bolt circle would be wrong. The only 10 lug patterns I find a reference for have either an 8 3/4" bolt circle or an 11 1/4" bolt circle. Yours are a 5 x 8" circle.

Finding "lock ring" 20s is getting more difficult I know. But, FWIW, there is a set listed on ebay now for a pretty fair opening bid. The same guy also has a couple others listed separately. Shipping would be stiff, but so is gas driving yard to yard looking for the needle in the haystack. Here's links to the listings. I have no connection to the seller. Good luck with the truck. Stu

eBay Motors: 5 1950's Budd Wheels 20"x5" - 5 on 8" bolt circle (item 380118945639 end time Apr-28-09 19:00:00 PDT)=

eBay Motors: Budd Wheel 20"x5" - 5 on 8" bolt circle 8 vents RARE (item 380118956645 end time Apr-28-09 19:00:00 PDT)=

eBay Motors: Budd Wheel 20"x6" - 5 on 8" bolt circle (item 380118954421 end time Apr-28-09 19:00:00 PDT)=

 

Personally, I'm with dog. We've never had issues with the drop centers, but they are really aren't worth the risk. It would be easier to get your wheel centers cut out, and rewelded to a new wheel outer. It isn't that hard to do.

 

i done what your stepfather is suggesting and still kicking myself in the behind for doing it . so im with the others . DON'T DO IT ! enjoy it as is and apprecitate it for what it is . my only suggestions are seeing as there is no way to easily update your brakes as those of us with the smaller trucks can , is leave yourself plenty of distance when in traffic , and soon you will begin to discover the joy from all the thumbs up , lil kids and adults who wish they were you .

 

Now that is something to think about. I will see what wheels I can find, but first thing is first, get the truck running again. I want to get it started with the currently seized engine in it, so I can lift the dump box. With that done we can remove the cab for body work. While the cab is off we can toss the new engine and tranny in with ease, so I need to get a few more ducks in a row. The propane tank needs to be mounted somewhere as well, but I think it would fit nicely under the passenger side of the cab. Anyway, back to the issue at hand. I posted this topic just before I went to bed, so that is why I did not get back to you. I will give you a call sometime this week, just tell me when a good time for you will be. The support and tips are much appreciated guys!

 

I'll throw my hat in with the posters before me. Keep the 2ton, you won't be driving it like a 1/2 ton. Its kinda like a lumbering dinosar. the brakes are designed to stop 17000# so when your driving empty at about 8000# you have more than enough braking power. I have a 56 f600 that I use for fun. I have hauled a cord+ of oak with no problems. Keep use posted on your progress

 

So, you're going with a newer transplant and drivetrain? What is really cool, is a Cummins conversion. Rusty's is awesome. My truck has a Cat V-8 in it, and there is another one on here that has a Mercedes diesel in a F-100. What you really need to do, is sit down and think about what "YOU" want with this vehicle. Anyone can tear into and do al sorts of stuff with a F-1/100 with a little bit of mechanical know how, but these bigger trucks are a whole different world. Everything is bigger, and heavier, and designed to work. The COE trucks are a unique piece of automotive history. You don't see a lot of them, and when you do, they're either a tricked out show rig, or a rusted out pile of crap sitting in a field some where. Make a plan.....write it on paper. Think about what you are doing, and think about what you want out of your truck. Most projects get started with some wild idea, and get torn down to nothing, and then they get left because the builder lost interest. They usually lose interest, because of a lack of funds for such a wild idea, or they didn't make a plan and try to stay with it. I almost sent my truck away twice, because I was losing the fever. These big rigs need a big shop, or they become seasonal projects, and that kills the mood.

 

I the '70's we had a '56 COE farm truck with a 16' box that we used to haul grain. It was a great truck to drive and had a V8 with 5 speed tranny and 2 speed rear axle. Fully loaded with 300+ bushels of grain the grain alone was 18000+ LBs. We kept speeds below 45 mph, but could run 50-60 mph empty. It was great to drive, but as others said you can't drive a big truck like a car or pickup and have to anticipate stops and corners. I've seen more than one farm truck in the ditch on their side because the driver tried to turn a corner too fast or couldn't get the thing slowed down. Also, you have to drive defensively because other drivers don't understand that a loaded truck doing 30 mph can't slow down to 5 mph in 50 feet.

I would enjoy the truck as it is without trying to make it a "new" truck.