Ok, I'm checking my options here, just brainstorming.

As is my truck is WAAAY too big, pictures don't do it justice. If you've never seen a F600 in person it just doesn't "click" how big it is. It's a semi, lol.

Problem is its 400 miles from me, and too big and too heavy to get home. I'm also going to be moving this summer (Yeah I know, but I wanted to get started) and it's very heavy to say the least.

I will never drive it as is. Its just TOO big.


My original plan before I found this one was to build a 1/2 ton 4x4. Thats my idea. I was going to get F-600 fenders for it because they're larger, so after waiting forever this zero rust gem popped in my lap.

The sheet metal is all good, I do mean rust FREE. Completely. It was garaged for 50 years. It has some dents, but dents are fun when you're a blacksmith, lol. Right now I am hoping that the gentleman I bought it from will do a frame swap for me (and half the people reading this grown, lol) to a newer 4x4. The '56s chassis is in great shape, the drive train is in great shape, the tires will probably explode if you look at them wrong though.

Wow I just went way too far in this to ask my question...

How long (in man hours) does it take to take off the cab and fenders? (1956)

And how additionally (I need these sepperate so I can figure things out) would it take to remove the engine and tranny after that? (HD 272 with 5speed) They'll probably stay but I'm just trying to figure this out.

The problem is is that I'd be out of town and thus time becomes an issue. A full days work verse a day and a half can make a big difference... or however long it takes, lol. I wouldn't think too long, but I'd like to hear from someone who took one of these apart like that in one shot.


Thanks guys!

 

all depends on how rusty and crusty the fasteners are guy . but i'd say in a day you can have her down . it'd be a shame though , she's a good looking old girl and different . maybe you can get someone on here to trade you ? i tore my 55 f350 down , it was a 30 foot long car hauler , as it was too big , and i freaking regret it everyday . it's on my list to one day latch on too another bigger truck and keep it that way . i just wish it was closer to home i'd be brainstorming ways to relieve you of your burden !!!! for the issues you are gonna run into with a late model frame swap one with a swiss cheese floor would be perfect and i have been down this road . get you your donor vehicle for the frame of choice , and cut the body off , leaving the frame , floor board and firewall . then chop away at the firewall and floorpan to make your cab fit that arrangement . the easiest way i've seen . and yeah i had an f600 grain wagon here for a bit . kinda big , but not too bad . later !!!!!

 

4 by 4 idea sounds good. Looks like you are not afraid to try something different. I had the same idea for a 51 but got discourage after going back in the post a few years and reading all the post against it .

 

Plan a weekend, bring a tent and other camping supplies, and lot's of tools. If you had a good air supply, I'd say it would go much easier. If you have someone to hold the wrench on the other side of the fenders, it would go much easier. Now, IMO, I would just remove the hood, front fenders and grille as an assembly, then pull the engine and trans, then concentrate on removing the air compressor and flatbed. That will leave you a rolling chassis and cab still attached....which shouldn't weigh all that much. Then find a slightly wider trailer, or roll the chassis as-is on the trailer you had, then remove the wheels altogether, and go from there. If you have two trucks and a trailer, you could have the engine, trans, and hood in the back of one truck, the front clip in the back of the other pulling the trailer, and have at it. I've been contemplating doing this for my uncle's F6 and F8....which are only 300 miles away, lol.

PS: depending on where you are moving to, is it possible to bring the truck somewhere close by there and put it in storage? I think an open bay in a warehouse is about $30.00 a month. Co-worker does it for his muscle cars every winter.

 

Here is something to think about. Will you have a place to do what you want to do at your new home? Can the truck stay where it is until you move? If so, look into hiring someone to move the truck. I had an F600 shipped about 360 miles last year for a reasonable cost. Sometimes you can find another hobbyist at a truck or farm equipment show that moves things at reasonable cost. I found someone on UShip. I have found that when you rush things you end up taking more time, and how do you value your time?

 

You could check with some of the heavy equipment dealers that are transporting one way and may be coming back empty and could get a deal at moving your truck in one piece. It might be an option and a good one for both parties.

 

I know your agony....and have a 56 F600 THAT IS READY FOR REPAINT.
I think you need a few cans of pb blaster and soak all the fasteners now....and then use a lift of towmotor or cherry picker if you got them.
I have done all my own and it is a lot of work,but you seem enthused enough to do it no problem.
Every time I drive the f600....I think of all the fun it would be as a f100.
But I have alot of those.......lol
Bill

 

Thanks guys.

I never thought about trading it on here, my only concern is that I am in the middle of no where, lol. Least it's not Alaska or something. lol whats with the "male seeking female" option in the search?

Well hopefully that will work... I like the trading idea:
Ford-Truck Enthusiasts Classifieds - '56 F-600 for f100 or 250 - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

Argh always such a hassel, lol.

 

Thats easy, calculate approximately how long you think it would take if every thing went wrong and then times it by four, if your lucky!

 

That's being conservative, lol. Maybe times 5 or 6.

 

IMO it's a mistake to think of "how fast" you can do it. This will be an adventure, it shouldn't be rushed. As noted, it's summer, take a tent and tools, take your time and do a nice job.

Agree with Havi about pulling the front end as one piece, but only if you'll have a couple of friends or a jig to lift that with. The hood may be a challenge if no help is available. Definitely the cab will take two or three of you, even if you have a hoist. It isn't safe to work alone!

I also agree with Panelford, there's gotta be a rancher or farmer around who would haul it for a fee and a few beers.

 

IMO it's a mistake to think of "how fast" you can do it. This will be an adventure, it shouldn't be rushed. As noted, it's summer, take a tent and tools, take your time and do a nice job.

Agree with Havi about pulling the front end as one piece, but only if you'll have a couple of friends or a jig to lift that with. The hood may be a challenge if no help is available. Definitely the cab will take two or three of you, even if you have a hoist. It isn't safe to work alone!

I also agree with Panelford, there's gotta be a rancher or farmer around who would haul it for a fee and a few beers.

 

You know what I would do? I'd cut that sucker in half, find the local scrap yard, scrap out the back half, trailer the front half home. done deal!

If the front fenders wont clear the trailer fenders, run the truck tires up on boards to lift the truck up over the trailer fenders, or use a loader to load it.

The sheet metal is too clean to let it get by you. You were going to modify anyways right?

I think I hear my favorite song...........BUMP, BUMP, BUMP, ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

good luck!
Kevin Bigwin

 

lol yah I might, course I could also make a lot more than I paid for it if I sold it as is... lol course I might be lucky to sell it around here, lol. I'm mainly weighing my options right now, I'm a little worn out. Ideally I can find a good F100 or something to trade it for. I keep finding a couple F100s around here for about $2500 or so, more money than I have right now for a project and I'm not going to force one to happen before moving... right now I'm mainly just seeing what comes my way. Most people would wait, but I'm very tired of having my life on hold and it's not really that big of a deal to move it.

 

Here's a thought...

That old Schramm compressor on there is worth something to certain collectors that probably have a way to move your truck. Advertise in that area on Craigs list for somebody to move the truck for you as a swap for the compressor. Advertise in the area you want to move to and the area where the truck is. If you use Craig's list and advertise in more than one area at the same time you will need to title amd make the ads different because they won't let you run thye same ad in two different areas at the same time. You could also advertise the compressor for sale to get enough money to have the truck moved. Either way you will still own the the rolling chassis which you can trade off for something else you need. It was suggested above thatn you try Uship. It doesn't cost anything to post your move on there and there will be people to bid on it. You are under no obligation to take the bids.

Later Man...