RB,
Where would I find parts to do this conversion? Are we talking 2-1/2 ton military axles here? Is the company you mentioned still in business? Wow I have a lot of questions.
could I get a transfer case to bolt to the original transmission? If not what tranny should I be looking for to swap in? I love the look of those trucks and they are so unique I bet they would be a great hit at the car shows.
My son is in the process of putting my pictures on the site. He has a degree in computer graphics so he is ultimately more qualified. Thanx for the info. DONNIE

 

Hi friend's,

I'm a Dutch firefighter and I'm the owner of a '56 Ford F600 firetruck.
Chassis/cabin build in the USA in 1956.
registered in the Netherlands in 1957.
I found 'm in a barn covered in dust almost in new condition. He runs +/- 4500 km.'s.


Ford F 600 (link to some photo's)

Who can help me to find the chassisnumber on the chassis. I can't find it.

Thank's a lot!!

Dorus Overgoor (the Netherlands)
My email adress: d.overgoor@gmail.com
brandje.nl

 

Delta Oscar~
Welcome to FTE. To get attention to your question, and to introduce yourself to the great team here, I suggest starting a New Thread. Some that have trucks like yours will be along soon, probably before I finish this....

On my 48, it's stamped in the frame rail, right top side, above the front axle.

 

Donnie~
"Where would I find parts to do this conversion?"
That's a big question. I was hoping some MH owners / experts like Stu and some others would weigh in, I'm just a piker. I've looked over the years and would like to have one too. Best bet is to watch for a complete truck, or a complete parts truck. They do show up time to time, usually with a big $$ tag.

I believe they are a divorced transfer case set-up like early factory 4x4's. A short shaft from trans to transfer case, and then shafts to frt / rr axles. So in theory no special trans / transfer case adapters.

I guess first you need to ask yourself how would you use it. How complete / original do you want it (all the tags and badges)?. If you just want to fab up a 4x4 conversion on an early Ford, do you want it as a big truck F5/6 with correct size wheels or pick-up size? Finding big truck axles (with correct front pig off-set to match the transfer case) that would fit under the fenders, with the right wheel pattern, would probably require fabrication and $$$. Parts, while out there aren't plentiful.

Again best bet find a complete truck that's done or restorable or a complete donor truck to pull the parts from or put a body on - my thought.

And yes, MH is still around
Marmon-Herrington - Driving Power Since 1931.

 

Yeah, I'll ditto Bob's comments. Find a complete MH and redo it. Converting a big truck with bits and pieces will be difficult and expensive. Old MH big trucks aren't all that expensive. Stu

 

I kind of like the challenge of making everything fit. If I knew what front axle to look for I could search the local boneyards for something. The transfer case would not be a problem since there are many aftermarket units that are heavy duty. But the axle is another thing. I would rather stay away from the rockwell due to the limited gear choices.Does Dana or Eaton make a big truck axle that would work in this application? My uncle owns a machine shop so I am guessing that he could make it any width I would need. How would this work with a 2 speed rear end? I am guessing it wouldn't so I am probably going to have look for a tranny with more gears.
One of my favorite things to see is a garage full of parts that I know I have to make work together that don't originally go together. Gotta love it. DONNIE

 

Hello,

I don't know if this is the right place to ask my question.

My name is Dorus Overgoor a dutch firefighter I live in a small village in the near of Arnhem.

Since 3 years I'm the owner of a "56 Ford F600 firetruck.

Some specifications:

Build (chassis/cabin) in '56 in the USA
October '57 registered in the Netherlands.
Chassisnumber: F 672 D 6 ANX 10208
Electronic 5th gear
Engine: 6 cillinder 3.5 ltr.
Mileage: +/- 3000 in 53 years



Who can tell me where I can find the chassisnumber. I can't find It!
Some people said that it is in the glove box but in the Netherlands a chassisnumber is stamped into the chassis.



a link for more photo's of my great Ford F600 firetruck: Ford F 600

Thank's for the answers.

Dorus Overgoor
www.brandje.nl

 

That is a nice truck to find. Thanks for the photos.

 

Donnie~
There's a lot to consider in laying out something like that. What year MH truck are you talking about. As an example, on F5/6 Bonus Built Fords, while the rear frame is industry standard at 34" wide, the front is not, it narrows a couple inches. This impacts the spring mount location on the axle. And if cobbling a drive together you need to calculate pinion angles to eliminate vibration / extend part life etc.
Front drive axles can have the pig mounted l, r, or close to center, the transfer case would need to have a matching orientation. And as you touched on, unless you find a complete truck with matched axles, you'll be adding to the task in searching for matched frt/rr ratios. Once you start fabbing you're pretty much on your own out there.

Even if you want to look for a newer drivetrain and still tackle front axle width, I'd look for a complete donor. They're out there, just need to start surfing on-line and local ads.

As an example:
http://www.candhtruck.com/chtruckdb/...alvage&iID=928

 

Donnie~
If you want a MH project, this one is currently out there on Ebay. It's a 58 F-500, you'd want to make sure it had the transfer case. Being a divorced engine/trans set up I wouldn't worry as much about not having one in it. And most early Ford MH's seemed to go up to F5/500, I'm guessing as they had a single speed rear on them.
Ford:eBay Motors (item 310190216015 end time Dec-28-09 19:32:50 PST)

 

I e-mailed MH to ask if they had any info or parts on those old conversions. They e-mailed me back in about 2 minutes saying they did not. They said the same thing you guys said about finding a conversion or calling someone who has one and calling them with questions. A friend of mine has an uncle with a farm who collected old heavy trucks like that. He said the only problem is getting him to part with one. I,ll keep you guys updated. Thanx DONNIE. Love the pictures of that old truck from overseas.

 

Sorry I haven't been on in a while. Had some medical issues. I have 6 -22.5 5 lug wheels on my 1955 F 600 and might be selling them. Anyone have any idea on their worth? They are not " WIDOWMAKERS" THANX

 

I would like to have a picture of one if you could either post it or email it to jordan@jordankeesling.com that would be great. I am currently working on a 54 f600 dump truck that I want to use and It has the old widow makers and dry rotted tires. I am very interested in these.

 

My wife will email you pictures in the morning. Any idea how much they go for? I know they are super rare.

 

I am not sure. I have never priced a set before.