Firstly WMJoe and all thanks for answering my questions. After a year of looking i haven't yet found a tandem axle 55-56 COE air brakes 700 series or bigger. Hauling antique machinery on a dropdeck so I need the tandem and big motor. I have a few photos from truck archives but no survivors have popped out of the woodwork yet though I'd be keen to hear if any are still around. Although the looking is fun I'm going to chase after a 55-56 T series tractor unit instead, either find a 144 or shorten a 156/175/or 192 inch wheelbase truck. Come back to a COE later maybe. Found two T800's so far, one a bit too far gone and the other complete, tidy and used daily but missing all badges. I'm thinking the T800 Big Job badges are getting really hard to find?

David

 

Welcome, nice to have you on board. The tandem will be a neat tow unit.

 

Are you still looking? I know of 56 Big Job, but can't remember if it's a F or T series. I can go check it out for you if you'ld like.

 

a couple days ago someone posted an F700-800 that was a tandem dualie and all refurbished in red and white.The truck was for sale and a beaut.Look back a few days and you might see the one I am speaking of.I think it had air brakes

 

This may not interest you, but what about putting a C series cab on a later chassis. I think the Louisville series has sbout the same front axle setback as the '56 C series. You could gain 20 years or more in updates, including power steering, faster road speed, oil filled front hubs, etc.
The frames are both 34" wide. It should be an easier swap than all of the ideas I see on this forum for the F-100 trucks.

 

Hey barbsbuddy, that's an interesting suggestion. The louisville chassis fits a F series better than a C series. My 53 F-800 is sitting on a 74 Louisville frame.

 

There is a T-800 '54 advertised in the current American Truck Historical Society magazine "Wheels of Time". There was a restored '56 tandem in the previous issue. You may also find it on their web site. I am looking for something similar only a single axle, needs to be a runner no time to restore one.