1955 Ford F-600
 

Hi,
I have been a member here for several months, mostly reading not much posting.
I am getting ready to start a restoration on my 55 Ford F-600 Custom Cab.

Here is the info from the vin plate

Serial# F6Z5H38195

Trans. 5-OD

GVW 16000

WB 154

Rear Axle 6.33- 8.81

Color C

Production 21BDD-3770*

This truck has been in my family since it was 5 years old and has always been a working truck. The cab is in pretty bad shape so I have found a good replacement.
The problem that I am having is finding a good set of outer fenders.

Here are a few pics from 1982 when I first started working on this truck as an FFA project. Notice the Ford Blue and home made wood bed.

Mike

Hi Mike,

You have a desirable set up. It's hard to find an OD trans in a big 55.


Since the fenders are different and bigger than smaller trucks they are a bit hard to find.

You'll need to find a parts truck probably.



Post some pictures!


Cheers,


Rick

Thanks, I will try to get some pics posted today. Was having trouble with the gallery yesterday.

Mike..I can help you out with front fenders for a 56f600....I have several sets.
I am in Ohio also.
Bill

Welcome to FTE

F6 = F600

Z = 256 V8

5 = 1955

H = Detroit Truck Assembly Plant

38195: 1955 Numerical Sequence of Assembly
---------------------------------------------
Light Duty 5 Speed New Process Model 89930 5 Speed Overdrive Transmission.

16,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

154" Wheelbase

Eaton Model 1350 2 Speed Rear Axle / Carrier ID number: 41477 or 41478 / 13,000 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.

COLOR C = Aquatone Blue

Info source: 1948/56 Ford Truck Parts Catalog.

:-X25

Wow, thanks for all of the info. That tells me a fews things that I did not know about this truck.

Ok, here are a few pics. as you can see the original Aquatone Blue is long gone but it is coming back in this restoration....The body does not appear to be in to bad of shape in these pics. but all 4 cab mounts are rusted out, the bottoms of the doors are gone on the inside and the drip rail around the top of the cab is rusted through. that is just a few of the problems. This cab has a lot of bondo in it from a restoration that I did to it back in 1983. I will post some more pics when I get them scanned from slides.

Mike

Mike, I'm in Ohio too!

If you really want a NICE set of front fenders for your F600 I have a set for you! In my Stash that I'm beginning to sell is a NOS pair of F600 front fenders. They are perfect!

I've decided to sell off my surplus of goodies over the next year or so. I currently have a parts truck 1955 F600 and a Parts truck 1956 F600 so if there is something you need let me know thru the PM's

Its a good looking old truck you have there,

Here are some more pics of my F-600, as you can see in much used condition..

And some more pics. Still gathering up parts for the restoration.

And here is bill of sale dated 9/2/1959 when my Grandfather traded his 1941 Ford 1-1/2 Ton truck for the 55

total purchase price, $1234.60 with trade.
That included changing the bed and painting.

Nice looking truck Mike, and welcome to FTE. I do like red trucks, glad though you plan to take it back to it's original blue. It looks good on it.

Looking at the older pics and based on the rear rims, looks like you have the 2-piece Firestone split rims on it. You'll probably want to look into replacing them. Over time they picked up the name widowmaker. Here are some links to previous posts discussing them and offering ident pointers:
Wheels
6 lug replacements
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-wheels-2.html
wrecker Info
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...cker-info.html
group purchase – size / speed calc
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...wheels-12.html
Widow maker replacement experience
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...erience-2.html
F600 Wheels 12/2009
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...00-wheels.html

Something you may consider is looking for a parts donor truck, that could probably go into the mid 60’s, and find a truck with good 6-lug lock ring wheels. You might even get lucky and find one with tubeless rims. Then swap out the axles, I do not believe front tread width would be an issue for you like the '52 and earlier trucks. And I say up to mid 60's as they have a narrower tread width than current trucks. It’s probably easier to find 6 lug lock ring wheels than the 5 lug we struggle to find. An added benefit would be getting one with a higher numerical gear set than in your truck. Pending use and if you want to run at highway speeds. Not sure what your 2-speed shift is, vacuum or electric, a newer axle would also get you a 12v electric motor set-up. Looks like your in farm country and usually you can find old grain truck chassis laying around. They pop up evey so often and can be picked up fairly cheap - $300-500.

You gotta' love the old 5 o/d shift pattern. Makes you wonder if really weighted up and in soft ground, you can get from 1 to 2 before it slows to a halt.

Good luck with your project and keep us updated.

Thanks for the reply rb48f6,

I changed the rims out about 20 years ago when I had to put new tires on the truck. Was lucky enough to find 5 good safety ring rims and one brand new widowmake that the tire shop would work with.

This truck came with electric two speed which has always worked well and the gearing is matched up really well with the OD trany for the way I use the truck. It will cruise pretty good at highway speed and get decent milage for a big truck.

As far as shifting from First to Second...not recomended....too far across the shift pattern.

That's great Mike. I look forward to hearing and watching the progress of your truck. I wasn't familiar with your location in OH, you're not too far from where I got my engine donor truck for my project. I picked it up in Bluffton and drove it home on backroads heading north on CR1 (Hwy16), crossing the river at Grand Rapids.

1955 F600
 

I acquired a 1955 F600 in trade and my students are going to do some work on it.
I need a complete wiring diagram for it .
it has a 302 with C4 trans in it,driving down the road it sound like it is turning about 6000rpms.
Info i found states rear end ratio from 6.2 -7.20 final drive .
Would any other rear end center section fit?
Thanks

T.Gray