I recently saw a 1957 Big Job dump advertised - reportedly ran 4 years ago. From everything I've read these are fairly tough trucks to find parts for. I'm decent with a wrench but I'm no mechanic if you follow - am i getting myself in too deep getting one of these? The guy is asking $1100, which by the sounds of things is pretty cheap (red flag?). I've been looking for an older dump truck to make road worthy and use as a farm truck (mostly manure) and I don't have a ton of extra cash. Any advice?

::Addendum:: I haven't seen it yet, from the pictures it doesn't look to have any serious rust, cab corners look OK, interior looks intact, the dump bed isn't visible from the inside but the outside looks in pretty decent condition. The frame looks rusted but not rotted. Glass is all intact, lights are all intact.

 

Mr. Crosby, welcome to FTE the best Ford Truck Forum on the world wide Web.

Post your pictures of your truck so we can have a look at it. I'm not real knowledgeable on the bigger trucks but there are guys here that are and will help you. You'd be surprised how much stuff you can still get at NAPA for this era truck.

Just an FYI, this is the 48 to 56 forum but you are welcome here. We have more members than the 57 to 60 forum so you'll probably get more help here.

 

Welcome to FTE!!
I love the bigger trucks.
Our collective knowledge, experience, and expertise is at your disposal.
And we thrive on pictures.

 

I haven't bought it yet - here's the craigslist ad.

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/hvo...423846847.html

 

I'd say it is a 58 , the 57's only had 2 headlights..This is what a 57 would look like

 

That looks pretty good for $1100. If it were near to me, I would be interested for the same purposes you have in mind.

 

So any specifics for old fords I need to look out for (brakes, steering, etc)? I generally only know anything about old ford tractors. It'll probably sit until Spring due to cold and cash. After the tow it'll probably be $1400 total.

 

It appears to have an electric shift two speed rear axle.
The two things I see in the pics that concern me is the big pintle hitch and the new drive line. Are they related? Also curious why it "Currently doesn't run but did 4 years ago."

 

Yeah. That could be a broken wire or a broken crank shaft.

 

I agree with the time lapse issue. But what is your reasoning to be concerned with the pintle hitch and drive line? Do you mean he towed too much and over did it with the truck in general?

 

Not run for four years may be that the owner didnt need it or upgraded. Probably got tired of paying license and insurance. Once idled, easy to ignore.

 

Lucky that it has Daytons. Big time cost avoidance if it had widow makers. It could still have the equally dangerous Goodyear K-28° demountable rims that were part of the 1970s failed recall effort. But at least new demountable rims are easy to find. Stu

 

Precisely my thoughts. I can't tell for sure but that looks like a 50 ton pintle hook, so putting two and two together suggests it's really been worked. Maybe you can find out what he pulled with it, and how often. These would be important questions to ask. Usually a driveline will outlast universal joints, clutches, transmissions, and differentials. There is also the possibility that there is a different rear axle that required a different driveline.

 

Here it goes all parted out
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