factorystock wrote:This truck originally looks like it had a factory grill guard. Notice the small horseshoes above the turn signals. This was done to run a round bar thru the grill to the frame.
I WONDERED WHAT THOSE WERE! --I kept forgetting to ask. I thought that might be it, as it used to be a wrecker, so it'd make sense that it would have some type of push bumper. I've only found one picture (on wikipedia) of a wrecker (actually a mercury..) but it doesn't have this type of bumper. Do you have a picture of an OE type bumper that would have utilized those holes?
Life's a beach.. then you get swimming lessons.
--'72 F102 LWB, RWD, 390 FE, C6, 3.50 Open 9", Current Project.
--'63 F350 LWB, RWD, 390 FE, T18, 5.13 Open D70, New to the family.
--'94 Explorer Limited, 4x4, 4.0 Cologne, Auto, 3.73 LS 8.8", Weekend 4x4 Rig
--'93 Dodge W250 LWB, 4x4, Cummins 12v, 5-Speed, 4.10 Open D60/D70, Newest member
factorystock wrote:This truck originally looks like it had a factory grill guard. Notice the small horseshoes above the turn signals. This was done to run a round bar thru the grill to the frame.
Too Cool...... I noticed those 'horseshoes' but didn't know what/why they were there.
I'd say RPoint needs to be on the lookout / locate a grill guard!
reflectionpoint wrote: Okay, well enough for now--keep the ideas coming. I don't really want to alter the frame if possible but I feel that either a wrecker 'hook' bed or a hauler bed are in it's future..the wrecker will fit easily stock, the hauler would be much longer than 8 feet. Ideas?
I'd suggest you install a bed similar to the wrecker bed but without the boom; rather install a 5th wheel hookup. Then you could go into the business of delivering RVs across North America! Check it out here: http://www.horizontransport.com/Pickup_Main.asp
BarnieTrk wrote:I'd suggest you install a bed similar to the wrecker bed but without the boom; rather install a 5th wheel hookup. Then you could go into the business of delivering RVs across North America! Check it out here: http://www.horizontransport.com/Pickup_Main.asp
Only problem with that specific endeavor is the requirement for the truck to be a 2003 or newer. Most companies I've researched in the past for gigs like that require newer vehicles. I don't really want to keep the insurance to run the truck commercially. I have still considered doing a basic dovetail flatbed (9ft) instead of the extended car hauler type dovetail (18-20ft). It's up in the air still.
If I do extend it I am definitely (and possibly if I don't) I am going to install a hydraulic pump off the PTO to run a winch and such from. If I got real adventurous--a tiltbed. That'd be a ways off though, $$$ considered.
Life's a beach.. then you get swimming lessons.
--'72 F102 LWB, RWD, 390 FE, C6, 3.50 Open 9", Current Project.
--'63 F350 LWB, RWD, 390 FE, T18, 5.13 Open D70, New to the family.
--'94 Explorer Limited, 4x4, 4.0 Cologne, Auto, 3.73 LS 8.8", Weekend 4x4 Rig
--'93 Dodge W250 LWB, 4x4, Cummins 12v, 5-Speed, 4.10 Open D60/D70, Newest member
Ok, I guess I didn't read in far enough to see that '03 or newer requirement and I'll admit I didn't think about commercial insurance or such....
Well, maybe you might want to look at doing some local hauling?
I did some hauling for my local hardware store. I delivered a pallet of ice melting salt to a few locations and 20-40 bags of pelletized lime to some of their other customers.
No, it was not enough to pay for itself, but it all helped.
reflectionpoint wrote:
factorystock, The wheels are split-rims, but are a 'solid ring' and are still serviceable.. 16" tires are MUCH easier to come by than 17.5's at the moment. I did find a place that makes solid 'tubeless' rims to fit this truck with stock offset and bolt pattern (for a pretty penny).
so do these F350s have 16 or 17.5 inch wheels? how do you find tires if they are 17.5?
Are there are no good options for aftermarket rims on these f350's?
There's a 62 F350 near me that needs 4 tires. he wants $1500 for it (yeah right) Mainers are real proud of their rusted classics.
slickmainer wrote:
so do these F350s have 16 or 17.5 inch wheels? how do you find tires if they are 17.5?
Are there are no good options for aftermarket rims on these f350's?
17.5's can be special ordered by most larger tire shops. Don't expect to find them on-the-shelf anywhere. Honestly in my town, for instance, it's easier to find a shop that will service splits than shops that can order 17.5's.
I'm speaking only from what I've seen. Dually F-350's in this vintage have an uncommon (today) bolt hole pattern, 6-6.75". That's six holes on a 6.75" circle. These trucks and some IH trucks have used this pattern. I haven't found vehicles beyond these that use this pattern. All current 'heavy duty' 6-lug patterns (Isuzu NPR trucks, for instance) use a larger metric pattern.
I do not know if non-dually F350's use this pattern or the more conventional 8-6.5" pattern used all the way to current model Dodge and Chevy 3/4 & 1-Ton series.
If you are interested in that truck, look at it--if it's six-lug it should be 16" tires, which are commonly available, bias or radial. Ask your favorite tire shop if they will service splits. My OE splits on my dually are called 'solid ring split rims'. These are still considered serviceable by most shops, unlike 'widow maker' type rims which most shops won't service because of their dangerous reputation.
There are a couple options for wheels in this bolt pattern that I have found. Stock 16" splits. Alternate OE-type 17.5" 1-piece (solid). Or custom-built steels offered by companies like Stockton Wheel. http://www.stocktonwheel.com
Life's a beach.. then you get swimming lessons.
--'72 F102 LWB, RWD, 390 FE, C6, 3.50 Open 9", Current Project.
--'63 F350 LWB, RWD, 390 FE, T18, 5.13 Open D70, New to the family.
--'94 Explorer Limited, 4x4, 4.0 Cologne, Auto, 3.73 LS 8.8", Weekend 4x4 Rig
--'93 Dodge W250 LWB, 4x4, Cummins 12v, 5-Speed, 4.10 Open D60/D70, Newest member
hi and welcome always glad to see a new f-350 member in the club. sweet looking truck also. 132 inch wheelbase would be a so called 9 foot wrong bed or flat bed in pickup configuration. you will find find most of the mods common to the f-100 and 250 just dont work for us. its a challenge for sure. personely I would like to see you build it as a pickup but to each his own.after everyone has their say build it to suit yourself or you wont be happy with it. you have a great platform to build a very nice and unique truck on. just have fun with it.
thanks for all that info "reflectionpoint"
I emailed the owner of the F350 near me and he told me that there are only 4 tires on truck, they are 19" tires,it also has a spare tire & rim. He also said that a local Ford dealer told him they were stock tires for a government ordered truck of its size F-350. Im guessing it looks a lot like the one below. Im going to go have a look at it tomorrow or Saturday. He said it was an ex Air Force truck so we shall see.
One interesting observation is that the 6 lug 19.5" dual style Budd wheels were not offered. They were used by Dodge on some 1 tons in the late 50's, but I never seen them on Fords.
Looks sweet. welcome from Michigan. Im new here myself and looking forward to chattin. Just got my 66 back from the blaster and she is SWEET not to much work at all hope to get it together with in th next few years (LOL).
welcome from northern california
great find
just a suggestion clean out all the problem areas of dirt and debri or your rust free cab wont be that way long...
have fun with it and know you came to the right place,
the wealth of information here is awsome
John
I can see a nice flatbed with wooden stake sides a couple of Beer Kegs in the back on it's way to SS 2010 
good looking rig
welcome from northern california
