55 F600 hauler

[86pontiac2+2]

If all goes well, this gem should be my property by next sunday. It's a 55 F600 grain truck with dump bed. My question: does anybody have knowledge of a rearend swap to achieve current hwy speeds of at least 70 mph? I'm thinking the transmission will have to be swapped as well. 6.0 / 4L80? Keep original?
It's going to be some trip driving this thing back home about 450 miles one way going 55 mph. My plans are to make it a car hauler or just add a hitch receiver, leave dump bed alone and use it to pull my car hauler trailer.

 

[Ribbedroof]

55 MPH is optimistic for that era truck, even with the rear in high

That said, she's a beauty! Love the 53/56 F series

 

[Ribbedroof]

BTW, good chance those are widowmaker wheels, Ford used them from 48 through at least the 60s...my 66 F600 had them on it.

 

[86pontiac2+2]

I have a 78 International box truck. Hope the parts interchange. Still, this thing can haul around 16,000 lbs if I got my facts straight. ..

Maybe shorten frame?

 

[Ribbedroof]

Depends on the model#, the data plate will tell you the GVWR rating

If the option is available in your state/province, look into licensing as an RV, loophole around most truck regulations.


www.ford-trucks.com is a pretty good resource, although it isn't what it used to be user friendly-wise

 

[86pontiac2+2]

BTW, good chance those are widowmaker wheels, Ford used them from 48 through at least the 60s...my 66 F600 had them on it.

I do not see the outer rings.

 

[Ribbedroof]

You're thinking split ring or lock ring wheels. the widowmakers are a 2 piece split rim wheel that look like a regular steel wheel when assembled/installed with a tire on it. Bad idea all around, as they were very susceptible to wear where the two halves met. They have been known to come apart just from airing up a very low tire. 50-70 years later, the wear on them pretty much makes them a deathtrap for most people.

 

[DRIVEN]

That's pretty sweet! You might keep an eye out for a class A motorhome for a donor. Big block, automatic, freeway gears, big disc brakes, all in one package. I'd be pretty hesitant to just swap a freeway geared rearend under that without some good front brakes to match.

 

[HAFROD]

That truck is super clean man. I almost built one of these 2 years ago. I found one field fresh and on craigslist was an early 80s Chevy dually body/frame with Alcoa wheels for $600. Was going to do a frame swap. Ended up getting something else. I have a 56 F100 and an S10 chassis sitting beside it. Already bought 20 and 18" wheels for it. It's on the project list

 

[Turbo Zach]

Nice truck. I suggest you drive the truck before making too big of plans for it. I live in land of old grain trucks. There are resons why they only go 55. You don't want to go 70 in that truck. Very squirrely at 55. Grain trucks got cheap around here because you have to have them inspected after changing hands and they will not pass a inspection. Grain trucks do not have the hight or hydraulic power of a dump truck. What most people do is put the old body on a newer frame. If you want a car hauler I would find a rollback first and put the older body on it. Don't mean to be discuraging.