How are the older Ford med-duty diesels?

[Ductape]

IMO the GM with a Cat / Allison (or even 5 or 6 speed) is alot more truck......... but you'll never get into one at a price anywhere near $1600.

 

[Diamondpilot]

One other thing I just thought of:

If it has hydraulic brakes, just make sure you try them frequently in your test drive. Early FORD hydraulic brakes SUCK and they're VERY expensive to repair. The Lucas Girling setup with the electric parking brake motor is virtually unavailable anymore, but I don't know if that particular truck has it.

Mine had airbrakes, but many smaller F6&700's had junk hydraulic brakes.

At $1,600 bucks, I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker, but check for pulling or leaks and have some funds set aside for future brake work. A complete brake job could easily run $3,000-$4,000!!!

Not sure if its the same setup Builder but my buddy down the road has a old Ford Single Axle dump Truck. Different cab than that truck but no older than a early 80's model. Its gas, I believe a 390, and I believe its a F700 or F800. Anyway, I am not sure what type of brakes it has for sure but I believe it is hydraulic and powered by air if that sounds right??? Anyway he had them gone through about 6 years ago and I think he told me the parts alone were over $1500.

Chris

 

[dieselfuelonly]

You'd be much better off with something like your dads truck. Not because it's a GMC over a Ford, but because of the drivetrain. I'm not a huge CAT fan, but the 3116 will blow away a Ford 6.6L and you're right about the allison, tests have proven over & over that an allison auto will out accelerate even an experienced driver with a handshaker.

The reason your dad's truck took off in 4th is becuase it had a direct lock-up in 4th.

I didn't realize the F-600 bed did not dump. That changes my opinion of the truck negatively, but it's still a good buy at $1,600.

Thanks, I didn't realize that those Allison's had lock-up. It was a pretty stout little truck, wish he had kept it, I would have bought it from him in a heartbeat.

There is a '94 TopKick (no bed) for sale locally with the diesel (I assume its still the CAT 3116) and a Eaton 7spd, hes asking 3100 but says the price is negotiable. Its not the shortest wheelbase like my dads, but doesn't have the longest wheelbase either, not sure about the actual dimensions. While the Allison was a nice trans for sure, the 7spd Eaton is a plus for me because I prefer a manual over an auto (hence the 5spd conversion on my Dodge).

If I could talk him down some, would it be something to consider?

Again, maybe I'm just better off buying a trailer for now... but having a truck with a large flatbed that I could haul both my Bobcat and whatever else on while I get my business started would be nice.

 

[Builder]

Thanks, I didn't realize that those Allison's had lock-up. It was a pretty stout little truck, wish he had kept it, I would have bought it from him in a heartbeat.

There is a '94 TopKick (no bed) for sale locally with the diesel (I assume its still the CAT 3116) and a Eaton 7spd, hes asking 3100 but says the price is negotiable. Its not the shortest wheelbase like my dads, but doesn't have the longest wheelbase either, not sure about the actual dimensions. While the Allison was a nice trans for sure, the 7spd Eaton is a plus for me because I prefer a manual over an auto (hence the 5spd conversion on my Dodge).

If I could talk him down some, would it be something to consider?

Again, maybe I'm just better off buying a trailer for now... but having a truck with a large flatbed that I could haul both my Bobcat and whatever else on while I get my business started would be nice.

It depends on whether or not you have a body in mind for it that you can get for a reasonable price. A dump body new with a hoist is ~10 grand. Try to find a used body that will fit on it.

For what you are doing, a trailer is BY FAR a cheaper option than any 2nd truck.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Thanks, I didn't realize that those Allison's had lock-up. It was a pretty stout little truck, wish he had kept it, I would have bought it from him in a heartbeat.

There is a '94 TopKick (no bed) for sale locally with the diesel (I assume its still the CAT 3116) and a Eaton 7spd, hes asking 3100 but says the price is negotiable. Its not the shortest wheelbase like my dads, but doesn't have the longest wheelbase either, not sure about the actual dimensions. While the Allison was a nice trans for sure, the 7spd Eaton is a plus for me because I prefer a manual over an auto (hence the 5spd conversion on my Dodge).

If I could talk him down some, would it be something to consider?

Again, maybe I'm just better off buying a trailer for now... but having a truck with a large flatbed that I could haul both my Bobcat and whatever else on while I get my business started would be nice.

Many shops that install bodies can shorten (or lengthen) truck frames. I don't have any ballpark figures for that kind of work to quote you though.

Maybe now is not the time but it is something to consider if you ever find a decent truck otherwise.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

You both give good advise. Maybe I should just get a trailer for now, and save up for a nice used single axle dumptruck.

 

[Builder]

many older dumptrucks are moneypits. My Ford was. I had one IH that was about 15 years ago. My last 2 dumptrucks have been pretty reliable.

You'll be much better off financially with a nice HD trailer. Get yourself a dumptrailer with a set of pull out ramps.

Take it from experience.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Many years ago, some of the contractors that I worked for would pick up a single axle tractor pretty cheap and throw a dump bed on. Reasonably light duty for a truck that may not be road worthy for 500 mile trips or so but reliable enough for local contracting work.

Don't know if that logic still holds true. Lot of times, these medium duty non CDL trucks get the stuffings beat out of them by inexperianced or non caring drivers.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I saw it was a flat bed truck. Like I said we used them as delivery trucks in the late 80's early 90's at the lumber yard I worked at and they were good trucks. That being said if you are looking to put a dump bed on it take Builders advise and get a dump trailer. If you must have a dump truck get a dump truck, don't buy a flat bed truck and then go looking for parts or you will end up spending a arm and a leg.

Chris

 

[Ductape]

Many shops that install bodies can shorten (or lengthen) truck frames. I don't have any ballpark figures for that kind of work to quote you though.

Maybe now is not the time but it is something to consider if you ever find a decent truck otherwise.

Shortening, relatively cheap. Lengthening............. not so cheap.