Thoughts on a heavy hauler...

[FuzzFace2]

So, here is a heads up from an owner of a brick nose F Super duty. First off, this truck is great, It has an 11 foot utility box on it. That box has a welder in it, 35 gal 12 hp compressor, torches, and carries enough hand and air tools to rebuild a C 15 cat on the side of the road. It currently tips the scales at a hefty 13800 lbs. The max GVWR is 17500 and we have towed a 14000 lb capacity trailer with an 8000 lb mini excavator behind it.

All of the guys in the shop love this truck and fight over who is going to run it. All of that being said, It will only run at about 73 mph, wide open. That wont bother you as you say you are only going a few miles at 45 mph. The other draw back is that even tho they have ten bolt wheels, they still only have 16 inch wheels and tires. and finding tires that will support the weight that this truck hauls, and you are talking about hauling is like finding hens teeth. I have found a tire that comes in a mud and snow tread that has all steel cord in both the tread and the side wall. They are about 400.00 a copy. That's 1600.00 plus tax and what ever other fees to re tire the drive axle.

There is no doubt in my mind that an F Super Duty would do the job that you are trying to do, Just hope that the AZDOT does not get wind of it. If they are as big of pr...… jerks as they are around Prescott Valley, they would have a field day with it.

As with some of the other guys on here, I would have to agree with no bed what so ever. Just enough structer to support the tank loaded. You might also want to put full fenders on the rear to keep the tires from throwing rocks through the rear window and breaking the mirrors

I see he hit on just about everything I did.

I did forget about rocks thru the rear window and I should have known as it happened to me.

I thought someone shot at me and hit the truck.

I wish the owner would put half fenders covering the front axle wheels as it would also keep the back of the cab & rear window clean.

On the truck needing the motor / transmission and a door that has been off for a few years would not be the way I would go. I think too much work for the money in return what you end up with in my book.

Its just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Think I would still be looking at the larger trucks under the 26,000 weight CDL limit.

I did drive a late 70's F600 dump truck for a paving co. back in 83. Gas 330 v8 with a 5sp & 2 sp rear. Truck was rated for 5 ton and a full load for us was 10 ton. This was before DOT came down on trucks like they do today and yes needed a CDL for it and when I got mine.

Do you have old school buses for sale out there that would be under the 26,000 weight?

Farmers use them around here and cut most of the back off leaving a few seats for workers to sit going field to field and the open back for product to take to a holding area.

Might find a shorter one to mount the 1000 gal tank on.

Dave ----

 

[Ford F834]

Jonathan - I can make the hydroboost pedal. I have pedals laying in my way and could put a pin at the right spot on one of them.

Wow! Thanks Gary! I will let you know if I need this.

Jim- I assume the E4OD’s must have a parking brake, I just don’t know if it’s the same one as on the ZF-5. As I recall ZF actually made that parking brake.

On the well situation, results vary widely around the valley. Some folks up against the mountains don’t have to go too deep if they are in exactly the right spot, but they do have issues with low flow and poor quality. In my neighborhood, I’ve heard people going 600-800 feet or so, and I’ve been told to count on 1,000’ and be prepared for the the possibility that I may invest $15K+ and only hit wet sand. I think the investment would be worthwhile, but I want to build a home first. Many residents do the math and find it cheaper to have a commercial hauler bring it for the rest of their lives. I prefer to be self reliant and I don’t like anyone coming through our gate and being around our dogs etc., not to mention I can haul it myself for half the price even considering the gas for 275 gallons at a time. We have enough stress without being paranoid over every drop. Water at the standpipe is actually cheaper per gallon than for residents with street meters, I just have to get it to our property...

[Gary Lewis]

Jonathan - I can make the hydroboost pedal. I have pedals laying in my way and could put a pin at the right spot on one of them.

Wow! Thanks Gary! I will let you know if I need this.

Jim- I assume the E4OD’s must have a parking brake, I just don’t know if it’s the same one as on the ZF-5. As I recall ZF actually made that parking brake.

On the well situation, results vary widely around the valley. Some folks up against the mountains don’t have to go too deep if they are in exactly the right spot, but they do have issues with low flow and poor quality. In my neighborhood, I’ve heard people going 600-800 feet or so, and I’ve been told to count on 1,000’ and be prepared for the the possibility that I may invest $15K+ and only hit wet sand. I think the investment would be worthwhile, but I want to build a home first. Many residents do the math and find it cheaper to have a commercial hauler bring it for the rest of their lives. I prefer to be self reliant and I don’t like anyone coming through our gate and being around our dogs etc., not to mention I can haul it myself for half the price even considering the gas for 275 gallons at a time. We have enough stress without being paranoid over every drop. Water at the standpipe is actually cheaper per gallon than for residents with street meters, I just have to get it to our property...

I'll take measurements and pics to be ready, just in case.

And, I have a Bricknose pedal assembly, although it was from Huck and he had an E4OD so it probably won't have the right casting for a manual tranny.

[Ford F834]

I'll take measurements and pics to be ready, just in case.

And, I have a Bricknose pedal assembly, although it was from Huck and he had an E4OD so it probably won't have the right casting for a manual tranny.

Thank you Gary... I have a manual pedal box in the red donor. I actually have a hydroboost pedal that I bought for the crew cab, but I believe it is still at my dad’s house. And come to think of it, I found an automatic hydroboost pedal, and it might be easier to graft on the smaller pad than to change the pin?

Dave, I’m not too terribly worried about the truck that’s been sitting a couple years. I will pretty much have to go through whatever I get. Diesel fuel can sit indefinitely and not go bad as long as water does not get in it. Our dry desert climate helps. My crew cab sat a couple years Once between uses and after a battery jump it was like it never sat. But I’m getting ahead of myself... I have not seen it. A “couple” years might be a lot more than two, and who knows what all this guy isn’t telling me. I realized I do somewhat know the guy though. He runs a horse rescue and sells stuff at a swap meet here. Very sweet and kind gentleman. The truck was donated and he used it until it failed. His non profit org has no funds for expensive diesel repairs at a shop so here it is...

There is another running one on Facebook marketplace in Vegas, but it looks pretty rough. I like the bed better, and running is always good, but seems abused.

[FuzzFace2]

Thank you Gary... I have a manual pedal box in the red donor. I actually have a hydroboost pedal that I bought for the crew cab, but I believe it is still at my dad’s house. And come to think of it, I found an automatic hydroboost pedal, and it might be easier to graft on the smaller pad than to change the pin?

Dave, I’m not too terribly worried about the truck that’s been sitting a couple years. I will pretty much have to go through whatever I get. Diesel fuel can sit indefinitely and not go bad as long as water does not get in it. Our dry desert climate helps. My crew cab sat a couple years Once between uses and after a battery jump it was like it never sat. But I’m getting ahead of myself... I have not seen it. A “couple” years might be a lot more than two, and who knows what all this guy isn’t telling me. I realized I do somewhat know the guy though. He runs a horse rescue and sells stuff at a swap meet here. Very sweet and kind gentleman. The truck was donated and he used it until it failed. His non profit org has no funds for expensive diesel repairs at a shop so here it is...

There is another running one on Facebook marketplace in Vegas, but it looks pretty rough. I like the bed better, and running is always good, but seems abused.

That does not look like and auto with the stick up thru the floor?

Other than the hood, the bent from panel by the left head light and a few marks here & there does not look too bad. Think anything you look at is a given will need a seat.

That bed wood looks dried out more than anything.

How long is that bed? Guess not long enough for the 1000 and the basket is there?

I would look at this one on just how ruff it is and what work it will need if you can get him under 2k great or even at 2k may be good, again depending on work needed.

Dave ----

[Ford F834]

That does not look like and auto with the stick up thru the floor?

Other than the hood, the bent from panel by the left head light and a few marks here & there does not look too bad. Think anything you look at is a given will need a seat.

That bed wood looks dried out more than anything.

How long is that bed? Guess not long enough for the 1000 and the basket is there?

I would look at this one on just how ruff it is and what work it will need if you can get him under 2k great or even at 2k may be good, again depending on work needed.

Dave ----

Dave, both marketplace ads said automatic on the list but were not. Maybe a default? I know it is probably inaccurate to equate body damage with general misuse/mechanical neglect, but the buckled hood, multiple dents, broken wing window covered in cardboard, plywood shift boot ring, missing arm rest & switch knobs etc., just smack of it not being cared about. The description “Runs. Work truck diesel” has worn out somewhere between the lines. I am guessing I would find myself swapping out that engine sooner than later, as a poorly maintained 7.3 is not a good thing... I wouldn’t mind a look-see but Vegas is a 4 hour round trip just to check it out.

Old55pete, Internet lore says GVWR varied by which engine/transmission and axle ratio it had. I am not seeing any consistency there, however. I am curious as well. The tag I posted was from a FTE thread. The “project” truck would not be a rebuild. I have an engine/transmission to drop in it and I would do tires, brakes, hoses, belts, and fluids like I would do to about any purchase. It is more work than I really want, but not unreasonable. If the price to move it isn’t outrageous I will probably go for it. The seller sent me a picture of the certification label. Gears are 5.13, wheelbase is 161” which is better (for me) than the 185” listed on the other guy’s tag.

[swampedout]

A good friend had a 1970 F600 dump truck, damn thing had an HD 300 in it (huge 3 bolt exhaust pipe) velocity governor under the Carter hand choke YF. Breaker points of course. Truck had started life as a city waste water work truck and had a crew box behind the cab. He said it would only due 45 mph and figured it was governed that way. Crew box was removed and the metal used to extend the dump bed to the cab back. He would loan it to our BSA camp for the summer with the proviso that I would fix anything that got broken. First thing I did was look at the carburetor/governor, found it was only getting 3/4 throttle. After that was fixed I received a phone call from the owner, he said he thought he saw his dump truck pass his house and go airborne over the bridge. Damn thing would peg the 70 mph speedometer! It had vacuum assist hydraulic drum brakes and manual steering and we hauled all kinds of loads in it. I used to pick it up Friday afternoon for a weekend work session and bring it back Sunday afternoon with a mostly full tank of gas from the camp.

If you can find something like that, strip it to the frame, put a flat deck on it and haul your 1000 gals of water.

I havent read the entire thread so I apologize if this is irrelevant or already discussed:

Around me on CL, Denver to Tucson, I see actual water hauler trucks for sale. For me its been just a fantasy so I havent looked into them too thoroughly but I remember seeing many that looked reasonably priced.

Obviously there are drawbacks for such a purpose built vehicle but it might make sense for you.

Most arent 4x4 and I dont know what your terrain is like but around here the water and propane trucks go a lot of squirrely places without 4x4. So long as you can avoid the snow and mud.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I havent read the entire thread so I apologize if this is irrelevant or already discussed:

Around me on CL, Denver to Tucson, I see actual water hauler trucks for sale. For me its been just a fantasy so I havent looked into them too thoroughly but I remember seeing many that looked reasonably priced.

Obviously there are drawbacks for such a purpose built vehicle but it might make sense for you.

Most arent 4x4 and I dont know what your terrain is like but around here the water and propane trucks go a lot of squirrely places without 4x4. So long as you can avoid the snow and mud.

A 450 isn't going to be 4x4 unless Quigly or a PO converted it.

Then there's the issue of finding 10 lug 4x4 hubs and spindles to put on it.

I didn't think Ford made any 4x4 C&C trucks back then -even 350's- but I may be wrong.

A dedicated tanker might make sense, especially if it could be shared among a few

[swampedout]

Jonathan,

The newly rebuilt brake from the 450 I parted may still be available.

I don't think the brake or Zf ever found a home....

I'm down at my sister's right now, but she's on the mend and I have things to attend to.

I hope to be back in CT by midweek and will look into it.

While I know it's a heavy chunk to ship, I also know it is right for that truck.

I'll have to ask Don if he's got it and what he'd want for it.

I can usually barter some truck repairs or welding for parts.

The other thing, if you have the time, is to call around at construction and landscaping companies and see what they have sitting around the yard. My job has two tanker trucks that never get used. Im sure they need work but you never know who wants to sell.

[swampedout]

The other thing, if you have the time, is to call around at construction and landscaping companies and see what they have sitting around the yard. My job has two tanker trucks that never get used. Im sure they need work but you never know who wants to sell.

Around here, you can make some money hauling water for sure. At least enough to offset the cost of the vehicle over time.

Im sure AZ has a lot of water needs too. And sadly thats not something thats going to change.