Kind of an interesting truck. I thought that I knew the Ford lineup pretty well so a 550 of this vintage kinda threw me. As far as the truck is concerned I would fix it up but retire the towing rig. Maybe convert it to a service bed and use it that way. It has a long way to go for a restoration but there were lots of that body style made so parts shouldn’t be that much of a challenge. It will be a rough riding truck for sure. I’m thinking 360 engine. Re-curve the advance, dual exhaust and a Holley 500 2bbl will wake it right up. I’m thinking 205 transfer case but if it’s a true 550 series it could have a Rockwell which is heavy, cumbersome, and hard to find parts for. The upside is that you’re not likely to need many parts as both cases were well made. It would make a very interesting project overall…
Judging by the phone number on the hood with no preceding area code I’d guess Lyons Wrecking has been around awhile..
What’s the back story on this truck, Jeff?
Seems like Lyons has moved to Trenton, MI 11 miles away from Waltz. Their website says they have been around since 1960, so I think it’s the same company. Tried to contact them to let them know one of their old trucks is on ebay, but the only contact is phone only.
Okay, from what I found, I don’t think Ford made a “550” in ’69. That was a more modern designation, and I don’t think that’s NAPCO either, Ford used Marmon Harrington, but by the late 60’s, was all Ford. I think what we have here is a hodge-podge of this and that, all on a F100. Not sure what kind of white knuckle ride this would be at anything over 20 mph, but I bet it would pull stumps out.
Ford made an F-600 4×4 but it was the Three-Ton body. Ford didn’t even offer a One-Ton in 4×4 until the 80s (I think). I remember we had a ’71 F-250 4×4 on the ranch but knew that we’d need something heavier in the future. In ’73 we decided to go for the One-Ton which wasn’t available from Ford or GM. We had a choice between Dodge or International. The local IH dealer was one of my dad’s best friends but there were times when they didn’t get along. Obviously, 1973 was that time because Dad bought a new Dodge Power Wagon which turned out to be a damn good truck. Of course a Binder would’ve been just as good. And we could’ve gotten the bigger engine…
Ford definitely built a F350 in a 4×4 as far back as 69 not sure before that. They were all single rear wheel trucks. I currently own a 1979 F350 4×4 that was factory. It has been modified to a dual rear wheel in 1985
Thank you geomechs and Howard A for your usual and useful expertise on rigs like this. When I first saw it, I thought the same thing — body A plus bed B on chassis C. Maybe the long-ago builder of this was just ahead of his time, given that is what happens to many “restorations” of vintage medium-duty trucks today.
If you look at the four tag it is an F100 cab setting on what I believe to be a F600-F750 4 wheel drive chassis. Not sure what size or year the chassis is but pretty sure I’m close.
In 1969 Ford did not have a F150. That designation did not come out until they started what was known as the heavy half ton trucks when they had to boost the GVW rating to get past emissions.
If I remember correctly the line up back then went F100, F 250, F350, F500, F600, F700, F800, F900 Supper Duty. I think everything bigger than the F350 had a larger cab if I remember correctly.
I’m thinking F500 or F600 (likely F500; F600 would have had 6 stud wheels, if I recall) with a light duty cab. Either factory four wheel drive or an aftermarket conversion — I’ll guess this was a factory 4×4, or at least delivered through an original dealer sale (like M-H). Great starting point for a farm truck, firewood hauler/”woods” truck, or restoration project. The underpinnings are nearly indestructible, and the cab and body are expendable on something like this. A replacement cab and nose, and a Ford factory script stake body would be a nice way to finish this one off, in my opinion.
Kind of an interesting truck. I thought that I knew the Ford lineup pretty well so a 550 of this vintage kinda threw me. As far as the truck is concerned I would fix it up but retire the towing rig. Maybe convert it to a service bed and use it that way. It has a long way to go for a restoration but there were lots of that body style made so parts shouldn’t be that much of a challenge. It will be a rough riding truck for sure. I’m thinking 360 engine. Re-curve the advance, dual exhaust and a Holley 500 2bbl will wake it right up. I’m thinking 205 transfer case but if it’s a true 550 series it could have a Rockwell which is heavy, cumbersome, and hard to find parts for. The upside is that you’re not likely to need many parts as both cases were well made. It would make a very interesting project overall…
Judging by the phone number on the hood with no preceding area code I’d guess Lyons Wrecking has been around awhile..
What’s the back story on this truck, Jeff?
Seems like Lyons has moved to Trenton, MI 11 miles away from Waltz. Their website says they have been around since 1960, so I think it’s the same company. Tried to contact them to let them know one of their old trucks is on ebay, but the only contact is phone only.
Friend of mine use to own this truck. Would like to find it and buy it back
I believe a 550 in ’69 would have the HD nose. Thoughts?
And what happened to the write-up?
F100 cab according to the tag.
Okay, from what I found, I don’t think Ford made a “550” in ’69. That was a more modern designation, and I don’t think that’s NAPCO either, Ford used Marmon Harrington, but by the late 60’s, was all Ford. I think what we have here is a hodge-podge of this and that, all on a F100. Not sure what kind of white knuckle ride this would be at anything over 20 mph, but I bet it would pull stumps out.
Ford made an F-600 4×4 but it was the Three-Ton body. Ford didn’t even offer a One-Ton in 4×4 until the 80s (I think). I remember we had a ’71 F-250 4×4 on the ranch but knew that we’d need something heavier in the future. In ’73 we decided to go for the One-Ton which wasn’t available from Ford or GM. We had a choice between Dodge or International. The local IH dealer was one of my dad’s best friends but there were times when they didn’t get along. Obviously, 1973 was that time because Dad bought a new Dodge Power Wagon which turned out to be a damn good truck. Of course a Binder would’ve been just as good. And we could’ve gotten the bigger engine…
Ford definitely built a F350 in a 4×4 as far back as 69 not sure before that. They were all single rear wheel trucks. I currently own a 1979 F350 4×4 that was factory. It has been modified to a dual rear wheel in 1985
Like a boss!
Thank you geomechs and Howard A for your usual and useful expertise on rigs like this. When I first saw it, I thought the same thing — body A plus bed B on chassis C. Maybe the long-ago builder of this was just ahead of his time, given that is what happens to many “restorations” of vintage medium-duty trucks today.
If you look at the four tag it is an F100 cab setting on what I believe to be a F600-F750 4 wheel drive chassis. Not sure what size or year the chassis is but pretty sure I’m close.
In 1969 Ford did not have a F150. That designation did not come out until they started what was known as the heavy half ton trucks when they had to boost the GVW rating to get past emissions.
If I remember correctly the line up back then went F100, F 250, F350, F500, F600, F700, F800, F900 Supper Duty. I think everything bigger than the F350 had a larger cab if I remember correctly.
I own a ‘69 F6000. It’s a mobile home toter.
That’s really cool, I like it, but the 5 Lugers tell me that frame and axles May( guessing) be older than the cab .
This is definitely a hodgepodge of trucks put together to make one that isn’t even near complete.
I’m thinking F500 or F600 (likely F500; F600 would have had 6 stud wheels, if I recall) with a light duty cab. Either factory four wheel drive or an aftermarket conversion — I’ll guess this was a factory 4×4, or at least delivered through an original dealer sale (like M-H). Great starting point for a farm truck, firewood hauler/”woods” truck, or restoration project. The underpinnings are nearly indestructible, and the cab and body are expendable on something like this. A replacement cab and nose, and a Ford factory script stake body would be a nice way to finish this one off, in my opinion.
What a great retirement project. All it needs is time and money lol. So many possibilities
A little clarification by the owner would go a long way. The description on Ebay has this in it.1967 CAB, 1969 DOOR WITH VIN NUMBER PLATE ATTACHED
Okay as long as you don’t plan driving it at night.
Great write-up Jeff. You do get a bit wordy at times.