When it comes to accessorizing vintage 4x4s, I’ve been known to be distracted by a cool brush guard. I even went so far as to buy one of eBay in Australia for my HiAce; technically, that was considered a roo bar by Aussie standards. This retired 1978 Ford F700 forestry truck has what I’d consider the mother of all brush guards installed, with a steel cage that looks like it could take down trees. Find this vintage firefighter here on eBay with a $10,500 Buy-It-Now and the option to submit a best offer.
The Ford is loaded up with heavy-duty features, including: “It has a 10 ton winch in the front, pto and a 400 gallon water tank. The exterior frame is built by Farrar.” The seller claims mileage is low at just 10,600, which is possible given how little use many of these trucks saw when in municipal duty.
The interior condition doesn’t necessarily help confirm or deny whether the miles are real, as the dash looks quite nice but the seats could use some love. This truck came from the town of Wareham in Massachusetts, which is out near the mouth of Cape Cod. There’s a large salvage yard out there that tends to grab these classic trucks and resell them, but it’s not the same seller.
The truck seemingly retains all of its original firefighting gear, but no word on whether any of it works. The Ford is equipped with a stout 389 gas motor paired to a 5-speed manual transmission with 4WD. Although it’s fun to dream, I wonder just how practical these are in winter conditions – would you use one of these when the roads get dicey?
I agree, Jeff, this is one mombo structure. Would you say it adds a bit of weight? Top speed probably 19 mph, but not much would stop it. It’s odd, the builder chose to use the Howe-Coleman 4×4 set up, rather than the Ford. I didn’t think they still offered that. One thing for sure, parking would not be a problem. Cool ( slow going ) unit. I read some of the early Coleman Howe’s used 139:1 gear ratios and a top speed of 22 mph!
So you’re telling me, they gauge on the left that goes up to 30 is the speedometer?
That truck is from my department. I have actually driven it on and off road. The gauge that goes to “30” is the rpm’s. Top speed was about 40-45mph. Sometimes it had a bit of a wobble at speed.
If you look at the bottom of the gauge, it reads “Vacuum Inches Hg.”. It is a vacuum gauge.
It is a vacuum gauge.
i would say 100 mph on speedo. Tach would B to 8,000 rmp.
700 model is a ‘between’ kinda rig – no p/u but not a real road tractor (a sm one) either. Wareham has a mix of scrub pine/soft/hrd wood, fairly level and some suburban w/a dwntwn. Perfect 4 this ‘pumper/brush’ trk.
As we all know just cuz it sez “100”…in fact it would take a long day to drive it home (western MA) even in lill MA (125 mi).
ready made storm chaser .
Just the thing for the zombie apocalypse!
Airbags my arse, this would be the ultimate safety cocoon for my daily drive…. with the added bonus of sorting out aggressive drivers on the road.
Yes, I would use this when the roads get dicey, how could you get hurt?
Lets see, $10,500 purchace price, a month off work doing a coast to coast drive and a bill of $20,000 for the cost of gas and at the least 30 traffic tickets for driving too slow and impeding traffic,; too costly even as a buisness expence.
I’d like to see a tailgater get up on that one! I don’t think you could hurt it even if you tried.
Great Truck. The bars are for moving trees. It’s known as a brushbreaker in southeastern MA.
Here is 2 of ours at the Ridge fire a few years ago. we call them Stump Jumpers on Long Island.
ICEEE3 heres the wear factor, full gear and woods dirt puts booku wear into the unit.
AAA? Yeah I just went off the highway into a soft ditch and now I am hung up real good with my parade truck petunia. Bout an hour? Great just send your biggest rig or 2.
“Uh, this is AAA returning your call. You have a 10 ton winch on that thing. Get out yourself, dingus!”
Mad Max anyone? I think I know where they sourced at least the idea for some of their vehicles.
I am dreaming how the brush guard unit would look on our 94 F350 CC dually (7.3l diesel,5 sp and 4wd converted)
Holy crap that’s a lot of steel hanging off of this thing. Your going to have to make a lot of changes to this truck to make I more usable, Starting with cutting all that pipe off and removing the giant sized equipment box off the back. Then you’d have to rear gear it so it will go at least 65 mph. I’d then shorten the wheel base enough to fit a 8′ truck box on the back. The way it sits now it’s pretty useless and would be one thirsty beast to own.
Why don’t you go buy a regular truck then? This is a specialty truck designed to crash through the bush like none other. The truck you want couldn’t begin going the places this beast can. I agree, quite useless for daily commutes, but I’d love the chance to challenge this truck to find its match!!
HHHMMMM, that is a lot of wear for 10 k to be on the brake & clutch pedals, steering wheel, seat, floor mats. Could all that happen just by driving slow?
389?
6.4L FE