There are a few words you can say in a row that will command the attention of truck enthusiasts everywhere: low mileage, turbodiesel, and four wheel drive. Put them together and you have one of the more sought after combinations out there in the marketplace today for a truck made in the 1980s. This 1987 Ford F350 4×4 is a former fire department vehicle that, like many of them, was loaded to the hilt and sparingly used. It has a International 6.9 IDI under the hood and just 33,000 miles, and is listed here on eBay with bids to $14,000 and no reserve.
It’s amazing how many vehicles owned by fire departments consistently emerge with low miles and all the best options. I can recall working for the New York State Bridge Authority each summer, and the time when a supervisor got to order a new truck. It was like Christmas in July as they checked the boxes for the options reserved for municipal use. Sure, you couldn’t get heated seats, but you could get the big motors, heavy-duty cooling, four-wheel-drive, a locker rear end, and so much more – all on the taxpayer’s dime!
The Ford shown here is a stunning condition with virtually no signs of wear and tear in the cabin. The seller claims there is no rust, and apparently the St. Louis fire station had their own detailing team on staff because this Ford looks mint. The Ford is equipped with a C6 3-speed automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer case, along with 4.10 gears. There’s also a 12,000 Warn winch on the front bumper, along with a Honda 3500 generator in the bed.
As well all know, the diesel engines Ford installed in its trucks are generally sought-after for their durability and respectable horsepower figures. With low miles and just one owner, this Ford F350 4×4 fire truck has plenty of life left, and I wonder if the next owner will keep the red and white paint scheme. Given the paint is said to be largely blemish-free, I’d consider a vinyl wrap to both protect the original paint and not look like you’re on the way to extinguish a brush fire.
The “Lord Bottomtooth” of fire trucks. Got in quite a tussle on the last one. I believe many took my views wrong, and to clarify, firefighters are much more than “basement savers”. They run in when guys like me run out. My point was, in this day of such need, AND diminished calls, it seems silly to spend a towns budget on a mere fire engine when the old one blows a stream of water just as well, while homeless sleep in their cars. Sadly, many times, all they can do is save the basement anyway.
This is a nice find, but by no means rare. Every burg in the country had one. Being just an equipment carrier, I don’t see the use here. A brush truck that could be used is another matter. That motor , I felt, was a boat anchor, and not a turbo. They were gutless, hard starting, and smoked like our grandparents.. The PowerStroke that replaced it was an entirely different and much better motor. And like all fire equipment, it’s engine hours, not miles, and this unit has a lot of engine hours. To be honest, it’s almost too nice to strip, not sure what to do with it? I suppose it could pull a camper,,,slowly.
This is an early 87, last of the 6.9, midyear brought the 7.3 IDI Turbo. The 6.9 was a good motor, but like any naturally aspirated diesel, power was limited. I was a mechanic in Ford dealers years ago, used to install ATS turbos on 6.9s, Banks turbos were a pain. The 6.9 woke up with a turbo, and got impressive fuel mileage to boot. Now granted, they couldn’t compete with today’s diesel pickups, but they were the best at the time.
As far as this one, it’s a well maintained, well kept truck, I’d get rid all the fire apparatus, put flatbed on it, and use it
Heading says it’s a turbo diesel but I agree with Howard there is no turbo on that motor shown in the photos
Sweet looking truck but not my cup or tea
Here is proof
Proof of what?
Where’s Howards comment ? 👀 🤷♂️
Great work truck here.
Apparently it got deleted, along with mine.
Memo to self: no more fire truck comments,,
UM, Why is this being called a fire truck? There is no fire equipment on it. No pumper equipment, no hoses, no nothing. Perhaps it was an EMT or support truck for a fire department. Or just a way to light up a scene. It is red, but certainly it is not a FIRE TRUCK.
Having said all of that, because it is NOT a firetruck, at 14K there is still a lot of room for the price to grow. It would do a lot better if it were an extra cab.It is very well set up as a work truck and is going to be bid up accordingly
This could potentially be set up to be a nice Type 6 truck with a slip in pumper unit, but really it could use a flatbed rather than all those equipment boxes.
I don’t see anywhere in the ad where it claims to be a turbo diesel. I think the BFpost is wrong.
Splitting hairs are we? It’s obviously a fire department related vehicle. And no, there is no turbo.
You do trucks like this are used by the fire department to carry equipment for car accidents, carry fire fighting equipment, and for search and rescue right? It may be hard you to understand but this is infact considered a firetruck.
Ok so that big generator in the back is just to make it look pretty. Jaws of life equipment takes a gas powered generator to run the hydraulic pump they also use generator to run the Air bag system to lift flipped over semi trucks and did you happen to notice those big lights on the back. Fire departments leave the equipment idle at scenes to power the lights and radio and other equipment the generator is to cover what the engine generator can’t.
It is a fire truck. A fire engine carries water. A fire truck does not. Hence the term ladder truck, rescue truck at cetera.
Not to belabor the point, but here is an example of a firetruck with all the right equipment. 1987 F-350 with even lower mileage for 14K.
http://secondlifetruck.com/truck.php?listing_id=26543
In my neck of the woods, this truck would have been the do-all truck for the department. Jaws of life for rescue work, Indian pumps for brush fires, tender for other equipment working a large fire, etc. It would take the place of several pieces of equipment larger departments would have, but small departments would not. It could go where few other public service vehicles could go for rescue work, even towing a rescue water craft or an ATV on a trailer. The 6.9 and 7.3 Diesels were very durable, reliable power plants, and nearly indestructable. Nice rig!
Why all the holes in the frame? At first I thought rust, but they appear drilled. Normal?
All the Ford trucks that I’ve seen in that body style 85-97 have those holes in the frames. Idk the reason why, my best guess is it has something to fo with the manufacturing of the frame.
Not a fan of the service body box on it still a fun 4×4 anyone notice if it has a engine idle hours meter since at accident and fire scene it would idle for hours to keep the other equipment running, the onboard generator would be for jaws of life type equipment.
Your wrong, that struck isn’t setup to run other equipment.
Ok so that big generator in the back is just to make it look pretty. Jaws of life equipment takes a gas powered generator to run the hydraulic pump they also use generator to run the Air bag system to lift flipped over semi trucks and did you happen to notice those big lights on the back. Fire departments leave the equipment idle at scenes to power the lights and radio and other equipment the generator is to cover what the engine generator can’t.
Equipment such as the jaws, spreader, bags while they can be run off of the truck can also be run off portable generators. This is especially true if the scene is such that a truck or engine not get in close. 30 years experience.
Most firetrucks have low mileage~~ they dont go far~~~ But,,,,check the hour clock,,, Probably more hours than miles~~