Canadian Fords differed in their naming conventions, and what Americans would call an “F3” wore the moniker “F68” North of the border thanks to its 6800 lb payload capacity. This particular 1949 Ford F68 has made its way South to Sweet Grass, Montana and seeks a new owner here on eBay where a No Reserve auction will determine its market value.
The seller describes the truck’s “PTO driven hoist fitted to the bed” which raises the bed higher than factory. Those deep lugged rear tires were typical on the 2WD farm trucks of my youth, before people became scared to drive on snow without AWD, ABS, and traction control. This truck has traction control too; it’s called “Let off the gas if the tires spin.”
Is that a dashboard, or the top of a vintage washing machine? Either way it looks like you could attack it with an 8 lb. sledge hammer for quite a while before doing any damage. The 36″ diameter wheel provides all the leverage you need for manual steering. Even a woman could drive it! (Sorry; just had to throw in some authentic ’40s sexism.)
The flat-head V8 is not running, but appears original. Thankfully no one slammed a cheap SBC in there. The listing doesn’t mention whether the engine turns but it’s described as “complete minus the fuel pump.” What’s your high bid on this old work truck?
This one was featured a few weeks ago, if I recall correctly. If I am wrong, then apparent;y Sweetgrass, MT has more trucks than I gave them credit for.
Well, Dean, there’s hardly any people left in Sweetgrass, so you might as well bring in some trucks. They could keep Danny’s collection of military trucks company.
My Dad owned a 48 panel truck that he used in a window washing business in Detroit. It sat out back when I was little and I used to sit there and drive for hours. Looking at that picture of the dash and steering wheel I can remember how that truck smelled. Just an old smell, it only had one seat and nothing else. A guy saw it from the road and my Dad sold it when I was about 7. I cried like he shot my dog in front of me . Good memories of my Dad and the truck.
Now this is the way the vast majority of the tonners were equipped back in the day. Driving an F3 beside a John Deere 55 combine, unloading on the go was the way I learned to drive when I was 9 or 10. This is another great project. Restoration would be the way I would do it, although I would likely ditch the hoist. A Warner T-9 crashbox was the means to feed the power to the rear axle. It’s amazing that as low geared as they were they still managed 50 mph with few problems.
Throw some red heater hoses on her and drive her home.
Obviously used as a “get away” truck at some point. Note the bullet hole.
heh.