Medium duty truck questions

[Columbo]

Posting for my brother, he has a small farm and pickups just aren’t handling his needs anymore. He’s looking for a used class 6 truck, 26000 GVWR (although he has a farm exemption for needing a CDL). Primary use will be hauling round hay bales, feed, etc. Probably will tow a stock trailer and a 8 ton equipment trailer occasionally.

One of the trucks he’s considering is a 1998 Ford F800 with the 5.9 Cummins and Allison auto. Link to truck ad is: https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/d/east-freetown-1998-cummins-12v/7830745694.html

Owner says it was a crane truck, bed needs repair but the frame and cab are solid. Also will need rear tires.

Any thoughts on this truck or medium duty trucks in this vintage are appreciated!

 

[Steve Frazier]

I've always been a fan of Ford trucks and the Cummins/Allison combo is a proven drivetrain in any truck. I have heard issues about some of the brake systems Ford used, some are both problematic and difficult to get parts for. I'd check on that with this truck.

 

[MG84]

I've run several Ford, Chevy and IH medium duties over the years for my farm and construction business, had good luck with all of those, but prefer the diesel offerings in the Fords and IH in the 90's-00's. This is my '00 IH 4700, air brakes, DT466, Allison MT643, 14' flat bed and 25' 22K pintle hitch trailer:

Very versatile both on the job site and the farm. Hauls any equipment I own, 22 4x5 round bales or 300-320 square bales.

Few bits of advice:
-Airbrakes are a must, not only because they stop better and are safer, but mostly because the parts are far more universal and easier to come by on these older trucks.
-5.9 Cummins, while a great motor, is too small for a medium duty if towing and/or hills are involved. DT466, Cummins 8.3, Ford/NH 7.8, 180-190hp minimum.
-if you want an automatic, stay away from the Allision AT545, it was marginal at best in school busses, completely unsuitable for heavy towing/hauling. MT643 and MT653 are good choices, as are the newer MD3060 etc
-If you want a truck you can still get parts at the dealer for, IH is one of the better ones. They still have most everything I need for my '00 4700. Ford and Chevy got out of the medium duty game for a good while, and although they are building them again, there is a complete lapse in their parts system for all the older stuff. I do also have a Ford F600 and LT9000, some of the stuff is universal (axle, drivetrain, etc) but cab parts especially are getting tougher to find.

 

[CM1995]

I'm with MG on this one. Having owned several 4700's with DT466's of that vintage they are very reliable and straight forward. No powerhouse but no medium duty of this vintage was.

Always enjoyed driving the 4700-4900 series cabs due to the wide open windshield and comfortable cab. The Ford medium duty trucks to me have always been a hodge podge of pickup cab stuffed on a medium duty chassis which made them awkward to drive. Funny thing is I really like driving our ol' L9000 for the same reasons I live driving the 4700's.

Ford guy all the way except for their medium duty line - it's lacking IMO.

Just my $.02

 

[Junkyard]

Later model juice brakes aren’t bad for parts. Do not buy ANYTHING with Lucas Girling brakes. Parts are scarce and they’re nothing but trouble, even more when the truck sits more than it runs.

If you do end up with an International get friendly with the parts guy. Walk-in pricing at our dealer is high. It took me awhile to get my pricing reasonable. Nothing with a Maxxforce engine if it is an International.

 

[Columbo]

Thanks guys! I will pass this all along. My brother found a few other options he’s considering as well, if any of those look promising I’ll post those trucks for further feedback.

 

[mekanik]

If it has this brake system on it Run don't walk away!

https://www.zf.com/products/media/automotive/cv/literature_downloads_wna/truck_solutions/hydraulic_power_brake_maintenance_manuals/MM0401_web.pdf

 

[BC Placer gold]

The F7000 in our avatar has full air brakes, I have a parts truck with the Lucas Girling brakes…it looks a real mess! Oil leaks everywhere!

This one has the Ford/NH (‘Brazilian‘) 6.6. Also had a Ford/NH 7.8. Both very reliable for us…

 

[Columbo]

Later model juice brakes aren’t bad for parts. Do not buy ANYTHING with Lucas Girling brakes. Parts are scarce and they’re nothing but trouble, even more when the truck sits more than it runs.

If you do end up with an International get friendly with the parts guy. Walk-in pricing at our dealer is high. It took me awhile to get my pricing reasonable. Nothing with a Maxxforce engine if it is an International.

Replying to @Junkyard but looking for input from anyone- how do you tell if a vehicle has the Lucas Girling brake system? Asking some of these sellers seems to result in a blank stare… Thanks!

 

[Columbo]

Next up in the list of options is this minimal information seller:

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His story is that he bought it to convert to a hook lift and then realized it would be too expensive. Needs a brake return spring, some exterior bed lights replaced and an electrical short corrected. I don’t know what engine or transmission is in it.

For those without Facebook (like me):


1997 Ford F700-
1997 ford f700 flatbed truck 17 foot body gas motor 130,000 miles Runs good needs little tlc good tires no rot

 

[DM&RDBulldog]

Big spring can on the back side and large line feeding in is best way to spot Lucas Girling. As already mentioned best to just avoid any of the juice brake systems as parts are getting harder and harder to find.

As for the last posted truck if its a gas engine its a 429CI/7.0L Ford. Was the only option.

 

[Columbo]

Big spring can on the back side and large line feeding in is best way to spot Lucas Girling. As already mentioned best to just avoid any of the juice brake systems as parts are getting harder and harder to find.

As for the last posted truck if its a gas engine its a 429CI/7.0L Ford. Was the only option.

Thank you!

 

[Columbo]

Next up in the list of options is this minimal information seller:

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His story is that he bought it to convert to a hook lift and then realized it would be too expensive. Needs a brake return spring, some exterior bed lights replaced and an electrical short corrected. I don’t know what engine or transmission is in it.

For those without Facebook (like me):

View attachment 336037
1997 Ford F700-
1997 ford f700 flatbed truck 17 foot body gas motor 130,000 miles Runs good needs little tlc good tires no rot

So this truck has the Lucas Girling brakes… on to the next one!

 

[Junkyard]

Every truck I’ve seen with them also has a yellow knob in the cab to release the parking brake. Looks very similar to an air brake truck. My F-600 has them, it’s got a separate belt driven pump to provide release.

 

[cfherrman]

One of my friends has a old truck like that. I'm going to see if it has those brakes, he doesn't use it so no biggie.

 

[Columbo]

Prior trucks I posted are out of the running at this time. Next one under consideration is a 1996 International 4700. Manual trans, diesel engine (I’m not sure which one though). Does not have air brakes but is not a lucas girling system either. Seems to be well maintained with records, 211k miles. Price has been negotiated below the asking price. Thoughts or things to check/look out for in this truck?

I really hate Facebook, but that seems to be where all the ads are these days:

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[MG84]

That truck might be worth a look. It's got the T444 (7.3), they were good motors although not as sought after as the DT466. Might be a little light on power, that tag on the valve cover will list bhp. I don't remember in those years what the hp range was on those, but I think it could have been anywhere from 165-210hp. If it has the 6+1 transmission and/or deep gears it might make a good farm truck.

 

[HATCHEQUIP]

International also had 4 wheel disk brakes back then that I liked even better than the air drum brakes

 

[Columbo]

Thanks guys! I will pass that along!

 

[Columbo]

Any concerns about the mileage on the International? As a farm truck this thing is likely going to see 2-5k a year.