Project “Bachelor Pad” is in full swing! I recently picked up this 1976 Ford F-600 4×4 at an auction for $3,000. How good is it? Let’s see what Mr Truck and David have to say about this. The guys drive the truck all over our TFL Tumbleweed Ranch and we see how it does going up and down the onX Off-road Andre’s Pit. Let’s go!
The “Fast Loaf” project from last year is nearly done. It’s a 1991 UAZ 452 4WD “Buhanka” van. The Fast Loaf project name refers to its engine swap. This old Soviet van is now powered by a 4.8L Chevy Silverado V8 that is mated to a 700R4 automatic transmission and an NP205 4×4 transfer case.
In this episode, we put new Firestone Destination MT/2 tires on the Fast Loaf. We have to get it on the highway for a high speed test. We jump into the van, but something bad happens. We burn up the 3rd and 4th gears in this 4-speed 700R4 automatic transmission! Noooo! It’s a setback we knew had a chance of happening, but we hoped it would not happen now.
It’s time to get the F-600 Bachelor Pad fired up. Oh no, it’s leaking fuel from the carburetor. This is why there are several pounds of sand on top of the engine! David, Mr.Truck, and I vote. We take two fire extinguishers and decide to give this truck a short test drive. Hopefully, it does not catch fire.
Is This F-600 Original?
First, is it really an original truck with around 46,000 miles on the odometer? I reached out to Ford and they got back to me. Here is what they said.
1976 Ford F-600 4×4 (VIN: F65EVA76106)
- Summary: 1976 Ford F-600, confirmed factory-built 4×4 (VIN Code F65).
- Engine: 361 cubic inch Ford FT V8 (gas), original factory installation (VIN Code E).
- Body: Truck was built as a steel bodied, regular cab chassis cab equipped with the standard black vinyl bench seats (AA8)
- Transmission: Clark 285V Direct 5-speed manual w/ PTO (Trans Code M).
- Drivetrain: Rockwell T-223 2-speed transfer case and Rockwell driving axles (twin-stick transfer case, front and rear driving axles).
- Rear Axle: Rockwell H-170 model with a 6.83:1 gear ratio (confirmed by axle tag).
- Assembly: Kentucky Truck Plant (VIN Code V)
- Ordered: Ordered through the Denver District Sales Office (DSO Code 76).
- Domestic Special Order: the full DSO code 768007 implies this truck was custom ordered from the Denver District Sales office, likely by a fire department or an upfitter. The origin, plus specific heavy-duty components needed for fire service (like the beefy Clark transmission, Rockwell 4×4 setup, and EXTREMELY low gears) would seem to support David’s initial assessment that this could be a wildland firetruck, but the Marti Report would be able to tell more.
- Funky J Axle: The ‘J’ code on the door panel is weird and normally implies 4×2 with power steering, but the presence of the front driving axle, transfer case, and F65 code obviously implies this was a 4×4 from factory. The J code being present is likely a quirk from being special ordered rather than being converted to 4×4 later.
Indeed! It appears to be an intact original truck. The Colorado title says that the 46,000 miles is “Actual Miles”, so there have not been mileage discrepancies.
Direction of the ‘Bachelor Pad’ Project?
Since it is a mostly original factory-built F-600 4×4 chassis cab, I want to keep it as mechanically original as possible. Also, this F-600 has done 49 years of work. It deserves to retire and have some fun!
We will service the engine, fix the fuel leak, clean it up, and hopefully help the engine make a bit more power. This engine’s original rating was 140 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
We need to service the Clark 285V 5-speed manual transmission. Remove the leaking PTO device, and get it shifting right. We need to fix the power steering fluid leak. We will check the Rockwell transfer case and the Rockwell axles. There is no plan to replace any of these powertrain and drivetrain components.
The fire truck body is being removed. This truck served as a fuel tanker for the Mt. Bachelor ski area. The fire truck body has been modified several times. It needs to go. In its place, David wants to build something very interesting.
Here are some AI-generated renderings.
AI renderings cannot come close to what we are envisioning, but at least it gives us something to shoot for. Please watch the video below to hear what other dreams and ideas David has for this Ford F-600 truck.
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