“Big Bear” 1979 F700 Firetruck Build

5.9L cummins or 460 Ford

  • 5.9L cummins @350hp, 5 speed w/ splitter. 4.88:1/6.50:1 gears

    Votes: 23 76.7%
  • 460 @475hp, 5 speed w/ splitter. 6.50:1/9.04:1 gears

    Votes: 5 16.7%
  • LDS-465-1 Multifuel, 5 speed w/ splitter. 6:50:1/9.04:1 gears

    Votes: 2 6.7%

  • Total voters
    30
Hey all. This is my newly acquired 1979 F700 firetruck. It’s 99% rust free, all original everything, and has some cool history to it. This truck was special ordered from the Kentucky Plant to be a pumper truck for the town of Driftwood Texas. ( Population 176. )

The service box was made by a company in Houston, TX called Koenig Iron Works. It’s equipped with dual pumps and a tank that holds who knows how many gallons. All the original tags and plates on this truck are still on it. She’s a true survivor who was worked hard. The truck was in service until about 2001 where it was set aside due to the transmission failing. The guy I bought it from stored it in a barn on his land from that time until now.

The decoded VIN shows:
F700
370 C.I. Lima V8
Eaton model 16244 2 Speed Rear Axle / 6.50/9.04-1 / 17,500 lb. Rear Axle Capacity // M = Ford 7,000 lb. Capacity Front Axle w/P/S.
Chrome Yellow Paint
Wheelbase of 176”
and a GVWR of 23,000lbs
current tire size is 9.00/20

The truck has a 5 speed with a splitter currently, and double PTOs.

The plan for this truck is to build a custom camper on the service bed, swap either a 5.9L cummins or a 460 into it, freshen up the axles and suspension, new Alcoa wheels and 11R22.5 tires, and to drive it all around the United States.

I included the plans I drew up for the camper as well. Don’t judge my doodles lol.

Here’s a few pics:
 

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Here’s some axle and suspension pics
 

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Here’s some interior pics
 

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ExpoMike

Well-known member
Cool rig! Looks like that will be a neat project. Love the camper setup.

As for engine, hands down, 5.9L 12v Cummins. Torque is king and the Cummins will have that. Lots of easy, cheap methods to bump the power and you are likely to at least get into double digit fuel mileage. The 460 you're likely will be lucky to hit 7-8 mpg.
 
I’ve also been toying around with the idea of a LDS-465-1 Multifuel engine. There is a guy around here with 10 of them all complete with a trans and radiator for 1,000$ each on pallets
 
Cummins is the obvious answer. The diesel vs. gas debate is different with modern engines, but in this case diesel all the way.

I got offered a Multifuel LDS-465-1 today. 5 speed and radiator on a pallet for 1,000$. Thinking about taking that deal
 

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Buddha.

Finally in expo white.
I’ve also been toying around with the idea of a LDS-465-1 Multifuel engine. There is a guy around here with 10 of them all complete with a trans and radiator for 1,000$ each on pallets
They put those in the five ton trucks?
I don’t have any experience but I’d look at gearing/ transmission and wheel size to figure out what kind of cruising speed you’d have.
Any military truck I’ve been in tops out at a very loud 55-60 mph.
 
They put those in the five ton trucks?
I don’t have any experience but I’d look at gearing/ transmission and wheel size to figure out what kind of cruising speed you’d have.
Any military truck I’ve been in tops out at a very loud 55-60 mph.

They put them in 2 1/2 ton “deuces.” I believe the 5 tons had bigger engines. The gearing for a deuce is very similar to my current gearing in the F700 ( 6.72:1 Vs. 6.50:1 ) Top speed is probably going to be around 60-65 regardless of what engine I do
 
Some mics. Pics and tank controls
 

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