Curbside Haulers: 1966(?) Ford N-600, 1966 Ford Econoline Pickup, 1969 Ford F-100 – Three Very Different Old Ford Trucks

In the last week I have luckily run into three 1960’s Ford Trucks.  What could be better?

First up is this 1966(?) Ford N-600 dump truck.

Next up is this 1966 Ford Econoline pickup, captured while in line at McDonald’s.  The owner was gracious enough to allow me to take pictures but he wasn’t much for chatting so no dilly-dallying.

Finally, we have this fine 1969 F-100.

The history of these N-series pickups has already been well-covered on this website here.  It’s pretty hard to pin down the exact year of these trucks, but this one has what looks to be the “raised-roof”, so it’s from 1966 or later.  It’s not a diesel, as it’s missing the external air-cleaner on the passenger side, as well as the “Diesel” insignia above the grille.

The badge identifies it as a 600 series.

It’s not a V-8, as it’s missing either a “V-8” or “Super-Duty” insignia somewhere on the fender, so it must be a six.  Given this is a lower-end (medium duty) model, the 240 cid or the 300 cid big six is probably under its hood.

The most interesting thing about this truck, really, is that it is a true dump truck.

It’s got hydraulic brakes, another sign that it is a lower-end model.

That looks like an Eaton two-speed rear end.  A different Eaton model, or perhaps from some other manufacturer, was installed in this Diamond-T.

The two-speed axle actually has a Berkeley connection, as the Ruckstell axle was originally manufactured by Hall-Scott in Berkeley.

Before Eaton took over in 1926.

Eventually, as Model T production ended, Eaton adapted the technology to heavy-truck applications.

There’s a power takeoff to what looks like the mechanism for raising/lowering the bed.  I didn’t have enough time to understand the mechanism, whether it was hydraulic, mechanical, or some combination, though I would assume hydraulic.  Maybe one of you folks can enlighten.   Just like in the Fuso, looks like there’s a transmission-mounted parking brake.

A business-like place for doing business.

You can see the switch for the two-speed rear.

I don’t have nearly as many pictures of the Econoline.  I talked to the owner, it had a V-8 and an automatic, I don’t think that was stock.  It sounded good, though.

It was in great shape.  The Econoline pickup was never available with the V-8, but it’s a popular engine swap.

And it was still being put to use, real work, not just getting a Big Mac.

Our next truck is a Ford F-100 from 1969, which the paint job proudly proclaims, if you look close.

It must have been repainted recently, though I think that paint job unfortunately was starting to peel.  I think Ford should go back to the F-100 designation for their basic truck, but they have become so wedded to the “F-150” as being the highest-volume vehicle in the country, I imagine that would be a hard sell.

Also a hard-working truck.  There is no V-8 insignia on this truck, so it probably has the six, maybe the same 240 or 300 cid six as the N-series also featured in this article.

The owner has added some aftermarket gauges, very useful if you want to monitor the condition of your vehicle, and make it last.

There you go, three 1960’s Ford Trucks, which one would you choose?

Related posts:

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/storage-yard-classic-1963-65-ford-n-series-super-duty/

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1963-ford-econoline-pickup-keep-the-sand-bags-handy/

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cohort-sighting-mercury-econoline/

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/time-warp-theater-watch-the-econoline-truck-tip-while-braking-and-other-bad-habits-compared-to-the-corvair-truck/

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/pickup-day-outtake-4-ford-econoline-its-a-bit-chilly-on-this-street/

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/coal-requiem-for-a-truck/

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-outtake/cc-outtake-1969-ford-f250-at-work/