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1997 F-350 Flatbed to Dump Truck Conversion

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
Hello Gen 8 and 9ers-

I looked at the max payload for a 1997 F-350 as somewhere around 4.5K - 5K lbs.

I've got a lead on a dump truck that's a 2001 F-550 Super Duty with its dump truck bed already on it, but as some injector issues (and who knows what else) at 160K miles. It has the right payload capacity for me though to move 3-4 tons of dirt at any time, help scrap, etc.

The 1997 F-350 is preferred since I'm more familiar with Gen 8/9 instead of the Gen 10. But the payload on the frame is a problem, and I want to be able to install a 6 ton lift (extra power) on the bed with the frame and tires capable of moving 3.5-4.5 tons max.

Is it possible to beef an F-350 up enough to handle this? Tire upgrades would be part of it, but wondering what else. Axle, springs, frame welds?

Here's the F-350 in NY, looks like it has had a lot of maintenance and TLC.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2205205833065967/

Here's the F-550 in NY, says it runs rough. However, the dump bed and trailer are almost exactly where I need them to be (need to raise the sides of the bed a bit to hold rock or soil). It also has about 50K fewer miles than the F-350. It's a 2001 and I've been working on a 92 F-150 for the last decade, so would it be familiar in a lot of parts and symptoms?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1207780229380972/

-KJ
 

dustybumpers

don't play well w others
I don't have facebook, can't look. sorry
Can tell you that the truck you need for what you want to do would be the 550
Be aware that you open a new can of worms tho

a 550 gvw is over 10,000 lbs, and for your needs will require a DOT #
It is also going to require commercial insurance.
Plus you will need a medical card to drive it

The dot# is simple, apply on line, keep it up every year, make sure truck is up to date with safety inspections
insurance is your same agent. a little more money

medical card is a physical, drug screen, every 2 years
 

masakimm

Native Texan
158
1
Its easier here just have to get the next step up in license its good up to 26000 lbs in Mo. used to have one for delivering lumber on my 2 ton truck.

Give it to Mikey. He won't eat it he hates everything. Hey Mikey!! He Likes It.
 

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
Thanks, figured it out -- not converting a F-350 to dump truck

Thanks all.

Yep, I'm looking more at 450, 550, 700 F-Series now. DOT's easy, got a quote from Progressive for about $1100/year on the commercial insurance.

I'm currently scouring for The above F-Series with decent dump beds east of the Rockies.

Also decided I might be willing to go after International 4700s dump trucks or lower numbers, but definitely decided that it's cheaper and better overall to buy a premade dump truck rather than cobb an F-350 into a 2-ton payload frankenstein just to save some insurance and skirt the legal lines.

I'll go for a CDL next year when my license is due for renewal if operating a 26K GVWR or less for hauling and plowing makes benjamins or better per hour after costs.

Consider the inquiry closed, unless you know a guy selling an F-Series or International, non-cdl GVWR. :)
 

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
Welp, I done it. I went back another Generation and $5600 by the time it's registered, licensed, and back up to the North Country from Florida. Going to be a fun, long drive next weekend.

It's a 1983 F-700 dump truck. GVWR 24,500lbs. Guess I'll have another forum to lurk, although unsure if anyone here will be an expert on F-700, it's not even a 50s series. (150-750).

6026_99_3.jpg
 

masakimm

Native Texan
158
1
They all the same just some take larger wrenches then others.[emoji1787]

Give it to Mikey. He won't eat it he hates everything. Hey Mikey!! He Likes It.
 

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
They all the same just some take larger wrenches then others.[emoji1787]

:rolling laugh: Time for the big gun purchases then! Need to be able to kill the beast. :guns:smilieFordlogo
 

dustybumpers

don't play well w others
Ya. We can help with that one too.
That's still a baby truck
 

Fellro

Moderator
Staff member
Yes, still not that hard to work with. I have a 71 f600 that I need to get back on, was doing a bed swap on it and haven't gotten it finished.
 

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
Ya. We can help with that one too.
That's still a baby truck

Awesome, yeah I'll see what needs on Thursday when I grab the title and get a temp registration.

Probably will have it figured out on Friday at a mechanic shop. There are only 800 miles on it in 13 years, so they haven't changed the oil -- thinking I'm going to change the oil and get a new filter on there regardless so any sediment or things that could have broken off have an opportunity to be flushed out before it gets 1500 miles under the hood.

And thanks Fellro,that's reassuring the F600/700 series are still easy to work on. I guess that's another Gen behind my new Gen 7. Is yours running with a carburetor? Wondering if there is one on an 83, but kind of think it will be injected and much more similar to my 92.
 

dustybumpers

don't play well w others
My first dump truck was a 1962 F 650. It was a fairly new truck back then.
Was a good old girl
Had a 292 under the hood. I put a 5 spd in it, then a 2 spd rear.
Got the ball rolling for me.
I replaced it with LTL's, then Diamond Reo's. Later went to Pete's.
Last truck I owned before I retired was a Pete.
Those single axle Fords are a good starting point. They are the timex watches of trucks. Take a licking, and keep on ticking

I finally retired the 62 Ford in the late 80's when it got to the point, you pushed in the clutch and the cab raised up in the air.

My buddy still has it down on his farm in Wva
 

Fellro

Moderator
Staff member
Awesome, yeah I'll see what needs on Thursday when I grab the title and get a temp registration.

Probably will have it figured out on Friday at a mechanic shop. There are only 800 miles on it in 13 years, so they haven't changed the oil -- thinking I'm going to change the oil and get a new filter on there regardless so any sediment or things that could have broken off have an opportunity to be flushed out before it gets 1500 miles under the hood.

And thanks Fellro,that's reassuring the F600/700 series are still easy to work on. I guess that's another Gen behind my new Gen 7. Is yours running with a carburetor? Wondering if there is one on an 83, but kind of think it will be injected and much more similar to my 92.
It will be carbed, too early for injection.
 

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
It will be carbed, too early for injection.

I've repaired/rebuilt and cleaned carbs on generators.

Any different? Just bigger?
 

Fellro

Moderator
Staff member
Basics are the same. Working on them can be a bit different, but the general idea is the same.
 

Kaajot

Micro Machine Manager
Made it home.

Will post about the 1983 F-700 and show what's going on currently. I did two roadside repairs, had a police escort and changed 13 year old oil.

There's a real stand-up kid that helped me not get bent over in Georgia when the starter solenoid and battery blew up. Buddy wanted $300 to repair it. Young guy named Jared stopped in, said he saw me broke down at McDs for awhile and asked if I wanted help. Swapped #s and he checked in later, told him I had it down to starter solenoid and the battery was locked in a permanent discharge state, so it's toast and needs a new power cable to boot. We got the parts, installed them and got me going again -- handed him $40 and seriously would go out of my way for him if I'm a state over again.

Parts were $160 for that break. Trip to Advance was 4 miles. Not paying the Triple A Extortionist pricing, felt awesome. But it took Saturday to Wednesday to go 1400 miles in the new beast.

Got about $400-$500 into the truck so far between parts, fluids, etc. Have at least another $500 left before registering in NYS for active driving.
 

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