waybomb

Have a line on a very inexpensive repo'd F700 truck that was set up for one of those rolling advert signs. It has 32,000 on the clock, and is in great shape. In fact, like new. Diesel, air brakes, loaded for an F700. Way overbuilt for a sign truck. But it has a long frame.

If I get this thing, I want to shorten the truck up and put a Reese 30,000 lb 5th wheel on it.

Any idea how to figure out what length I should shorten the wheel base? For pulling the Cougar.

Or, better yet, does anybody here have an F700 they currently use for pulling their boat - could you measure your wheel base and 5th wheel location for me?

BUIZILLA

you didn't say how long you were starting with, or what engine it had

if it was ME >>

the more you shorten it, the more your kidneys and back will hate you...

mount the 5th wheel center 8" in front of the rear end center, and at least try it that way....

you may find removing 2-3 leafs from the springs will also soften the ride

waybomb

I don't have the truck yet. I'd say from the back of the cab to the center of the axle, it is 15 feet or more.

I'm stopping by the place tomorrow and get the actual wheelbase, engine, gvw, empty wt, etc.

Thanks for the reply, B. Back at you tomorrow.

waybomb

Condensed version of vin decode:

1FDWK72C5PVA07541
GVWR Range:19,501 - 26,000 Pounds
Cylinders:6
Fuel : Diesel
Engine Manufacturer:CUMMINS
Model Year 1993
Additional Information Wheel Axles Wheelbase 384.0


anybody know the empty weight?

BUIZILLA

here's your scoop >

5.9 Cummins 190hp -Bosch mechanical fuel pump
Eaton 5106 6 speed stick
4.56 gears
237" wheelbase

no mention of shipping weight, so hit a CAT scale at a truck stop

the good news is we can get over 300hp out of this setup easily, done dozens of them

offshorexcursion

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like a sweet set up!

If you shorten the wheelbase still keep it pretty long, it will ride and tow better, and look cool!

I agree you should mount the fifth wheel at least 5" in front of the rear axle.

Cummins is awesome!

waybomb

Went and looked at the truck again. Straight body, needs a respray though since it is dull and that off-white Ford color.

Engine looks good from the outside, as does the entire engine compartment. Did not see any leaks.

Clutch seems fine.

Air brakes, looks like the two rear chambers are new too. Tires are recent as well. Has a huge two-sided sign board mounted on it. Lotsa scrap steel there!

So, I can make the wheelbase almost any length. What do y'all suggest I go to. Also, through my brother, I have a line on a take off Fontaine fixed 5th wheel.

B, have any good links for this engine? Something detailing some simple mods?

offshorexcursion

iTrader: (5)

Regular cab?

Any plans to extend the cab, add a sleeper, headache rack, storage tool box, etc. To help us determine length.

waybomb

Standard Cab. It would be nice if I could mount a custom box at the back of the cab to hold a tool box and room for binders, lines, etc.

So maybe a couple of feet behind the cab left for this.

Osageparty

I took my work truck in the first picture and made a great hauler out of it, second picture. Shortening the frame is a piece of cake. I added an old Ford F350 Dually bed. I have a 30,000 lb. 5th wheel in the bed and a 30,000 lb 2 1/2" receiver hitch out back. It has a 5.9 Cummins with an Automatic.