Working On My New CABOVER Ford Is EASIER Than Normal Trucks

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

Oh my!! It's like the engine is on a stand, but the stand is the frame of the truck and the transmission!! Can't wait to see the starter fixed and the carb rebuilt tomorrow. Thanks for keeping up with the great content even while you're shopless!

[@GeFeldz]

That's a cool design for tipping the cab! They're usually mechanically locked and opened with a hydraulic cylinder using a manual pump like on a bottle jack. It doesn't really take long, a couple of minutes or so, but it's a bit of a chore. Also, you have to pump the cab down as well, but that's less pumping. You just need to get the cab over the balance point and it sinks back down on its own. This F600 is a bit smaller and probably quite a bit lighter than the cabs i'm used to though, also it's weird seeing a gasoline powered heavy-ish truck! Since the 60s anything bigger than a car has been pretty much diesel powered here in Sweden.

[@htownblue11]

Your bro seems like a good dude man. If he’s comfortable doing so, showcase him a bit more. He’s like a more mellow version of your pops.

[@wallyusa7945]

In my younger years I was a volunteer Firefighter for 14 years and we had the same exact Ford truck for one of our engines! Always loved that old Ford truck and it never let us down! Hope you can find a new frame and save it. I would love to see it on the road again!

[@liambrady9852]

I was once in a minibus travelling through Romania and saw at the side of the road a Cabover lorry hinged forward. In front of the cab was a blanket laid out with the engines head and all of its parts and ancillaries all very neat. About 6 hours later travelling back in the opposite direction I kept my eyes open for him to see how he was doing but amazingly he was gone! Only a basic toolkit and a hammer!

[@BigBaddaBoom]

In someways I'm glad to see the old format videos back again.

[@johna1160]

Hell yeah! Digging these Ross Boys episodes. BTW - carb deserves a hot dip in an ultrasonic tank and the usual Walker rebuild kit.

[@gregdiamond6023]

I hope you can get that frame straightened on r replaced. With a little work, it could be a nice rollback. You can tell. The truck still wants to work.

[@edfrawley4356]

Since the frame ws never doubled its former duty as a rollback is what ruined it. If JR plans to keep it I would suggest making it into a ramp truck so he can haul a couple of cars to the track though it may require removing a couple of springs from the rear spring pack. Nothing a good spring shop cant handle

[@tortron]

@@edfrawley4356 surely you would dump the cab on another chassis. There will be something close enough to put it on. A more modern Japanese cab over would probably be a good donor. Unless of course there's a donor truck in a field nearby

[@jrmason]

Here is a thought about the shop. Could you build one behind your Dads place in the field? Maybe Holly makes a Sniper kit for the Ford. Good luck with it! -Jon

[@niloualq1988]

Love the episodes John especially when Mr Ross on the episode when he checked the truck over and tell us what's wrong with it . Thanks for all the work and content you make for all the viewers

[@kerrylewis2581]

Always fun to watch the family wrenching.

[@RobertBohnen]

I also drove the Chevy version of this truck. It was also fun to drive. The GM version had a portion of the dog house that stayed over the engine when you tilt the cab, so it didn't have the complicated shift linkage the Ford had. It also didn't have springs under the cab to help lift it. And it was HEAVY! But still fun to drive. I know a lady that has a Chevy that I like but it needs all new glass, and the glass shops weren't able to locate the curved windshields. I'm a Ford guy but I think this truck would make a really cool hot rod. And when was the last time you saw someone put a Ford motor in a Chevy?

[@aaron71]

Man I love this truck. Really hope you can find a frame for it! Or... make one...

[@williamvonroenn8063]

I think you should box in the trouble parts of the frame and continue on with your restomod. Very cool truck. I think boxing in the frame would strengthen it enough for driving it with a bed on it.

[@MikeJohnson-ld9rn]

It was interesting seeing you and Jared working together in one of you vids. Maybe more in the future ?Also, I think he sounds a lot like your dad !

[@KrazyKarlProjects]

I love spring hinges. Such a simple, yet effective design. My 78 AMC Jeep has spring hinges on the hood.

[@victorrobison5069]

I used to maintain a fleet of water trucks that were all ford C-series,on propane fuel, with the 391 engine. I had two softballs in the tool box of my service truck which I would jam in the door hinges to keep the doors open. Then the cab would lift just fine. The doors were counter weights to lift the cab when they were open.

[@JohnMurrayOP]

Some drivers did the door trick when doing our pre-trips at our company too. It looks weird, but it does help with the counterbalance. They also used a gas-powered blower to clean out the cab when it was tilted, making the task of cleaning out the cab quick and easy.

[@MrTrekbear2]

As always JR, I greatly enjoy your videos. The day after you bought your Ford CabOver, I found a Matchbox (1/64 scale) 1965 Ford C900, with Shell Oil markings. I would like to send it to you, but have no idea where/how to go about safely sending it. If you're interested please let me know. Thanks! Gary

[@jonkwin9620]

Wondering if the solonoid is energised properly, as it seemed to spin ok with more volts going in, think I remember some of those old trucks had a seperate solonoid and an oddball wiring set up.

[@davidenorth]

That’s a cool truck! Really enjoy the different content as a nice change of pace.

[@Fony_turgeson]

hats off to engineers who design all this truly amazing

[@jduncan569]

I'm sure someone has likely already mentioned it, but there should be a pin that goes into the lock arm when the cab is up. (note the hole that lines up when locked). As someone who has had the joy of that arm failing without the pin in place while under the cab, I'd recommend you find the pin or an appropriate sized bolt to stick in the hole. Springs weren't as good on the one it happened with me on, and I got knocked unconscious by the cabover pacman nom nom'ng me. Would not want the same for you. Just a thought.

[@JerzeyBoy]

I still saw these things hauling for Yellow as a toddler in the mid 90's around Atlantic City and Philly.

[@chrisreed3515]

The first rule of lifting a cab over is to remove any heavy items from the shelf behind the seat. Ever wonder why both sections of the windshield are broken?

[@Turbo-wj9qc]

I've got one of these, got 3mpg so I put a 12 valve Cummins in it, a 6 speed Eaton Fuller, and air ride off a Volvo semi.

[@ChrisInIndy46221]

JR if you have a Napa Parts Store in your Area check with them on the Odd Parts for the Cab Over as they have lots of the odd parts for the old trucks like this!

[@VanisleNSX]

This transient content is not too bad. Keep it coming JR!

[@mcleanblades9234]

Thanks!

[@WatchJRGo]

Thank you!

[@braaapattack2937]

The frame doesn’t need to be a ford frame to fix/rebuild it, any frame of the same size (8” c channel, 10” or whatever size it is) from any medium or heavy duty truck can be used, just need to transfer over the holes for the springs and whatever else you need. No different then having a frame stretched or shortened on a semi truck

[@j14phe]

Is it 24v ?

[@MrAPCProductions]

Posted to your last video, but here you go if you didnt see it. C61 = C600 2WD (gas). D = 330 2V Heavy Duty FT engine. V = Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant. AG7348 = 1978 / 1978 was the first year Ford used a double letter code in the serial number. 175 " Wheelbase. Color NT = No listing given. C617 = C600 gas, 21,200 lbs GVWR A2 = Light Gray Crush Vinyl & Gray Twill Stripe Woven Plastic / 8 = 91B Custom Cab. A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual Transmission. F2 = Eaton model 15201 Two Speed Rear Axle / 5.83/8.12 / 15,000 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity. M = Ford 7,000 lbs. Capacity Front Axle with Power Steering. 21,200 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. After now seeing the ex mani, that is not an FE or FT motor. Ford sure beyond any doubt, 385 series. 370-429-460. Which means the trans has also been swapped.

[@69Dartman]

I hope you get a frame or a way to repair what it has. I saw what looked to be a similar truck parked on the side of the road right after your first video the next day. I think it had a for sale sign in the window. It wasn't there today but stuff like that is fairly common here in Portland Oregon on the west coast. I doubt you'd want to buy it and ship it to Kansas but it was weird to see one right after your video.

[@badmonkey3669]

Torch tip cleaners work best for cleaning carbs idle circuits and such

[@charlesquinty7403]

That truck is really cool Charlotte not pronounced like the city down south is 30 minutes from me and the dealership is now Hutson's John Deere.

[@billkurek5576]

They put the starter on a “Workbench “. What , not the floor! There is your problem.

[@gpeters6160]

A Charlotte, NC resident here to say if think shar-LOT is a strange pronunciation, drive a few hours southeast of Charlotte (SHAR-lut), NC to the lovely little coastal town of Shallotte, NC. Want to guess how to pronounce this one? Go ahead, I'll wait... Did you guess shuh-LOAT? You did?! Amazing! You get a gold star just like the one on the NC flag, and recommendation from me to enjoy breakfast or lunch at The Purple Onion!

[@InspiredJJ]

Any luck on the frame?

[@reggeckmann3993]

Our old cabover had the 330ft too. I think any FT or FE would almost bolt in. 330-428 of course I'm building a 445 stroker from my 390 but I've seen up to 510 FE strokers.

[@loisgunstone8444]

Some engines are internally balanced and some are externally balanced. Also timing covers are different for the engine mounts. Ian🇦🇺

[@Turbo-wj9qc]

biggest gas these came with was a 534

[@reggeckmann3993]

@@loisgunstone8444 yep

[@kidsteach938]

Check carefully...that0's not an FE.

[@bladerunner983]

"R.I.P." on the starter tombstone stands for "RUST IN PEACE"...

[@matthewholzinger1042]

Love this truck. Wish I had a garage big enough to put one in.

[@mkuhlman77]

I live 20 miles from Charlotte, MI LOL how cool.

[@brucebelitz3451]

A neat truck, glad to see it !

[@joebarranco2964]

JR, I love your videos. Your ability and skills to successfully tackle every project is amazing. Just one thing would be helpful from a viewer's perspective. I never know the big picture of what your plan is. For instance, I bought this truck for $1,000, I'm going to fix xyz and hopefully sell it for ???

[@Tarkov.]

That's a pretty cool lift design, does it serve a double duty by softening the ride in the cab or would that just be wishful thinking?

[@WatchJRGo]

Nope, has pinned hinges in the front and the back locks down highly to the frame. Once it's down it's solid 😬

[@JohnMurrayOP]

@@WatchJRGo I managed a group of 6 Iszuz NQR's and a couple NPR's that transported forklift tanks and small bottle propane deliveries in Texas. The first time I rode in one, the driver said welcome to my bounce house. (He had previously driven OTR with a Cascadia) He was not kidding as the day progressed, the cab would be bouncing up and down (especially as the bed got lighter from all the deliveries) Initially, I thought it was his particular truck, but they all drove like that. The NPR (Light Duty) did seem a little better, but the payload was pretty limited. The cab-over-engine concept is awesome in the city due to the maneuverability, but they are very bouncy on the highway. The Isuzu trucks are also very easy to maintain when you flip up the cab, and everything is accessible. Overall they are super reliable, just not super comfortable. Another funny thing is that everything in the cab must be secured before our pre-trip, which required a driver to remove his morning coffee cup before flipping up the cab. It is totally normal when looking at used cab-overs to see coffee/soda stains in strange places like the headliner.

[@justinmurphy2227]

I can't remember if I've seen you use a hydrasonic cleaner or not. I know a lot of people use them for carburetors and they do a lot of work for you especially with the passages and jets. Is it something you've thought about or something you have?

[@alansmith4734]

13:08 Hot Tub Time, in the Ultrasonic Cleaner!

[@michaelkeogh8454]

I would love to see that truck turned into something cool. I've been looking at box trucks, but something classic would be cooler.

[@tkskagen]

I am really hoping that you can find another frame!

[@fredrailsback2081]

this would be the perfect collab with Westen Champlin!

[@jensenhealey907efi]

I own a 1989 Mack cab over truck called a Midliner and I have been trying for MONTHS to get the flip up cab to actually work so I can get the the engine to do an oil change. The release mechanism for flipping the cab open does not actually seem to work. It worked when I first bought the truck in Phoenix AZ but after a couple trips around the country it stopped functioning.

[@davidquinn9676]

8:35 is that a reliable method for locking a C-clamp, just knocking it straight-on with your screwdriver handle? I would be afraid it would go flying. But on the other hand, there's no other good way either. I hate C-clamps.

[@avioncamper]

Cool truck, 330 v8 is small for such huge truck.

[@31dknight]

another great video from JR. thanks

[@the.porter.productions]

O-H-I-O Porter greetings 🇺🇸Happy New Year…2024! Yes, those cabovers are great to drive, access & work on. I saw the next video before this one, so I guess your new starter worked wonders. Good job. I’ve never seen grab handles on the fender like that. The cab will take some good work, but it will be worth it! So you’re planning on selling this truck? Keep us posted! 🤩😎✌️

[@jpcii]

Yep. I took my RV to Spartan for some work and learned that.

[@mdbrenna]

Took everything I had not to comment about Charlotte… Ha!!

[@RemedialRob]

Without a new frame what's the point?

[@WatchJRGo]

Make it run, sell it for $2k 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RemedialRob]

@@WatchJRGo to... Someone else who will need to find a new frame. LOL

[@blackcountryme]

Reminds me of the UK ford truck of the era.

[@TheRvg03gt]

Jack shaft?? That was my nickname in high school!!

[@vlife3325]

Still going to be a flat bed or going to be changes

[@drivenserb]

Yooo great timing I just got home!

[@ralphhaste3116]

24v starter ?

[@PeterBooher]

I just got a '66 C600. I can't figure out what engine I have, other than it is a V8. On line says that '64 to '74 had the same engines available. What is yours?

[@douglasbray3563]

Good Evening John Ross

[@WatchJRGo]

Hey Douglas 🍻

[@geoffpartington1527]

Hi I'm from the UK all trucks are cab over,why not in the usa?

[@derekrogers3426]

Once you get a shop up and running, you should ask Cleetus if you can borrow Tye to back half the Rolls

[@ragnarocking]

not sure if you mentioned it before, but what are you going to do with it once you get it running smooth again?

[@Sabrinahuskydog]

He'll probably turn around and flip it and/or sell it like he does all his other things. He never keeps anything to actually "Do stuff" with it. Which has me *REALLY* sad. I wish we could see him actually using these things he's repairing after fixing them instead of just fixing stuff -> flipping it -> moving on. :(

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

Take the starter have it rebuilt?

[@graemeatkinson8411]

Please pin the support strut when cab fully open, your safety and my anxiety, dual win.

[@dansteffee9759]

I think you should fix the old Girl up , add new frame where needed ..

[@mccrackenphillip]

I still remember old road way express orange & dark blue on the bottom even if its not there hard trucks to find

[@michigangeezer3950]

LOL. I live in the area. The other appropriate pronunciation for that city is "Chartucky".

[@thedelcodave]

Whats the soup can looking canister do next to the overflow tank.

[@WatchJRGo]

I think it's just a vacuum canister (and yes it's basically just a repurposed tin can they painted black) 🍻

[@ewallacestudent1]

Need lots of will to work on that truck it's nice you are getting some help out there.

[@tim.sorensen5862]

Is the truck 24v and that’s why it won’t turn over

[@mabjr]

I like the new traveling content. Keep it up!

[@QALibrary]

Did you say - when you sold your fire truck - it was just too big to work on etc - and you go and buy this?

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

Make absolutely sure you secure things. It'll bust the front glass.

[@CAK1562]

Big Ross would get that starter working. Lol

[@michaelbrennan7148]

Thank you.

[@jenseninterceptors]

Is that thing a 1986 or 1987? They look old but Ford produced them for alot of years, I drove one for a few years starting in 1990 and the company assured me that it was only a half decade old

[@Cartier_specialist]

Does it have a kill switch if the cab is not closed? If not it would be a wild ride with the cab tipped up.

[@WatchJRGo]

I'm pretty sure this will start right up and drive with the cab up (it probably had some kind of kill switch from the factory though) 😳

[@jasontengan1233]

No kill switch!

[@robertsmith987]

any leads on new property?

[@glennahoopes2895]

Why don't you cut off the bad part of the frame and make it short base. Since the feaer spring mounts heavs to be replaced any way, it might be easier to to shorten it. Put a couple of tractor weights on the back.

[@farber442]

Weren't those cabs made by BUDD manufacturing company??

[@rocketsdachampions]

What up John Ross! Hopefully you're having luck finding a new garage

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

My GF had one of those trucks we made a lot of money with it. Scrapping. His was red probably an old 🚒

[@dcar]

I’m always wary of those tilt cabs. About 5 years ago close to where I used to live there was a guy who had vintage trucks and tractors. One evening he was working on one of the trucks and the safety mechanism failed. The cab fell on him and killed him. Old trucks = old tech and with time things can fail.

[@robertbeirne9813]

Notice the condition of the “safety” lock, holding it open.

[@daniellafave4443]

The thing about cabovers is that, as a driver, you’re gonna be the first one to the accident. I always take some comfort when driving with a big hood in front of me.

[@BlooMule]

Well, don't get in an accident then. 😁

[@daniellafave4443]

@@BlooMule so far after millions of miles I haven’t. That’s just one reason why drivers don’t care for them. Smart answer though.

[@BlooMule]

I've been driving early vans since 1979, the old cabover design. I've been in a couple collisions, they are a lot stronger than people think. I've always been able to at least drive them off the highway.

[@nachobroryan8824]

Fortunately the hood struts still work on this one.

[@wriddle082]

Yes, those Michiganders will most certainly let you know if you pronounce Charlotte wrong! Then they’ll spend the next 5 to 6 more hours telling you how much Michigan is the greatest state to ever have existed. You might even learn their name somewhere in there! Sincerely, Married to a native Michigan family who settled in South Carolina.

[@WatchJRGo]

😂😂😂

[@danielseelye6005]

Well we are the only ones that carry a map of Michigan with us: our hand! If you're from Florida you have to Drop Trou. 😉

[@gooddypm]

I'd love to see you try and restore it.

[@robluck21]

Love your show

[@evilanglin8038]

Hi John

[@imitt12]

That thing is easier to open than my Hino cabover. Mine has no spring assist, so I have to bear the full weight of the cab to open.

[@benancira8814]

How is the new watch???

[@smpstech]

The engine is not original. The original engine was a 330 FE/FT engine, but that engine looks to be a 385 series engine, probably a 370. You can tell as on the FE/FT engines, the exhaust manifolds have bolts that are above and below each exhaust port, not on each side. Also, on FE/FT engines part of the intake is also the cylinder head. The brakes are a hydrovac setup. There are 2 master cylinders, the one under the dash and the one by the rear axle. You might have brakes, but without engine vacuum, the smaller master under the reservoir will be trying to energize the whole system itself and its just too small. When there is engine vacuum, you can think of the system like a hydraulic clutch setup. When you push on the smaller master under the dash, it sends pressure to the larger master by the rear. It builds pressure on one side of a valve, which opens and then sends vacuum to the booster which energizes the larger master cylinder and activates the brakes. The master cylinder under the dash does not actually physically send fluid to the wheel cylinders when there is engine vacuum. If there is an emergency like the engine stalls or something, where there is no longer engine vacuum, there is a bypass valve that will open and allow the smaller master to energize the whole system, you'll have brakes but not very good, just enough to stop. There should be a vacuum reservoir somewhere that is tee'd into the system with a check valve that connects to the intake manifold.

[@Barker-pu7ix]

Sniper efi setup or holley efi swap never seen 1 swapped be cool

[@QALibrary]

04:22 I have never seen a fuel pump so small for a truck so large as this one

[@paddrivers]

Cab over's are the norm here in the UK.