1980 Ford L9000

[Bullheaded]

Been out of trucking 5 years now and decided I wanted a play toy. So just bought a 1980 Ford L9000 with a 6V92TA Detroit Diesel and Allison transmission.

Truck has 162,000 KM on odo but has way less in reality because when the PTO/pumps are engaged it runs the speedo  at around 10 MPH.

My intent was to pull the body off and put a flatbed on it to haul my 1967 Ford tractor on it to the shows and use it as basically my pickup truck. But it's in such good shape and so many people have shown interest in preserving it as a fire truck, I'm going to keep it as is for now.

That 6V92TA seems to be pretty good on fuel. It's no big expense to drive around. And boy does it sound sweet!

It's been oil sprayed every year, so the rims and everything are black right now, I haven't washed it all off yet.

Edited yesterday at 08:51 AM by Bullheaded

[The Rubber Duck 006]

Very nice Rig!!!

[mowerman]

definitely a fan favorite,,,,,ive driven 3 of them in my day,,,,i really liked them,,,have a ball with it ,,,i would dump the body and put a ramp body on it ..bob

[tjc transport]

i never ran a 6V92 automatic, but can just imagine how much fun it is because the 6V92 with 13 speed was a blast to run.

[mowerman]

ya the first one i drove hadda green oil dripper,,,but 10 speed 

[85snowdog]

Congrats on the new ride !!  I love it being a Ford and who doesn't like a firetruck 😀   Looks in great shape and I'm sure the firefighters that once used it will be happy its having a good retirement in your care.  

Have fun with it . And keep posting pics .

Lol ,I have been following that truck for a bit . Just didn't realize it was yours . 

[kscarbel2]

17 hours ago, Bullheaded said:

Been out of trucking 5 years now and decided I wanted a play toy. So just bought a 1980 Ford L9000 with a 6V92TA Detroit Diesel and Allison transmission.

Truck has 162,000 KM on odo but has way less in reality because when the PTO/pumps are engaged it runs the speedo  at around 10 MPH.

My intent was to pull the body off and put a flatbed on it to haul my 1967 Ford tractor on it to the shows and use it as basically my pickup truck. But it's in such good shape and so many people have shown interest in preserving it as a fire truck, I'm going to keep it as is for now.

That 6V92TA seems to be pretty good on fuel. It's no big expense to drive around. And boy does it sound sweet!

It's been oil sprayed every year, so the rims and everything are black right now, I haven't washed it all off yet.

I've been noticing these New Holland "FarmTrac" tractors around, and the reconditioned Ford 3600 looks very tempting. That would last forever.

https://farmtracus.com/

[Bullheaded]

10 hours ago, 85snowdog said:

Congrats on the new ride !!  I love it being a Ford and who doesn't like a firetruck 😀   Looks in great shape and I'm sure the firefighters that once used it will be happy its having a good retirement in your care.  

Have fun with it . And keep posting pics .

Lol ,I have been following that truck for a bit . Just didn't realize it was yours . 

Thanks everyone. Ya that's why I don't have the heart to pull the body off it now. The people from the township I bought it from seemed real happy I got it and said I would preserve it and show it, even though I know nothing about fire trucks.

I even outbid myself on it, LOL But still happy.

Apparently it has an identical twin in my area too but I haven't seen it come up for bid.

[Bullheaded]

8 hours ago, kscarbel2 said:

I've been noticing these New Holland "FarmTrac" tractors around, and the reconditioned Ford 3600 looks very tempting. That would last forever.

https://farmtracus.com/

Yes Kevin, FarmTrac's are made in India. They appear to be copies of these old Ford's. Not sure if you could even get one in the US or Canada? Apparently they love these old Fords over there.

Mine is a 1967 3000 diesel 8 speed made in Basildon England. but it was switched from headlights in the grill to the American style pod headlights.

That was my original plan, make a vintage looking flatbed for the Louisville and put this tractor on it and drive it to the shows.

[Bullheaded]

16 hours ago, tjc transport said:

i never ran a 6V92 automatic, but can just imagine how much fun it is because the 6V92 with 13 speed was a blast to run.

It's got lots of get up and go! It geared to barely go 60 MPH but it accelerates good. And it's surprisingly good on fuel. Not much worse than driving a pickup around.

It was a cheap way to get in to a vintage truck. These fire trucks sell cheap and they are usually like new inside and out.

When I was a kid I drove so many of these Fords with every model of Detroit. They were the most popular dump truck combination in my area.

Even a lot of Superliners around here were Detroit powered. I don't know why? Maybe because we had two very good Detroit mechanics around here?

Wish I knew how to post video. It sounds awesome with both the supercharger and the turbo.

[kscarbel2]

29 minutes ago, Bullheaded said:

Yes Kevin, FarmTrac's are made in India. They appear to be copies of these old Ford's. Not sure if you could even get one in the US or Canada? Apparently they love these old Fords over there.

I need to call them and get a price on the 3600. I had been looking at a Yanmar SA425, or Kioti CX2510H or CK2620H.

 

FarmTrac USA

Valley Center, CA 92082

Laguna Hills, CA 92653

 

Telephone: +1 (310) 728-6171,

                    +1 (949) 370-8463
 

[Bullheaded]

5 minutes ago, kscarbel2 said:

I need to call them and get a price on the 3600. I had been looking at a Yanmar SA425, or Kioti CX2510H or CK2620H.

 

FarmTrac USA

Valley Center, CA 92082

Laguna Hills, CA 92653

 

Telephone: +1 (310) 728-6171,

                    +1 (949) 370-8463
 

As much as I'd love a new Ford copy, just beware. I have seen people on some of the tractor forums that did get FarmTrac's in the US and they said parts and support were almost non existent from the dealers.

My new ones are Kubota, but Yanmar and Kioti are also very good. Kioti and Bobcat tractors are pretty much the same.

[kscarbel2]

1 hour ago, Bullheaded said:

As much as I'd love a new Ford copy, just beware. I have seen people on some of the tractor forums that did get FarmTrac's in the US and they said parts and support were almost non existent from the dealers.

My new ones are Kubota, but Yanmar and Kioti are also very good. Kioti and Bobcat tractors are pretty much the same.

Thank you. I'm leaning towards Yanmar and Kioti. Of course my X750 has a great Yanmar engine. I've always been a Deere person but I don't think the 2025R is better than Yanmar and Kioti. I think Kubota's tracked loaders (SVL series) are the industry's best, but my local Kubota dealer doesn't do anyone favors on tractor and parts pricing.