Question about the Ford F350 and the Model King kit

[Aaronw]

I just got one of the MK Ford F350 kits and I noticed the bed seems to have a built in "secret compartment" on the passenger side of the bed similar to the '84 GMC ex Fall Guy pickup.

Was this a popular option on these trucks or just something odd on the particular truck used to base the kit on like with the GMC kit?

I'm just wondering, I'm going to build one of these as a brush truck for a rural fire district. If this was actually a factory option I'll leave it alone as I could see a fire department finding such a thing useful if it was fairly inexpensive, on the otherhand if it was a custom item it is unlikely a strapped for cash FD would pay for such a thing and I'll remove it.

Thanks

Edited October 12, 2007 by Aaronw

[kully55]

Some early fords had them. It was an order only option, I think. My parents used to have a 1976 ford 1/2 ton with it on the right side.

[kk916]

They were fairly standard on Ford trucks that had just about any added options. My girlfriends dad has one that has the compartment and my grandfather had one that had it as well....Come to think of it I don't know that I have ever seen one without around here.

[Aaronw]

Thanks, I'll leave it as is then.

[Tom Geiger]

The 'secret compartment' on the pickup is where the spare tire is stored on that particular bed. This is the "camper special" bed with a different bed and wheelbase than a normal pickup. So it might be odd for a fire service vehicle to use that bed. You may want to convert the bed and wheelbase back to normal configuration or take another approach. For instance, every Ford since 1953 uses a similar step side bed. A bed from either the '53 or '56 pickup kits would work for this kit. Or you may want to do some straight panel scratch building and create a utility type body for the truck. Just thought I'd share the additional ideas!

[Aaronw]

Doesn't seem like it would be too hard to convert the bed back, filler on the door and I could put a tool box in the bed to cover the extra well.

I have '53 and '56 kits so a step side is an option. I've built utility bodies but was looking at a simpler type of vehicle for this. One thing I was considering was bashing the dually kit with one of these which would give me a later Ford 4x4 and a 70's dually which I was thinking about doing as a Rescue.

Out of curiosity what did the camper special offer? I'm guessing extra load capacity and the mentioned compartment for the spare tire. Sounds to me like useful features for a truck you are going to put 200 gallons of water in.

[James W]

I would concur that the Camper Special would be just what an RFD would order to haul all that gear around. The spare tire was moved ahead of the rear axle for space reasons.

Are you going to use the bed or will you just make a work body?

It would be cool to build a slip in 200 gal tank and aux pump for the bed. An extended front bumper with grass basket would balance out the wheelbase.

It's fun to play one-man apparatus commitee.

[Aaronw]

Yes it is fun to play one man apparatus commitee. I build some real apparatus (mostly US Forest Service stuff) but the made up stuff is fun too.

I was planning on building the truck with the Ford bed, I'm also working on a Jeep J20 to go along with it, also with the stock bed.

The fictional department I'm building is located on the N. California coast so brush trucks would be kind of an after thought, something is needed to take care of those small wildland fires in the redwoods but those fires rarely get big so they don't need anything fancy. Also the population is so scattered and sparse up there departments can't usually afford much beyond the basics.

I am working on a tank, hose reel and pump unit to go in the back of both, a smaller (125-150 gallon) fiberglass poly tank for the 3/4 ton J20 and probably a steel tank for the Ford.

Edited October 17, 2007 by Aaronw