Which Year W500

[scrapdaddy]

Hi Guys,

I'm wanting to buy a W500 and would like to know, putting looks aside, which year would be a better purchase? Did the newer ones get improvements, like axle up grade, etc. I've been doing my research, but having a problem finding much information on these. I've got a 2010 5500 flatbed, but tried of recalls, fixing things that shouldn't break at 75,000 miles. I'm going back to trucks I can fix.

Thanks,

Ron

[712edf]

Ok, there are 4 main "different" W500/600 configurations.

(A) The 56-57's. These are pretty scare. I know where two are. One of them has a 6 cylinder gas engine & front winch, the other has rear winch & gin poles. These trucks have split case axles (Timken) on BOTH front & rear. Probably hard to get parts for.

(B) 58-60 Power Giants. I don't know much about these. Engines are usually gas straight 6's & poly 318 V8's. Maybe not as scare as the older trucks but still not a whole bunch of em out there. The ones that I have seen on the internet have been restored & are in excellent shape.

(C)61-73 Sweptlines. These are the most common. Have Timken split case front axles & Rockwell sideloader rears, 6.8 gears. Come in either 157" or 175" wheelbases for reg cabs. There were crew cabs made that were even longer WB. Slant 6 or poly 318 V8 for power, until maybe 67 when the LA318 takes over. NP435 4-speed or NP540 5 speed for transmission. Hydraulic clutch. Rockwell T223 2 speed twin stick transfer case. They start calling them W600 instead of 500 in 1972.

I own a 65 model

(D)74-77 W600 Lifestyle. These have either Dana 70 front & Rockwell sideloader rear axles (6.2 ratio) or the heavier Rockwell FDS sideloader front & sideloader rear (6.8) ratio. Same engines/transmissions/t-case/wheelbases as above but no crew cabs. These trucks have mechanical clutches and the steering box is ahead of the front axle (older trucks have it behind). I own a 75 model

I believe most of the W500/600's come with 20" Budd 6 lug on 8.75" pattern split ring wheels (there were 10 lug axles also) and have hydraulic drum brakes all the way around.

Frames are reinforced dual wall from the front axle to the back.

Bucky

[712edf]

Since you mentioned using a W500 in place of your 5500, I would highly recommend getting one that is already being put to work. It's been my experience that dormancy is worse on a truck than wear & tear.

Bucky

[scrapdaddy]

Great information! I'm seeing several mid sixties ex fire trucks, would you consider these a good candidate? I like the fact they were stored inside and low miles. I would have to add a dump bed, winch, etc. to use on the farm.

[712edf]

Yes, the firetrucks have been usually taken the best care of, stored indoors & have low miles. On service type vehicles the drivetrain can have low mileage yet the engine still be "tired" because of having many hours (meaning the truck hasn't been driven a great distance BUT has been running a long time stationary).

Other than body changes there really isn't much change between the 61 thru 73 trucks, the biggest being the switch to LA318 gas V8 around 67. The LA318 would be easier to find engine parts for. Most everything else stayed the same.

Keep in mind, these trucks were made to be driven around 45 mph, not 70 on the highway. And you likely won't be able to change a flat tire on the side of the road either.

Bucky

[712edf]

Do you HAVE to have 4x4?

A late 60's D500/600 2wd grain truck with dumpbed can be found in turnkey condition in the $3500-$6000 range. They too will be low mileage, and NOT have the high hours of a fire truck. Plus they have 2 speed rear ends and can go faster.

Downside is not as likely to have been stored indoors except under a barn roof maybe.

Just a thought.

Bucky

[scrapdaddy]

Thanks for the information! It's a great help. I do need four wheel drive, living on a farm I need the help. I have a Military 2 1/2 ton truck with Rockwell axles, but it's a little too big. What would be the best route to take, as far as gearing or an over drive, in order to do 55. I don't drive 70 anything I own.

I almost bought a 55 grain truck w/ dump from the second owner, but like you said 2wd. Would it be better to add the front axle, etc. Match the first gear in the rear and use 2wd on the road.

[712edf]

Well none of the 2wd rears match up with what's offered in the front ratio wise. Taller tires would be an option for more top speed, but 50 is certainly doable in a W500. These trucks have divorced transfer cases and there's room for an OD auxiliary transmission between it and the regular transmission, but they aren't that easy to find, aren't cheap and are just something else to possibly have go wrong.

The W500's use same wheel bolt pattern as your 2 1/2 tonner.

Bucky

[scrapdaddy]

Well I'm sure getting an education about these W500s. So, my best option would be using a overdrive unit and a little taller tire. I really would like to put a 6bt in it and a deuce 5 speed transmission, which has some different gear options with an overdrive, as well and is fully synchronized.

Thank you for your time. I'm enjoying the conversion!

[712edf]

If you go to a 6BT then get one with an OD tranny, problem solved.

Bucky

[scrapdaddy]

One other question... Are there any locker options on these Rockwell/Timken axles. Wouldn't mind having a locking rear at least.

[712edf]

I think so. My 75 doesn't show it listed on the underhood sticker, yet I believe one is present based on how it drive on jackstands, plus mine began as a plow truck.

A friend on a Facebook Dodge page showed a photo of his option sheet (a 76 W600) and his limited slip is shown.

Bucky

[scrapdaddy]

I believe ARB makes an air locker for the big 2 1/2 ton Rockwell, maybe it would work in these smaller Rockwells. Do you know if anyone has mounted the top loader Rockwell under the W500? They have after market disc brake parts, lockers, gears, etc. for them.

[712edf]

The ARB for the top loader wont work in these H141 axles, different animal.

Swapping the top-loaders in wouldn't be that difficult, but would anything be gained from just using the deuce in half instead of a W500 in the first place?

Bucky

[scrapdaddy]

You're right, I would rather get away from the deuce size vehicle. Just trying to build the right truck for my needs and wind up with some thing I truly like. It's getting hard to muscle the deuce around and I'm not getting younger, so power steering will need to be added.

I'm not a purist in the sense of using only stock pieces, I like to build working trucks and if something other than OEM works better, I'll use it. I believe the W500 would fit my needs well.