1972 Ford F-350 with 480 Holmes - Clewiston, Florida

by Brandi
(Clewiston, Florida)

1972 Ford F-350 with 480 Holmes

This truck is good for parts or repair. This is a 1972 Ford F-350 tow truck with a 480 Holmes tow truck bed. This is about the best towing and recovery vehicle ever made. The versatility of this bed was unmatched and only surpassed by today's giant rotators (the cranes on wheels they call tow trucks.). With the ability to separate its twin booms that can "swing" to operate as individual cranes to winch, lift or lower at a 90 degree angle from either the driver or passenger side of the truck. With the twin drums or winches on the towbed give each boom the ability to operate individually creating two small cranes. Swing the booms back in place, rehang your two sling, and you're one hell of a tow truck again, and with the tow dolly option on this truck you can flat tow a vehicle with the transmission in park or four flat tires. Like I said, this is the best towing, recovery or yard truck every built. We purchased a house and are moving so I have to sell my Fords.

The motor was running when parked and it needs a hood. Cab has some rust, the worst being above the windshield and the doors on the roof around the rain gutters. The tow truck bed is good and fully functional, but may need new cables. The red cover is Rustoleum paint brushed on. She's better than she looks. Check out my web album at www.picasaweb.google.com/bmw92680/Ebay1 There are about 50 pics for viewing.

For the past ten years this truck has been in private use as a working collectible used to move vehicles around the yard and to and from the east coast and the west coast of Florida at 200-300 miles a trip loaded. Although the repairs were done a few years back there are no more than 3000-4000 miles on them. The truck has been sitting about 2 years, carb went bad about a year ago. The tranny is a granny geared four speed with PTO in good working order. The 480 Holmes PTO driven, dual drums, dual booms, all worked fine when last used. The electrical system on this truck was a nightmare of bypassed fuses and really dumb electrical repairs and was completely gone through from front to back, everything was repaired or replaced, lighting system from head lights to tail lights were gone through. Headlamp buckets and front grille were replaced with good used parts. All four rear tail light housings were replaced with new fixtures and bulbs. All of the lights on the tow boom were also redone replacing some and repairing others. All running lights, tail lights, headlights, turn signals, stop lights are wired and functioning the way they should. The emergency lights don't work. The one on the roof was added later in life, the round emergency light on the boom was the original. The charging and starting system got the same treatment. Using a donor parts truck, the wiring harness under the hood was put back the way it was supposed to be. New parts included alternator, starter, regulator, starter relay. From there follow the wires to the dashboard and interior and they got the same treatment. All switches, relays, wires, fuses and bulbs replaced or repaired, the only light not working is overhead cab light and the sending unit in gas tank needs the metal float reattached, but the sending unit does work. The brake system was also done with all new parts except for drums. All four soft brake lines (between wheel cylinders and frame) and most metal brake lines were replaced. All brake shoes and wheel cylinders were replaced on all four wheels along with the brake hardware (springs, clips, etc.) were replaced on all four wheels. The brake power booster (this alone $300) and master cylinder were also replaced. This truck has the wheel dollies for flat towing disabled vehicles, they will need to be rebuilt but both sides are there. The truck only has four dry rotted tires on it, but they hold air. When I was running the truck I ran later model dually rims. These are the split rim style. The cab for this truck is in need of a little work but it is all typical Ford rust with patch panels available. All the glass is good and windows roll up and down.

The buyer is responsible for all shipping arrangements and charges. The title for this truck shows a weight of 6000 pounds. Please plan accordingly. Call 561-385-2741.