1970 Ward F500

[F5busguy]

Hey guys and gals,
I made the 400 mile drive this weekend to pick up my new bus. Spent hours freeing the brakes and pulling it out of the mud. I broke my trailer about 120 miles into the drive home and had to have it towed. I am extremely excited about this project. It is a 1970 Ford F500 with a Ward 39 passenger body. The previous owner purchased it in California in 1991. The conversion was done well in the 1980s but has to be gutted due to water damage. I managed to pick up the bus for only $100 but gave the owner an extra $100 for helping me pull it out of the mud. I think I scored on this one!
Anyone have any information on Ward busses?

[cadillackid]

dang that looks like a lot of weight on that trailer!!.. great lookin classic bus!!!! too bad you have to gut it... looks like it was a decent conversion when it was done.
are you going to make a camper out of it? or full time?
-Christopher

[Kubla]

No wonder you broke the trailer, the bus weighs about twice what your pickup does
I hope those are not 3 piece ford rims, if they are, you will need new rims and be prepared to fix all the brakes,

[F5busguy]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

dang that looks like a lot of weight on that trailer!!.. great lookin classic bus!!!! too bad you have to gut it... looks like it was a decent conversion when it was done.
are you going to make a camper out of it? or full time?
-Christopher

The plan is to make it into a camper for now. With the possibility of living in it just over the summer months. I am going to use the existing wood as a template

[F5busguy]

Originally Posted by Kubla

No wonder you broke the trailer, the bus weighs about twice what your pickup does
I hope those are not 3 piece ford rims, if they are, you will need new rims and be prepared to fix all the brakes,

I under estimated the size of the bus and brought a regular car trailer. The owner estimated it at 5,000lbs and when I arrived I quickly learned it was closer to the ballpark of 9,500lbs. I have experience with the 3 piece wheels and F-500 brakes. My other project truck is a 1957 Ford F-500 with a 14ft flatbed. The 57 still has the huge 5 lug three piece wheels with no availible aftermarket replacement. I was happy to see that the bus has the 6 lug that is availible aftermarket in a solid wheel.

[Robin97396]

Congratulations, and you might want to look into a good towbar.