Ford B-Series

B- series 1980

Ford F-Series (Medium -duty trucks)

The Ford B- Series was a conventional bus chassis, the Ford Motor Company from 1948-1998 produced. It has been used primarily as a school bus. Although the B- series was derived from the medium -duty versions of the Ford F- Series, it was just a chassis with engine and front end, the rear of the body from the windshield traditional bodybuilder. By 1968, the B-Series was also offered as Mercury MB series in Canada by Ford or Mercury dealers because rural Canadian communities often had either a Ford or Mercury representative and not both.

Model History

The B-Series was introduced in 1948 as a school bus variant of the first Ford F-Series. As of 1953, the F- series and B- series carried the 3- digit model nomenclature that is still used today. The B- series became the B -600, B -700 and B- 800th Models with diesel engines had an additional 0 at the end. From beginning to end of the B series, the medium -duty F-Series was the basis and therefore were included all changes made to the underbody and chassis in the B series. However, from 1967, the B- series was given its own front design.

1948-1952

The B- series published in 1948 along with Ford's first post-war development, the F- series trucks. They had a straight front with headlights integrated into the front fenders and wide grille. In 1951 this was changed along with other minor revisions to the cab.

Motors

• Ford I- 6 I 3.7 liter V6 petrol engine with 95 PS (71 kW)
• Ford I- 6 I 4.2 liter V6 petrol engine with 115 PS (86 kW)
• Ford Flathead V8 3.9 liter petrol engine with 110 PS (82 kW)

1953-1956

In 1953 Ford celebrated its 50th anniversary and the B-Series was redesigned, now with B- "00" designations. The redesign had now but a later built front axle, causing the car was a little top heavy got a smaller turning circle. The cab was now longer and the grille split in two. In 1954 there were along with a new OHV V8 gasoline engine instead of the old 239 - Flathead V8 engine a modified grille.

Motors

• Ford I- 6 I 3.5 liter V6 petrol engine with 101 PS (75 kW) ( 1953)
• Ford Flathead V8 3.9 liter petrol engine with 110 PS (82 kW) ( 1953)
• Ford I-6 II 3.7-liter V6 gasoline engine with 115 hp (86 kW) ( 1953) ( 1954-1956)
• Ford Y- 3.9 liter V8 petrol engine with 130 PS (97 kW) ( 1954-1955 )
• Ford Y- 4.5 liter V8 petrol engine with 150 hp (111 kW) ( 1956)

1957-1960

1957 received a redesigned front and a new instrument panel, the B- series. The front and the fenders were given a box-like appearance. The 1958 model received a new front grille and double headlights.

Motors

• Ford I-6 II 3.7-liter V6 gasoline engine with 115 hp (86 kW) ( 1958-1960 )
• Ford Y- 4.5 liter V8 petrol engine with 150 hp (111 kW) ( 1957)
• Ford Y- 4.8 liter V8 petrol engine with 170 hp ( 125 kW) ( 1958-1960 )
• Ford Y- 4.9 liter V8 petrol engine with 196 hp ( 146 kW) ( 1960)

1961-1966

The B- series from 1961 offered a new horizontal grille and redesigned fenders for bigger wheels. The new chassis and the front end took a lower and wider appearance than in previous years. The dual headlights were replaced by the radiator grille integrated, individual lights. The frame and chassis have also been redesigned to more stiffness to offer. This generation of the B- series was the last one with the front end of the Ford F-Series.

Motors

• Ford I-6 II 262 cu in 4.3 liter V6 petrol engine ( 1961-1964 )
• Ford Y- 4.8 liter V8 petrol engine with 170 hp ( 125 kW) ( 1961-1963 )
• Ford FT 5.4 liter V8 petrol engine with 240 hp ( 179 kW) ( 1964-1966 )
• Ford FT 361 cu in 5.9 liter V8 petrol engine ( 1964-1966 )
• Ford FT 6.4 liter V8 petrol engine with 265 hp ( 197 kW) ( 1964-1966 )
• Ford I-6 II 3.9 -liter V6 gasoline engine with 150 hp ( 112 kW) ( 1965-1966 )
• Ford I-6 II 4.9 -liter V6 petrol engine with 170 hp (127 kW) ( 1965-1966 )

1967-1979

The 1967 completely redesigned B- series was now higher and once again become wider. The new grille was rectangular and placed the spotlight on the ends of the grill. The fenders were even more than previously issued for a wider track and larger wheels and tires. For the first time, a diesel engine was also available as an option, with an extra "0" in the model name. The Mercury version of MB series was set in the Canadian market and even there the model marketed as the Ford B- Series in 1968. From 1973 there was again a modified grille and headlights mounted in the field of FORD in block capitals was mounted on the hood directly above the grille.

Motors

Petrol engines:

• Ford FT 5.4 liter V8 petrol engine with 240 hp ( 179 kW) ( 1967-1977 )
• Ford FT 361 cu in 5.9 liter V8 petrol engine ( 1967-1977 )
• Ford FT 6.4 liter V8 petrol engine with 265 hp ( 197 kW) ( 1967-1977 )
• Ford 385 370 cu in 6.1 liter V8 petrol engine ( 1978-1979 )

Diesel engines:

• Caterpillar " 1140 " V8 ( 1968-1974 ) only B -6000
• Caterpillar " 1145 " V8 ( 1968-1974 ) B -6000 and B -7000
• Caterpillar " 3208 " V8 ( 1975-1978 ) only B -7000

1980-1994

1980 Ford revised the medium-duty F-Series trucks and the B- series to you more like their siblings Heavier look to leave. Therefore stylistic elements of the Ford L- series now flowed. Thus, the F- series and B- series approached outside appearance of something. However, while the F- series received a revised interior, the B-Series remained the dashboard of the previous generation. This version of the B-Series was available with two different cab styles, a rear and a front hinged bonnet. In addition to the new design, there was a new range of petrol and diesel engines. 1985 replaced the migrated in the center of the grille lettering FORD a larger version of the blue - oval Ford logo.

Motors

Petrol engines:

• Ford 385 370 cu in 6.1 liter V8 petrol engine ( 1980-1991 )
• Ford 385 429 cu in 6.1 liter V8 petrol engine ( 1982-1994 )

Diesel engines

• 8.2 liter Detroit Diesel "Fuel Pincher " V8 ( 1980-1990 )
• 6.6 liter and 7.8 liter Ford - New Holland V6 ( 1985-1991)
• 5.9 liter Cummins ISB Engine V6 ( 1992-1994)
• 10.4 liter Caterpillar " 3208 " V8 ( 1983-1990 )

1994-1998

1994 Ford updated the B- series with new aerodynamically optimized cab. Inside, the dashboard and the steering column was maintained, there was now an optional tilt steering wheel. The drive now ensured only exclusively diesel engines.

Motors

Diesel engines

• 7.2 liter Caterpillar " 3126 " V6 ( 1994-1998)
• 5.9 liter Cummins ISB V6 ( 1994-1998)

Production setting

By the end of 1990 he years the number of major school bus manufacturer in North America had been reduced from five to three and the other producers were faced with potential closure. So it was to find chassis for Ford buyers increasingly difficult for the B - series. Ford therefore considered the setting of the B- series chassis or buying a body builder to a demand to guarantee. The answer came as a surprise in 1998 by selling the Ford L- series 1996 Freightliner, less than a year after it had been completely redesigned. A condition on the purchase by Freightliner was no sale by Ford of direct competitive products against Freightliner for ten years after signing the contract. As a result, the production of the B - Series was discontinued after more than 50 years.

Bodybuilder

The B-Series was widespread and was used by many manufacturers during the production period.

• On Tran
• Blue Bird Corporation
• Carpenter
• Corbeil Bus Corporation (Only in Canada)
• Superior Coach Company
• Thomas Built Buses
• Ward Body Works
• Wayne Company