Ford B series

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ford
B series 1980

B series 1980

B-Series / Mercury MB-Series (1948–1968)
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
design type School
bus city
bus public service bus
Production period 1948-1998
axes 4 × 2
Previous model T 098/099 omnibus
Similar models Ford F-series (medium-duty trucks)

The Ford B-Series was a conventional bus chassis that the Ford Motor Company produced from 1948 to 1998. It was primarily used as a school bus . Although the B-series was derived from the medium-duty versions of the Ford F-series , it was only a chassis with engine and front section, the rear part of the body from the windshield was supplied by body manufacturers . By 1968, the B-Series was also offered as the Mercury MB-Series in Canada by Ford or Mercury dealerships, because rural Canadian communities often had either Ford or Mercury dealership, rather than both.

Model history

The B-series was introduced in 1948 as a school bus variant of the first Ford F-series . From 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-800. Models with diesel engines had an additional 0 on the end. From the beginning to the end of the B-series, the medium-duty F-series was the basis and therefore all changes to the floor pan and chassis were incorporated into the B-series. From 1967, however, the B series received its own front design.

1948-1952

1948–1951 B-series in Israel

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

Engines

  • Ford I-6 I 3.7 liter R6 petrol engine with 95 PS (71 kW)
  • Ford I-6 I 4.2 liter R6 petrol engine with 115 PS (86 kW)
  • Ford Flathead 3.9 liter V8 petrol engine with 110 PS (82 kW)

1953-1956

In 1953 Ford celebrated its 50th anniversary and the B-series was revised with now B- "00" designations. The redesign now had a front axle installed further back, which made the vehicle a bit more top-heavy but got a smaller turning circle. The cab was now longer and the radiator grille was split in two. In 1954, along with a new OHV V8 petrol engine, there was a modified radiator grille instead of the old 239 Flathead V8 engine.

Engines

  • Ford I-6 I 3.5 liter R6 petrol engine with 101 hp (75 kW) (1953)
  • Ford Flathead 3.9 liter V8 petrol engine with 110 hp (82 kW) (1953)
  • Ford I-6 II 3.7 liter R6 petrol engine with 115 PS (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 PS (111 kW) (1956)

1957-1960

In 1957 the B-series received a redesigned front and a new dashboard. The front and the fenders were given a boxy look. In 1958 the model received a new grille and double headlights.

Engines

  • Ford I-6 II 3.7 liter R6 petrol engine with 115 PS (86 kW) (1958–1960)
  • Ford Y 4.5 liter V8 petrol engine with 150 PS (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

1965 B-100 with Blue Bird superstructure

The B series from 1961 offered a new horizontal grille and redesigned fenders for larger wheels. The new chassis and front section brought a lower and wider look than in previous years. The double headlights were replaced by individual lights integrated in the radiator grille. The frame and chassis have also been redesigned to offer more rigidity. This generation of the B-series was the last with the front section of the Ford F-series.

Engines

  • Ford I-6 II 262 cu in 4.3 liter R6 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 PS (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 Ford I-6 II 3.9 liter R6 petrol engine with 150 PS (112 kW) (1965–1966)
  • Ford Ford I-6 II 4.9 liter R6 petrol engine with 170 PS (127 kW) (1965–1966)

1967-1979

Early 1970s Ford B-Series in Hong Kong

The B-series, completely redesigned in 1967, was now taller and wider again. The new grille was rectangular and the headlights were placed at the ends of the grille. The fenders were issued even more than before for a wider track and larger wheels and tires. For the first time, a diesel engine was also available as an option, with an additional "0" in the model name. In 1968 the Mercury version MB series was discontinued in the Canadian market and the model was also marketed there as the Ford B series. From 1973 there was again a modified radiator grille in the area of ​​the mounted headlights and FORD in large block letters was placed on the bonnet directly above the radiator grille.

Engines

Petrol engines:

  • Ford FT 5.4 liter V8 petrol engine with 240 PS (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

1980–1994 B-series diesel in Great Britain

In 1980, Ford redesigned the medium-duty F-series trucks and the B-series to make them look more like their heavier siblings. That is why stylistic elements from the Ford L-series were incorporated . Thus, the F-series and the B-series came closer to each other. However, while the F-Series received a revamped interior, the B-Series stayed with the previous generation's dashboard. This version of the B-series was available with two different cab designs, one at the rear and one at the front. In addition to the new design, there was a new range of gasoline and diesel engines. In 1985, the word FORD, which had migrated to the center of the radiator grille, was replaced by a larger version of the blue-oval Ford logo.

Engines

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

1994-1998

1997 Ford B-Series in Alabama, USA

In 1994 Ford updated the B-series with a new aerodynamically optimized driver's cab. Inside, the dashboard and steering column were retained, but there was now an optional height-adjustable steering wheel. Only diesel engines were the only propulsion system.

Engines

Diesel engines

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

Cessation of production

By the late 1990s, the number of large school bus manufacturers in North America had shrunk from five to three, and the remaining manufacturers were facing potential closures. So it became more and more difficult for Ford to find buyers for the B-series chassis. Ford therefore considered discontinuing the B-series chassis or buying a body builder to meet demand. The answer came surprisingly in 1998 when the Ford L-Series was sold to Freightliner in 1996 , less than a year after it was completely redesigned. A condition for the purchase by Freightliner was that Ford would not sell direct competing products to Freightliner for ten years after the contract was signed. As a result, the production of the B-series was stopped after more than 50 years.

Body builder

The B series was widely used and used by many manufacturers during the production period.

literature

The auto editors of Consumer Guide Ford Truck Chronicle Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International. Year 2006.

Web links

Commons : Ford B-Series  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files