Dodge LCF Series
Encyclopedia
The Dodge
LCF (for "Low Cab Forward") was a series of medium- and heavy-duty trucks built by Chrysler
since 1960. They replaced the Dodge "Forward Look
" range of cabover trucks built in the fifties. The 500 through 700-series were medium duty only, while 900 and 1000 series were reserved for heavy-duty versions. This range was also sold in Canada with the 'Fargo' label. The cabin section was taken directly from the 1956-1960 range of Dodge pickup trucks
, with its panoramic windshield, but was fitted with a unique front section. One of the Dodge LCF's main selling points was accessibility, with the sides of the engine compartment and fenders being possible to swing open. A mechanic could easily stand between the engine and the front wheel while working.
A range of Dodge and International Harvester
gasoline engines were available, as were diesels from Perkins (for lighter variants), Cummins
, Caterpillar
, and Detroit Diesel
for the heaviest duty versions, both six cylinder and V8 versions. Gasoline powered versions were simply called the "C"-series, followed by a numeral indicating weight class, and all of them were V8-powered. Perkins diesel engined units were called "PC", while inline diesels were called "CN" and V-type diesels were "CV". A "T" following the letters indicates a tandem rear axle. On LCFs equipped with inline-six diesels
the engine intruded into the cabin. This was covered with a removable panel for maintenance. A near unlimited range of engines, transmissions, and rear axles were available for what was usually a built to order truck. The biggest diesel available was the Cummins V-903, a giant 14794 cc unit with a modest 289 hp max output. The smaller 9299 cc Detroit Diesel 8V-71N
was the most powerful engine, with 300 hp on tap.
With Dodge pulling out of the heavy truck business, the C-series' last year in the US market was 1975. A few hundred more CNT800's and CNT900's were built for export in 1976.
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
LCF (for "Low Cab Forward") was a series of medium- and heavy-duty trucks built by Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
since 1960. They replaced the Dodge "Forward Look
Forward Look
Forward Look was a design theme employed by Virgil Exner in styling the 1955 through 1961 Chrysler Corporation vehicles.When Exner joined Chrysler, the company's vehicles were being fashioned by engineers instead of designers, and so were considered outmoded, unstylish designs...
" range of cabover trucks built in the fifties. The 500 through 700-series were medium duty only, while 900 and 1000 series were reserved for heavy-duty versions. This range was also sold in Canada with the 'Fargo' label. The cabin section was taken directly from the 1956-1960 range of Dodge pickup trucks
Dodge C Series
The C Series was a line of pickup trucks sold by Chrysler's Dodge division from 1954 to 1960. It replaced the Dodge B Series of trucks and was eventually supplanted by the Dodge D Series, introduced in 1961....
, with its panoramic windshield, but was fitted with a unique front section. One of the Dodge LCF's main selling points was accessibility, with the sides of the engine compartment and fenders being possible to swing open. A mechanic could easily stand between the engine and the front wheel while working.
A range of Dodge and International Harvester
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
gasoline engines were available, as were diesels from Perkins (for lighter variants), Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
, Caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
, and Detroit Diesel
Detroit Diesel
As a corporation, Daimler Trucks North America has decided to rename the company "DETROIT".Detroit Diesel Corporation is an American-based diesel engine producer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA...
for the heaviest duty versions, both six cylinder and V8 versions. Gasoline powered versions were simply called the "C"-series, followed by a numeral indicating weight class, and all of them were V8-powered. Perkins diesel engined units were called "PC", while inline diesels were called "CN" and V-type diesels were "CV". A "T" following the letters indicates a tandem rear axle. On LCFs equipped with inline-six diesels
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
the engine intruded into the cabin. This was covered with a removable panel for maintenance. A near unlimited range of engines, transmissions, and rear axles were available for what was usually a built to order truck. The biggest diesel available was the Cummins V-903, a giant 14794 cc unit with a modest 289 hp max output. The smaller 9299 cc Detroit Diesel 8V-71N
Detroit Diesel Series 71
The Detroit Diesel Series 71 is a two-stroke cycle diesel engine series, available in both inline and V configurations, with the inline models including one, two, three, four and six cylinders, and the V-types including six, eight, 12, 16 and 24 cylinders...
was the most powerful engine, with 300 hp on tap.
With Dodge pulling out of the heavy truck business, the C-series' last year in the US market was 1975. A few hundred more CNT800's and CNT900's were built for export in 1976.