Farm Find: 1980 Ford CL-9000
This would be a hard vehicle to sneak past your spouse and hide in a corner of the garage, not that any of us have done such a thing. We don’t see a lot of big trucks here, semis, as we called them growing up, or tractors as some folks call them. Whatever you call it, this 1980 Ford CL-9000 can be found here on eBay in Des Plaines, Illinois. The seller has a $7,500 buy-it-now price listed.
Between 1957 and 1990, Ford made the C-Series COE (cab over engine) trucks and it was the first tilting-cab truck made by the company. For ease of maintenance, the upper portion of the split grille opens up so a driver or mechanic can perform quick service checks. The CL-9000 was reportedly the first of its kind in having an air-ride cab suspension. They were revolutionary and were great for the most part, but they could feel tippy on corners and some owners changed out the cab suspension. Believe it or not, Ford touted the aerodynamic properties of this cab and used wind tunnel tests to make sure they cut down on drag, therefore, saving on fuel costs.
The cab of the CL-9000 is aluminum and there were five different sizes that buyers could choose from, starting with a 54-inch “shorty” up to a 110-inch “family sleeper”. This one, I believe, has an 88-inch cab. Ford put its CL-9000 through a “shake test” in literally a giant shaker to simulate years of road miles and wear and tear to try to nail down any potential trouble spots. There was separate heat for both sides of the cab and also into the sleeper if equipped. A buyer could also get air-conditioning. This one has a 10-speed according to the seller but they don’t go into any details at all, really about anything. There is no mileage listed but Ford designed the CL-9000 to have a 50,000-mile interval between regular maintenance service.
The seller says that this tractor was “farmer used” for the last two decades and it runs well. Being a cabover, the cab literally tilts forward, in this case by either an optional air pump or a manual hydraulic pump. There are no engine photos which is understandable but still disappointing. The seller says that it’s a Cummins and from what I’ve read on forums and in sales literature, a Caterpillar diesel and Detroit diesel would have also been available. Of course, Ford also provided engines. The chassis would have had three coats of primer and paint and could have been color-matched to the body.
Ford offered what they called glamour paint schemes with multiple coats of paint in 36 colors including metal flake. We’ve all seen fantastic, colorful custom paintwork on these tractors over the years and this one looks like a basic work version. I had a model kit of basically this same truck as a kid, maybe that’s why I love these things so much. I also had a Peterbilt model. Yep, I was and still am a nerd. We have a few truck drivers in the Barn Finds family of readers, including Howard and others. Let me know what I missed on this one.
The interior is a little ragged and sort of beat-up, but farming is a hard business. The low “dog house” was one feature that Ford touted for drivers so they could move around the cab easier. I still strongly believe that semi-truck drivers are by far the best overall drivers on the roads today. A few seem to be getting caught up in lazy driving habits such as not signaling lane changes and similar ear-flicking things that most other drivers do today. There is such a shortage of truck drivers that they’re forced to take inexperienced ones and it shows. That being said, I always go out of my way to make their lives easier: letting them merge, looking ahead so if they have to change lanes I flash my lights, slow down, and let them pull in front of me, and whatever else I can do to make their trips safer and easier. I dreamed about being a truck driver as a kid and we literally could not function as a country without them so please give them a break on the roads.
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Comments
Good write-up Scotty. I certainly don’t know much about these other than to say that I think they are cool, especially the ones which were more trimmed-out. A favorite era of big Fords trucks for me was the Louisville models which started in I believe 1970. This CL carries the same grille theme. Not much info in the ad.
I too had a fleet of 1/25 model trucks. That’s another story.
I saw one of these on the road about a week ago.
I was amazed to actually being driven.
There’s one that’s been sitting off the side of Virginia-
highway 220,South of Rocky Mount,Virginia,along with a lot
of semi trailers.
I miss the days when Ford ,Chevy & GMC made trucks
with style,like this one.
When Scotty told me of this ( I have a slight “in” as to what’s coming up,,,oops, I said too much already) my 1st thought was “Large Marge” in the hilarious movie, “Pee Wee Hermans Greatest Adventure. Say what you might about Paul Herman, I thought he was hilarious. In case you don’t know, “Large Marge”( Alice Nunn) is a ghost truck driver that picks up Pee Wee hitch hiking and she is driving a CL9000. ( When she stops in front of Pee Wee, you can see the air ride cab dip. It is also Deeetroit powered. ( the rest of the clip, when he walks into the restaurant and tells them “Large Marge sent him”, had me almost peeing in my pants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPMSGTfK4Aw
As for Scotty’s description, couldn’t have said it better, and he didn’t even consult me. ( I know that’s a bit vain, but spending 35 years in these tin cans gives me some credibility, no?). The CL9000, and it’s conventional counterpart the LTL9000, were Ford’s best offerings. While not my favorite trucks, cabovers, I drove what the boss told me to, and have lots of miles in one. Some loved them, others would quit their jobs over it. While Scotty mentioned the air ride cab, a novel idea at the time, it was troublesome, and I remember many CL’s tilting one way or another. They had 4 air bags, and 2 leveling valves. Many did remove them altogether. There were some very fancy CL’s, not this one, however. This was a fleet truck of some sort, 2 single headlights, (the fancy ones had 4 square ones) does not have the air ride cab, and more than likely, a Big Cam Cummins 290hp, and Super 10, was the way 90% of these fleet trucks were ordered. That spring ride rear suspension will shake you silly, but before air ride became standard, this is what most of us drove. With 139 watchers, there is a huge interest in pre-emission trucks such as these, as kind of a giant middle finger( I know, I use that a lot) to what’s offered in trucks today. They cost 6 figures, and are nothing but trouble. Many have resorted to trucks like these( pre 2005, I think) to escape all kinds of regulations. Won’t last, as the feds will wise up, and make ALL trucks comply, but in the meantime, this is a great find. Farmers have been snapping up old trucks for years to pull their crap tanks, and it’s condition would verify that, but a super find. Cabovers, once length laws were abolished in the 80’s, fell out of favor, and many were junked for their guts. I don’t recommend anyone going into trucking today, but for a spare or pull a camper, again, great find. Thanks Scotty.
On a camping trip last year, I saw a cab over semi tractor being used to haul one of those massive fifth wheel trailers. It’s a low cost alternative to big diesel pickup that has enough towing capacity to haul one of the biggest campers. $7500, plus about $5000 in fix’er up money, and you can haul the largest RV trailer with ease. I thought it was a brilliant solution.
Hi Frank, after I retired, I still had my ’85 Pete 359 daycab, I was going to plop a camper on the back. but after spending practically my entire life in one, I didn’t think it would be much of a retirement. Besides, even with a camper, mileage would still be under 10mpg. I’ve seen these “Holiday” trailer parks, and they seem to be a bit “snooty”, and they may not even let some old smoky cabover in the park.
Talking Fords, we would call them as top and bottom halves separated and moved while driving, giving the grill some mouth action.
When the cab suspension worked, they were smooth gliders. When the system got leaks you’d often end up leaning at an angle. It was a mushy ride and I do not miss it. But it did lay down some ideas in air ride technology that did eventually get over the early issues, but decades after the Talking Fords finally went mute.
I have a friend who owns a trucking company & warehouse. Has probably 20 road tractors working. He runs a lot of older trucks which are well maintained and rarely fail a DOT inspection. A truck like this he would never pay more than $5000 for but then invest $50,000 in major rework to make it dependable and pass DOT easily.
I drove one of these in the ‘90’s as my first truck. It was the big sleeper CL with square stacked headlights and round driving lights set into the chromed bumper. It was spec’d with a 3406 CAT engine backed by a 13 speed and had all the air ride intact. It rode so smooth, and I remember how tall it was when you had to climb up to the cab. Lots of miles and memories.
I started working as a truck mechanic? at 17 about 76.a sawdust factory down the block came up with one of these when new. I was awed! never drove a cab over before. while joy riding it the air ride gave me a WTF moment. was a cool truck.anyway. going home for lunch on my just bought 69 sporty mag fired. hard to start. 36″ chopper fork. this humungous rig was going to turn on a side street to head back to the plant. a bread truck in front of me saw him coming .so did I. suddenly i hear a back up alarm on he bread truck! hard to push a still in gear sporty in reverse! tried. got Knocked over by the box truck. got $15.00 for my rectangular headlites he broke by backing over me. spent the rest of my lunch kicking the bike back to life. I have know animosity to either driver. but the sporty was on it’s way out of my life.had a couple of sportys after but NEVER a mag fire!
I have a 85 Freightliner with a 10 speed and a 290 Cummins it’s not beautiful but it will normally pass DOT the suspension and cab mounts are anything but air ride that truck will shake your molars loose. We did an inframe overhaul on it at 800k and a new radiator the truck makes about 6 runs a year to CA hauling bees loaded with a 48 ft trailer 62 mph on the flats. It will last us as long as we need it.
I had a friend of mine drive one of these and when you climbed in one you thought you were climbing to the clouds, so I asked him how it was driving it and he said the hardest thing to get used to was going under a bridge because you were sitting so high it looked like you were going to hit the bridge and he use to duck just before going under them, I laughed so hard, he said to me, let’s switch trucks until we get to the state line.
Well I did duck and almost laid down the first time and I finally told him
years later about it, it actually looked like you were going to have your head chopped off!
I had a 79CL, owner operator spec’d for about 5 years. The air ride cab was disabled within the first 3 months, I hated it. Every time I went around a ramp it felt like the truck was going to flip on its side. Mine was a DD 430hp. With Fuller 13sp. I had many problems with it, but most were related to the 2 stroke Detroit, and I swore I’d never own another. My next truck was a Peterbuilt conventional with a Cummins.
Based on it being a twin screw and in plain livery, I’ll say it has a Cummins NTC350 in front of that Road Ranger instead of a CT engine.
Ans FWIW, a COE cab doesn’t tilt, but only a tilt-cab does – two completely different animals.
The Cummings is a good engine someone posted it’s most likely a BC 290 Id agree with that. The Super10 is a good tranny you split each gear, it looks to other drivers like you can’t shift well but it’s a fast shifter. Looked like spring suspension and it’s not a great ride! Running, stopping, shifting ok with fair tires it’s about a 4000.00 truck
Cummins not Cummings
Hey Danny, it’s okay, Cummings is allowed.
Am I correct in thinking that a CDL is required to drive air brake equipped tractors in most states?
For private use. no. They are treated like a big motorhome. But in revenue service a CDL is required, plus an air brake endorsement. Some states require a non-commercial CDL though.
Lots of companies these days don’t like to hire fleets more than 5+ years old. Darn shame as cabovers were always the best looking rigs on the highway.
When I see one on the road(average 1 per year) these days – I say to myself “This is going to be a good day!”
I drove a few in the 80’s. They had 318 10 speed. short sleepers. i liked climbing into the “2 story” Ford. It was a fun tractor to drive. Miss the Good Ole Days.
Detroits ana short sleeper
Sometimes these featured vehicles completely miss me. I just saw this one for the first time, and it was three days later. A Columbus-Vibrator powered 2-Storey Edsel that I could’ve shared a plethora of “Tales From The Shop Floor” about. I’ll have to save them for the next 2-Storey, I guess…
Auction update: the auction ended early as the truck was “no longer available” – someone must have made an offer and got it.
My father in law had one of those, his was blue
His name was Caerlex Edward Overbaugh, he dead now and the truck was sold when I met him in 92 he was dyeig already, the world lost a good man