What is the difference between the Ford f600 and the F-550?
The Ford F-600 is a historical heavy-duty model that Ford no longer lists in its current lineup, while the F-550 is a present-day, versatile medium-duty truck built on Ford’s modern Super Duty platform.
What the two models represent in today’s context
Ford’s F-Series has long covered a wide range of commercial and vocational trucks. The F-600 name appears in older catalogs and market-era references, whereas the F-550 is a current, widely used chassis-cab option designed for body applications like service trucks, dump trucks, and utility vehicles. The key differences lie in era, purpose, and technology.
Below is a concise comparison of the main differences:
- Era and availability: The F-600 exists in historical Ford catalogs and is not part of Ford’s current production lineup; the F-550 is actively sold today as part of Ford’s medium-duty/Vocational lineup.
- Body and chassis design: F-600 models were typically older heavy-duty configurations with various body options; the F-550 is a modern chassis cab designed specifically to accept a wide range of vocational bodies (service bodies, cranes, dump bodies, etc.).
- Powertrain and technology: The F-600 offered older propulsion options characteristic of its era; the F-550 provides contemporary gas and diesel powertrains, emissions-compliant designs, and modern transmissions appropriate for today’s fleets.
- Capabilities and ratings: With year-by-year variation, the F-600’s payload and GVWR depended on the specific vintage; the F-550 is positioned in the current market for vocational tasks with clearly defined weight and payload ranges appropriate for body builders and fleets.
- Market availability: You’re unlikely to buy a new F-600 today; the F-550 is readily available new and is commonly found in used-fleet markets with compatible body assemblies.
In short, the F-600 reflects Ford’s older heavy-truck lineage, while the F-550 represents a modern, configurability-focused option for today’s service and vocational fleets.
Technical and practical distinctions
Platform, engines, and emissions
The F-550 uses Ford’s current medium-duty platform with modern engines (including diesel options) and compliant emissions systems, tailored for mixed-use vocational bodies. The F-600, being a historical model, did not share the same standardized modern emissions package or platform common to today’s trucks; engine and drivetrain options varied by era and market. This matters for maintenance, parts compatibility, and compliance requirements today.
Typical uses and body applications
The F-550 is specifically designed to accept a wide range of vocational bodies—such as dump beds, bucket cranes, service bodies, and flatbeds—making it a cornerstone for fleets that require a customizable, reliable chassis with modern support. The F-600’s typical uses would have been dictated by the needs of its time and the available body configurations, but it is not aligned with Ford’s current body-builder ecosystem.
Summary
Overall, the main distinction is that the F-600 is a legacy Ford designation, not part of the current lineup, while the F-550 is a live, configurable, modern medium-duty truck designed for today’s service and vocational fleets. For buyers evaluating options now, the F-550 is the relevant model, offering contemporary powertrains, emissions compliance, and a wide range of body configurations. If you encounter an F-600, it is likely a vintage or market-specific reference, requiring careful verification of parts and compatibility with today’s equipment.
