Anyone seen one like this? What would it have been built for?

 

My guess...
Pulling oversized loads, specificly sheds, gazabos ect

 

I'll venture a guess of retired air force--used for tugging planes around, maybe?

 

Some were made like that to drag things at airports... Wheel base that short would be tough at high speeds, but just fine at 2.5 MPH on the tarmac.

 

You beat me to it!

 

Ahh yeah, thats bout right to be the little ford that almost couldnt...

 

'course there's always the AMC version...

http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=780884


and the whole concept ain't nuttin without a CUMMINS!

http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=780889

 

That is an airport tug tractor......Dodge also built them with a CTD and a D70 complete with 7.17 gears!

 

Like this one?......
http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auctio...&convertTo=USD
CHRYSLER 6 CYLINDER, CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL ENGINE, TOW TRACTOR.


Here's one with a Perkins diesel


And even a Jeep with a 3.3 diesel

 

We called them tugs when i was in the AF.

 

That Jeep is bizarre! 9-slot grille like the old MB's, but square headlights like the 87-96 Wranglers...and a hood that's got blood-relation to a 79 International Loadstar...

 

Yep, it looks like an airport tug to me.

They probably have what, 56.73's () in the pumpkin? I'm sure it's pretty steep... I wouldn't think that they would be streetable with stock rear-ends, would they? Or would granny gear be enough to move around big planes?

 

when i look at these short little trucks i cant help but laugh uncontrollably about how dumb and "challenged" they look

 

it's the shot bus for trucks.

 

Yeah the F-350's look & sound even worse. We call 'em "bobtails"....mainly for towing AGE aorund (aircraft ground equipment). Most that I've seen are low mileage, high hour rigs but usually well maintained, and never stressed very hard due to the gearing.
That bigger one that shovel showed with the Perkins in it is used for towing smaller acft. like fighters.
I've seem some massive ones with chains on all four tires struggling to pull a C-5 http://www.theaviationzone.com/image.../bin/c5002.jpg when I lived in AK.