1968 Ford 2000

John in Mich

Well-known Member
I'm normally on the 9N-2N-8N page. I have been looking at a gas 1968 Ford 2000 with power steering. What are the opinions on this site about a 2000. Surface items are obvious. Are there any particular historic issues with a 2000 engine, transmission, hydraulics? Durability problems.
 
A good solid tractor. A little lacking in horsepower. LPTO helps but it's not available with all the transmissions. Mine doesn't have it but I pulled a JD 1207 for ten years. Also use it to rake hay and plow snow.
 
I've got a couple of 3000's John. Very similar in size and HP.
As I understand, same engine. No issues there.
Hydraulics seem to be rock solid.
What transmission does it have in it?
I've not heard bad on any of them, but they have different options.
 
John,
All I can say is what took you so long?
I went from a 2N to an 8N to a plain Jane 68 2000 with a straight up 4 speed and no PS or LPTO.
The 2000 was a huge improvement over the Ns
A few negative things come to mind on the 3 cylinder Fords.
They are a pia to put points in but as you know that is not an every day occurance.
The tachs never worked very long.
Never, Ever trust the hours on a 65-75 3 cylinder Ford unless you actually see the numbers roll over With Your Own Eyes.
The Holley carbs on them sucked. A new Zenith is expensive - $350? but will make a man out of that tractor.
It is much more expensive to overhaul the 3 cyl engine as they did not have sleeves.
But they will outlast, outwork and out perform an N a couple times over.
Parts are readily available - both new and used - and they are not too expensive.
The tractor is more complex than an N but not such that the average hobbiest can't figure them out - especially if you've owned an N.
Best of all it is still a Ford so will be very familiar to someone who's owned an N, Jube or Hundred.
My go to tractor is a 3000 diesel that has all the options. The 3 cyl 2000 and the 3000 are almost identical machines that share about 95% of the same parts.
I've been running 3 cyl Fords for most of 15 years now and simply put: if I had to go back to an N I would either quit tractoring or buy a different brand.
Really.
If you can swing this 2000 do it.
And don't look back.
 
They are great tractors. The live hydraulics is a large step beyond the hydraulics in the N's that you are used to, and even though they were the lowest powered tractor in the Ford lineup when they were made they are still 20% stronger than the 8N, and heavier so that they can apply that power to the ground much better.

Reliability and longevity are very good. As with any older models there are a few of them that have been abused by their prior owners and might need some work to get them into good running order, but once they are they will still last a good long time.

There were 4 transmission available on the 2000, the 4 speed which was basically the same design as the 8N and only came with transmission (non-live) PTO, a 6 speed and 8 speed, which were available with either live or non-live PTO, and the Select-O-Speed (10 speed) powershifting transmission which came with independent PTO. All of them except the 4 speed had two reverse speeds as well.
 
Yes, the shorter stick is Hi-Lo. Has to be in neutral to start it.
The main stick will have either 3 or 4 forward gears giving you
the 6 or 8 speeds forward the guys were talking about.
Either one works well, shift pattern is normally on a sticker
on the dash.

Both of my 3000 gassers have the 8 speed with live PTO.
The 335 diesel setting out back has a 6 speed with trans PTO.
If you get over this way you're welcome to check them out.
 
prices vary by region, but around here in southeast PA a 3 cylinder 2000 in good condition with good tires would go for around $3500 to $4500.
 
I'm probably biased John, because I bought all of mine needing
some work, but they didn't cost much more than an N series.

Still, I think Sean is pretty close, especially for a solid tractor.
That's in the neighborhood of what I would ask for mine now.

There are a lot of improvements over the N series, yet they
are still about the same size and very nimble little tractors.
Especially with power steering.

I don't think the 2000 had a differential lock did it?
Or maybe just on the very late ones? Someone will remember.
 
Differential lock was an option on all 1965-1974 2000/3000/4000 series tractors. It wasn't standard on any of them but the majority of the ones that do have it are the 3000's and 4000's.
 
Sean,
Diff lock wasn't available on the earlier
(3 cyl) 2000s. Those still had round axle
trumpets like the Hundreds had.
My 2000, built 5/68 still had the round
trumpets. At some point they went to
square trumpets like the 3000s had and
then diff lock was an option.
 
Dang it Dawg, how am I supposed to remember all those details! ;)
I find it a very useful feature in snow country.
This is a picture of the Diff-Lock pedal on my 335.
Yes, that tractor's a mutt too. Blue here, yellow there.
It has a foot throttle though. :roll:

7874.jpg
 

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