This is the truck I drove in high school, 10 years ago. I'm wanting to get ol' red going again. My great uncle bought it new in 1966, and sold it to my grandpa. He gave me the truck when I was 14, I learned to drive in this truck and both my younger brothers learned to drive in it. My mom and her sisters drove it in high school. I've been reading through the forums as far as upgrading the brakes to discs on the front. I'm pretty sure it has the 240, was wondering if anyone had tried adding a 5spd manual that some of the newer 300 ci's have. I just want to get the brakes updated and get it running for now, I like the idea of keeping it original. So any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. I created this account back in 2001, and now I'm back.
I'm posting a picture of the vin plate from the door, and would love some help decoding it. Thanks

 

I'm not going to be a lot of help but that's a great story. I love that it's been in the family since it was originally purchased.

I also don't think I've ever seen a bumper like that. Anyone got any information on it?

 

I don't think it likes sitting there next to that Chevy!

 

F10 = F100 2WD

A = 240 1V I-6

D = Dallas TX Assembly Plant.

777545 = 1966, assembled November 1965.

115" Wheelbase.

J = Rangoon Red.

F100 2WD, 5,000 lbs. GVWR

581: 5 = Red Crush Vinyl & Red Wicker Pattern Vinyl / 81 = 81A Standard Cab.

C = Ford type 3.03 3 Speed Manual all Syncromesh Transmission.

09 = Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.70-1 / non Limited Slip / 3,300 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.

5,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

129 net HP @ 4,000 RPM

61 = Dallas TX Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.

 

find a '70's model 2 wheel drive and you can swap over the power steering and power disk brakes...

 

First disc brakes on F100 2WD's = 1973. Manual discs were standard, power discs were optional.

All 1975/79 F150 2WD's have power discs. The parts are the same as 1973/79 F100 2WD's.

 

Welcome to the forums.

I just got my 66 a very similar truck on the road.

On the subject of the Transmission, I haven't done specific checks, but the 240 and the 300 are the same block, just a stroke difference. So putting a 300 in the truck is a bolt up matter. Also on the transmission. I believe you would have to change to all new parts including the flywheel on back, but the bolt pattern never changed so a 5 speed should be possible. It is one of the reasons I choose a 6 holer from 65 or 66.

Good luck with your project. You are starting a little bit back from where I did.

 

Nice truck/story! I also like that step bumper on the back. I can only add the suggestion to have all the fluids replaced, belts/tires checked before putting it on the road. Checking out the wiring would also probably be a good idea.

 

Welcome back. I personally like the old tractor steering wheel... Have fun, I'd be willing to bet that you could have that thing back on the road in a weekend end.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, the power brakes are a must. And thanks numberdummy for decoding that vin for me!!

Thanks, I like the idea of a 5 speed, the column shift is all messed up and its hard to find the gears. The gear shift wants to fall out so thats another part of the project. But its awful temping to find a 300, and put a auto in. I've seen all the cool stuff you can do to the 300 and it looks like the way to go.

 

Thats actually a steering wheel out of an 80's ford truck. I got tired of getting the black stuff from the old wheel getting all over my clothes before school!!

 

Ya lol. Thats my brothers 65, his 350 would always beat me down the road. But he visited the gas station alot more than I did!!

 

The steering column bearings are available from Ford, the shift collar is reproduced.

The bushing kit to fix the shifter so it won't bind up between 1st and 2nd is available from an obsolete parts vendor in Farmers Branch (they have 50), another in Arlington, and a Ford Dealer in Beaumont.

The correct steering wheel is reproduced. If looking for a used wheel, it's the same as 1960/63 Falcon/Comet, 1961/66 F100/250 2WD, 1966 F100 4WD, 1967/70 F100/350 & 1966/73 Bronco.

 

I'll have to check that out, thanks!!

 

Hi eBayer! -

I'm in the process of installing an M5R2 5-speed manual overdrive transmission in my '66 F100. This tranny was used in Ford 2WD trucks from 1987 through 1994. I have it connected up behind a Ford 300 I-6 from a '76 Ford. After I get my new cab supports and floor pans welded in, I will be installing the engine and transmission. There is an article on the web done by a guy who did this to a '67 Ford truck. It appears that the only real trick is mounting the hydraulic clutch reservoir on the firewall and modifying the clutch linkage. More to follow...

Good Luck!
Dan M.