I have a 1969 Ford F100 Custom Heavy duty special. It has a 360 v8 with a 4 spd manual. It has whats left of the Heavy duty special decals on both front fenders. Between the two you can make it that it says "Heavy duty Special". I've tried doing research on the heavy duty and I haven't been able to come up with much. I can find out a little about the contractor's and the farm/ranch specials, but nothing about the heavy duty. My question is what was special about the heavy duty? Any info would be help. Thanks

 

Sounds like something a previous owner or maybe the dealer added. Doesn't sound like a Ford Motor Company thing. Any pics?

 

Welcome to FTE

1969/70: FoMoCo offered F100/250 8' Styleside: Heavy Duty Special / Farm & Ranch Special / Contractors Special.

1971/72 F100/250: Only the Heavy Duty Special was still available.

1969: C9TZ-16720-A .. Heavy Duty Special Nameplate "Decal" / Parts Catalog sez: Mounts on cowl panel.

1970/72: D0TZ-16720-B .. Heavy Duty Special Emblem / No Parts Catalog location is listed.

1968/72 F100: Ford offered an optional H/D 9" rear axle that had a 9 3/8" ring gear, 31 spline axleshafts and Traction-Lok.

Only 5 parts are the same as a 9: One pinion bearing & cup, pilot bearing retainer, housing gasket and pinion seal.

EVERYTHING else is different!

It's possible that this axle was standard equipment in these three F100 specials, and possibly F100 Camper Specials as well. To verify: Post the AXLE code found on the Warranty Plate, located on the left door face below the latch.

The F100/250 Flex-O-Matic rear suspension was prolly standard equipment on these specials as well. Uses different rear springs, has a compensator on the rear of the spring pack.

martiauto.com has ALL the original records that cover 1967/79 FoMoCo vehicles, FoMoCo has none of this info any longer.

In the late 1980's, FoMoCo was planning to THROW AWAY all this info. Kevin Marti, a "Mustang nut" in Phoenix AZ found out...and got ALL of it.

All sorts of info is available (including a copy of the vehicles specific window sticker). There is a fee for Marti's info...which escalates depending on how much info is wanted. This is known within the hobby as a Marti Report.

Up until just recently, FoMoCo would send people a free 'basic' build sheet for their vehicles (the info came from Marti). But...Ford has cancelled this free service and is now charging a fee.

 

Wow, I learn something every day. Cool info Bill.