I've got a 1966 F250 that was off the line an army truck. It came original with a platform/ stakebody and I've gotten a good bit of information about it already but I'm really curious about the military side of it all. I know it's passed through quite a few hands since then, been repainted at least twice, and has had the original 240 straight six swapped for a 300. But there's still some I don't know that I would like to.

I know they used to call these trucks 'Camper Specials' due to the nature of it being a platform body and all, but I was just wondering if anybody had any other information they could give me on the military aspect of it? Like maybe how long they would've kept it in service or if the military would possibly have been the ones to change the engine out?

I'll post some pictures a little bit later.

 

Welcome to FTE

If it was purchased by the US Gov't, the DSO code stamped on the 3rd line of the Warranty Plate will be either 83 or 83 followed by 4 additional numbers. The Warranty Plate is located on the left door face below the latch.

I doubt the frugal US Gov't would purchase an expensive Camper Special unless it was for the personal use of some big-wig like Gen. Curtis LeMay.
I don't know where you got this info, but it is not correct. No Camper Special came with a platform body (flat bed) nor a platform & rack (stake bed). All were either 8' Styleside Pickups or Cab & Chassis.

And, no Camper Special was available w/a 240 I-6, as the 300 I-6 was part of the Camper Special package.

 

I've seen a couple of 60's F-100's that were USAF surplus. They were VERY basic 1/2 ton shortbeds with no options.

 

Many F 250's were ordered with the "Camper Special" package in 1966, but the government would never purchase one. Government trucks, especially army F 250's, were ordered with light duty suspensions, small engines, and tall skinny tires (usually 19.5") for extra high ground clearance.

 

-NumberDummy - Well, I know that the reason I thought it was a camper special was because the front and rear rims aren't interchangeable. The center hub on the rear is bigger by about hakf an inch or so, and the front rims cannot be mounted onto it.

I don't fully know if it is a camper special or not, but I do know it came off the line as a flatbed. On the identification plate that is riveted onto the dash, it's got the description as 'Truck, Stake And Platform, 4X2' along with the registration number, the federal stock number, and the contract number, all situated just above a little plate bolted on that says 'Property of the U.S Gov.'

It did have the 240 originally with a 4 in the floor and the granny low, and there's a plate on the engine block of the 300 with the date of 1975 on it. I'm guessing that was the date they swapped them out maybe.


-thecheif66 - It's pretty basic, no bells and whistles at all, but it is a 3/4 ton with the Twin I-Beam as 66's had and it's long wheel base.


-tripleframe - You got it right with the tires, I imagine, and the engine, but I've got a pretty stout suspension underneath mine. It's definately more than light duty.

 

As original, front/rear wheels were the same for all 1965/66 F250's, Camper Specials or not, have 8 lugs on a 6.50" bolt circle. The rear axle is a Dana 60.

In fact, all 1953/98 F250's have 8 lug wheels on a 6.50" bolt circle.

Larger rear hub would be a Dana 70, installed in 1961/85 F350's. 1961/66 F350's have 6 lug wheels on a 7.25" bolt circle. 1967/98 F350 wheels are the same as F250's except with DRW.

Look on the Warranty Plate for the AXLE code, post what it is, also post the DSO code.

 

Ok, I don't know about it being a Dana 70, I looked underneath it and found the code 60 stamped 2 times under there, makes me think it's a Dana 60. I measured and it's 6.50 the whole way around, but my 2 front rims will not fit my back. The thing that's not fitting is the center hole in the rim going around my axle end and cap as it sticks through my rear rim.

And I looked for a warranty code. I found a few different numbers stamped.

1. C 30255

2. U.S. PAT.
1988818
3. U.S. PAT.
2018188

I also took a few pictures and am working on getting them posted onto my page here.

 

Those US patent numbers are not found on the Warranty Plate.

The Warranty Plate is located on the left door face below the latch, is retained by 2 rivets.

 

Alrighty, I think I got it. It said the Axle Code was either 25, or F25. And the DSO code is - '830473'.

 

25 = Spicer/Dana 60 Rear Axle / 4.56-1 / non Limited Slip / 5,200 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

830473:

83 = Sold by FoMoCo to the US Government.

0473 = Domestic Special Order number. The truck was either painted a non standard color or something was installed by FoMoCo that was not an RPO (Regular Production Order) for F250's.

Is there a COLOR code stamped on the Warranty Plate? The COLOR code is located between the W.B. [wheelbase] and MODEL code.

 

There is. The Color code is 129. And also there's a body code on it too, 481.

 

Sequence of codes as listed on the Warranty Plate. First line: W.B. (wheelbase) / COLOR / MODEL / BODY / TRANS / AXLE

Second line: MAX. GVW / CERT. NET HP / RPM / DSO

129" Wheelbase.

COLOR code omitted (1'd be surprised if there is one, considering who purchased the truck).

MODEL code omitted.

BODY 481: 4 = Medium Beige Crush Vinyl & Medium Beige Wicker Pattern Vinyl / 81 = 81A Standard Cab.

TRANS code omitted.

AXLE 25: Previously decoded.

GVW omitted.

CERT NET HP omitted.

RPM omitted.

DSO 830473: Previously decoded.

 

I have a F250 Army truck very similar to yours. Same numbers on the ident plate on the dash. It has 19.5 inch wheels on front and back. I'd like to get the parking brake working on mine. Everything is missing. No cables, levers etc. Any info you could share?

 

I'd like to see some pics

 

I think you have some non-Ford wheels. GM, Chrysler and Ford used the same eight bolt pattern and in some cases the same hubcap retaining method. However, the hole in the middle can be sized differently. I can't remember which, but either GM or Chrysler (circa 60's - 70's) fits them all and one of them won't fit the others.
Eric