I convinced my better half that we needed an old pickup, surprisingly, it didn't take too many shots of "yes" juice to get her onboard!

I picked up a running 1965 F100 2wd primered out and rather complete. The old guy before me had a few "homebrew" fixes for various items such as the hood hinges (door hinges, like on your bathroom), hood support arm, hardware store ignition switch, and liberal use of wire nuts. Besides that he seemed to have been a big fan of bondo, until one day he must have gotten fed up with sanding and just primered the whole thing.

Anyway, the thing starts right up, kinda "pops" into gear, doesn't have very good brakes, needs tires, a tail light lens, and a battery. That should take it up to "farm use" standards.

I would like to turn this sweet truck into a surf truck. I want the wifey to feel on vacation when riding with me, being a beach nut, it only seems fit to try a nice 2 tone paint job with accents of wood in the cab and on the bed floor. Possibly even a bed cover with a rack on it with a motorized lifting mechanism.

First things first, let's get this baby streetworthy! My biggest concern (besides the brakes) is the power steering does not work. Any suggestions for tracing down the problem component here?

Obligatory Pics:

 

Explain more about the hood hinges. Do you have pictures of what your talking about? What problems are you having with the power steering? Is there a power steering pump on this?

 

Welcome to FTE

P/S wasn't available in 1965 and so it would have been swapped in. But, I don't see any evidence of a P/S pump in this picture. Would be mounted below left (drivers) side valve cover.

No see um P/S hoses either...would be visable in pic, route from pump to P/S steering gearbox. Truck has "armstrong" manual steering, cuz I see no evidence of P/S.

WOW! Original non commercial black plates! You don't see that too often on a truck. Were only installed on trucks that had a permanent camper shell or slide-in-the-bed camper.

I wonder if this is a Camper Special? Fender emblems missing, DIY 'dufuss' former owner probably took them off. Has Oil/Amp gauges that were standard equpment on Camper Specials, optional on others.

Where are you located in LA LA Land?

 

Hemet!! that's where I bought the truck!

Door hinges:




Is there no power steering?

 

Welcome to FTE. Congratulations on your purchase. I have a '65 F250, mostly stock, and I love it. You have non-power brakes, which take some getting used to. I would start with replacing the brake hoses, if they look suspect. Take good care of that grill, they're not reproduced. Good luck.

Kurt

 

Ok, I guess we fixed that, I need to hit the gym!

This will be my 3rd vehicle without power steering then: 1984 Honda Civic Si, 1989 Toyota MR2 Supercharged, 1965 Ford F100.

I also need to install some manifold gaskets, LMC will be hearing from me soon!

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Where do you live? Buying a truck in Hemet, kinda scary especially after reading your initial post.

 

Are there hinges under the hood?

 

Nope, somebody stole the hinges apparently... There is a guy in Ontario selling some though.

 

gangstakr also lives in Hemet, has all sorts of extra parts. Look at upper right hand corner to see where peeps live.

Truck has 'armstrong' manual steering (as original), cuz if it had P/S, you could see the hoses.

 

etard, check your email. I had to send message through your email.

 

Welcome aboard; atleast the rag joint been replace properly.
I recommend doing alittle research on this forum; you'll see upgrading to front disc brakes and power steering are two great and fairly easy direct bolt on's. Salavage yard items can be used in both upgrades; also things like basic engine parts gasket etc can be purchase thru your local autopart suppliers verse vendors.
We're here to help and this is the greatest place to recieved that help.
Enjoy your ride and I'm looking forward to seeing more about it.

 

O me god! me gotsa get some of dem thar cusum hood hemges. Gots to hav em...
This is another picture I will be adding to my photo file. Ya think you've seen em all, and than...........

 

wanna trade grills?

 

Nice truck Mattrod! I am liking those speedway wheels, are they covers or a wheel package? I don't know enough about these trucks to know if you are pulling my leg. I think I prefer my own, thanks.

I had a good chat with Robert, and he set me straight on a few things. I look forward to getting some parts off the Gangstakr in the near future.

Thanks for all the help so far guys, seems like a friendly enough place to hang out.