Hey guys,

My name is Seth, and I recently purchased a 1962 f100 short-bed for a little project. I live in Melbourne, Florida and I've wanted an old f100 for quite some time. I finally got around to finding one that I thought was project worthy.

Here's what I know about it:
"Original" 223
4 on the floor conversion from a mid 80's f100 supposedly
It's got the badges and molding from the 65 and up models, which I'm not too fond of. I'm thinking someone had it added when the 65 came out or something
Pretty sure the candy apple red was the original color
It's got very little rust on the frame/body which is what sold me.

Here's what I want to do:
1. Fill holes in the hood/door/bed and install correct hood emblems. Guidance for this would be greatly appreciated
2. repair rust spot in the bed (shown in photo). Also would love some guidance on how i should go about this.
3. Install simple stereo system. Dash was cut, assuming it didn't come with a radio. Maybe make a couple custom speaker boxes and install them in the corners behind the seat.
4. Paint. Might just clean up the body and spray with clear to maintain the patina look

There's only a few photos, but if you have any other suggestions feel free to post.

I've also attached a photo of the info plate on the inside of the driver side door. If someone could help me decipher it I would greatly appreciate it

 

Welcome to FTE, that's a good start with the truck. There are plenty of knowledgable folks that will help with all your questions, they have answered a lot of mine, and not even asked yet. Again welcome, and good luck.

 

J color code is Rangoon Red. Looks like someone sanded on the warranty plate some.

The badges and molding are not from 1965 and up. Look at your hood spear. The 65-66 hood spear does not have an emblem in the middle of it. Those look like the older bed moldings and if so would be quite a bit more rare than the 65-66 style, which have been reproduced and may be again someday. I have not seen these older trim moldings reproduced yet.

 

I think you're right, I just did a little bit of research and managed to find some info from the warranty plate. Evidently my truck is actually a 63, not a 62. It's saying that the 430872 number would've been made in July of 63. Interesting.

 

Welcome aboard; as others have stated you got the period correct emblems for 63-64 style, Also trim; But don't quote me on the red line thru center of trim; I thought only 64 had that ; but I could be wrong. Again welcome, nice ride as well. For radio, try installing a basic cd/amfm from any store since the Po has cut the dash out and move the gauges below on a hanger.

 

Very nice truck. Grille is a 63 very nice. Side trim and emblem 63-64
J= 223
D = DALLAS
430872 = JULY 63

 

Wow dang nice truck. I would not change a thing. Awsome find.

 

Truck looks to be in great shape ! welcome !

 

I'll decode your warranty plate for you. F10 = 2 wheel drive truck. J = 223-1V I-6 engine. D = built at Dallas, TX assembly plant. 430872 = built in July, 1963 as a '63 model truck. 114 = your wheelbase in inches. J = Rangoon Red exterior color. F100 = 5000 pound GVW half ton truck. 81A = Standard Cab. Trans A was a 3 speed manual, light duty. Obviously you don't have that one any more. Axle 11 = 3.70 gears in a Ford 9 inch non-limited slip differential. 5000 pounds is your Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight rating. 114 is your NET horsepower rating, achieved at 3600 rpms. 62 = Houston, the district sales office from which your truck was ordered. It is not a special order vehicle. Hope this helps. Enjoy your new truck.

 

"Custom Cab via silver rattle can" Truck was originally a standard cab: bumper, grill, wheels and instrument panel was originally painted off white. Black trim paint was used on grill for the floating rectangle pattern. Close to Coral Key Park?

 

Neat truck!

My opinion on the radio (worth exactly what you paid for it). I can't stand hacked up dashboards. It's all I tend to see, even on an otherwise great truck.

So...I'd do it up right...weld a patch in there and then either leave the radio out, or get a template and cut the holes for the correct radio. If sheet metal welding isn't your thing, I'd find a first class hotrod shop that does metal fab...they could whip that out so fast it'd make you dizzy.

Just the opinion of lil' ole me.

Again...cool truck.

 

Supersabre, thanks a million for the warranty plate decoding, it's cool to know the original specs on the vehicle. I was only able to get some general info on my own.

tripleframe, thanks for the info on the original trim. That "floating rectangle" look is awesome, I'm definitely planning on returning the bumper and grille to the off white color with the black trim. I'll probably media blast them and spay em off white and rattle can in the black trim.

shortwide, I hadn't even thought about that, but great idea. The hacked up dash really irks me too. I'll probably just weld a sheet in and try and find some matching rangoon red paint and leave the radio out.

 

That looks like an aluminum grille, why on earth would you paint it? The steel grille is the one you want for painting or powder coating. The aluminum grille should be polished.

 

It's steel, I took a magnet to it to be sure. It was just painted silver.

 

Ok paint away. The aluminum ones are getting hard to find. I have one of each, soon to be restored.