Hey guys,

I may be looking at a 63 f100 4x4. It is missing the front drive shaft. Is a new one readily available or is this a hen's tooth item?

The owner says that the clutch disengages about 98%, he thinks the return spring needs adjustment, does that sound feasible?

I have yet to look at it but want to see what I am up against on these issues first.

Thanks

 

There would be a few options. You mentioned new. I think New Old Stock might be harder to come by. But, new driveshafts can be built by shops that do driveline work. Up here in my area this is a good one.

https://www.drivelinesnw.com/

If you look across the top of the page there is a choice for HOW TO MEASURE that gives some good tips. Maybe look for a drive shaft shop in your area to save shipping? They also carry the Spicer (Dana) U-joints that would have been the same brand as the original parts used on the Fords back then.

Then there is also used. Someone might have one sitting around in a corner somewhere. If it needs work there are companies that can go so far as to bring them back to like new condition like Quanta.

DRIVESHAFT

These are just examples of companies that do the work. I'm in no way connected with either business.

.

 

Oh, and on the clutch - there is usually no adjusting of the return spring itself. It is just a spring after all. There is some adjustment in the clutch linkage mechanism to take up slack and set pedal height, but once you run out of adjustments and the clutch starts slipping there is usually only one remedy and that is to put in new parts. Clutch disc, pressure plate and throw-out bearing are usually replaced as a set while a person is in there. Also not a bad idea to have the flywheel turned. Also, if the flywheel is worn beyond turning then it might be necessary to put in a new flywheel. Some have suggested balancing the pressure plate and flywheel combination.

The clutch release fork can also wear on its contact points as well as the pivot point that it rides on. There can be lots of wear points on the 50+ year old dudes these days, depending on how well it was maintained. The clutch pedal bushings, and all the clutch linkage might need a good going over. Sometimes it is possible to build up worn parts with welding on new metal and grinding to reshape it. Useful for those parts that are hens teeth.

.

 

Why is it missing, did it fall out on the road...or did the seller swap in a different front driving axle...and so now...it won't work?

SoCal Truck Wrecking in South Central LA on Alameda, just north of Firestone can make you a new driveshaft.

 

Good info so far, thank you.

And on the missing drive shaft. I wonder too. Did the TC bind so they removed it? Front gears spin out? Lots of reasons ditching the front drive shaft.

The owner bought it from someone and hasnt done anything to it so it selling it.

 

Do not believe a single word private sellers claim, as they lie just like used/new car dealers, lawyers, politicians and TV evangelists.

It's possible that after buying it, seller found out the front driving axle was NFG, so he removed the driveshaft, stashed it...so potential buyers wouldn't find out during a test drive.

 

I cant find any readily available parts for this at all! I dont know how you guys do it. Guess I will stick to newer trucks, like 67-79.

Thanks for helping me dodge a bullet. If anyone is interested, this guy will take $1500.

1963 F-100 4x4

 

Hell that is a good looking truck!!! I am not a fan of the wrong beds but it was a factory thing.
I think if it starts and runs and does not smoke like a diesel it looks like a good deal from my monitor!!!
Like number dummy said you can get a drive line built or you can just leave the shaft out and drive it like it is.

 

Would a front drive shaft from a 64 or 65 F250 fit on a '63 F100? I searched but can't even come close to finding an answer.

 

C1TT-4602-L .. Front Driving Axle Driveshaft - 38 5/8" long / Obsolete

1961/64 F100/250 4WD

 

jklnhyd,

Here's the thing; ALL of these 4x4 setups were done by outside vendors... see; Napco, Marmon-Herrington, Howe-Coleman. Ford did not take 4x4 in-house until the latter part of the sixties. Even then, larger 4x4 applications remained an outside vendor offering. Meaning, one cannot be sure until one puts a particular part in that specific location.

The information can be a bit difficult to glean from only one source, but here is an example of an overview of Ford 4x4's;

1960's & 1970's Ford Truck Models - Off Road Magazine

As well, spending hours on this site can provide information overload, if you so desire.

Being located in SoCal is a godsend in the vintage car/ truck market... if they don't build it here it probably isn't needed. Driveshafts are a - relatively - simple conundrum to be overcome. Google, 'driveshaft shop pasadena' - and you will find plenty of shops within 20 miles of your locale. Plus, driveshafts are one of the least expensive issues to deal with on this truck.

Honestly, that truck would appear to be a very good find - and absolutely reasonable as hell in regards to pricing. You've seen the ads, in L.A., on CL... absolute turds wanting for thousands. A real 1960's Ford 4x4 for under $2000? Worth the trouble... unless the body is completely rotted out.

Then again, if you seek to have a daily driver this may not be your cup of tea... especially if you must drive the "110 Parking Lot", to/from downtown L.A. everyday. Been there, done that... give me an automatic and A/C, for my knee and sanity! However, note that any "more modern" 4x4 [1970's / 1980's] will still need plenty of attention... how often does one find any truck with working A/C from that era?

Still wanting the old Ford 4x4? Get a more modern truck, from the 90's, find an old truck, then do a body swap [later] onto the modern chassis. Plenty of options... you have to decide how you are going to use that ride to suit your purpose[s].

Bottom line;

Driveshafts are cheap... old rides take far more love than some are willing to provide.

Even if this truck would only be a weekend toy/ occasional hardware store fetcher it would not be the worst thing you could park in the barn. Plus, it has as much of a "cool factor" as any - dime a dozen - Mustang or Camaro...

Good luck, happy hunting!

 

Factory installed 4WD introduced in 1959 F100/250; 1971 F600; 1979 F350.

Pics from 1957/63 truck catalog:

Upper shows in column right, the 1959 F100/250 4WD front driving axle applications.

Lower shows the 4WD driveshaft applications (where I got the C1TT-4602-L driveshaft part number I listed in post #10).

 

Indeed, as always, you are correct... I'm getting F350 4x4 on the brain... getting burned out thinking only about - old - F350 4x4's.

Maybe I can convince my brother to downgrade to an F250 or F100...

Thanks for clearing up my snafu, asap, NumberDummy!

 

bc4x4F250,
Thanks for the post. I understand what you are saying, and I pretty much agree. Since I live here, then isn't it more fun to look for the parts? I had a '79 f250 4x4 and scoured the junkyards and craigslist for a couple years for cool "era" style parts. I could have readily bought aftermarket or had stuff made. A good story never starts with "I bought that from Napa Auto Parts", but a really cool story would be that, "I drove to Napa Valley".
I haven't bought the truck, this is a process, which is part of it. I want to want it.

I know a guy who knows a guy that saw a guy, that owns a 64 f250 4x4 that sits in ruin in a field. Now that would make that part of the puzzle much more interesting.

Mr. ND, thanks, that is exactly what I was asking. If I get the truck, I may already have the driveshaft covered.

The cool part about hen's teeth is, buyer of hen's teeth are just as rare. Not a lot of people are looking for a 61/64 F100/250 4x4 driveshaft, so the seller is put into a conundrum of selling really cheap or holding onto it for another decade, whereas I would then just go buy one. Buying a super cheap kinda rare driveshaft is a good story.

 

So, 4wd was a factory option but were they done afterwards also? The vin on the title comes back as a 2wd but the owner says that it is 4x4, would that be normal? How hard would it have been to change from 2wd to 4wd on this year?

I am deciding if this sounds legitimate or someone's conversion nightmare.

I know about the Vin on the door not being gospel because of the chance that the door has probably been changed out at some time, and that the frame stamped vins are what I should go by.