Hi Everyone, I'm still pretty new here. I think I posted a few years ago when I was looking for a truck for a welding rig but have since disappeared from the forum.

Just last night I managed to score a 1969 F100 2wd longbed for what I think was a reasonable price of $900! I have been searching for a truck since moving to NC last December, and finally bit the bullet and went and got this one. It's a bit rough around the edges but wayyyyy better than I was expecting for under a grand. The guy I bought it from had it for several years and used it as a work vehicle, but definitely kept up on it mechanically. It has a 302 which he thought was out of a 70-something Ford and a 4 speed stick with a granny low that he installed at some point to replace the factory 3 on the tree.

The 302 runs real nice, and I'm getting used to the transmission (3rd is hard to find and I learned pretty quickly to start from 2nd unless I'm on a steep hill...that granny gear tops out at about 3mph). I drove it home 60 miles on the highway without a problem. No wobbling, pulling, sputtering, or hesitation. The brakes worked real well, but this was the first time in about 14 years that I drove without power brakes. They actually stop the truck though, just depends on how high I want to push myself off the seat! Steering is also manual, no power here, but I really like it for some reason. The wheel is suuuuper vague and sloppy and I'm hoping I can adjust that at some point. It does have a very hard time starting (like cranking for a good 20 seconds), but I'm thinking that might be a tune up issue, or possibly solved with a manual choke (the electric one is disconnected and presumed dead).

Now to my questions! I'm a total newbie when it comes to older Fords, and being that this truck has an a la carte motor/tranny combo I figured I'm going to have to order parts based off engine and tranny casing numbers. Where should I start looking to find out what motor and gearbox is actually in this? I would also like to find out what kind of rear axle I have. Mind you this is all off the cuff right now, I haven't gotten a single minute to look over the truck since getting it home from its previous owner yet.

I would really like to have an old toploader 3spd since I've read nothing but good things about them, but would that essentially just be what I have now without the granny low? If that's the case I dont really see it being worth the work of finding one and swapping it out unless the 4 speeds are bad news. Eventually I would like to put in a straight 6, since I am looking for something reliable and torquey over something quick. Since I have a good running motor with the 302, I may hold off on that project until I have serious issues with the V8. For now I would really like to put in a manual choke, since the truck is actually set up for one (factory "Choke" **** in the dash). Is there anywhere in particular that I can look for a proper conversion (kit or info) back to manual? I was also wondering if "Explorer" meant anything significant? My glovebox panel has a trim plate that says "Explorer" and the little bit of research I was able to do says that was an upgraded trim package? I do not have a full factory gauge cluster (only speedo, gas, and a broken temp gauge), but maybe the oil and amps aren't part of that package?

For $900 I think I got a pretty good deal. A running, stopping, shifting, driving truck that I can register and use. I fully intend on driving this to work every day as I fell in love with it as soon as I pushed the clutch in to take it on the test drive last night. It may become a resto project in the future but for now it'll be my every day use truck for hauling gravel or dirt or groceries or whatever.

Here are some pics I snapped with my phone this moring before heading to work. I apologize for having what could be quite possibly the worst camera in my phone! I'll get more pics up soon I hope!

 

RhodeKill, LOL you are a new owner and are shooting at rabbits all over the place. Calm down, start making a plan. You mentioned NC where do you reside? That truck has spent some time parked out in the weather.

Your starting issue sounds like fuel pump related, gas is not holding at the carb. For kicks and giggles pour some gas in a empty water bottle, pour a couple swallows directly into the carb, then try starting it. I say water bottle just because it is small and easier to handle. Not saying the carb doesn't work also.

You say top loader, that is what you have now, AFAIK all are 4 spds. The 3 spds were side controlled.

When you are closer to deciding on what you want start looking at a 73-79 for a donor. It will have power steering and power disc brakes that are bolt hole swaps for your truck.

Let us know how we can help.


John

 

John is right. Get a manual, get it running, stopping and steering properly first. Inspect the tires, too.

Then clean it up and drive it a while until any other problems become obvious. Once they do you'll be able to put together your plan for making her roadworthy and presentable. I promise, you will have plenty to do before you can move on to replacing engines and transmissions.

 

Your transmission is most likely a T18 or NP 435. Both are excellent transmissions. The 2-3 shift is something you will get used to as you drive it more. Just some worn parts in the shifter.

You should be able to get the axle code from your door plate, if it's original. There also may be a tag on the axle housing that has the code.

 

Sounds and looks like a great deal! Congrats! I paid $1000 for mine, and it needs a heck of a lot more work than that just to run.. looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

John top loader refers to how the gears are installed (through the top) in the trans not where the shifter plugs in. Just thought you should know.

 

Warranty Plate riveted to the left door face below the latch. Post all the codes and etc. stamped on it. Or post a pic of it.

When decoded, you will know how the truck was originally configured.

 

And where did you glean this information? New to me.



John

 

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The very 1st thing I'd do is call your local Ford Dealer. Buy the brake and clutch pedal pads. Both part number B7A2457A. You don't want your foot to slip off either one of the pedals at a bad time.

 

I figured an old Ford diehard like you would have known that!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford...r_transmission

 

OP may have to order the pads, since Ford hasn't used them in quite a while.

 

In John's defense I think it is because "usually" the car 4 speeds were nick named Top Loaders and the 303 3 speeds like in a truck were nick named 303 3 speeds. While the 3 speeds are loaded from the top the nick name "Top Loader" usually" is referenced to the 4 speeds.

 

Dunno. Lawd knows what they stock.

 

That may be true, but heck I got them in stock here at the dealer I work at.