I have a 1966 f100 2wd..my radiator core support is rusted badly...what is the best option for me?...i can not find one locally...can I have one fabricated and if so does anyone know a ballpark figure for this project...or if anyone knows where i can get one in good shape please let me know....thanks

 

Perry, Welcome to the club. The radiator support is one of the sore spots of that vintage truck, and they are scarce as hen's teeth. If you can rebuild the one that you have, you might want to give it a look.

If you want to make some real money start fabricating them.

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

I have looked for a 66 F100 core support for over a year. Found one "NEW" in the box, Guy wanted $650.00. No thanks! Looked in Kansas recently, saw a 66 with the bottom of the headlight bezels almost level with the bumper because the entire bottom of the support had rusted off about two inches. I mentioned this to a fellow who was buying the truck and the owner pipes up and says "Yeah the bumper came up when I jacked up the truck. Sure it did! I think John is right when he says you will have to repair your old core. I will continue to look, going to try Colorado next.
William in Atlanta

 

I modified one from a 1964 school bus. between my old rusty one and the semi-rusty school bus support and 6 straight hours of mig welding I now have the rad. support from hell.
There are LOTS of school buses in the boneyard
(and many of them were "well cared for")

 

From what I have heard and looked at, the 66 is a ******* year on the core support. On the 64 and earlier, you can use the big trucks with some modification. You might try Green Sales in Cincinnatti. I think they sold some used ones for 400$ here while back. Don't know if they have any left. The 650$ is not all that bad a price if you have a truck worth it. I also need one for a 66, but mine does not look all that bad. I have heard that the 67 and up is very similar, but don't know if it would work. Doesn't matter, as those are just as hard to get. Wish I had more info to help you with.
Rich

 

Have 2 softball size holes in each side of my core support, tried to remove various sheetmetal parts to get to the core. After finding all the bolts completly rusted solid and the ones that did turn broke off the welded on nuts behind them, I have decided just to live with it. If ever it becomes a major problem, then it will be time to do some serious hacking!

 

Jim If you release the inner and outer fenders from the cab, you can remove the two bolts from the rad support to the chassis and have the complete front clip off in a little bit. That should make working on your bad places much easier.

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Just one dumb question: Are 65s and 66s front supports the same? I think I may have a line on a 65 hulk but I have yet to see what is left.

Lee
1965 F100 short box styleside

 

Lee, the 65 has radiator wings that the 66 doesn't. If I found an excellent core from a 65, that surely wouldn't stand in the way. Cores are much harder to come by than rads.

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.