Hi everybody,

After a close inspection of my new 1966 F100 today, I determined that the all the rust-through was in the usual places -- front floor pans, cab mounts, and the lower part of the radiator support. None of this is too major except for the cab mounts . . . they were replaced by several blocks of wood.

It appears that the floorpan patch panels and cab mounts are all readily available through these catalogs (Dennis Carpenter, LMC, Carolina Classics, ClassicAutoParts.com, etc), but I cannot seem to find the radiator support.

However, in the sections of radiator support, Classicautoparts.com only seem to include 1961-64, and then 1973-79.

LMC Truck Magazine has a radiator support for a 66 F100, but it is only for a 4x4. (mine is 2wd).

I'm just a little confused. Is this a difficult part to find?

Also, my other question is can anyone give me any advice on which company has the highest quality floor pans & cab supports? They all seem to have similar prices, but I wasn't sure if anyone had any knowledge as to the quality of the metal and if that differed across the line.

Thank you everybody!

-Joe

 

No one makes a rad support for a 65 66 F100 F250 2 wheel drives. And 65 is different from 66.

All 4x4s with the exception of the 66 F100 use the early 61 to 66 support that is reproduced. LMC lists it as for a 61 to 66 F250 4x4 and 61 to 65 F100 4x4.
and all F100 F250 2 wheel drives 61 to 64. F350s from 61 to 66.

DC has the best cab mounts, most vendors sell all the same parts. Just ask if they are DC. The floor pans are just a basic stamping and need work to get them to fit. All cab corners sold suck and need some real work to get to fit correctly.

The aftermarket support can easily be modified to fit the 65 and 66 2 wheel drives. The basic stamping of the core is the same, the difference is in the radiator mounting wings.

Contact Robert here on the board as he usually has a few 66 in stock pulled from socal yards.

Garbz

 

Robert = Gangstakr, form hemet california

 

Which aftermarket support were you referring to? . . . And how could it be modified?

Thanks for the info, by the way!

-Joe

 

I spoke with Robert (Gangstakr) a coupla days ago...

He has a used rust free CORRECT core support for a 1966 F100/250 2WD:

C6TZ16138B .. Core Support / Obsolete / Fits: 1966 F100/250 2WD ONLY.

btw: If LMC claims they have a 1966 F100 4WD core support (C6TZ16138C), it's the SAME as 1965 F100/250 2WD.

It is not the same as 1965 F100/250 4WD, not the same as 1961/64 anything.

 

Re-poped core supports are available off e-bay for around 250 or so plus shipping. I did that. Then I sawed off the bottom of my rusted and bent original core support and did the same with the Re-pop. After welding the two pieces back togeather I have a perfect, rust free core support that fits my application. Easy, Easy, Easy! Not cheap!

 

The only repopped core support is C2TZ16138G, which is in-correct for 1965/66 F100/250 2WD's, 1966 F100 4WD's.

It has to be modified to fit these trucks. It's also made in China.

Something to consider: The steel used by the Chinese does not have anywhere near the same tensil strength as the steel made in the US of A.

 

recently got mine off of gangstakr and am happy with it. original USA made dry state support.

 

Yup In-correct, duh! Thats why we cut and weld it, actually using it for a large patch. I thought I had made that clear! As far as this tensile strength theory, Bull. These re-poped core supports solve a problem period and where they are made dosent matter. Ya gotta get out of that parts room, get some fresh air. Quit grading my posts

 

My wife is a Corrosion Engineer, and a PE, and has written many articles for NACE (National Assn of Corrosion Engineers) on the subject.

It's a well known fact within the community that Chinese steel has a lower tensil strength than US steel.

 

I have a perfect original instock. I may have a second good one on a 66 f250. Won't know for sure about that one till I pull the rock guard off. If you need one call me. Adam (415) 359-3822

 

I agree 100%, chinese steel is not the same as American steel, it's softer. Asian steel all together sucks IMO.....

 

Seeing as most American scrap steel is loaded at the LA docks and shipped to china for re smelting i would just about consider them domestic product.

Hopefully they should just cut off all imports of foreign devil made sheet metal and charge a good union wage to stamp new steel here and charge you 2000 bucks for that core support. Yea, new business model.....How many can i sell at these costs?

Robert you need to advertise and raise prices as genuine American made (or Canuck made) mild steel guaranteed to rust in the rust belt just like the competition. /s

And really just who gives a crap about the tensile strength of core supports. Is it a critical item that has the entire trucks weight depending on it? it hangs a couple hundred pounds of steel. If you run in to a pole is it going to help? will you just bounce off with the higher tensile American steel?

Garbz

 

That's exactly what I was thinking! haha

 

Yea, I was having one of those "i slept in a holiday inn express" moments.

Or maybe a Bob Marley Moment! It is available finally after over forty years "Be Happy".

If one does not like the reproduction parts please feel free to purchase available NOS.

Or have new parts made by a master craftsman, but bring a 100k budget.

Garbz