First off, I'm a Chevy guy. Second, the company I work for has ALL FORDS. Our oldest truck is our trash truck. As an enthusiast for restoring vehicles, I have been given the task to "revive" our truck. I am registering with this forum because I have read a lot of really good articles here and you guys seem to know about what you're are advising your readers/followers.

So! I want to start off by saying thank you, in advance, for all your comments and feedback. I'll keep this thread running as long as possible as I know there will be someone looking for the same info. The truck is a 1975 Ford F-250 flatbed, 390 motor, bench seat, non-a/c, auto trans. Will post more as I get the VIN and other info. But, this was just to get this started. Not saying that the sky's the limit for cost but sort of on a budget. Right now, I'm looking for which rims other than the factory stock steel rims, will fit? I will measure the bolt pattern and hub and post that. Also, I saw that up to a 96 that the bench seats will work? I am doing the entire front end and cab. Will be buying as much NOS parts as possible to keep it original. Truck has maximum of 500 lbs of bagged trash in the back and is driven nightly to the trash compactor about 200 yards to and from its parking spot. It is not driven above 20-25 mph and has scheduled maintenance done on it.

Look forward to any and all ideas. Will post pictures ASAP and hope to get this beast looking better than new!

 

8 lug 16" wheels on a 6.50" bolt circle: 1948/52 F2/F3; 1953/96 F250; 1967/97 F350; 1969/74 E300; 1975/2014 E250/350; 1997 F250 Heavy Duty.

 

Welcome to FTE. After working on that truck, you might slowly become a Ford guy. We all love pics here, the more the merrier. Yes, bench seats up to '96 will fit with no problems. Also, don't be afraid to reupholster a bench seat, it's very easy and cheap. I got the same job when I was in high school, to some-what restore an old '57 Ford F600 dump bed. Completely new interior, tune up, carb rebuild, replace all wood on flat bed, repacked all bearings, and change all fluids. Boss wanted to keep the patina on the exterior. Fun project for a 17yo. Hope you have as much fun as I did.

 

X2 on the welcome. Lots of good knowledgeable people here more than willing to help.
The first thing I would do is get a set of factory manuals for the truck. You said that you want to use as many NOS parts as possible, Get the Ford parts catalog that way you can look up the original factory numbers, These are available on CD from several sources including Ebay and hipoparts https://www.hipoparts.com/tools-catalogs-supplies/
There are quite a few obsolete parts suppliers that would be a possible source for NOS parts but you need to have the Ford part number to search their database, one of the largest is Green Sales in Cincinnati, OH. Main There are also parts search databases like Partsvoice https://www.partsvoice.com/partsearch
You've already met Bill (Numberdummy), he's the most knowledgeable and experienced parts guru here.
Like Slikwillie said, we LOVE pictures (truck ****) post some when you can.

 

Like everyone says. Welcome. One of the threads here that is a great help is:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...nd-tricks.html
I found this helpful as I scoured the yards looking at trucks and vans for some of my parts. Good luck with your build

 

Thanks. I appreciate the help. I am looking for chrome rims to replace the steelies. I see your info so I take it that if I can find the vehicle per your info and they are chrome, they'll fit, correct? Just want to make sure.

 

RE: SilkWillie

I'll start posting pics starting Monday. I'll try to keep them in a BEFORE/AFTER theme.

 

RE: mikeo0o0o0

Yep...first task is getting the manuals and am very familiar with searching for parts. Scoured southern California when I was 17 with my Uncle looking for a nut here, a bolt there, to restore our 69 Camaro RS. Kept it all original GM parts and ZERO aftermarket (minus seals, grease, etc.). Finding the parts is half the fun.

Yeah, I'm gonna be up a while tonight looking for Ford manuals and diagrams tonight. Thanks for the links and info about the others on here. Looks like a really good forum. Pictures WILL be coming. Love to see others projects coming along too. I'll see what I find for the seat. Might keep it factory and get it reupholstered but if I can get something newer, just might go for that.

Thanks again, and glad to have made your acquaintance!

 

RE: 84espy

Thanks for the link...reading it in a minute.

Yep...love searching for parts....never know what you'll find!

 

faxonautolit.com .. Brick & mortar store located in Riverside CA

 

RE: NumberDummy

Thank ya much!

 

Now that you mention hardware:
AMK Products in Winchester, VA. Their hard copy paper catalog is like **** to a restorer!
https://www.amkproducts.com/

 

RE: mikeo0o0o0

PERFECT! THANK YOU!