I just picked up a 1965 F-100 pick-up that appears, based on comments I have read here, to be somewhat unique, so I wanted to get some opinions. I know there is no way to check production numbers based on options, so just looking for input from what you know or have seen.

The truck is a long bed custon cab with a 352 CID 2 bbl with an automatic transmission behind it. It is equipped with the Camper Special package with OEM west coast mirrors, wrap around step bumper and the right side tool box plus it has the Ranger package with the bucket seats, console, fuel tank cover and carpeting. Based on the fact that not too many trucks were built with the Ranger package, let alone combined with the Camper Special package seems a little odd; and an F-100 to boot. The badge on the fender says "Camper Special".

Since everything on the truck is stock, I have a hard time believing the Ranger package was added by a previous owner, plus everything I see looks like a factory install.

Please let me know if you think this truck is unique or a "run of the mill" F 100. Thanks for your input.

Mike.

 

Sounds like a nice find. Post a picture of the tag on the door and we can verify it.

 

pictures would be greatfull.

 

To be a ranger the body code on the warranty tag will read V81 or U81 or something like that... V=red, U=partchment, ?=black may be a "T" but i can not be 100% sure of that.

I would think that NO F100 came as a Camper Special. it should be a F250 to be a C/S.

 

Bill,
I thought the same thing,...how could it be a Camper Special if it was an F-100, but according to Number Dummy and others, the C/S package was available on both the F-100 and F-250.

When I get it running and get it outside, I will get some pictures. The truck is not real pretty and interior will require new seat upholstery, carpet and headliner. It' a project.

 

Well, you (I) learn something new everyday!

 

i would love to see pics. sounds like a find.

 

Hey Mister Wilson! This Mister Wilson sez: Camper Specials: 1965/72 F100 / 1965/79 F250 / 1967/72 F350 / 1973/76 F350 Super Camper Special / 1977/79 F350 Camper Special (Ford dropped 'Super' after 1976).

C5TZ-16720-G .. Front Fender Emblem-F100 Camper Special / R/L is the same / Application: 1965 F100 Camper Special.

C6TZ-16720-C .. Front Fender Emblem-F100 Camper Special / R/L is the same / Application: 1966 F100 Camper Special.
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1965 Ranger Body Codes:

F81: F = Red Crinkle all Vinyl (Bucket Seats) / 81 = 81B Custom Cab w/Ranger Package.

G81: G = Black Crinkle all Vinyl (Bucket Seats) / 81 = 81B Custom Cab w/Ranger Package.

H81: H = Palomino Crinkle all Vinyl (Bucket Seats) / 81 = 81B Custom Cab w/Ranger Package.
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1966 Ranger Body Codes:

T81: T = Black Crinkle Vinyl & Black Rosette Pattern Vinyl (Bucket Seats) / 81 = 81B Custom Cab w/Ranger Package.

U81: U = Parchment Crinkle Vinyl & Black Rosette Pattern Vinyl (Bucket Seats) / 81 = 81B Custom Cab w/Ranger Package.

V81: V = Red Crinkle Vinyl & Red Rosette Pattern Vinyl (Bucket Seats) / 81 = 81B Custom Cab w/Ranger Package.
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The bucket seats are the same as 1965/68 Mustang and 1969 Mustang (except w/high backs).

The seat tracks are the same as 1965/70 Mustang.

1965: The seat upholstery, foam padding (known as the 'cushion kit') is the same as 1965 Mustang (except w/the Running Horse pattern).

1966: The seat upholstery, foam padding is the same as 1966 Mustang (except w/Running Horse).

The 'hockey stick' outer aluminum seat mouldings are the same as 1965/66 Mustang: C5ZZ-6561616-A Right & C5ZZ-6561617-A Left.

The upholstery, cushion kit, seat mouldings have been reproduced.

Mike-fire32: The wrap around step bumper isn't 'genuine' Ford. It was likely dealer installed and may have been made by the Fey Bumper Co., as they were the major supplier of step bumpers to West Coast Ford Dealers.

Ford didn't offer a step bumper until 1967, and no Ford step bumper "wraps around."

 

OK Number Dummy, help me to understand something here.....In your previous post, you stated that in order for a '65 F-100 to be a true Ranger package, it had to have the F, G or H 81 body code. My pick-up has an E-81 body code, but based on what I have found, I have no reason to believe that anything was modified after the truck was built. The brackets for the bucket seats and the center console were obviously installed before the truck was painted, the seat bracket nuts in the floor are factory style (not seperate nuts), the seat belts are Ford original and the vinyl tank cover has the hardboard inserts on the back side. This truck is stock in all regards, so I just can't imagine anyone going to the effort to fake a Ranger package on a work truck. I know back in those days new vehicles were ordered as desired, so is it possible that since this is a Camper Special as well, the Ranger package was an add on to the order and is not reflected as expected? Based on what I see, you can't convince me that these items were not installed when the truck was built. Looking forward to your response. Thanks.

 

Nice truck. I like the wrap around bumper,what rear end is under there? Those hubcaps look alittle fat back there

 

Mike, nice truck... here is what i see. your console is cut wrong for the floor, yours still has the round section cut in the front of it where it fits a falcon or comet.

take a look at the pics of my console and the way it is cut to fit the floor


thus.... IMO your console is not an original ranger piece and no ranger body code on the warranty tag raises a red flag as to it NOT being a real ranger truck.

 

Ranger or not, it is an interesting vehicle. Regardless whether or not it can be documented as a true Ranger, it basically has all the correct pieces (other than the cut on the console) and I just can't believe someone would have gone to the effort to clone such an obscure vehicle. I would understand if it was a Boss 302, but a '65 F-100 work truck? There is a history here, just don't know what it is.

 

The rear bumper looks right for a work truck, but it doesn't fit with what I have in mind, so it will be coming off. The rear end is stock as are the wheels, but I think the snow tires and shadow make them look wider. The caps are off a newer pick-up, but are close to what I want. I am looking to go with a wider steel wheel with trim ring and caps, so they may stay. I am looking for suggestions on what size wheels and offset are required to fill the wheelwells after it is lowered with drop beams.

Other than lowering, a classic looking set of wheels and tires, a nice exhaust system and maybe a rear pan, the truck will remain stock. Just a sweet looking daily driver. OK, make that a weekend driver, I couldn't afford to make this my commuter car!

 

Mike, am i allowed to change my mind on this? after seeing this again and since seeing a known original ranger console just like yours leads me to believe you have a ranger truck. where was it built?

 

Mike's last post was typed 11/23/2011, but since you dug it up...

It's not an original Ranger if it has an E81 body code.

E81: E = Red Crush Vinyl & Red Ladder Pattern Woven Plastic / 81 = 81B F100/1100 & N/NT/T500/1100 Custom Cab.

This truck...if the Warranty Plate is the original, came with a bench seat.

The console is similar to the 1964/65 Falcon Sprint, but its base is F100/250 Ranger only. Console was an option, did not come as part of the Ranger package.

Installing bucket seats gains more legroom, an important factor if one is over 6' tall. Previous owner may have wanted same, found a 'real' Ranger in a wrecking yard, swapped everything over.

The bare cabs were painted first, then the doors and etc were installed. The Ranger seat/console brackets...AFAIK...weren't painted, were 'au natural.'