I drive an '02 F-150 as my daily. My dad has collected older Fords and currently has a couple of Mustangs ('65 and '73). I've always loved those cars...but after seeing an episode of Desert Valley Auto Kings where they re-assembled a '50s F-100, I started wondering why not find an old truck to restore. I love my daily driver, so why not get an old F-100 to go with dad's Mustangs. So, after looking around craig's, I found a great deal nearby. An old, somewhat beat up '65 F-100 stepside long bed. Best news was that it ran, but I'd have to trailer it due to a lack of functional brakes (ouch!). Well, obviously my F-150 was up to the task of towing the F-100 on a trailer (after a half tank of gas!) so I went and bought it. Couldn't pass it up for the price.

Now that I Have it home...I've got lots of questions. The first is the VIN. I got a copy of LM's catalog, and while interpreting the VIN, I was surprised because my engine code is not supposed to be one associated with a '65. Is there VIN code system off, or is there something odd about the engine in my truck.

Here's the plate info...and any help decoding all this would be much appreciated.

F10JL660127
WB 129 Color J Model F100 Body 581 Trans A Axle 08
Max GVW 5000 129HP @ 4000 RPM DSO 34

I assume it really is the '65 because it has the Twin I-Beam emblems. My research showed that '65 was when the Twin I-Beam was introduced, or is my research incorrect?

I'm not wanting to make this a 'show' vehicle. I want to make it a nice driver. What are the suggested upgrades/replacements? Three things I've come up with after reading about some other people's restorations are front disc brakes, new master cylinder, and electronic ignition.

Any other suggestions? This truck needs a lot of work including possibly a whole new bed but I think it will be fun to get it back on the road.

 

Welcome to FTE! power steering would be good to add along with the other things you mentioned.

 

Man am I getting confused on the VIN. LMC truck says that engine code J means a 1BC 223 CID 6 cylinder with 126 HP but that it was only available from '57-'64.

I used the VIN decoder here at FTE and got back a 1V 240 CID 6 cylinder with 150 HP. LMC says that was only available from '67-'72 (which should be engine code A).

I'm totally confused, especially since my data plate says 129 HP.

How can I definitively tell which engine I have?

 

LMC = Lots More Crap. NumberDummy should chime in to set things straight.

 

Firstoff, welcome to FTE,,,the best site for info relating to ford trucks IMO...secondly...LMC isnt a good source for parts as they are a middle man operation from all Ive heard and much of their stuff isnt the greatest in quality...the VIN decoder of theirs is a good example you pointed out.

heres the breakdown of your warranty plate info:

F10: F100, conventional cab 2WD 1/2 ton truck
J: 240 6 cyl, 1bbl carb,
L: Michigan Truck , where it came to life 47 years ago
660127: sequential unit number, March 1965 birthday..March began with 660,000

wb 129: wheelbase in inches, whats commonly referred to as a longbed...typically a Styleside vs a Flareside(stepside is GM lingo) Styleside is the GM equivelent of Fleetside.

Model F100: F100 with a 5000# load rating max.
Body 581: 5= Red Crush Vinyl and Red wicker pattern vinyl
81= 81A= base model truck which in yours should have the metal
instrument cluster bezel and round speedometer.

Trans A: Ford light duty 3 speed transmission...originally a 3 on the tree
shifter.
Axle 08: 3:50 ratio non locking rear axle assembly
GVW 5000: max load rating with people, full load of fuel and cargo
129 HP @ 4000: Engines cert net HP at the shown RPM
DSO 34: Indianapolis, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.



- cs65

 

Thank you so much for the info. Indianapolis makes sense as the handwritten notes in the owner's manual indicate it was sold by a dealership (that still exists I believe) in Middletown, IN. which is roughly 45 miles north of downtown Indy.

Here's a funny coincidence... I bought the car from a guy in Marion, IN which is 42 miles north of Middletown (which is right outside Anderson, IN). According to the owner's manual, a guy from Anderson bought the truck from a dealer in Middletown. When I showed my wife the manual, her jaw dropped. Her family is from the Anderson/Middletown area. She immediately called her mother and read the info to her...and my mother in law was shocked. My mother in law has worked for a glass company in Anderson for the past 25 years. The name and address in the owner's manual (which my wife recognized) was that of the founder of the glass company! I mean...what are the odds of something like that?

Can I guess that color code J is Red?

The VIN decoder here at FTE says my engine is 1V - 240cid, 150 HP, 4000 RPM. What's the deal with that?

More questions...What's the difference between a custom cab and standard? Will the door from a custom cab fit my truck? (Found a cheap passenger door for sale locally from a custom cab).

Is there a better source of parts than LMC?

*Sigh* I'm so chapped I can't get this thing on the road right now. Even though the column shifter is weird, it still works. Need brakes....badly.

 

Welcome to FTE

Some of "Squire" Don's decode info requires clarification.

660127 = March 1965 Numerical Sequence of Assembly, your trucks specific serial number.

129" only decodes to the wheelbase, does not decode to a "longbed" (Styleside/Flareside) pickup. These trucks were also available as a Cab & Chassis, with factory installed Flat or Stake beds.

J = Rangoon Red.

F100 2WD, 5,000 lbs GVWR

581: 5 = Red Crush Vinyl & Red Wicker Pattern Vinyl // 81 = 81A Standard Cab.

Trans A = Ford type 3.03 Light Duty 3 Speed Manual all Syncromesh Transmission.

Axle 08 = Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.50-1 / non Limited Slip / 3,300 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.

5,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Warranty Plate: 129 net HP @ 4,000 RPM / I dunno if 150 is the gross HP or not, as there's no parts catalog reference.

LMC hasn't a clue, their VIN decoder info is crap. FTE's VIN decoders aren't much better. For example, J just decodes to 240 1V I-6 period. HP & RPM are not noted.

"Squire" Don (camperspecial65) used the 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog to decode your VIN, which is the only accurate source. Don tends to add some of his own info, as you can see.

240 introduced in 1965, cancelled at the end of the 1974 model run (also installed in 1965/71 Galaxie/LTD's).

1965's used different VIN engine codes for the 240 I-6 & 352 2V V8 than 1966 and later / 1965: J = 240 1V I-6 / 1966/74: A = 240 1V I-6 // 1965: D = 352 2V / 1966/67: Y = 352 2V

1965's used different manual trans codes for the type 3.03 & NP435 than 1966 and later / 1965: A = Ford type 3.03 / 1966/86: C = Ford type 3.03 / 1965: N = New Process 435 4 speed / 1966/89: A = NP 435.

The doors are the same 1961/66 F100/1100 except 1961/63 F100/250 Uni's. Uni doors do not have the "dogleg" scallop line like your doors do.

Custom Cab is an upgraded Standard Cab, basically a "trim package" that included: Anodized aluminum grille, stainless steel hubcaps (except 4WD front), foam rubber seat cushion, right/left interior plastic door trim panels, right/left padded sun visors, right/left armrests, stainless steel windshield reveal mouldings, Custom Cab nameplates on the doors (unless 1963/66 Custom Cab door handle guards are present). 1965/66 F100/250's have a chromed plastic "sweep speedo" instrument cluster bezel.

Optional on all models: AM radio, economy or deluxe heater, O/D (F100 only), A/T (except 4WD), 300 I-6 (except Camper Specials [C/S], part of the package), 352, outside mirrors, lap seat belts, anodized aluminum side mouldings (Stylesides), chrome front bumper, wheel covers (1966 F100), Oil/Amp gauges (part of the C/S package).

 

Hi guys..hehe...i do ad a little bit for clarification a bit although the FMX/COM Im still fuzzy on a bit Bill...

As for the story of your wife and mother in law connected with the addy...thats awesome!!! As I recall, isnt there a dealer in Anderson ??


- cs65

 

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair and no clue inre to FMX/MX COM's.

MX Cruise-O-Matic: 1965/67 F100/350 352 / 1965/72 F100 300 I-6 // Misc 1958/67 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars.

FMX introduced in 1969, the only trucks that came with it: 1973/77 F350's with a 300 I-6.

MX pan has a notch in it, FMX pan does not, so the pan gasket is different. MX also uses a different filter than an FMX.

MX pan gasket: B5SZ-7A191-A same as the 3 speed Ford-O-Matic installed in 1955/57 292/312 Y block Thunderchickens.

But the filter is not the same in most cases. MX: B9MP-7A098-B F100/350 applications, 1957 Thunderchickens w/supercharger or dual quads, 1958/60 p/car 352 4V / 1961/67 p/car 390 2V/4V

 

Since I always bought parts from National Parts Depot for my Mustang I also use them for my 65 F-100. They cover trucks as well as cars.

 

Is the horn on the '65 just a button in the center of the steering wheel, or is it semi-circular 'bar' that radiates from the center?

 

Standard Cabs & 4WD's have a horn button, 2WD Custom Cabs have a horn ring.

 

Once upon a time I bought a fuel pump from NPD...told them what i wanted, application and even described it as there 2 variations...a bolted upper/lower halves and one crimped which makes for a non servicable diaphram...Wouldnt you know it...I was sent the wrong pump...they were great about refunding my money though...


- cs65

 

Then your problem was in describing what you wanted. I make sure I have the correct part and their number to go along with it. Once in awhile there may be two similar parts and hopefully you have someone on the other end who will check things out for you. As a side note I don't deal with LMC ever.

 

If you needed a Seth Thomas ships clock for a USN vessel and you knew that Seth Thomas ship clocks used on US Maritime Commission Liberty/Victory ships were different.

And after describing the differences to the source, you received a ships clock without bells (only one keyhole), what would you do? Blame yourself or blame the source for not paying attention?

IMO, "Squire" Don is correct. Some peeps have no clue, don't record detailed info and then cannot recall what it is.