new guy needing help
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New User
Joined: Jul 2012
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new guy needing help
First off, I have been reading this forum for months and you guys are awesome at helping people it seems.
I have had my 65 for about 8 months now with no rush to do much but due to my circumstances I need to get this thing reliable enough for 2-3 days a week of driving. Darn it...
My questions.....
Almost nothing electrical works, only headlights, and the wiring is a horrible mess. I am torn between new harnesses; painless wiring kit, ez wiring kit, and the american autowire kit (expensive though). Wiring this thing is what I am most nervous about doing myself. I am willing to spend a little more for speed and ease if there is such a thing. Any suggestions????
I am also planning the front disk brake conversion. Does anyone know of a picture or video overview of the procedure?
Lastly, the truck has a 302 from a early 70's mustang and what I believe to be a fmx (???) 3 speed tranny? It runs pretty good, with a few oil leaks I am in process of fixing BUT it sounds like it needs a fourth gear or something. I have know way of knowing the rpm's but is that normal? It gets up and scoots but around (50-55 mph ???) I get nervous.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I have had my 65 for about 8 months now with no rush to do much but due to my circumstances I need to get this thing reliable enough for 2-3 days a week of driving. Darn it...
My questions.....Almost nothing electrical works, only headlights, and the wiring is a horrible mess. I am torn between new harnesses; painless wiring kit, ez wiring kit, and the american autowire kit (expensive though). Wiring this thing is what I am most nervous about doing myself. I am willing to spend a little more for speed and ease if there is such a thing. Any suggestions????
I am also planning the front disk brake conversion. Does anyone know of a picture or video overview of the procedure?
Lastly, the truck has a 302 from a early 70's mustang and what I believe to be a fmx (???) 3 speed tranny? It runs pretty good, with a few oil leaks I am in process of fixing BUT it sounds like it needs a fourth gear or something. I have know way of knowing the rpm's but is that normal? It gets up and scoots but around (50-55 mph ???) I get nervous.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Craig Welcome to FTE users. I hope we can help you too. 
For headlights I recommend relays, I used this for help, works great Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights .: Articles
Any 73-79 half ton with 302 will make a excellent donor, you buy it and swap the I-beams, power steering and all needed items to have a Ford engineered brake & power steering system.
For 302 I would look for an AOD from a 90s 5.0L truck. Unless your engine is an early model with different bell bolt pattern it should be an easy bolt in. Drive shaft will have to be modified, but no biggie.
John
For headlights I recommend relays, I used this for help, works great Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights .: Articles
Any 73-79 half ton with 302 will make a excellent donor, you buy it and swap the I-beams, power steering and all needed items to have a Ford engineered brake & power steering system.
For 302 I would look for an AOD from a 90s 5.0L truck. Unless your engine is an early model with different bell bolt pattern it should be an easy bolt in. Drive shaft will have to be modified, but no biggie.
John
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New User
Joined: Jul 2012
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John, thanks for the headlight article. Sounds easy enough to follow.
I have had a hard time finding the donor truck in my area. I want to get the brakes done in the next 2-3 weeks so I may be forced to by a new kit for the brakes.
NumberDummy, I will look again at the tran when I get home. I had just looked at a picture in LMC and came to my conclusion it was a FMX, but could be a mistake. What about the feeling that it is reving pretty high? I have no guages so its hard to know whats really going on. I just dont want to blow something up.
I have had a hard time finding the donor truck in my area. I want to get the brakes done in the next 2-3 weeks so I may be forced to by a new kit for the brakes.
NumberDummy, I will look again at the tran when I get home. I had just looked at a picture in LMC and came to my conclusion it was a FMX, but could be a mistake. What about the feeling that it is reving pretty high? I have no guages so its hard to know whats really going on. I just dont want to blow something up.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
First and foremost, welcome to FTE!!! 
There are repro wire harnesses, believe a few of the Ford part supplier's carry them, purchased mine thru Mr. Mustang Inc., same wire color code and connectors, matter of unplugging the old harness and plug in the new. Impressed with the quality and ended up buying the 3 major harnesses for each of the 65's. If intend added a few new circuits then the aftermarket kits may be the way to go? Looking forward to your input, post pic's if and when you can!! Again welcome.
There are repro wire harnesses, believe a few of the Ford part supplier's carry them, purchased mine thru Mr. Mustang Inc., same wire color code and connectors, matter of unplugging the old harness and plug in the new. Impressed with the quality and ended up buying the 3 major harnesses for each of the 65's. If intend added a few new circuits then the aftermarket kits may be the way to go? Looking forward to your input, post pic's if and when you can!! Again welcome.
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New User
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Let me get my dumb question out of the way, did you use a mustang harness for your truck? I understand wiring is basically the same but wanted to clarify. If you did, do you just buy the year specific harness???
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Seem to recall member mentioning certain year Mustang harness are same, or simular, with certain year Ford Truck. The company I purchased from describes them as Ford truck harnesses, whether or not they are interchangable with Mustang I could not say. Only purchased the major harnesses; alternator, head and taillight harness, the other harnesses are primarily a single wire circuit that you can buy in any hardward store. The link below is the price list and it's several yrs. old, if considering suggest contact and get an update on prices!
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Scan10003.jpg
Not a very good pic of the alt harness: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ireharness.jpg
May want to consider purchasing the wiring manual, many of the Ford part supplier's carry them, or purchased directly from the distributer; Jim Osborn reproductions for $7, constantly find it invaluable tracking down electrical gremlins.
If decided to go w/ replacement harness suggest purchaing a small tube of dielectric grease and apply a dap to connectors and ground surfaces.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Scan10003.jpg
Not a very good pic of the alt harness: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ireharness.jpg
May want to consider purchasing the wiring manual, many of the Ford part supplier's carry them, or purchased directly from the distributer; Jim Osborn reproductions for $7, constantly find it invaluable tracking down electrical gremlins.
If decided to go w/ replacement harness suggest purchaing a small tube of dielectric grease and apply a dap to connectors and ground surfaces.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Santa Monica, CA
Craig, if you can't find a donor truck and you're in a hurry to change the brakes, this might be a way to go...Master Power Brakes - FORD TRUCK POWER FRONT DISC BRAKE KIT (FULLY ASSEMBLED)
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Santa Monica, CA
When I converted mine, I snagged the whole front suspension from a 78 F150 at a salvage yard. By the time I got thru adding new parts I'm sure I had $600-700 in parts, plus I had to run all over the place to get them. So, unless you find a donor truck for cheap and can sell of the rest of it to recoup your investment, you're probably stuck with paying the $800-1200 for complete disc brake conversion.
Too bad you didn't live in CA a couple of weeks ago. There was a guy selling this same kit brand new on craigslist for $500! I guess he bought it and changed his mind with the front suspension.
Hopefully, someone will respond with knowledge of these kits from other suppliers. Good luck with it and be sure & post pics when you can.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Craig, It is best to not get in a hurry, take your time, you will find a donor. Keep a look out in areas going out of town. Look in folks back & side yards. Don't be afraid to stop in and ask if you can look at, then offer to buy the truck. Craigslist is a good place.
I have done the donor purchase several times. I have always sold parts that I didn't need & recovered my purchase price. It may take a little longer to get rid of the parts, but with a little planning you shouldn't end up with $5-600.00 in the hole.
Look a little harder.
John
I have done the donor purchase several times. I have always sold parts that I didn't need & recovered my purchase price. It may take a little longer to get rid of the parts, but with a little planning you shouldn't end up with $5-600.00 in the hole.
Look a little harder.
John
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 127
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The Master Power Brake kit is excellent. Try calling them. I got mine about a year ago for $800 with free shipping. It doesn't hurt to ask if you can get the same deal. They work GREAT! I also used an American Autowire Highway 22(?) wiring kit. The instructions were very complete and it comes with a new light switch, ignition switch and dimmer included in the kit. Took me a couple of weekends working part time to completely wire my truck. They are expensive, but sometimes you get what you pay for. You really don't need power brakes. My manual disk brakes from this kit will put you thru the windshield if you stand on them. That drops the price of the kit also.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 98
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From: northwest alabama
craig i,m also a newbie to this site and i love it, not a lot of people in my area workin on these trucks so it is great to talk to people who love these trucks as much as i do. i used a 79 frontend under mine that was a freebie and still spent around $300 on it, best money i've spent so far if i remember right i put 1ton master cylinder on mine from a 78 or 79 and a power booster from the same year. as for your high revving problem i swapped in a 2:70 rearend and it really brought the rpm range down on my truck and its still pretty peppy hope this helps
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New User
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Chris,
I appreciate the response. The rearend is the one thing I am not sure about. My background has been 2 newer mustangs but I paid someone else for the work.
I was a Blackhawk mechanic for 10 years as of 2008 but never done much in the way of cars. I can work on thise with my eyes closed but am still a little itimidated with stuff that doesn't leave the ground. Weird I guess.
I am not sure the best way to find out what rear setup I have. I am assuming I need to pull it apart???
Philllips, I will also try calling master brake, no shame in my game. Help a disabled vet out. I am leaning towards American autowire.
I appreciate the response. The rearend is the one thing I am not sure about. My background has been 2 newer mustangs but I paid someone else for the work.
I was a Blackhawk mechanic for 10 years as of 2008 but never done much in the way of cars. I can work on thise with my eyes closed but am still a little itimidated with stuff that doesn't leave the ground. Weird I guess.
I am not sure the best way to find out what rear setup I have. I am assuming I need to pull it apart???
Philllips, I will also try calling master brake, no shame in my game
. Help a disabled vet out. I am leaning towards American autowire.