I am thinking about buying a 1966 stepside for a weekend driver. When I review pictures and for sales, I seldom see stepsides. Are they not as desirable as flairsides? PS this forum seems excellent, thanks for allowing me here

 

Welcome to FTE! I suspect you mean you're looking at buying a '66 Flareside truck. That's the Ford name for it. Stepside refers to General Motors products. Flaresides are probably rarer than the Styleside pick-ups. Lots of people really want them. The question is, what do YOU like? There are plenty of trucks out there with either 6 or 8 cylinder engines, 3 speed manual, four speed manual (1st gear is a granny), or automatic transmissions, short or long wheelbase, standard or Custom Cab, etc. If you like the way the truck you're looking at looks, how it's equipped, and the price is OK, then buy it. One caveat - get a good reading on its mechanical condition before you buy. You don't want to get into 'expensive stuff right after you buy it (unless you can buy really cheap and are skilled at that sort of thing). Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

I had a 63 flare/step side when in was farming 20 years ago and loved it. Contantly used the step to load things against the cab so they did not slide forward. You can control how fast you start but not how fast you stop. I have a 64 styleside now because I think they look cooler. It is all based on your preferance.

 

When Stylesides were introduced in 1957, Flareside sales began to decline rapidly because many people no longer wanted them. Dealers hated to take them in trade, because...they were difficult to sell.

Many were sold as fleet vehicles to the US Gov't, construction and etc companies, were driven into the ground. Flaresides are sorta difficult to find today, but I find it hard to believe that lots of people really want them.

1966 F100 2WD production figures: Platform (Flat Bed): 16 / Platform & Rack (Stake Bed): 98 / Cab & Chassis: 2.616 / Flareside Pickup: 16,686 / Styleside Pickup: 285,015

 

thanks everybody for the responses. Great start on FTE calling it a GM designation. I like the look of the flareside more pesonally, however I find it harder to see similar pictures to see what can be done. The one I'm comtemplating seems to have limited trim, so I think it is the base model (custom?). there is no chrome trim on the fender side and I have yet to see that trim on flareside models in pictures. Thanks Bill for the production numbers, I still can't find them on the 'net'.
Since the trucks I've been looking at are in the lower cost -non modifed arena- I find the ride (on the 66 MUCH better than the earlier (60-64) models - it sorta feels like a car. I am looking to keep it for some time and would like it to be something that improves with age

 

Back then a 'deluxe' truck was a Custom Cab, while the base model was a Standard Cab. 1965/66 Rangers were more deluxe than Custom Cabs, came with full carpeting, bucket seats, center console was optional.

Standard Cabs have painted steel grilles, one sun visor, no armrests, no stainless steel windshield reveal mouldings or taillamp bezels (1964/66 Stylesides).

Upper bodyside mouldings (Stylesides), chrome front bumpers were optional on all F100/350's, didn't come with any package.

All rear bumpers were optional on Standard/Custom Cabs and Rangers, as was the spare tire...and the wheel!

Also optional on all models: Lap seat belts, outside mirrors, AM radio, standard & deluxe heaters, 3 speed O/D (F100's), 4 speed manual or A/T (except with Camper Special package).

 

In fact Ford advertised the 65 as an possible second car. I looked for the add on-line but could not find a copy. Twin I beams, air conditioning, and other car like options allows you to have the classic body shape of the 60-64 will a more livable package.

I selected a 64 because in was born in 64 and it was the last year for the drop step in the cab, the 292 Y block, and steel dash. It is as basic as they come. Definitely old school features. The ride can only be described as truck-like.

My next truck will be a 65-66 with a 300 I6. I will install air conditioning, power streering, power disc brakes, and a modern automatic overdrive transmission. Wife will be able to drive it. Not sure it that is good or bad.

 

Where, in what publication, newspaper ad? Never recall seeing any such thing...and I bought a 1965 F100 brand new.

A/C was a dealer installed accessory only. Power Steering wasn't available in 1965's.
Cab step: 1961/64 F100/1100 / 1965 F100/250 4WD / 1965/66 F350/1100 / 1966 F250 4WD // 1963/69 N/NT/T500/1000 / 1967/69 F800/1000.

No cab step: 1965/66 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F100 4WD.

 

Hey Scott, welcome to FTE! You're right, pics of the flaresides are a little harder to find. You didn't say whether you intend to keep the truck fairly stock or change it up some. The 65/66 does ride better than the previous years and is pretty easy to upgrade to disc brakes & power steering using all Ford parts. There are also many cool options for changing the suspension on these trucks if you wanna go that route.

Here's an example of a 65 flareside that won Best of Show at the 2010 F100 Western Nationals. Post up some pics of yours. We'd love to see it!

 

Bill, I am still looking for the ad. I has a man and his boy standing in the drive of a suburban home. The ad highlights the truck's comfort features. I saw it on a website that had specs and production numbers for Ford trucks. There was also a cool ad showing the F100, P100, Rancharo, and other cars for 65 all in one picture. I will post the link when I find it again.

 

Not sure about the '65 ad campaign, but this idea was used for the '66 model year advertising.1966 Ford Pickup Truck Ad Makes a Fine 2nd Car or a Wonderful First Truck | eBay

 

If your interested in the stock flareside look, here is a nicely done '64. There is a debate on whether the side spare carrier is an advantage or disadvantage, but as far as functionality is concerned, its a big plus.A very typical mistake body shops make when repainting the grilles on '61 thru '66 is leaving out the black detail trim, like on this one.Ford : F-100 N/A in Ford | eBay Motors

 

According to the Warranty Plate COLOR code of K, truck was originally painted Bengal Tan. The wood bed is supposed to be painted body color.

 

Thanks tripleframe, that is the ad I was thinking of. I am getting old remembered the lady as a boy.

Also, where is the black trim detail on the front grill? I do not see it in the photos. My 64 is being painted and would like to have them add it. There was black paint behind the head light bezel but i could not tell what the original pattern was since the truck had be repainted.

 

The spare tire is a PITA if you work with the truck. I make the bed step useless for loading the bed from driver side. I laid the spare in the bed next to the cab or you can bolt it to the front of the bed where is serves as a great bed bumper. The spare does make a good cargo weight. Bolting it to under the bed reduces ground clearance, and you will be dragging on low spots in the fields which is probably why Ford put it on the fender.

Hopefully we are all past using these trucks for that hard of work.