Greetings Gentlemen,
I'm looking at a 1966 F100 and doing the due diligence prior to tripping the trigger. This site is nothing short of incredible and would like some input on the info I've gleaned thus far.
The first number on the warranty plate reads f10BP816502
If I understand correctly this tells me that it is an F100 with a 300 I-6
P= ?
816502= date (?)
WB=wheelbase (129)
JM = tu tone --Wimbeldon White and Red
E81 = body =?
B09= trans
5000GVWR 150 hp @ 3600 rpm
DSO 442294
I'll state up front that my eyes aren't what they once were (and they weren't that hot then) so I may have a number or two wrong.
The DSO indicates that this was a special order , Correct? Any way to determine what that mite be? It has a three speed column shifter w/overdrive. Did all three speeds have overdrive?
This truck is in remarkably good condition and has been on blocks since 1983. While this generation of old Fords isn't exactly rare here in the interior of Alaska they are uncommon in terms of completeness and originality. Any input would be appreciated . Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forum. You've already got a fair handle on what your decode will look like. Using the numbers and letters you've supplied, here's what it says: F10 = F100 2 wheel drive truck. B = 300 cubic inch I-6 1 bbl engine. P = built at Twin Cities, MN plant. 816502 = built in February, 1966. 129 = your wheelbase in inches. JM = two tone paint. J = Rangoon Red. M = Wimbledon White. You left out the model, F100 = 1/2 ton truck with 5000 pound GVW rating. E81 = red upholstery. Number Dummy (or someone else) will have to supply the rest of this one as my decoder for this part has crumped. B = 3 speed manual transmission with OverDrive. 09 = Ford 9 inch non-limited slip axle with 3.70 gears. 5000 pounds is your GVW rating. 150 @ 3600 is your NET horsepower rating and the rpms where achieved. DSO 442294 = a Domestic Special Order from the Twin Cities, MN district sales office. Unfortunately the "special order" records have been destroyed so there's no way to tell what that entailed. Frequently it's to do with special paint, and when that happens the exterior paint code is usually blank. Yours seems to contain a normal paint scheme. So your guess is as good as. . . If all of the overdrive components are there and actually work you will be very lucky as finding parts for that particular system can be difficult. Hope this helps!

 

Welcome to FTE! Truck sounds good but we like photos too.

 

Welcome to the forum. Overdrive is a highly desirable option not standard with a 3 speed.

In addition, the 300 is a very dependable old work horse, also desirable to 6 banger fans.

The high ratio number 3.7 rear end is going to give a fairly low gear ratio for a good solid take off torque and load pull but not great gas mileage, but hey isn't gas free in Alaska?

 

Thanks for the responses. The OD factor is one which will require further research on my part. I was thinking that it mite be the Special Order item. Nothing else really sticks out to me. It has the bedside tool box but that hardly seems to be "special".The paint is not factory IMO. It is black over copper but I could see red underneath it in several spots. Considering that this rig drove the Alcan several times during the 60's and 70's it doesn't surprise me that the fella at some point repainted it.That road was an adventure back in those days.
thanks again
PS Who told you about the free gas??!!.That's supposed to be a secret

 

Most 3 speed manual transmissions sold did NOT have overdrive, but it certainly was a factory regularly available option, so no, that would not have been what your DSO was about. As OBP pointed out, it's a rare and highly sought after option - if it works. Since you say it is a 3 speed O/D truck, and can see red paint under its current paint job, we'll hope that the door warranty plate is the correct one for the truck. There is always the possibility the driver door was replaced and the warranty plate was not swapped out - a fairly common occurrence. Then all bets are off as to what's in it.

 

SuperSaber,
Altho repainted I do believe that the door and plate are original to this rig. Per the three speed-would this be considered a "medium duty " tranny or a light duty. Also is it a synchro?

 

Alaskan66 Welcome to FTE and the Slicks Forum.

I am trying to figure out what you are up to with your thread. No old Ford truck is going to be worth but so much. What is the asking? Finding one on blocks only likely means it is in the dry not in a swamp somewhere, but still out of service. 30 years without moving. It is good for parts or a project started, but to get it off the blocks and back on the road not so much.

Depending on the sheet metal sounds like you may have found a good project if priced right.


John

 

Optional Borg Warner T-85N 3 speed manual w/Overdrive has a crash (non syncro) first gear. Standard equipment: Ford type 3.03 3 speed manual all syncromesh trans.

300 I-6 + T-85N @ 50MPH on ALCAN = at least 25 MPG. My 1965 F100 390 (built from original 352) T-85N on Route 66 rod run from Seligman to Topock AZ ~ average speed 45 MPH = 28.7 MPG

First trucks driven over completed ALCAN, Studebaker 2 1/2's. Two on display along with other original equipment in Glenallen. AK Transportation Museum in Wasilla has a Studebaker 2 1/2 dump.

5/26/2013: $4.14 a gallon on gas station sign in Fairbanks. I remarked to a pal (and fellow FTE member) who lives in North Pole that the price is about the same as it is here in LA LA Land.

AK has a lot of oil, but no refineries.

 

Thanks for that bit of trivia Bill. I always wondered what the term Crash Box was refering to now I know.

 

Thank You John,
My desire is just to learn what it is I'm looking at . As anticipated, I have those answers. The Borg-Warner trans is a plus in my eyes. Having stated that tho I also realize what is so commonly reitterated on this site - that these are hobbies,not investments- are words of wisdom gained from first hand experience.

the metal is the biggest selling point on this unit. All trim is intact and the panels and pillars show virtually no rust. Most of the plastic is in need of help-interior Alaska is brutal on plastics- but the mechanicals will all be called into question for the reason you point out. This baby has been sitting for thirty years. The odo reads 13kkk which tells me that it has rolled. This is consistent with what I saw under the hood. Due to the asking price( north of $3k) I think this one is best left to someone else.
ND -appreciate the input. Noticed on one of your posts that you went from Skagway to Whitehorse. Did you take the train? That one's on my Alaska bucket list.

 

M/V Zuiderdam Vancouver/Juneau/Skagway / WP&YRR Skagway to Fraser / Motorcoach to Whitehorse/Dawson City/Tok/Fairbanks / AKRR Fairbanks to Denali, Denali to Anchorage.

2nd AK cruise/tour, 1st was 9/2004 Vancouver to Fairbanks. 5th AK cruise (2004/2005/2006/2012/2013).

Pal of mine (and fellow FTE member) owns Hector's Welding in North Pole, so instead of taking free paddle wheel boat ride on river (it was included in cruise/tour, but I took it in 2004), he took me to local car show, then to car museum, then we went out to dinner. "She who must be obeyed" came along to dinner, she took the boat ride, cuz has no interest in old rolling piles of misery.

 

Alaskan66, Don't know your negotiating skills but if you can work the seller to around a grand I think you might have a buy. Everything from bumper to bumper will have to be reworked & upgraded. 30 years parked will not restart and go. Every seal & gasket is going to leak.

See if you can reason with the seller, I don't think anyone will give 3+ for it, but, there a few idiots around.



John

 

Ha! John, that's persactly what I did about three hours ago! I really like this truck but for sh*** and giggles I searched the Anchorage CL and found two 66 100s for less dollars... So, no panic The rite one will find me soon enuf. Thanks so much for your input

 

Good job a better one will come