Hey guys,

Fairly new on these boards, just bought my first of many (I hope!) F100 trucks last week...a 1964 Styleside, 2-tone, 61K miles, w/ a 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree (except the previous owner moved it to the floor). It was a farm truck down in Mississippi...here's a pic.





My plan is to make this a daily driver, and learn how to do some of the mechanical things myself. I do not have a history of working on cars, but I'm willing to learn. I was fortunate...the house we just bought in TN had a detached garage with a 2-post lift, so I'm excited about putting that thing to good use. Body and paint work...well...that's going to to the pros.

For the moment, I have a couple of things I need a little help with, if ya'll don't mind. First, I was driving it home from dinner last night and it got stuck in 2nd gear. I tried everything to get it to come out...and the stick moves all over the place...but when I let out on the clutch, I'm still in 2nd. Is this a likely just a linkage problem, or does this mean my tranny just went out?

Secondly, I've been reading up on these IFS kits...but I'm not sure I need all that. I would like to upgrade to disc brakes on the front, but the ride quality doesn't bother me so I'm wondering if it's worth it to go the IFS route, or just upgrade the front brakes and call it a day. Any thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

I look forward to getting to know you guys...thanks!

Josh

 

Josh, It is a linkage issue. With a bud in the cab, crawl under the truck and move the levers on the side of the transmission. The bud may have to push the clutch in to releive pressure.

Once you get it out I can't tell you how to adjust a floor shift, other than swapping to an auto like I did.

Dang a full grown Ford truck that can't shift it's own gears.

Nice Find.




John

 

Hey Josh, Welcome! Looks like a nice truck and it's a short bed! I like that!

Another remedy for the linkage issue would be to unbolt the tranny at the bell housing, disconnect the drive shaft, drop it out and put a 5 speed tranny in its place!

Actually, when you say, "daily driver" do you mean to drive to the office or to the job site. The type of daily driving you do will help determine what upgrades or changes you might want to make to the truck.

As for the IFS choices, I've been all over the map on this issue with my '66 but if I ever decided to do it, I'd lean towards the Dodge Dakota kit from Industrial Chassis in Phoenix. Technically, my '66 already has IFS with the twin-i-beam suspension but I can certainly understand how more modern steering, ride and handling could be pretty sweet. I recently swapped in a fuel injected 5.0/AOD so I have to cool it on the mods for a while.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Keep us updated with pics & stuff!

Randy

 

Thanks guys...I did what you said and crawled underneath...all fixed up. I must admit, I was disappointed to see a sticker on the floor mount hardware that read "Made in China".

Needless to say, that will be coming out very soon, along with the Toyota bench seat....and I think I'd like to put the shifter back on the column. When I was under the truck, I could see the old linkage coming off the steering column, so I think I'm halfway home...right?

As for the frequency of "daily driving"...I wouldn't mind driving her to work every day, or at least a few times a week. I only live about 8 miles from base, and it's mostly country back roads.

The brakes are a must, but I'm still weighing the entire IFS kits...right now I just don't feel as though it's necessary for my planned use.

I'll definitely post pics as I make changes...thanks again for the assist!

Josh

 

What you are seeing are the two manual control selector levers at the bottom of the steering column. I doubt the two shift rods are still in place.

So, you'll need the two shift rods that connect to these levers, then to levers on trans. To assure they're correct, you'll have to get them from a donor truck (1961/64 F100) that won't be EZ to find.

You'll also most likely need a new shift collar, EZ to find....if you know where to look.

Pot metal shift collar has an internal bridge that connects it to the shift tube. Over time, the bridge begins to crack, eventually breaks off. People couldn't find a replacement, so installed a floor shift.

Most people are unaware that the 3 M/T shift collar (D5TZ-7228-B replaced CODZ-7228-B) is the same: 1960/65 Falcon/Comet, 1961/77 F100/350 and 1966/77 Bronco!

Was obsoleted by FoMoCo two years ago, but 100's are available NOS from Ford Dealers/obsolete parts vendors.