1957/67 F100: Front drum brakes: 11" x 2" & rear drum brakes: 11" 1 3/4."

Barely adequate when these trucks were new, when there was faaar less traffic on the roads, and BMW sales were miniscule.

Today, these brakes are horribly inadequate for driving in stop-and-go traffic and BMW's sell like hotcakes.

Around here (LA LA Land), many BMW drivers are arrogant lawyer & Hollywood types, the worst offenders for cutting in/out of traffic...usually without signaling.

What's the difference between a porcupine and a BMW driver? On a porcupine, the p***k is on the outside!

Where will you find a collapsible steering column that'll fit, since no F100/350 came with it...until 1980?

 

So brakes would be the first thing to do?

I have no idea where I'd find one or if I could find one. Ya'll know much better than I. If it's not possible, I'm happy to know it.

 

What is your allure for this truck? In another thread, you're concerned about its poor legroom, now you're concerned about the brakes, non collapsible steering column and the lack of seat belts.

Some 1966's came with factory or dealer installed P/S and lap belts, but retractable shoulder belts weren't available until 1977, no collapsible steering column until 1980.

IMO: At 6-1, you'd be better off with a '77 and later F150 Super Cab (intro'd in 1974). Shoulder belts (77), power disc brakes were standard equipment and most have P/S.

The cab is much roomier, and the seat can be repositioned increasing legroom.

After owning new 1965/68 & 1971 Regular Cab pickups, in 1979, I bought a new F150 Lariat Super Cab for a DD for these reasons. Bought two more: 1988/92, then 2004 & 2011 F150 Crew Cabs.

When one is 6-5, the choices are limited as to what I can fit my carcass into. Age also plays a factor, I was a skinny 180 lbs. thru the 1960's/70's, not so today...and now 'Arthur' has arrived.

 

The allure of the truck is that it looks classy and that I may be able to get it cheap. I recently survived an epic medical crisis and while I was in the hospital the "need" to own an old, classic pickup developed. This is the first one around here I can get for a price that will leave a little extra $ to work on it.

I'm concerned for the legroom and safety features because I'd like to be comfortable and not die in a horrible, fiery crash. I don't think there's any contradiction here. I can obviously buy a newer truck and have all those features. But it doesn't look like a '66 Ford.

Is there anyone driving old trucks NOT concerned about brakes and steering?

 

I could write a book about my last 5 years of medical crisis and was just diagnosed with another serious illness.

It's thankfully not the 'Big C' as The Duke (John Wayne) once called it, but it's not pleasant either.

So, now that you've survived a medical crisis, you want to buy a 'classic' '66 old rolling pile of miseries...and you think that the price will leave a little extra money to fix it?

Not anymore, those days are long gone. Restoration costs have quadrupled over the past 10 years.

So, whatever you estimate the overall costs will be, DOUBLE IT and then add 25% and this still won't be enough.

 

I think if I've made anything clear by this post, it's that I DON'T want to buy that. Which is why I'd love for you to just say that that's what this, or any old truck, is.

I am not a rich man.

 

But what you aren't taking into account is the truck you're interested in. This is a "bare bones price leader stripper" F100 240 I-6 3 M/T Standard Cab short bed with an economy heater...and that's it.

Compare it to some of the other members trucks that are typing in this forum and you'll see that there is no comparison.

There's nothing worse in the old car hobby than someone wearing rose colored glasses, suffering 'buck fever' with money burning a hole in their pocket.

I know this, as I've been just as guilty. I've owned 338 vehicles since 1956 and have spent a TON of money on some of them, including 25 grand I sunk into my 1965 F100 during its 1981/83 resto.

 

On the brakes, it really depends on how & where you drive. Since I drive mine all around Los Angeles, I definitely appreciate the difference with the power disc conversion but if most of my driving was in a less populated area I might have gone a little longer with the drum brakes. Just get to know your vehicle with its limitations and drive accordingly.

 

You're right, of course. The flip side is, Will I ever be able to afford something like what the others have? The idea behind this was: get something I can afford and make it nice over time. I feel you're arguing that this isn't something even worth trying to make better.

 

Even if I could fit in it, I wouldn't buy it...even if the price was 100 bucks.

For the same money you can buy a Custom Cab with a 352, radio, deluxe heater, A/T or 3 speed overdrive, 4 M/T with anodized aluminum grille, chrome plastic sweep speedo cluster, and other nicities.

But you have to have patient, look around as these trucks can be difficult to find...except here in LA LA Land, where they're a dime a dozen, many without a speck of rust, priced around a grand.

 

Hell, if I found one like that in LA I'd fly to LA and drive it home, with one in tow.

 

Swing on by, you can leave your snow shoes, overcoat and probably your 'bumbershoot' at home in the frozen north.

This is LA, known for sunshine, a balmy climate, sandy beaches, pretty maidens, swap meets/shows every weekend, gazillions of rust free old rolling piles of misery, horrid traffic and arrogant BMW drivers!

 

You find the ads, I'll pay the deposit. My buddy lives in Huntington Beach - it'll be a good excuse.

 

Jesse, you can come to LA and find all the things Number Dummy described except you certainly WON'T find the truck he described for $1000!!!! Especially if it's a short bed!

 

HB is about 20 miles south of my residencia, it's the Surf Capitol of SoCal, lots a pretty surfer chicks, woodie wagons, old trucks to eyeball.

Click on my user name, send me an email or P/M with your contact info. I'll find a few, look at them, contact you, then it's your decision to come here and buy one...a truck, that is!

I'm presently looking for a 1974 or 1975 Stupor Cab, so looking for another old rolling pile of misery is no problemo.

3rd week of June, F100 Western Nationals Truck Show held at Canyon RV Park (aka gopher hole acres), part of the Featherly Park complex in NE Anaheim at the corner of Walk and Don't Walk.

Last June, Randy (37 Ford guy), Robert (gangstakr), Dave (garbz2), Bill W, KStone, the Big Dummy were all sittin' around and telling lies about their trucks.

3 day F100 SuperNationals truck show/swap meet held in May in Pigeon Forge TN

Pay no attention to Randy, he doesn't get out all that much and beat the bushes lookin' for old piles, lives in lah-di-dah Santa Monica where everything is expensive.

I know cuz I was born in Santa Monica...when FDR was prez. I also know Randy, he's soooo cheap he wouldn't pay a nickel to watch an ant eat a bail of hay.