I have been wanting a 65 or a 66 F100 4x4 for awhile and I have located one in another state. Before I commit to the drive I was wanting to know from the guys who know what these trucks drive like for a daily driver. It has the 352 4 speed withe 3:7? Gears and granny low transfer case. He said it will run good on the highway. From the guys who know what can I expect. I know full well it's a old and all but I don't want something that's a pain to drive. Can you guys give me some help?
Thanks

 

My truck is a 66 F250 4x4 and if their are any similarities between them...
Manual steering is a major bummer when you're trying to park, especially in tight areas.
Truck must be at a complete stand-still before attempting to put into 1st or reverse.
For some people the brakes seem to require extra effort.
Driving in heavy traffic will give your right arm and left leg a serious workout.
Other than that, for me it was really no problem.
I drove my 1st 66 F250 4x4 in Los Angeles traffic for 3 years - same set-up as yours.
I'm here to tell the story so I survived just fine.

 

Thanks for reply and the good info. I'm good with the miscomings you mentioned. I just don't want to fight it on the highway and have it rapped out just to keep up with traffic.

 

Actually I lied just a bit, my truck had 4:56 gears so at 60mph it was screamin' but with your gear ratio it should be just fine at 60 - 65mph.

I used to know the formula for gear ratio versus tire size = speed (mph)
But that was when I was younger and much quicker.

I can look for it in my pile of old 4 Wheeler mags or someone else might chime in.

cheers
- Dave

 

I use my 66 2x4 everyday to and from work and I love it even though it has no power steering and it is and auto tranny but the 390 in it does the job every day with no problems

 

If you learn how to double clutch, problem solved.

My '66 is my only licensed vehicle. I don't mind the brakes but I did total a mini van (they ran into me) when my brake light switch blew apart.

The steering makes you stronger and lets you realize how hard it is on things when you crank the wheels at a standstill.

When my truck had 4.56's and the 352 I could hit 90. I ran it 70 all the time. Now with the 416 and 4.10's I have went over 110 MPH. I run 80 all the time.

 

Are these trucks you are referring to running 100 mph 4x4s ???

 

He lives in Montana so he has wide open roads with no cars or trees in sight!!

With 4.56 gears I've had my 1966 F250 4x4 up to 90 also. Old 352 in that truck. If you've never hit a good bump in an ox cart going 90 you just haven't lived...

 

Yeah

Only animals. But now we can pick up road kill so we have a reason to try to hit them.

 

These trucks as a daily driver can be very expensive, unless you have a short commute. 12 mpg is pretty much tops for a 352 F 100 4X4.There is a big difference between a '65 and '66 F100 4X4. The '66 F 100 was almost completely re engineered and is pretty much the first modern Ford 4X4. The '66 F 100 4X4 has a coil front suspension with low floor cab which drives much nicer than a '65 F100 4X4 leaf spring front suspension with high floor cab. Most of these trucks are manual brakes, steering, and transmissions, so these trucks are not exactly easy to drive if your used to power everything. Do your research on these trucks, many for sale are not factory units.

 

1965 F100 4WD's have leaf spring front suspension, a cab step visible when the doors are opened. If a Styleside, come with either the 6 1/2' or 8' 1957/60 'wrong beds' that don't match the cab lines.

These trucks use the 3 point engine mounting system similar to 1961/64 F100/350's. Front mount located in center, R/L rear mounts located between ears of bell housing and cross member.
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1966 F100 4WD's have coil spring front suspension, use the same cab as 1965/66 F100/250 2WD's that don't have a cab step.

The Styleside beds are the same as 1964/66 F100/250 2WD's and use the same engine mounting system as 1965/66 F100/250 2WD's, 1967/79 F100/350's.

But: A/T was not available with 4WD until 1973, neither was P/S and thru 1975 was troublesome Power Assist P/S. Disc brakes were not available with 4WD until 1976.

Do not believe a single word a seller claims. Private sellers lie just like used/new car dealers, lawyers, politicians and TV evangelists.

Do not believe the miles shown on the odometer as it reads to 99999.9 then returns to ZERO!

 

How much more cash are you going to have to fork over for 4X4 truck (not mini-truck) that gets good mileage? And just how good of mileage are you going to get?

 

It depends on your level of commitment, heh, and whether you're willing and able to spend what it might take to bring the truck up to at least the standard of when it was built. Yes you can use these trucks as daily drivers, millions did just that when they were new, but you'll also discover why more modern trucks are so popular (and expensive). It's one thing to have a hobby of restoring and another to depend on a 50 or 60 year old truck. Approach your truck as if you must depend on it and you'll be a lot happier. This will take dedication, tho in any case at the end of the day you'll have an old pick up! It's nice to know I can hop in my rig and drive just about anywhere and get home again - done it several times in fact, but there's a learnin' curve with that!

 

As you can see I bought it!!!! what a joy to drive. The only concern is the brakes as you guys mentioned. They work as they should but they are not desireable. Anyway I am very happy with it. I have been wanting one for over 30 years and now Im at a point when it became reality! Thanks for the help guys!!
Mark

 

We can't see, linkee no workee. You cannot post pics using this set up.