Ok, One, Two, Thhrrreeeee!!!! Don't back out now, rhetorical or not, you need to prove a point. Don't forget to VIDEO this.

 

No, I really don't need to prove anything at my age. Like I said I pulled plenty of gruesome dead people from wrecks quite some time ago and those moments are still in my memory. The reason auto makers went to rag joints and collapsable columns, disc brakes, crumple zones, air bags, and all that was to save lives. Ive seen my fair share of dead folks with holes in their chest and could post a few photos of them...but I wont. So Im pretty sure my opinion has credibility. And for the record, I never said "don't drive your old slick"....I recommended limited use or safety upgrades because the number of vehicles on the road today added with their ability to out stop and out steer a 50 year old truck is something to consider if you want to keep the slick - and yourself - around for many years to come. A great many people restore classics and antiques and take them to shows, etc., like the one restored by The Astronaut and many many others. But what would I know? I'm "stupid" and I need to "pull my panties up"....My last post on this one, like, for sure...totally.

 

Yeah I wouldn't know anything about restoring them for shows. A couple of sample pictures at a show. I drive it there I drive it home, I drive it anytime I like.
I have the original 292 y block original trans and then my own twist on what I like.



All in all, the 64 with the 292 was made to enjoy. Stock or Mod it's still a 1964 Ford F100

 

To all the guys whose safety is there main priority:

What, in your opinion, is some saftey upgrades I should make? And how feasible would these upgrades be to do?

And by the way, gangstakr, I love truck and I'm glad your still using the old y-block!

 

I use my 1966 standard cab as a daily driver. But only 10 mile work-commute round trip.

Upgrades. I prefer to keep mine as completely stock as possible. I am fortunate as there is no rust or rot other than some surface stuff. Some of the projects I've seen on here, I personally would never dive into. So much metal work and welding.

I did put in a modern stereo with speakers in door panels I fabricated (setting the originals in storage). My dash did not come with a radio so it's mounted under the dash near the steering wheel.

From what I consider an "upgrade" from initial stock, the only one I'm really thinking about is making the windshield wipers be able to wipe intermittently. I live where there is much drizzle as opposed to hard rain.

I also really dislike the steering column setup, and am considering changing that for something else.

Daily driving is about safety first, I think.

When I got it, it wouldn't hold a charge, turn signals not working, dash lights not working, no horn some weird wiring by previous owner. Corrected all that.

Put on new tires, taking the opportunity to have the rims painted fresh Wimbledon White. New tires did a lot for steering alignment. Got the crud out of the fuel tank. Fixed bouncing speedometer. Flushed, changed all fluids. Dropped driveshaft and put on new u-joints. New seals and anti-rattle stuff on doors. Sound deadened and insulated doors, floors and roof. Brake job. Got heater working strong. Squirrels had used under the headliner for food storage. Debris in the cowl and inside of the fenders by the air vents. When it rained there were annoying little leaks, had to chase them down and seal everything tight.

The only real trouble I've had in daily driving usage was getting used to manual steering again, and getting the non-vented tank to fill up using modern gas station pumps (still a hassle).

Went to work listening for the little gremlin noises here and there and went about replacing anything squeaking or rattling. Simple things like grommets and any rubber bumpers on moving metal parts, like clutch pedal and stuff.

I'm also good at consistent oil changes and oil bath air cleaner maintenance.

I'm very comfortable now using as a daily driver.

Yes, now and then a stranger comments on the truck and asks me about it. It triggers memories for some of the older ones, and the younger ones just think it's really vintage and cool.

There's a curve where you know it's unsafe when driving, to when you realize you have made it safe to drive, and know the limits of it. `

The biggest bang for the buck was making it steer straight, brake straight, and new tires. That's when I felt comfortable.

The electrical stuff was important to me safety wise, but how it handles the road at speed is the most important for me. Hope this helps. I'm not an upgrade kind of guy though. Like it as came out of the factory.

 

LOL. That's my thinking, too. But even though I live in a pretty large city, I keep a safe distance from other drivers, even in my little plastic car. I feel completely safe when daily driving at miles up to 65.

 

In all fairness Ford was always in the forefront of safety in their vehicles. Padded dashes and seat belts were the biggie back then and if you got into a crash usually the bigger vehicle came out a little better than a small car.
Nowadays you have to have airbags on all sides and passenger restraints to the max. Why? Those little plastic grilled, plastic bumperd cars are unsafe that's why they need all that extra protection.

You see those Smart Cars? It's second duty is to be the coffin you get buried in after you crash and die!!! What's so smart about that?

Real Steel, the Real Deal

 

I would never consider using my truck as a daily driver around here. Crowded freeways during the commute hours full of much newer cars. Newer meaning that brake way better than me even if I were disc brakes. Two, and most important since I don't use my brakes, they all can out handle the truck by a country mile. Handling is my first line of defense and if I can't snap lane change the truck in an instant then I am in trouble. I was trained to avoid trouble by using the accelerator and my steering while avoiding my brakes and it has worked well over the years.

 

1966 F250 vs. 1980's full sized Oldsmobile:







Needless to say I was obviously being watch over as nobody was seriously injured.

But, I think my truck my truck and I fared pretty well. We came out with a broken original FoMoCo printed headlight and a 1" gash on the forehead from meeting the window a little too fast.

Oh yes, the tie rod was also a little "tweaked".


While I would consider a dual master cylinder and power brakes a "must", I will go out on a limb and say that I would have greatly reduced the severity of, if not avoided my wreck if I would NOT have had power brakes.

I am not blaming the power brakes - I was going WAY too fast for conditions.

 

The padded dash was standard equipment beginning in 1965 for Custom Cabs & Rangers, but could be deleted. Padded dash was optional in Standard Cabs.

1967 was the first year that the padded dash, back up lamps, heater/defroster, lap seat belts and a L/H outside mirror (passenger car type) were standard equipment in F100/350's.

All these 'safety' features were mandated by the US Gov't as are air bags, restraint systems, front/rear crumple zones and etc in today's vehicles.

 

Based on what you have said has been done to the truck, you really shouldn't have many problems if the quality of the work is good.

I think the single most important factor for safety in any vehicle is the driver. There will always be things that happen which are out of your control but your driving habits will have a significant impact on how safe that truck is.

Seats with a padded headrest would be good. It does take away some from the look of the truck if stock looking is what you are after but you will be glad you have them when someone rearends you.

Has the steering and suspension been brought to like new condition?

 

There's a little play in the wheel but other than that it drives great for a 50 year old truck

 

If you think new cars are saver read this: Takata shares drop on report of US air bag probe

"KILLER AIRBAGS"

I"ll keep my old fords.....

 

For what it's worth, we take risks with our lives every time we step out the door. Hell, you can even die choking on a piece of chicken while sitting safely on your big couch in your safe home! We can live in fear thinking only the latest technology can save us or know the strengths and weaknesses of what we dealing with and act/drive accordingly.

Many people stop driving these old trucks because they get too fat to get behind the wheel or too creaky to pull themselves up into the cab. That's fine. There are lots of creature comforts that are addicting on newer vehichles, and many of them can be added to your old truck unless you're too much of a purist. Obviously, good brakes, good tires, tight steering are all requirements for a daily driver. Make sure it runs well and is mechanically dependable.
I drive my '66 all over southern California and the only "accident" I've had so far was when it was parked in front of my house and some idiot fell asleep and crashed into it. His '06 Toyota was totaled but I'm still driving mine.....

 

Since we know each other, I'd guess you're about 5-7, 150 lbs. and probably in your mid 40's. Some of us are a lot older, much taller and heavier and have arthritis.