When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello all, well I am an Army Vet that is retired and has lots of time on my hands so what is the best thing to do, find yourself a Ford truck. I do have mechanic experience but my experience is working on Blackhawk helicopters. My dad taught me what he could but tearing down a truck on my own will be no small feat.
So enough about me, no on to the truck. I have purchased a 1965 Ford F100, it has a solid body and a good underside. The truck was driven from California to Missouri where the previous owner sat it in front of his shop and that is where it stayed. It is now mine and I'm looking restore. I know this is the body style everyone loves to lower (I'll keep my opinion on that to myself). That is not my interest, the previous owner converted it from three on the tree to on the floor.
My question for you all is where is my stepping stone? Is there a checklist or an inventory? What should I do, sounds so newbiess but hey if the shoe fits, wear it.
First, of all , WELCOME to FTE. You'll find a lot of wonderful people here, with tone of experience.
And thanks for your service. Lots of vets here too.
The '65/'66 Ford truck is very popular for looks, as it harks back to the flowing styles of the '50s, without becoming too boxy.
It is also popular because it is easily upgraded to creature and safety comforts like power disc brakes and power steering with components harvested from Ford trucks up to '79. Search and you will find tons of good information on upgrades like this.
Also, there are many vendors that sell reproduction parts for our trucks.
The best advice I can give for now is to just drive your truck for awhile and enjoy it. Listen to her, give her a name and she will tell you what to do next.
Of course, first things that are urgent are to make sure the truck stops and steers safely. After 45 years, who knows what condition the brakes are in.
Best of luck, enjoy your truck, and again, Welcome to FTE.
Welcome to FTE!
I'm pretty new to these F100's myself and have a 66. The biggest thing I would say is to check your cab mounts and all your bushing. Check and make sure you have clean fuel filters and I always like to run some seafoam through as well. Also, upload some pics. We all like pics
Welcome to the Family of Ford Truck Enthusiast. To add to what other members have suggested, work on getting the truck on the road and focus on making sure it's mechanically sound. Suggest drive the truck while deciding whether you want to do a full restoration, which can take up to a minimum of 2-3 years, or what I would describe as a rolling 'reconditioning' where a particular project; for example, front disc, or power steering, etc., is researched, items for the project acquired, and usually the project can be completed over a weekend?? Finally, browse other member's threads they have started on restoring or reconditioning their trucks and perhaps get some indication what is involved?? Again, welcome to FTE, you will find the forum a warehouse of information, and helpful members, do not hesitate asking questions, looking forward to your input.
Welcome to the forum. I second the motion on pics. If it was a display truck, I'm betting it looks pretty nice.
It seems that everyone approaches restoration differently, depending on what they want to do with the truck. My 62 is still a work truck, driven frequently and hauling occasionally. It doesn't need much in the way of repairs (still reliable, after all these years), but I occasionally do some restoration work on it.
At the other end of the spectrum, this is one of the most complete build/restoration threads in this forum:
I noticed that the brake pedal is on the floor, I pulled it up and it came up fine but as soon as I pressed it there was nothing to it. It went to the floor and did not return.
Welcome to FTE. I'm retired Air Force aircraft maintenance. It's always useful to have good tech data to help you, and we're fortunate that the '65 - '66 F100 has tons of it available. Don't know what you can afford, but here are some I suggest: Ford Truck factory workshop manual and 1964 - 72 Ford Truck Parts and Accesssories manual available on DVD for less than $30. This has 2 parts to it, one of which is the complete IPB showing what goes where, and the other part gives you complete part numbers as of 1972 which is a place to start. The Owner's Manual is surprisingly helpful. Jim Osborn Reproductions in Lawrenceville, GA sells a 1965 Ford Truck Body/Interior Assembly Manual (their part number AM0101) and also a 1966 Ford Truck F100 - F750 Wiring Diagram manual (their part number MPO366). And there's more besides. There is (or at least should be) a warranty plate attached to your driver's door. Post the codes on this site and someone will decode it for you so you can know how it was configured when it left the factory 50 years ago. Of course, there's no guarantee that some previous owner didn't change something from that. Any ideas what you think you want to do with it? Restore to original? Fix safety items and drive with present patina? Restomod? Whatever you choose, someone from here will be happy to help. Good luck and have fun!
My intentions with it is to have it look inside and out like it just rolled off the factory floor. As for the budget... the old lady has put me on a budget of 500 a month. I think with that kinda budget I should be pretty good. I like the idea of getting her back to running condition and driving her around and see what she has to tell me, so that is my short term goal, the Chevy Tahoe seats out and do what I gotta to get her running. So that is my question, what should I put on my short term list to get her running again. It hasn't turned over since 2007.
Jeff Ranger, no I haven't checked the MC.
My intentions with it is to have it look inside and out like it just rolled off the factory floor. As for the budget... the old lady has put me on a budget of 500 a month. I think with that kinda budget I should be pretty good. I like the idea of getting her back to running condition and driving her around and see what she has to tell me, so that is my short term goal, the Chevy Tahoe seats out and do what I gotta to get her running. So that is my question, what should I put on my short term list to get her running again. It hasn't turned over since 2007.
Jeff Ranger, no I haven't checked the MC.
Id check the MC...If no fluid that could tell you you have bad breaks and things are leaking out. Im not a big break guy so hopefully others will chime in,
Turn the key, see if it trys to turn over.
Check the battery or get a new one.
If it trys to turn over great! Just dont start it.
Id flush all the fluids first. You may also want to drain all the gas out and clean the tank. If gas has been sitting in it it can be really bad.
My intentions with it is to have it look inside and out like it just rolled off the factory floor. As for the budget... the old lady has put me on a budget of 500 a month.
You may want to reevaluate your goal, and reconsider the level of restoration you have in mind.
A complete restoration will cost in excess of $25 - $30,000, and that is with you doing most of the work.
A nice driver-level rework of the truck can be just as nice and cost a lot less.
An even larger expense than money is the frustration factor multiplied by time. Projects that get started and then get abandoned due to lack of funds and time to continue as one wants.
There is no question that when restored, these trucks are some of the classiest and beautiful vehicles out there.
