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Latest Project 1977 F350 Camper Special -- Build Thread
I have been fascinated by the Camper Special ever since I came across one in a junkyard a few years back and saw the spare tire on the side of the bed. I recently came across a 1977 and had to purchase it even though mechanically, it seems rough. The truck appears to be fairly original and it is equipped with a 460 engine. The rust is not too bad. I think I may just tackle the mechanical restoration and do very little to the exterior outside of some minor rust repair. I wonder if there is a technique that I can use to keep the faded/patina look. Here are some pics.
Neat. I really tried to find something like that. Yes, the "patina" look is all the craze right now. There's a lot of info and techniques out there. Many people clearcoat over it. It gives it a weird look to it. The best technique I've seen at the shows, but is a lot of work is to coat the finish with linseed oil. Of course if truck doesn't live in a garage that's a real maintenance pain. If you clear coat it I recommend not to use a gloss finish. Goggle it. And hit some local car shows to check out the styles.
I have plans to put Air Conditioning in it. I have the original brackets/pulleys from my years of picking junkyards.
Do you have the factory installed integral A/C parts, or the Deluxe or Economy dealer installed A/C parts?
Three different types of A/C in 1973/79 F100/350 & 1978/79 Bronco.
Installing factory installed integral A/C will be a royal PITA because it's combined with the heater. But you cannot use the heater this truck has now.
Nice looking truck that appears to be unmolested. I would keep it under cover, out of the sun and any moisture when it was not being driven. Something about clear coating them makes them look like crap, IMO.
I don't think I am going to clear coat it. I may do a little body work -- the bottom part of the doors have rust -- probably from the drains being clogged with crap. The floors are rock solid. I am not going to clear coat it. I am going to see if I can match the paint and mix some fake rust patina to the areas and see if it blends in. I drove it 15 miles home today and it drove fine.
Do you have the factory installed integral A/C parts, or the Deluxe or Economy dealer installed A/C parts?
Three different types of A/C in 1973/79 F100/350 & 1978/79 Bronco.
Installing factory installed integral A/C will be a royal PITA because it's combined with the heater. But you cannot use the heater this truck has now.
Well, I recall taking the following from either a 429 or 460 engine. Can't recall.
You are viewing the following:
1. Upper/Lower a/c brackets. The lower bracket is stamped D0AA-2882-B
2 Water pump pulley stamped D0SE-8509-B
3. Air Conditioning fixed Idler pulley stamped D0AA-8A617-B1
I believe this is a good start. Will have to figure out the evaporator or pull from another truck.
For the "factory A/C" that has the big box under the hood (not the 2 different dealer installed options, of either mounted below the dash or where the glove box used to be) you will also need A/C wiring harness for the engine bay for the A/C parts, and for inside the cab as the blower switch is wired differently, etc, you may be looking at swapping factory harnesses, if you don't decide to upgrade to a Painless Wiring Kit or similar available aftermarket setup.
For the "factory A/C" that has the big box under the hood (not the 2 different dealer installed options, of either mounted below the dash or where the glove box used to be ) you will also need A/C wiring harness for the engine bay for the A/C parts, and for inside the cab as the blower switch is wired differently, etc, you may be looking at swapping factory harnesses, if you don't decide to upgrade to a Painless Wiring Kit or similar available aftermarket setup.
Deluxe dealer installed A/C is combined with the heater. The two A/C switches are located in the HUGE bezel that sweeps across the entire right side of the dash, covering up the glove box.
There is a separate 'hang-on' glove box bolted to the bottom of the dash.
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Economy dealer installed A/C is not combined with the heater. The two A/C switches are located in a panel that also includes two registers.
This panel fits into the dash to the left of the glove box.
I've come across quite a few dealer installed units over the years. I may go this way or use a hang on style evaporator. Right now, I have other pressing things to take care of. The engine appears to be really strong and transmission shifted nicely. There is some play in the steering and noticed that the rag joint steering coupler is worn. I have seen quite a few of them for sale (different part numbers). Not sure which is correct for my truck.
There is some play in the steering and noticed that the rag joint steering coupler is worn. I have seen quite a few of them for sale (different part numbers). Not sure which is correct for my truck.
I am going to have the gear box rebuilt -- fairly inexpensive. Also, had the carb rebuilt. The goal is to have the truck mechanically sound.
What do these trucks go for? You don't see them quite often. I recall seeing a Haggerty write up on how rare they are and undervalued. I'll try to find the article and post it
11-24-2018, 09:57 PM
the dash or where the glove box used to be 
) you will also need A/C wiring harness for the engine bay for the A/C parts, and for inside the cab as the blower switch is wired differently, etc, you may be looking at swapping factory harnesses, if you don't decide to upgrade to a Painless Wiring Kit or similar available aftermarket setup.
