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I'm a Mopar man at heart, but I have to admit....the Ford trucks are where it's at. I picked up this 68 4x4 F100 late this past fall. I'm looking forward to getting some use out of it next summer.
I found the truck in my local area, and thought it had that "uncle Jessie" look. I realize the "Dukes Truck" is a long box, 4x4, and also the wrong year to match the correct Jessie Duke Ford. However, it's not everyday in Wisconsin that you find a solid truck 52 years old. If you look close you will see in the background my 69 Dodge Charger General Lee. I thought it would be fun to put the Ford in line next to the General in a parade next summer.
First question: I'm guessing the grill on this truck wasn't painted from the factory. In that case, it's likely the metal....still not sure if it's tin, aluminum or steel was in rough shape. (have not had a chance to put a magnet on it)
If I am correct in my assumption, what's the best route to go to get this closer to a factory appearance?
Any photos you can share with the correct grill would be appreciated.
Thank you, and I'm looking forward to this new adventure~
That's a slick looking truck for sure. I hope that your General is not p.c. and has the correct flag on the roof. And judging by what i see hanging on the walls in the background it looks like someone is a very good hunter. I used to deer hunt until my Dad's health got to bad to were he could not go anymore. I think that the grills were only aluminum or painted steel.
If the truck was the “base” model, my knowledge says it came with a steel painted grill. Custom Cab and above trim levels got the aluminum grill. I may be wrong on that, others will be along to correct.
Do you have gauges or just lights in your instrument cluster for water temp, oil pressure and amps? That might also be a clue to original trim level.
Personally I like the steel grill, as they stand up to wear a bit better and can be painted accent colors. The aluminum ones are expensive to replace and seem to dent and bend if you even look at them sideways.
That's a slick looking truck for sure. I hope that your General is not p.c. and has the correct flag on the roof. And judging by what i see hanging on the walls in the background it looks like someone is a very good hunter. I used to deer hunt until my Dad's health got to bad to were he could go anymore. I think that the grills were only aluminum or painted steel.
I've had the Charger for 22 years. It's been the GL for over 20, and yes it certainly has the flag on the roof. Never have I had one hint of negativity from any one, white, black, brown, red or yellow. I think the media tends to blow things out of proportion. The Dukes weren't racist, and neither am I. Enough said on that.
I'm heading out the the shop today, I'm going to put a magnet on that grill and I will repost here.
Thanks for the kind response.
Oh and, yeah my passions include classic cars.....(trucks of late) and the hunting/fishing.
If the truck was the “base” model, my knowledge says it came with a steel painted grill. Custom Cab and above trim levels got the aluminum grill. I may be wrong on that, others will be along to correct.
Do you have gauges or just lights in your instrument cluster for water temp, oil pressure and amps? That might also be a clue to original trim level.
Personally I like the steel grill, as they stand up to wear a bit better and can be painted accent colors. The aluminum ones are expensive to replace and seem to dent and bend if you even look at them sideways.
I'm going to head out to the shop today. I'll take a closer look at the gauges and post a couple pics. I also intend to throw a magnet on the grill and figure out that situation. I really appreciate your help. I've been collection Mopars for 25 years, and along the way I've accumulated a ton of knowledge. Being my first old school Ford, I have a million questions. In my experience, these private forums have WAY MORE people "in the know" and more importantly, the forum folks seem to be more curtious than the typical Facebook chatters.
OK. I put a magnet on and the grill in certainly steel. So, the question is: would the grill have been painted from the factory to match the body? Chromed? Contrasting paint color?
I have also attached a few more photos of the interior and instrument cluster. I wasn't aware there were trim level packages back then. Anything you guys can tell me about the truck I would appreciate.
I'm told the truck has a 390 in it. Honestly, I wouldn't know a 390 from a 351 by looking at a ford engine. Any thoughts here?
Lastly. On my Mopars, there is a fender tag under the hood of the cars. This stated date of manufacture along with other build details about the cars originality. I looked all over under the hood and found nothing like this on the truck. How do I know what this truck was originally? Or....has that ship sailed??
They all magically have 390s on sale day. Possible, but unlikely. Like posted above, the warranty tag on the drivers door will tell you what it came with.
to measure stroke, take a plug (or 2 or 3 to ease compression) and stick a long straw down one hole. Have accomplice help. One person watches straw, the other turns motor over with a big ratchet. stop when it either reaches top or bottom. Make with sharpie. Continue until opposite end. Mark with sharpie using same reference point. Pull straw and measure.
352 and 360 are 3.5” stroke. 390 is 3.784”
IIRC the steels grills were all painted Wimbledon White, regardless of body color.
I'm a Mopar man at heart, but I have to admit....the Ford trucks are where it's at. I picked up this 68 4x4 F100 late this past fall. I'm looking forward to getting some use out of it next summer.
That's a very nice looking truck. You picked a winner. You might consider just checking all the vitals - brakes, fluids, steering, etc - and leaving it as it.
The mirrors aren't factory, but that's no big deal.
Thanks so much. See below. I found the tag, right where you said it would be. I also decoded according the to link you sent over. Thanks so much!!! It's fun learning more about this old truck!
They all magically have 390s on sale day. Possible, but unlikely. Like posted above, the warranty tag on the drivers door will tell you what it came with.
to measure stroke, take a plug (or 2 or 3 to ease compression) and stick a long straw down one hole. Have accomplice help. One person watches straw, the other turns motor over with a big ratchet. stop when it either reaches top or bottom. Make with sharpie. Continue until opposite end. Mark with sharpie using same reference point. Pull straw and measure.
352 and 360 are 3.5” stroke. 390 is 3.784”
IIRC the steels grills were all painted Wimbledon White, regardless of body color.
You have a nice looking truck!
Thanks so much for the advice! I intend to put a photo further down this post, as I can't seem to figure out how to add to a "reply".
So, here is what I found on the drivers door. I did decode per the link that was thoughtfully added above.
If my decoding efforts are correct then the truck came from the factory as:
1968 F100 4x4
360 V8, built in San Jose.
131 inch wheel base, Wimbledon White (which I think is the color it is now???) 5,600# GVW.
4 speed
3.50 gears
Conventional cab w/beige crush vinyl and ladder pattern. (not sure what these are)
Noted above: I intend to check the stroke on the engine to confirm if/if not a 390.
Tell me this. Did Ford stamp the engines like Mopar did back in 68?
Is it possible the engine in this truck is the original 360 from the factory? If so, can I prove it? Does it matter?
On my old Mopars, having the original engine is a HUGE PLUS in terms of value, collectability....yada, yada yah.
Any input appreciated.
Also. Being the truck is white.....Wimbledon white, would it make sense that the steel grill is painted the same white?? Would it have came this way from the factory?
