Old Unibody Ford?
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Well, we've been married 20 years now...
Fact is, she bought our last car, a 1998 Crown Vic, while I was still in Kuwait this summer. I guess I happened to marry the rare woman that will actually crawl underneath a car before she buys it...!
Fact is, she bought our last car, a 1998 Crown Vic, while I was still in Kuwait this summer. I guess I happened to marry the rare woman that will actually crawl underneath a car before she buys it...!
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I was looking to buy a '64 4x4 f-100. Are the vin's stamped onto the body/chassis or not? After reading up on '61-'66 I realized the grilles are all different and the '64 in question has a '66 grille. Are the grilles interchangable? Also, the steering column is quite vertical (if you followed the shaft line, it would hit pretty much center of the cab above the driver's head as opposed to hitting behind the driver's head at the roof. Are some steering column angles different depending on 4x4 or year? Also, the rear axel is an 8 bolt instead of 5. Does this mean it's a scavenged axel out of a 250? This vintage is new to me. Any expert opinions out there? Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,375
Likes: 5
From: seattle
The 4WD cabs are the same used on all F350s and all 61-4 trucks..2 and 4WD,,,the exception being the 66 F100 which uses the 2wd 65-6 cab...The VIN is stamped on the top surface of the RH frame rail about 12" in front of the main engine crossmember...
Canadian VINS are on the driver side frame rail...same location though in relation to crossmember...it will start with something like 699 or 899 and go on...Its warranty plate is attached to the driver side forward face of the door jamb originally...its about 6 inches long...
- cs65
Canadian VINS are on the driver side frame rail...same location though in relation to crossmember...it will start with something like 699 or 899 and go on...Its warranty plate is attached to the driver side forward face of the door jamb originally...its about 6 inches long...
- cs65
Last edited by camperspecial65; Jan 25, 2009 at 07:56 PM. Reason: added info....
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
I was looking to buy a '64 4x4 f-100. Are the vin's stamped onto the body/chassis or not? After reading up on '61-'66 I realized the grilles are all different and the '64 in question has a '66 grille. Are the grilles interchangable? Also, the steering column is quite vertical (if you followed the shaft line, it would hit pretty much center of the cab above the driver's head as opposed to hitting behind the driver's head at the roof. Are some steering column angles different depending on 4x4 or year? Also, the rear axel is an 8 bolt instead of 5. Does this mean it's a scavenged axel out of a 250? This vintage is new to me. Any expert opinions out there? Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Owasso, Ok.
The unibody is a very unique truck. I had a 61 unibody with the 223 straight 6, everything was original, even down to the tailgate and the rolled rear bumper. It had the big back window, and the three speed on the tree. It was originally blue with i believe a white top, but whomever had it before me painted it all white with blue interior. The hub caps were even original down to the inner snap baby moons and beauty rings. Very fun truck to drive, even with the 20 inch steering wheel. I drove it every day and it finally started blowing the oil cap off everytime i started it. I ended up selling it for 600 dollars. 
I say if u find a unibody, buy it. I kick myself in the butt everyday for selling that truck. I was a young dumb 18 yr old and sold it in 98. Won five third place trophies at local car shows. Everyone please give me a round of a kick for selling that truck.
As far as parts, good luck finding them. As the other gentlemen here have said, tailgates and hoods and just about everything else for these trucks are very very rare to find in good usable condition. So grab what u can and hold on to it, including the truck.
I say if u find a unibody, buy it. I kick myself in the butt everyday for selling that truck. I was a young dumb 18 yr old and sold it in 98. Won five third place trophies at local car shows. Everyone please give me a round of a kick for selling that truck.
As far as parts, good luck finding them. As the other gentlemen here have said, tailgates and hoods and just about everything else for these trucks are very very rare to find in good usable condition. So grab what u can and hold on to it, including the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Sunspot NM, USA
Frankenstein
jpbuch,
Are you saying it has a 1/2 axle in the front ans a 3/4 or 1 ton axle in the rear? Stay away from it unless you plan on buying or building a complete drive train for it. If your gear ratios don't match exactly it will fall apart very quick in 4wd. Even your tire size must be consistent and I don't see this happening with this combination. I would also be very suspicious of anything else this guy touched on this truck. This truck sounds like more of a body donor than a project, if the body is in good shape that is.
Are you saying it has a 1/2 axle in the front ans a 3/4 or 1 ton axle in the rear? Stay away from it unless you plan on buying or building a complete drive train for it. If your gear ratios don't match exactly it will fall apart very quick in 4wd. Even your tire size must be consistent and I don't see this happening with this combination. I would also be very suspicious of anything else this guy touched on this truck. This truck sounds like more of a body donor than a project, if the body is in good shape that is.
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
re; frankenstein..
I agree, when vin numbers don't decode properly, it really is 'buyer beware'!
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New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Ford Unibody Pricing
trying to help a friend who's a widow and wants to sell her husbands 63 or 1963 and 1/2 they didn't make a 64 unibody, 3 speed. It was last registered in 2003 and been in the barn since a fuel pump problem and she parked it and left it. She had some body work done to it prior to it having the fp issue. She is asking $3,000.00 as is. Would she be better off to sell it that way or have it worked on to running stage and then sell it? (to which she would probably want more). Any suggestions on the pricing (up 
or sadly 
down) or where to market it would be appreciated. Thank ya
or sadly down) or where to market it would be appreciated. Thank ya
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
These Dana 60's use the same brakes and wheels as other F100's, in other words, the bolt pattern is 5 lug, 5.50"
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
The one thing I remember about the unibody was I was working at a repair shop when they came out, they bought a new one and sent it out to pick up a electric motor that was several hundred pounds in weigh, the driver couldn't get the doors open, had to crawl in though the windows. This might have been one of the problems why they wasn't made longer.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
If you're really getting down the resto stuff, wheels are 61-63 specific for the inner-snap hubcaps,
Wheels are specific for F100 and F250 61 to 65 for the 2 types of innie style hubcap.
mirrors
All mirrors interchange and are not specific to the Uni. The stylish bullet mirror is a hold over from the 56.
and door glass are unibody specific as well.
All glass interchanges for 61 through 66 as does all rubber and anti rattlers, wind lace. Including the windshield, vent windows, small back glass and the door glass. The Wrap around rear glass is specific to the 61 to 63 uni only unless the conventional truck was converted, which has been done to a few truck in the last couple of years. The only difference between A uni door and a conventional door is the drop reveal. Each starts and ends up in the same place for body line.
Although I managed to save mine, 61-66 fuel tanks appear the same.
61 to 63 tanks are 18 gallon and slightly smaller 64 to 72 are 19 gallon and all will interchange.
Door handles will swap from 61-66, but spring loaded upper door hinges from a 65-66 do not swap to a unibody (ask me how I found that one out).
Early year 64 up received the upper A pillar stamping for the spring hold open hinge. It can be used on a uni if the pillar is relieved to accept the upper spring. also the unis attachment will be USS fine thread and the 64 hinges may be fine thread, but switched to USS course thread early 64 production.
Most of the cool "Custom Cab" trim stuff from a 65-66 will bolt right up, from the door panels and zipper pockets, to the chrome door handle bezels to the super cool stainless dash inserts.
The zipper pockets are a 61 start item. and fit all 61 to 66 doors
Door panels fit but require all the correct attachment hardware.
Chrome door handle guards are 63 up items and require the correct push pin.
Lower dash insert is a 64 only item and can be retrofitted easily to a round type gauge.
The 66CC sweep speedometer will fit in to the dash opening but needs wiring changes to accommodate the single TS light and does not fit with the stainless bezel.
The 3 piece aluminum and stainless steel dash trim will also fit the dash.
Dash pads for 65 to 66 Custom cabs can be retrofitted to the earlier dash. There are 2 styles of pads out there a 65 66 long and a 61 to 64 Short. Reproductions are of the 65 66 Long.
Garbz
Wheels are specific for F100 and F250 61 to 65 for the 2 types of innie style hubcap.
mirrors
All mirrors interchange and are not specific to the Uni. The stylish bullet mirror is a hold over from the 56.
and door glass are unibody specific as well.
All glass interchanges for 61 through 66 as does all rubber and anti rattlers, wind lace. Including the windshield, vent windows, small back glass and the door glass. The Wrap around rear glass is specific to the 61 to 63 uni only unless the conventional truck was converted, which has been done to a few truck in the last couple of years. The only difference between A uni door and a conventional door is the drop reveal. Each starts and ends up in the same place for body line.
Although I managed to save mine, 61-66 fuel tanks appear the same.
61 to 63 tanks are 18 gallon and slightly smaller 64 to 72 are 19 gallon and all will interchange.
Door handles will swap from 61-66, but spring loaded upper door hinges from a 65-66 do not swap to a unibody (ask me how I found that one out).
Early year 64 up received the upper A pillar stamping for the spring hold open hinge. It can be used on a uni if the pillar is relieved to accept the upper spring. also the unis attachment will be USS fine thread and the 64 hinges may be fine thread, but switched to USS course thread early 64 production.
Most of the cool "Custom Cab" trim stuff from a 65-66 will bolt right up, from the door panels and zipper pockets, to the chrome door handle bezels to the super cool stainless dash inserts.
The zipper pockets are a 61 start item. and fit all 61 to 66 doors
Door panels fit but require all the correct attachment hardware.
Chrome door handle guards are 63 up items and require the correct push pin.
Lower dash insert is a 64 only item and can be retrofitted easily to a round type gauge.
The 66CC sweep speedometer will fit in to the dash opening but needs wiring changes to accommodate the single TS light and does not fit with the stainless bezel.
The 3 piece aluminum and stainless steel dash trim will also fit the dash.
Dash pads for 65 to 66 Custom cabs can be retrofitted to the earlier dash. There are 2 styles of pads out there a 65 66 long and a 61 to 64 Short. Reproductions are of the 65 66 Long.
Garbz
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Wheels are specific for F100 and F250 61 to 65 for the 2 types of innie style hubcap.
All mirrors interchange and are not specific to the Uni. The stylish bullet mirror is a hold over from the 56.
61 to 63 tanks are 18 gallon and slightly smaller 64 to 72 are 19 gallon and all will interchange.
The zipper pockets are a 61 start item. and fit all 61 to 66 doors
Garbz
All mirrors interchange and are not specific to the Uni. The stylish bullet mirror is a hold over from the 56.
61 to 63 tanks are 18 gallon and slightly smaller 64 to 72 are 19 gallon and all will interchange.
The zipper pockets are a 61 start item. and fit all 61 to 66 doors
Garbz
Besides the stainless type, there were two other painted caps. One was argent with red letters, one was white with red letters.
All the outside mirrors were optional thru 1966, and none were factory installed...regardless.
Thru 1996, the dealers installed every truck, Econoline and Bronco outside mirror.
The bullet mirrors actually date to 1953, and the "bullet" mirror head was not there originally.
Thru 1960, the mirror heads themselves were replaceable, and were rounded at the front.
What you see today are the 1961 "bullet head" replacements where the mirror head is part of the mirror, and so...is not replaceable by itself.
The zippered door pockets were not available until 1965. These have been reproduced by Bob Drake in black only.
Ford replaced the 18 gallon (C1TZ9002H) in-cab fuel tank in 1970 with the 1970 (1970/72) tank (DOTZ9002A) which is 19 1/2 gallons for use as a service part replacement.
Service Parts...those sold by dealers at the parts counter. Every replacement part is a service part.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
I know, for my 1962, one thing seems impossible to find....reproduction wiring. I hate the thought of putting stiff and brittle wiring back in there. I may have to use a universal wiring kit unless someone can point me to where I can get them.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
i own a 62 unibody want to know what the dso numbers are i have a shop manaul supplement book with every thing in it about 61 to63 trucks no dso info for my number 0274
and where do i find numbers on my engine its not orig but its old v8 with copper tubes going under valve covers mine is in darn good shape
and where do i find numbers on my engine its not orig but its old v8 with copper tubes going under valve covers mine is in darn good shape