What would you do first?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 18
From: Central Florida
What would you do first?
Alright...imagine with me if you will:
Someone just handed you the keys to a running and driving 1964 F100 short bed. It's got a sold body, with an inline 6 and a 4 speed on the floor.
What the first thing you would do? Would you start the upgrades right away? If so, what would you swap out first?
How about cosmetics? What creature comforts would you add/change/upgrade?
Looking forward to reading your responses!
Someone just handed you the keys to a running and driving 1964 F100 short bed. It's got a sold body, with an inline 6 and a 4 speed on the floor.
What the first thing you would do? Would you start the upgrades right away? If so, what would you swap out first?
How about cosmetics? What creature comforts would you add/change/upgrade?
Looking forward to reading your responses!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 376
Very first thing I do for any used car purchase...inspect entire brake system, suspension and steering. Then motor mounts, cab mounts and bushings, driveshaft u-joints. Then light functions...(headlights, tail lights, and turns). Then engine evaluation (read plugs and leak down test), followed by tune up. Then check and flush all fluids.
Put some miles on it and get a feel for it. You may not want to upgrade anything.
Put some miles on it and get a feel for it. You may not want to upgrade anything.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 932
Likes: 394
From: Port Orchard, WA
First I would clean it out and then drive it and see what's wrong. Check lights, see how well the brakes work, does anything leak after a drive? Then probably small adjustments to make it run better if it doesn't already: timing, vacuum advance, carb tuning. And then rack up the miles! Once you drive it a bit it will become clear to you what work you need to do and also what upgrades might make the truck more enjoyable.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 204
Likes: 68
My order of attack:
Brakes, brakes, steering
Brakes are the most important thing. If you have a stock single bowl master brake cylinder you will lose all brakes if you have a leak somewhere. I found a lot of stuff which was far from being safe in my truck. I completely rebuild the brake system (hoses, hard lines, wheel and master cylinders). Post some pictures how it looks like right now.
Next on the list are the brakes (again
)
Followed by steering. If you can brake and steer you are in a good position.
Brakes, brakes, steering
Brakes are the most important thing. If you have a stock single bowl master brake cylinder you will lose all brakes if you have a leak somewhere. I found a lot of stuff which was far from being safe in my truck. I completely rebuild the brake system (hoses, hard lines, wheel and master cylinders). Post some pictures how it looks like right now.
Next on the list are the brakes (again
)Followed by steering. If you can brake and steer you are in a good position.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32,044
Likes: 2,430
From: Upstate NY
First on my list would be to enjoy it even if it means just sitting in the house and looking out at it cause it's raining. That is what old trucks are for. Some guys seem to enjoy them more if they change things on them. Some are satisfied with them just as they are. As previously stated, safety should be your concern if you are driving around other vehicles and hills and such LOL. Do you have any history of the thing? Has it been on the road lately? Does it start easily? Are you satisfied with it as it is and how it looks? If not change it, whatever, no pressure to do anything to it except what you want to.
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,937
Likes: 699
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Which upgrades are you referring to?
I always replace all fluids, including flushing the brake system and refilling. Flush and fill cooling system. Is it showing signs of leaking and corrosion? Have it re-cored. Water pump? Change all hoses and belts, inspect entire brake system.
Replace valve cover gaskets, carb gasket, oil and fuel filters, and might as well drain, remove and flush out the fuel tank. Fuel pump? This is a good start.
If you have the money, and want to do these “just cause” - replace alternator, voltage regulator, starter and starter solenoid. Now, you’re starting fresh, and won’t have to do these for another ten years, probably. I have done all these items to both the old trucks I’ve owned, and it’s stood me in good stead, I don’t regret the “going overboard” one bit. Treat it like you’re going to own it for life.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 486
Likes: 174
As others have mentioned, brakes, suspension and steering. Those are the critical control systems and keep everyone inside (and outside( the truck as safe as possible. Everything after that will present itself in due time
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 18
From: Central Florida
These are all great suggestions! Not far off at all from where my head was at. When the truck gets here, (it's traveling from New Mexico to Florida this week), I'll give it a good once over, take some pics (and post 'em here) and see where we go from there. Once we get some miles on it, so what we like and don't like, we'll make our decisions. I know from talking to the previous owner that a tune-up has been done on it recently and it's been driven, but I want to see for myself what shape things are in. Most likely will look into upgrading to electronic ignition. I'm not dealing with points if I don't have to, especially in this super wet and humid Florida weather.
I do know that we for sure need a new windshield. The current one has a big crack. How have you guys done with replacing your glass? Did you get a custom piece made? Did you find an original somewhere? Or did you just call Safelite (repair, safelite replace)?
I do know that we for sure need a new windshield. The current one has a big crack. How have you guys done with replacing your glass? Did you get a custom piece made? Did you find an original somewhere? Or did you just call Safelite (repair, safelite replace)?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 974
From: Tri Cities, TN
Try a local auto glass shop. CarLite is the original maker. They still make glass for 67 an up but I don't believe they make any for our trucks. The replacement glass is made in China or Thailand. But it fits.
Windshield is the same: 1961/66 F100/1100; 1963/69 N/NT500/1000; 1967/69 F800/1000.
NAGS # DW00602
Windshield is the same: 1961/66 F100/1100; 1963/69 N/NT500/1000; 1967/69 F800/1000.
NAGS # DW00602
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 486
Likes: 174
What Crop Duster said. I got my windshield from a local company. Took a couple days. I let them install it too.
You know this, but it is worth stating for anyone who doesn't know. Be careful on the initial drive. Make sure you have room to stop....just in case!
You know this, but it is worth stating for anyone who doesn't know. Be careful on the initial drive. Make sure you have room to stop....just in case!
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 18
From: Central Florida
haha, you bring up a good point Mikey. There's a nice little run in front of the house, plus a hill. I figure that'll be a good test for a lot of things.
"Can I stop?"
"Can this truck pull itself up the hill?"
"Can I stop??"
...."STOP!?"
"Can I stop?"
"Can this truck pull itself up the hill?"
"Can I stop??"
...."STOP!?"
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
When you shop for a windshield you might be offered tinted or banded. The banded has a purplish stripe about 6" wide across the top. If you're over five feet tall I suggest you choose the tinted.
Eric
Eric
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 740
Likes: 160
From: Orange County
I have had great results with the PerTronix Ignitor II electronic 'points replacer'. I think many others have as well. It's probably the easiest way to go. You need to be sure the coil resistance matches their module - so you might need a new coil, and to feed 12v to the coil, rather than the reduced voltage thru the resistor wire or any ballast resistor that might have been installed. Otherwise it's pretty plug and play.