I'm a Mopar guy and own a '68 Charger. I found a '66 F100 short bed that I just could not pass on. The engine, interior, the condition... and talking to the owner. It all felt right so I pulled the trigger and I'm picking it up this weekend. Driving back this sight unseen truck 4 hours to my house so this should be interesting lol. I've never done anything this nutty before and I'll be sure to post up some pics after I get it home. I'm paranoid so I don't want to give out too many details but I'll be more forthcoming when it's more than just a deposit. So, I'll probably be exiled from the Mopar community by the purists but the 60's dodge trucks don't do anything for me. When I'm done keeping secrets and post pics, you will see why I just had to have it!

Wish me luck or wish me to burn in hell because "the mopar guys should have stayed in his lane" its all good!

 

Welcome to FTE and welcome form where you were!

 

MoPar folks are people too - aren’t they?

 

At least you didn't buy a Chevrolet.

 

"sight unseen" You like surprises!

I have to admit, I like em too - In the military we filled out a Dream Sheet to pick 10 bases we would like to be stationed at - I picked all West Coast bases and was put on an East Coast base (Pope in N.C.).
I picked Aircraft Maintenance and ended up Crewing a C-130-E cargo plane. I thought I got screwed over at first but then I found Myrtle Beach, warmer oceans to swim in and the ugly C-130 grew on me LOL

 

sight unseen.. sounds bad. I did get a ton of pics and videos from him. most importantly, I got pics of the stuff i asked for. I'm aware of the game some of these guys play when you ask for additional pics and they just send a bunch and not what you asked for because they know their stuff is junk. very small deposit paid and the rest due when I pick up. At worst it's a wasted trip but that's how it has to happen sometimes when it's 4+ hours away.

It's not perfect. I spotted it's missing a couple pieces of inner door molding, sun visors- underhood it's got chrome valve covers and air cleaner which I hate so I'll be putting stock ford blue stuff back on. underhood wiring is not a "mess" but it's clearly DIY (at least I didnt see any wire nuts lol) so maybe I'll spring for some factory repro stuff. 8" rear- which as far as I can tell there are centersections available if I want to change ratio. This will be a total cruiser so something close to a Three-0 gear will prob be fine. with that torque, hopefully I can still do burnouts when I want. power steering, power brakes (front disc/rear drum)

Basically anything it needs is one day or less projects. Thats where I'm at. I've been through my Charger 2x stem to stern over the last 30 years I've owned it. changed engine, tranny, rear, gutted interior- car would sit for months at a time undriveable. Last project was a sniper efi so out came the gas tank, all new fuel lines, rewired the whole engine bay, changed intake... Mentally, I don't have it in me anymore.

I

 

You said 8” rear end? Typo maybe? I think you’ll find it’s a 9” unless somebody did a stupid swap from a passenger car.

Regardless, best of luck once you see it in person!

 

truth is I don't know... It's definitely got a dropout center section and 2 large dimples on the welded rear cover. I just assumed it was an 8" more to come when I pick it up. I've never bought a vehicle with this little knowledge of it before lol.. I'm thinking good thoughts for now.

 

I thought 9" was more round on top and bottom and would have an extra bumpout on the rear cover to clear the ring gear?

And yes, I’ll be making new rear brake lines lol. Talk about sketchy!

 

Good luck! We bought ours sight unseen and drove like 10 hours to go pick it up. I drove it all the way home in one shot- definitely should not have done that as it wasn’t really road worthy. Not the dumbest thing I ever did but damn close- also one of the best experiences/adventures ever… blowing a tire on the highway, no lights when it got dark, no wipers when it started to pour, etc.

All in all it was a little rougher than I expected/as was presented. That was a little disappointing, but nothing we haven’t been able to handle.

Would I do it again, hell yes

 

Hey. I am a self proclaimed Mopar guy. With the exception of one GM product and the 64 F100 I on, I have had nothing but Chrysler products since 1975. I agree with you. This era of Dodge pickups were without a doubt the ugliest things on the road. As one said, at least it isn't a Chevy! But whatever you do, don't do a swap into the slick with a small block Mopar. I am going to do that with a 57 Chevy and drive all the Bowtie boys bat crap crazy!

 

Don’t give me any ideas… I put a 440 into my charger but still have the original 318 in my shed lol.

 

I have six Fords, two Mazdas, one GM, one AMC, and one Mopar even though I am a Ford man...

 

I found it easier to be Non-Brand Specific.

I’ve owned GM products as daily drivers. Have a’64 F100 for fun. Never was a Dodge guy until I saw the Pilot House pick-ups…and then the ‘57!

Wowza!

I realized there were too many fun rides to and not that much time left to poo poo other makes.

I would love to get an early to late ‘40’s Ford or Plymouth convertible project…and then I think I may be done…(🤞behind my back!)

Njoy!

rtc

 

People have put 8" rear ends in these trucks. I'm not saying that's what you have. 9" rears had all kinds of different housing shapes, and it looks more like a 9" to me.
But, we are talking about something nearly 60 years old. Even if it is an 8", it's is an OK rear, unless you start mentioning big power. For driving around, it would be fine. Being a Mopar guy, it woulda been kinda cool if it had the rear end my truck came with....a Dana 60.
Now, put one of your 440s in it, and that 8" may start groaning a bit!

I was a Mopar guy back in the day too. And I agree....dem earlier Dodge trucks be UGLY!