I have a '65 F100 short bed with a straight 6 240 and three on the tree. While out on a drive today I started to get a shudder when decelerating and it sounds like it might be coming from the rear differential. I got home and crawled under the truck to check the drive shaft. It has a little play when turned by hand, it should not do this correct?

 

A little rotational play in the rear differential is normal. Any play in the universal joints is bad. If they have grease fittings on them give them a few pumps and see if anything changes. If the universal joints look like they have been there for decades, it might be time for some new ones.

 

Ford needs to look at the supplier for their electrical connectors.

 

Yeah, that’s not the least bit random, is it?