'72 Vs. '73
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From: Newhall,CA
'72 Vs. '73
Im new to this board.What is the difference between a 72 and a 73 pickup. I want to buy a 72 because they don't have any smog controls. I just read on the DMV page that if your truck is 30 years old in California you dont only have to smog it when you sell it. How much weaker is a '73 390 than a '72 390? What kind of smog controls did they put on the '73 and would removing them make it just as good as a 72?
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From: Coal country
Air Smitty, Welcome to FTE! You'll find lots of good information and lots of good people here to help you.
Most of the differences are in the body design, style and accessories which go with the body. Heater and A/C were changed, some differences in accelerator/carb connections and the like were changed. Disc brakes were mandatory starting in '73. The frame behind the cab was widened as well.
There were no big differences, but there were enough that you cannot use '72 and earlier as body parts trucks for '73 and later unless you do some modifying.
Mechanically, they are almost exactly the same. You can convert '65 to '72 trucks to power disc brakes and power steering using parts from a '73 or later truck. Rear axles didn't change either; you can interchange rears from '65 to '79.
Now, California trucks may be a different story for smog equipment. But the engines are the same - a 390 is a 390, unless there were differences in the heads for smog gear.
Others can chime in here as well, for more details.
Most of the differences are in the body design, style and accessories which go with the body. Heater and A/C were changed, some differences in accelerator/carb connections and the like were changed. Disc brakes were mandatory starting in '73. The frame behind the cab was widened as well.
There were no big differences, but there were enough that you cannot use '72 and earlier as body parts trucks for '73 and later unless you do some modifying.
Mechanically, they are almost exactly the same. You can convert '65 to '72 trucks to power disc brakes and power steering using parts from a '73 or later truck. Rear axles didn't change either; you can interchange rears from '65 to '79.
Now, California trucks may be a different story for smog equipment. But the engines are the same - a 390 is a 390, unless there were differences in the heads for smog gear.
Others can chime in here as well, for more details.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2002
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Rear axle track is wider on a 73 (at least F-100s) as well.
In a few days, 75 model year trucks will be exempt. California makes you smog the car biannually, so I guess that they figure if its within a couple of years of the 30 year cutoff, then let it go.
At least that's what I've heard.... Please verify before you all rush out and trade up.
In a few days, 75 model year trucks will be exempt. California makes you smog the car biannually, so I guess that they figure if its within a couple of years of the 30 year cutoff, then let it go.
At least that's what I've heard.... Please verify before you all rush out and trade up.
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From: Newhall,CA
Thanks for the info. We just let a 72 get away from us and we're looking for another. I looked at pictures and i think the older body style looks better. Hopefully I'll get one in the next couple months
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From: Coal country
Thanks, Alfetta for catching that mistake on rear axle widths. You are correct.
For 9" Ford rears, the rear axle width for F-100s from wheel flange to wheel flange was 61 and 1/4 inches from '59 to '72.
For '73 to '86 it was 65 and 1/4 inches.
I do not know if the dimensions for the Dana axles changed or not - I would assume they did.
For 9" Ford rears, the rear axle width for F-100s from wheel flange to wheel flange was 61 and 1/4 inches from '59 to '72.
For '73 to '86 it was 65 and 1/4 inches.
I do not know if the dimensions for the Dana axles changed or not - I would assume they did.
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