Hey guys~

I'm in love with the 61-66 body style, and I plan on getting a 4WD version within the next few months.

I plan on using the truck as a daily driver, and probably doing a little light farm work with it. In time, I'll probably want to make some modifications to it. Nothing outrageous, but things like adding power steering, front disc brakes, and maybe an automatic transmission. Basically trying to modernize it a little bit.

So within these years, are there any significant advantages or disadvantages of one year over another? Anything I should know about these trucks before buying? I've rebuilt a VW Bug with my dad, and worked on several other vehicles, so I know a little bit about them. But I really don't know anything about old Ford trucks.

Thanks,
Mike

 

65or a 66 model would be best because you would get twin i beam instead of the 61-64 models with straight axle

 

Twin I-beams are only on the 2x4.
If he wants a '65 or '66, I also recommend a 2x4 for the Ibeams, and the fact that he can use PS and all sorts of other upgrades from that later trucks, up to '79.
If he really wants a 4x4, I recommend he get a '74 or later, due to improvements in the 4x4 axles, to include front disc 4x4 brakes, 4x4 power steering, and lots lots more.

 

Definitly stay 65 or later. Almost universal engine-tranny bolt ins. Easier to find parts in general....

 

If you are going for a F100 I would go for the 66 4x4, it was the first year with coil springs in the front and ez to up-grade to newer axles with power steering and disk brakes.

 

Thanks guys. It sounds like a 65 or 66 is the way to go. But now that I'm narrowing my choices down so much, it brings me to another question. If I was to get a 65 or 66 2WD, how hard much time and effort would be involved in putting it on a later, 4WD chassis? I have access to two well equipped shops, so equipment isn't much of an issue. But time and know-how is. And if I was to make this sort of change, what consideration would I have to give to manual vs. auto transmissions, and column vs. floorboard shifters?

Oh, and one more question. Is there any kind of FAQ for people that have or are looking to buy a 61-66 F-series? I don't want to plug up the forum with all of the ignorant questions I have.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

There are no ignorant questions. Swapping the body onto a later chassis would be fairly easy except for a few things. the body mounts from the 2x4 to the 4x4 are diffrent, you would need to make a few changes. for the bed, that means drilling a couple new holes. On the cab, it would be a little harder, but not overly dificult. the only other change to the cab is the changes to the steering colum to fit the 4x4 steering box. the only problem with the bed is the later models used a wider axle, and it will be a moved back farther . (the frame is 4 inches longer). Fixing that could be as easy as opening the wheel arches on your older style bed for the wider wheels, and to cosmeticly match the wheel, or relocating the spirng perches 4 inches forward. you can either regear and re use your 2x4 narrow axle, or spend some time figuring out back spacing and get some wheels that will work with your bed and the wider axle.