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Dec 9, 2002 | 10:14 PM

My Ford Truck

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 188

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From: Macomb, IL

crash question

This is only my second post and it is not good. After driving my '65 shortbed stepside for 11 months, I crashed it today. Lady in a 2002 Toyota SUV ran a stop sign and I hit her. While I definitely won the battle, I may have lost the war.

I tore up my bumber, grill, right fender, and maybe other things I have not had a chance to look at. One other major thing happened. After hitting her and bouncing off, I had absolutely NO BRAKES. You guys or gals have any idea what could have happened? I'm guessing that I must have broken a brake line. Had no prior braking problems, of course I never had to put them to this kind of test either.

I have enjoyed reading this forum on a daily basis and will continue doing so even if I don't have a truck to drive for a while. But I WILL have another one. Way too cool to drive not to!

Dec 10, 2002 | 12:01 AM

cobraguy

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Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,793

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From: San Diego CA

crash question

Fill the master cylinder pump the brakes a couple of times and then look for a puddle of brake fluid. You probably did brake a line. I bet you stomped real hard. I blew the flex line to the rear axle on mine. It wasn't a good feeling.

Dec 10, 2002 | 06:07 AM

My Ford Truck

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 188

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From: Macomb, IL

crash question

I already filled the master cylinder. Used almost 3/4 of a quart. Apparently it is just running out somewhere. Hard to tell where though. I ended up in a ditch and can't see under the truck too well.

Learned one lesson. I have been reading that one safety upgrade on this truck is to changed to a dual master cylinder. (Besides changing to front disk.) Now I know why. At least I would still have one set of brakes! If I can salvage the truck, that will be the first thing I do before driving it again!

Dec 10, 2002 | 07:44 AM

cobraguy

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,793

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From: San Diego CA

crash question

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Dec-02 AT 08:48 AM (EST)]If all the brake lines are intact then you'll have to pull the wheels and brake drums off and look there for fliud leaking. Also check in the cab on the firewall where the master cyl mounts if its dribbling down the firewall it needs to be replaced. I would highly recomend upgrading at this point, the truck will be down for awhile. I hope the other party in your crash is ok but insured. If so get some bodyshop quotes tell them to go high on the estimates. If the damage isn't too bad fix it yourself and get the brakes with the change.

Dec 10, 2002 | 12:55 PM

William

Logistics Pro

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 3,565

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From: Sun River St. George

crash question

Man I hate it when one of these old Fords gets damaged. I guess that is the price we pay for driving them so much. This truck can be repaired no matter what the damage. That may not be an option for you, but don't let it go to the crusher. Rollback it home and set it on a level place and wash off all the crap (dirt, grass, toyota paint). Then make a list of the stuff that is obviously ruined. We can help! Post back.
William in Atlanta :-(

Dec 10, 2002 | 02:09 PM

My Ford Truck

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 188

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From: Macomb, IL

crash question

I was able to take a better look at it during lunch and maybe after 12 hours of mourning, things aren't so bad.

The brake fluid leak is about 2 feet in front of the driver's side rear brake. At least that is where the puddle of fluid is. I did not have the chance to climb under it for a real close inspection to locate the exact problem.

The obviously ruined are:

bumper (just removed this fall- paint removed and repainted)
grill (also just removed this fall- paint removed and repainted)
right headlight trim (yes, repainted)
right front fender

Probably ruined:
The piece that all the above mounts to. I believe that is also what the radiator mounts to?

Need to check:
Hood - looks like it may have a slight twist. High in back left like it may have gotten pushed that way.

Other party has insurance, and I have a body man looking at it this afternoon to give me an estimate. He is a friend and been in the business 25 years.

PS. No way is this thing going to the crusher!!! It is my pride and joy (after my wife and kids!) even though it was only in the beginning stages of changes.

Dec 10, 2002 | 03:32 PM

ford 361

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Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 21

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crash question

I know how you are felling about your truck. This past November I was T-boned with my 1963 Ford F100. The truck was beonded repaier or that was what the dealer and 3 other body shops had said. I didnt listen to them. I put a few more weekende in to the project and Im enjoing ever day that I get to diver the old truck. I just couldnt let the truck go. I had that truck when both of my kids were born and I wanted ot be able to share with them.

John
1963 F100
361 and a T98