Need to locate a radiator support for my Dad's '66 F-250 2wd Camper Special. 4wd support will not work. He is not in a position to modify a earlier version support. Can some one out there direct me to whom might carry the support. LMC does not have one for a 2wd.
Thanks,
Tony

 

Well, if you're unwilling or unable to modify the repro version, then your only choice is to obtain a good used one which is 1966 only. And it will cost you. Only regular supplier of used ones is Flashback F100's. Tom goes to several shows a year which can help with delivery. Now that the repro's are out I'm not sure of the market value, but I'd expect $350-500 for a good used one.

 

Look in the classifieds here and on other truck sites. They show up from time to time but are pricey and expensive to ship. And of course there is always Evil Bay. Some of the Guys here use the re-pro support and modifying these does not seem to be a big deal. Someone will be along with more advice.

 

What is different between the 2wd and 4wd?

 

The biggest difference is the way the radiator mounts to the support. The fan hits the radiator. The fender mounting to the support is different. He had one thinking it would work. nope!

 

That's an easy fix!
Take the radiator to a radiator shop.
Have them remove the side mounts soldered to the top and bottom of the radiator.
Then, turn them around and have them solder the same mounts to the opposite sides of the radiator.
This will allow the radiator to slip in between the main suport and the radiator support frame side rails.

Or, cut the radiator support side rails off, and drill holes to mount the radiator to the support directly, like the '66 and later trucks do it.

But, you are right about the inner fenders. '61 - '64 2x4, and '61 - '66 4x4 use rounded inner fenders.
'65 and '66 use squared off inner fenders.

 

Odd ball is the 66 F100 4x4 it will have the squared off inner aprons.

Do you all ready have a four wheel support?

If there is a Lowes or home depot close and you have a electric drill then the means of modifying are pretty simple. Take the old core and make some card board templates using existing holes as refrence. Screw some shop angle (in the metal section at Lowes) in the location of the old angle bracket mounts and drill the bolt holes for the battery box and inner aprons. About 2 hours work on a eariler core.

Banjo points out to take the radiator to a shop. If you have a simple propane torch and some ROSIN core solder it can be flipped at home. A litttle bit of point heat remove them then sand and re solder with just the heat needed. OR just buy a NEW Radiator for a 66 F250 four whell drive...

Garbz

 

That 4x4 support may be worth quite a bit? Not sure but maybe you could sell it buy the right one and still have some change left over?

 

The 4x4 mount has been shipped back. Still looking for one.

 

Have patience, these core supports are available. Not cheap and not readily available but they are out there. I got one in Colorado for 65 bucks and 150 in shipping. Post a WTB in the classifieds.

 

i too am looking for a radiator support for my 65 f250 2wd. been searching for a little while now. might have to modify a repo. if someone has done this for a truck like mine i would like to know what is involved.......rust never sleeps...

 

William: Your vote of confidence is most appreciated, but I haven't finished it yet. Actually, Charlie - 66fordtrucknut on Slicks - will do the work for me, since I do not know metal working.

Here is what must be done to convert a '64 and earlier core support to a '65/'66:
(By the way, it is best to have a spare one right there handy, or yours out of the truck so that you can make accurate measurements for the changes.)

1. Drill appropriate holes and mount original fender brackets to the inside of the core support. ('64 and earlier are rounded, '65 and '66 are squared off. Repops have the holes predrilled for the rounded, earlier inner fenders.)

2. Mount original (or home made) angle iron brackets to the bottom inside of the core support. This will be self-explanatory once you see an original '65/'66 out of the truck.

3. Drill a few 1" holes for wiring harnessess.

4. Fix the radiator support brackets - this is where it gets confusing. The '65 and earlier have a set of radiator supports spot welded to the inside of the core support.
In '66 Ford got smart, and eliminated them from the core support. The radiator itself is the same, and the radiator mounting brackets soldered to the radiator are the same, but they are turned around on the '66. This allows the radiator to be bolted directly to the core support, instead of bolting to brackets attached to the core support.

So, to use a repop core support on a '66, you must remove the supports spot welded to the core support, OR, swap the brackets on your existing radiator around, left for right.

We compared the repop core supports to an original '64, and to an original '66, and found the quality to be quite good.

 

Mr. C: I hope this answers your question! I must confess though, it has been nearly a year since I looked closely at the repop differences, but I think I have covered all the steps.

 

Wow...I was just thinking about doin this for my truck....for anybody that does do this, perhaps you could take some pictures, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who would get use from them.

I won't get around to doing this until the spring probably, but it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Craig

 

thanks william and banjopicker for the info. i appreciate you taking the time to help me out. i will give it a try and let ya know how it went.