I recently bought What I thought was a 1966 f-350 tow truck in good condition . Upon further inspection I noticed that the dash gauge area, door sills & engine compartment look like a 61-64. It also has a strieght front axel. The vin # plate inside the drivers door is like a 66 & so is the front grill. Im think somewhere along the line the truck was restored using a 66 cab.
Would anyone know if there are any I.D. plates maybe on the frame that would tell the real year of the truck? Also how could I tell if the v8 in it is a 352 or another size.
Thanks, Eric.

 

I'm told that on the passanger side of the frame between the cab mount and the centerline of the axle thaere should be the VIN stamped in to the frame

 

> I recently bought What I thought was a 1966 f-350 tow truck
>in good condition . Upon further inspection I noticed that
>the dash gauge area, door sills & engine compartment look
>like a 61-64. It also has a strieght front axel. The vin #
>plate inside the drivers door is like a 66 & so is the front
>grill. Im think somewhere along the line the truck was
>restored using a 66 cab.
> Would anyone know if there are any I.D. plates maybe on
>the frame that would tell the real year of the truck? Also
>how could I tell if the v8 in it is a 352 or another size.
> Thanks, Eric.

Eric, Congrats on your purchase. It is indeed a 66.
Ford carried over the 61-64 cab and straight axle into the 65-66 era. However, your cab is different than 61-64. Look at the heater box.
(There is a notable difference in the heater boxes as well) If 61-64, the box will connect to the kickpanel with an oval accordian style bonnet. If 65-66, the bonnet will be square and taper down to a smaller square. Other than that, I believe there were only subtle differences like the rearview mirror, dome lamp and some of the wiring. For instance, the wipers on the 61-64 were only offered in 1 speed but the 2 speed was introduced in 65 ( I may be wrong and the 2speed was an option before 65?)
The engines up to 64 were 292's and are easily identified by the rear mounted distributor. I believe your distributor may be in the front and quite possible a 352.
The frame vin number is on the passenger side frame rail, on top, between the front crossmember and the firewall. I will be stamped and rusty, so get out some wd40 and a wire brush to find it. If the truck is 61-64, it will be on the same framerail, but under the cab between the front and rear cab mount (impossible to see without removing the cab).

 

Thanks guys for the advice on my truck. Ends up it is a 66 with the vin # on the passenger side of the frame. Krosati- right you are about the heater connection bonnet! I wish I knew about this site when I restored my'48 f3 dump truck.
I'll be asking a couple more questions over the next few days about the clutch linkage that is shot & on the brake booster- The one thats on the truck is not the original & was rigged onto the firewall . Dont know if it makes a difference.
Eric.