I am going to be buying a 1965 ford dually pickup and would like to know:
1. what does dually mean?
2. what do I look for and ask about??

There is precious little information at the library or book store and I would appreciate any help.

Thanks

 

Dually simply means two wheels on each side on the rear axle(4 wheels total in the back). As for problems, not too many off the top of my head. Just major rust and don't pay for more than its worth but they are nice trucks. Cab corners are usually shot and look for the cab mounts also. Don't however, buy something you don't like. If its not your kinda truck then don't waste your money. If its worth it to you(and it was to me) then pay for it and good luck with it!

 

Thanks! I love this truck! I think it will be very worth my money.
Can you recommend any books I could use to fix it up myself? She's not pretty to look at yet but that's such a minor point right now.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Aug-02 AT 06:36 PM (EST)]One of the best books you can buy is the Chiltons for Ford Trucks from 65 on. It has a lot of good drawings and pics, and you can get one on E-bay pretty cheap.
The next book you ought to get is the Ford manuals on CD available on this site. I have the original shop manuals in paperback, but any version (as on CD) is good. I would recommend that as your next book purchase.
Your next source of information: right here. FTE has a wealth of info that you cannot find anywhere else - and I back that statement up with more than 30 years of working on my own '60s Ford trucks. Its incredible how much is here.
Let us know how it works out!
Post the VIN and warranty plate info here, and we can decode it for you. That's the best place to start, too.

 

This sounds like your first project truck. The dually is at least a F350 (1 ton) and will be very expensive to operate for a daily driver 5-7 mpg. There are 6 tires to buy, wheel options are very limited, etc.

If you need a TRUCK for hauling or towing the dually is a great choice. If you have deep pockets the dually would be a fun project, but for your first truck.....
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John

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Oh please don't tell me this is an average mpg, 5-7?? I drive an average of 100 miles per day!! Yikes. Is there any way I can improve this? That might be my first project on this.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Aug-02 AT 01:00 PM (EST)]Duallies are meant to haul heavy heavy loads (compared to light duty pickups). That means they're designed for power, and to gain power efficiency must be sacrificed - basic physics here.
Depending on your situation, you might wish to get your 65 dually in good running shape for the odd job you need, and then get another one for a restoration project.
Then you'd have two and if one is good, two are better, right?!

But then the wife gets involved...... :-X23

Good luck!

 

LOL! Well, last time I looked I wasn't a lesbian but I .am. a single parent with a mission. Living in a tent and have been buying furniture and storing it. I think the sacrifice is worth the Power *Tim Allen barking* thanks guys!


>Duallies are meant to haul heavy heavy loads (compared to
>light duty pickups). That means they're designed for power,
>and to gain power efficiency must be sacrificed - basic
>physics here.
>Depending on your situation, you might wish to get your 65
>dually in good running shape for the odd job you need, and
>then get another one for a restoration project.
>Then you'd have two and if one is good, two are better,
>right?!
>
>But then the wife gets involved...... :-X23
>
>Good luck!
:P :P :P