Hello all,

I am a relatively new Ford owner, and first time full size pickup owner. I have a newbie question regarding the Camper Special. How do you know if the truck you have is a camper special? Does it say somewhere on the truck? The reason I ask, is because the '76 F-250 I just bought LOOKS like a camper special in that it has the sliding rear window, the raised rear end, and the 33 inch tall rear tires on it. And the huge side mirrors, and amber clearance/running lights on top of the cab. It also says on the VIN plate it has a GVWR of 8000.

However, it does not say Camper Special anywhere on the truck or inside the cab. It says XLT, on the fenders, but Custom on the glovebox. I deciphered the VIN using one of the calculator links on this site, and it tells me it is:

1976
F250 4x2 pickup
8 cyl 360ci 2bbl
San Jose
C6
Dana 70 7,400 4.56:1 (that would explain the lousy gas mileage)

The person I am buying this from (my neighbor) states it has a 460 in it, however, the VIN says otherwise. I know engines can be swapped, and this one does have a aluminum intake and 4bbl carb on it.

I just bought this yesterday, and it has very little rust (I am in central California) aluminum American racing wheels, green over white paint straight body, and fair interior. I have ridden in it, and it seems fine except for a broken motor mount which causes the fan to rub the shroud if you accelerate hard. However my neighbor says he will replace that for me.

Anyway I am rambling, so I will end this now. )

 

All Camper specials have an emblem on them.

But you can look for these CS package items.

 

Engine Identification (rev):
======================
351C/M/400 335 series: 8 bolts in rectangular valve covers. Timing chain housing is part of block. Thermostat housing on block. Exhaust bolt holes diagonal.
351M/400 335 series: intake is 12.7" wide the 351C is narrow.
351W/302/5.0L 6 bolts on trapezoidal valve covers. Thermostat housing on intake. Exhaust bolt holes horizontal.
429/460 385 series: 7 bolts in rectangular valve cover
352/360/390/427/428 FE series: Intake goes under valve covers.
-There are other indicators but these are enough to distinguish engine families.

 

Well, it is hard to tell if it is an official camper special or not. Based on that decall it does have some of the options, like the oil cooler, the oil pressure gauge, and ammeter. It also has the anti roll bars, and the extra cooling and the trailer wiring, and under dash trailer brake.. But no Camper Special emblem anywhere on the truck. Also, there are no decals under the hood except one by the radiator that tells you not to check the radiator when it is hot.

As for the engine it has 7 bolts holding down the valve covers, and the intake manifold does not go under the valve covers, so I would presume it is indeed a 460. Should make for one stump puller of a truck with those rear end gears ) Thanks for the info guyz

 

That was a late 70's brochure related write up.,

Here is one from the early to mid 70's.



The Camper special emblem was usually at the front of the fenders.

 

Sounds to me like more of a "Trailer Special" than "Camper Special"


The Trailer special had some of the same options that the camper special did.


The trailer special emblem was located on the tailgate, in the shape of how the lower 48 USA, looks on a map.

Does the truck have the original tailgate? Any emblem or holes for an emblem on the tailgate below the O and R in the letters that make FORD on the gate?

 

Trailer Towing Package.

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ingPackage.jpg

 

I am not 100% sure the tailgate is the original, it does look like it. However there areno emblems on the truck anywhere. On the front fenders are the F-250 XLT emblems, but the tailgate has no emblems or holes. I am beginning to think it is just a towing package like Mil1ion suggests. In any case, I was just curious, I like the truck regardless of whether it is a Camper Special or just has a towing package on it. )

 

Well the trailer special, with the emblem on the tailgate was the towing package.

However a lot of those options could be ordered seperate without the package too, or added on at the dealer to finalize a sale etc...

 

Can any one decode a vin for me? PM me if you can.

 

Are you OK? I haven't seen you posting lately.