trailer special
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trailer special
Just getting in to the old truck thing after diverting my attention from my 87 Mustang and 93 Lightning. I've recently gotten the opportunity to aquire a '74 F-100 Trailer Special. The truck has a few interesting things- 460 motor, factory fiberglass bed shell that matches the truck, big rear view mirrors, factory running boards and two gas tanks. Don't know much about the old F-100's. There's a lot of emotional value for me with this truck, but not sure exactly what the Trailer Special edition is all about or how easy replacement parts are for them. Any insight would be appreciated.
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Thanks for the insight. As far as I know, the 460 is original. Another interesting option is that it's got a built in storage/tool compartment at the lower front of each side of the bed. They're locked and no key, so don't know what's in there. Coming from the Mustang and Lightning market where just about anything is possible, how is availability on reproduction interior/body/suspension parts? The interior is in really good shape considering it's an old farm truck, but there is a bit of rust on the back fenders of the bed. Other than that, she looks like a pretty good restoration project.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by jmkegle
Thanks for the insight. As far as I know, the 460 is original. Another interesting option is that it's got a built in storage/tool compartment at the lower front of each side of the bed. They're locked and no key, so don't know what's in there. Coming from the Mustang and Lightning market where just about anything is possible, how is availability on reproduction interior/body/suspension parts? The interior is in really good shape considering it's an old farm truck, but there is a bit of rust on the back fenders of the bed. Other than that, she looks like a pretty good restoration project.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Eustis FL
Say, do you also have the extended wheelbase with those front 'toolboxes'/tire storage compartments? I love the look of those trucks. Quite rare, and I have only seen one in the last 5 years.
I have a '76 Supercab Trailer Special 460/HD wiring, cooling system, shocks, springs, etc, but it is an F150.
I have a '76 Supercab Trailer Special 460/HD wiring, cooling system, shocks, springs, etc, but it is an F150.
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Yeah, she's got the tool/storage compartments in the front lower corners of the bed. A couple of other unusual options seem to be the fiberglass bed shell and the diamond plate running boards. I'm nearly certain that the bed shell is original and perhaps a factory/dealer option since it is painted and styled to match the truck. There's some wiring that extends into the bed shell to a couple of lights over the tailgate/shell hatch that look too intentional to be rigged up by a previous owner. She's just an old farm truck so I would be really surprised if the bed shell or running boards were added over the years. I've been looking for as many pictures of these old trucks as I can find, and haven't seen one yet with the matching bed shell or the running boards. Any ideas on these things?
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From: Murray
Dennis (Mil1ion) has a couple pics of the shell and running boards in his gallery I believe. There were factory shells but the give a way sis if it has the logo or not and youll see it and its location in the pics in Dennis' gallery.
-Chris
-Chris
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From: Niagara, Ontario
Originally Posted by jmkegle
Another interesting option is that it's got a built in storage/tool compartment at the lower front of each side of the bed. They're locked and no key, so don't know what's in there.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Eustis FL
I think the truck I saw, come to think of it, was a Camper Special with extra wheelbase, because these compartments were definately for spare tires... I know I have a pamphlet somewhere in storage about 3500 miles from here... LOL!
Cargo Master
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From: Eustis FL
Dennis, the pics I was talking about are of the spare tire compartments, the extra long wheelbase camper specials... Have any of those? I saw one in Calgary in the Renfrew area, north of downtown. It was a dark brown color like my '78...
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Eustis FL
That's odd... Ad says 140 inch wheelbase, yet it still looks like a standard wheelbase... What, 133 inches? Maybe the 3/4 front shot puts it out of proportion... Yet I clearly recall there being hardly any steel between the back of the rear wheel well cutout to the bumper, like maybe 6 inches... And this thing definately looked like a stock survivor...
Anyone own one of these long wheelbase trucks? Have a pic? Maybe this should go in another thread heading...
Anyone own one of these long wheelbase trucks? Have a pic? Maybe this should go in another thread heading...