Hey guys whats the main differeces between the 72 an the 73 F series. The body styles are different off couse but is the sheet metal lighter. I noticed the 72s seem to be less prone to rusting then the 73s. Just kind off curious here. Thanks. How about the chassis is it lighter or heavier between the models?

 

The front half of the chassis is the same from 65-79. In 73 4 in. was added to the length behind the rear cab mounts and widened about 4 in. with the rear axle lengthened to allow it to track the front again. Power steering and disc brakes became standard equip. in 73.


John

 

Power Steering was an option 1973/79, not standard.

1973/79 F100/350 2WD Manual Steering Gearbox: D7TZ-3504-F

1973/75 F100/150 4WD M/S Gearbox: C7TZ-3504-M / 1976/79: D9TZ-3504-G

1973/79 F250/350 4WD M/S Gearbox: C7TZ-3504-A

Power steering wasn't available till 1976 on 4WD's, and then only as an option.

Power discs were first offered in 1976 on 4WD's as standard equipment.

 

Bill, Even if the book says different power steering became standard equip. in 73.Try finding them without. Talk to these guys with 3 spds. about where to find columns for their trucks when they want to do upgrades to their trucks.

Auto tranny, power steering and brakes became the standard. IMHO



John

 

WellBill is right my brother had a 73 F-100 with out power steering an brakes. A lot off those years truck didnt. Some people added it later but did not some from the factory unless it was ordered that way. This was a 2 wd truck. We take power steering an brakes for granted now days but the trucks were the last to get those options where the cars had them years before. On another note Ford was maybe caught a little off guard as far as options compared to Chevy. I know my brother bought a 75 4x4 Chevy new it had power steering an brakes. Ford didnt. Thats why he bought it. An I believe in 1976 or so Chevy alone actually outsold Ford for the first time in a bunch off years. But ever since Ford has been out on top for the last 31 years. Ok back on topic thanks Bill an Jowliker for your useful posts. More replies are welcome.

 

Well you have done a good job of proving that I am not the brightest bulb in the room. If you know so much about trucks, what is the reason for this thread?

John

 

I just remember my brothers truck from years ago. He bought it used in the seventies. So I remeber lot off things about it.. Well Im pretty stupid myself on lot off features these trucks have an I have had my bulb busted many times as well pardon the pun. Thats why I am on the forum. Too learn off course. But really I was just curious on the sheet metal for these trucks. I was thinking it was a couple off guages lighter on these trucks. But not for sure on that? But hey John you provided me with a lot useful specs I didnt know about on these trucks. Talk about bright bulbs. I think some days I forget to turn my head on. Act stupid all day.

 

Uh huh...your argument reminds me of this:

"You can lead a mule to water, but you can't make it drink."

Yes, I know the old saying actually calls it a horse, but in this case...

John, I figured you'd say that that's why I listed the part numbers for all the various manual steering gear boxes, to prove that Ford made them.

Why would Ford list the part numbers if the manual gears weren't available?

The auto transmissions were an option on all models, as was the 3 four speed transmissions: New Process 435 / Warner T-18 and the late 1970's Ford 4 speed RUG overdrive.

3 on the tree was standard equipment on all models, except 4WD's, which came with the New Process (usually). Even on the 10 grand Lariats, the auto or 4 speed transmissions were optional.

FYI: hipoparts.com sells CD's of every Ford truck parts catalog from 1948 thru 1989. Mebbe it's time to invest a few simolians in a coupla of them: 1964/72 & 1973/79.

Once you have them, the arguments will cease, cuz then...you can see for yourself that I ain't fibbing!

 

Bill, The site had a new date set in 99, I have been around here since 97. I don't give out part numbers, never have, but I have helped hundreds of guys upgrade or keep their trucks on the road by doing things that the parts books don't cover. I doubt that your parts book tells you that you can upgrade a 1965 F100 with the front end off of a 79 to have power steering or disc brakes.

Every time I go to a parts house they don't ask if I have Bill's part number but want to start with the vehicle, the year, how many seats, are the windows tinted, do the back doors lock, before we can get to a part number.

Be nice, play nice, you are part of the team. Part numbers without a place to use them is freaking useless information. That and $1.55 will get you a coke at the 7-11. IMHO


John

 

Powersteering wasnt even available in 4x4's til '76? Really? I have a '67 and it has Power steering and it sure looks factory. I maybe wrong but I'm sure I have seen others that were factory. You know more than I do thats for sure, but are you sure about that? Tho, I do not have power brakes.

 

No 4WD truck came from the factory with power steering till 1976: PERIOD.

Why am I sure?

I have all the parts catalogs, and there is no mention of any 4WD F100/250 having power steering before 1976.

1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog: Section 35.1 / Page 4 = F Series Truck Steering Gear Application Chart.

Buy a copy of this parts catalog on a CD from hipoparts.com. Then look at the chart yourself: No P/S listed.

hipoparts also sells the '73/79 catalog. No 4WD P/S till 1976.

 

Part numbers for manual gearboxes prove Ford made them, otherwise they're, as you say...worthless.

Modifying original trucks by adding things that Ford didn't offer till years later, has no bearing on how the trucks came factory equipped originally.

You may have been on the site years longer than I have. But, that and $1.55 will get you a Coke at 7-11.

I've been on the net since 1997, but didn't discover this site till 11/2006.

FTE is the only Ford truck site I'm on...I don't do what I do here anyplace else. In fact, I could be on the myriad Ford car sites, but have little or no interest in doing so.

Personally, I'd rather type info for Colt & Winchester gun collectors, something I've done for 11 years on the net.

At least the ppl at those sites don't start arguing the minute I give them the dope.

I was a Ford partsman for 35 years, as well as a car/truck collector for even longer.

I know about these trucks since they were new, because I was at the Ford parts counter when they were new. I can read and understand the parts catalogs.

I give out the part numbers and when they were used, then come the arguments...my truck has this, my truck has that.

These trucks are over 30 years old, who knows what's been changed over the years?

 

in the late part of 73 f2504x4 highboys had the option of power assist.rams and control valves. a big plus for large tires, but always a leaking problem.

 

You're absolutely right...my mind must be gone from looking all this stuff up for 40 years.

After I typed the above jibberish, I remembered that 1973 was the first year for optional P/S on 4WD's (not 1976).

Depending on the serial number, both the Bendix and Garrison systems were used.

 

BigBad, if you look carefully at the steering in your truck, I'll bet you have the same Ibeling conversion that I put on my truck. After I broke the manual steering gearbox and ended up 300 ft out in a cornfield.....had to do something. I purchased a kit from an Iowa farmer. Good instructions and pieces of steel for the frame. Used a powersteering gearbox from a 3/4 or 1 ton 2wd ford van. Got my pump and pulleys from a 2wd FE powered truck- it looks very factory cause it uses Ford parts. Mine was done in '86, and it continues to work flawlessly. I believe Mr Ibeling sold lots of these kits, and some for older F250s as well. DinosaurFan, on his son's 'puter