I just picked up a 68 Ranger F-250 Camper Special in very nice condition and the thing I can't stand most about this truck as I am sure most can't is the brakes.

I believe this thing has 4 wheel drum brakes and for a truck this heavy it's a job to stop it. What kind of brake kits are out there for these trucks?

 

Just have the brakes fixed....they work great when in good condition....

 

ok maybe I will give that a shot then. I've no experience with drum brakes, all of my cars that I race have 4 wheel disc, so this is a new experience for me

Thanks for the advise!

 

Mine wss pretty crappy in the brake area when I bought it...but once we re-shoed and got new drums and adjusters in there,.....and a couple of cylinders.....it almost throws me through the windshield when I stop!

Be sure to specifically request that the shop check the adjusters...

 

1968/72 F250 2WD's and F350's offered optional dual piston front disc brakes. The parts swap over with next to no changes required. Same spindles used with/without discs.

F250's offered two different sized brake shoes. Whatever size the front shoes are, the rear will (normally) be the same.

The two sizes: 12 1/8" x 2" // 12" x 2 1/2"

As original, either size brakes came with self adjusters, NAPA used to offer a kit to remove them, so if the adjusters are missing, don't be surprised.

The adjusters were IMO, a PITA, and they only work when the brake pedal is applied when backing up.

Usually what happens is the adjuster cable snaps, then the bits and pieces work their way in between the shoes and the drum.

You can prolly guess what that does to the drum when the brakes are applied.

 

Thank you again, thats good to know.

Anything else I should know about this old heap?

It's a 390 auto, supposedly the drivetrain is semi-new, thing fires right up on the first crank. The body has no rust on it and is completely solid. We're going to do a mild teardown on it and prep it, then try to repaint it to close to it's original colors which was the red/white two tone.. (Might trade the ford red for a cherry red).

 

**Bookmarked**!!!!

 

Oops..my bad, I didn't notice you are a new member.

Welcome to FTE



btw: I'm the editing king of FTE, so it's prolly a good idea to scroll back and re-read my posts again.

 

I thought that all camper specials had disk breaks up front? is that not part of the Camper Special package?

 

I personally have no clue and the truck is sitting in storage for another 3 weeks until we're ready to prep it so I might not get a chance to check until then. If thats the case that might make life a little bit easier on me.

I will check it out next time I get a chance to get over there.

 

Nope, discs were optional on all F250 2WD's and F350's, regardless of whatever package they had.

Disc brakes weren't offered on F100's till 1973, and Camper Specials were also available on F100's back then (1965/72).

At the next GTG, I'll bring my facts book along so you can read all about it.

My typing skills are terrible. Laptop computer keyboards aren't designed for ppl with "ham" hands. I have to edit every post a dozen times, so if ya'll don't mind, I'd rather not have to type all the stuff that came with the Camper Special package.

But I will if someone asks.

 

Thats fine

 

Numbers your doing fine, your knowledge is greatly appreciated. I broke my left wrist so I'm down to peck and hunt 2 fingers.

 

Here are some pictures for the curious..sorry they are rather large.

 

Is that where the battery is supposed to be? Mine is on the right side....lol