I bought a 65 F100 (short box, 352, auto) about 6 months ago and have spent most of the time since planning out what I am going to do. (This site has been a great source of info!!) When I bought the truck, my plan was to do a frame-off project and restore it to original condition and drive it during the summer. Turning the truck into a "hotrod" of any kind was not, and and is still not part of the plan.

I currently have a 2007 F150 King Ranch and multiple Lariats (and a 66F100) before that. I know that you cannot compare the 2007 to the 1965, but some increased comfort and driveability in the 65 certainly would be a bonus. I was thinking the following upgrades would be nice:

Power steering
Power brakes
Disc brakes (front for sure, back maybe)
Front and rear sway bars
Engine upgrades (4B carb, intake, headers)

Here is my problem.

I am not restoring the truck for resale. I am doing it because I have been a Ford guy since I bought a 70 Mustang at age 17, and want a cool old truck to drive around. However, when you are putting $25K (last estimate) into a truck, you have to consider the resale value to some extent.

I have watched the Barrett-Jackson auctions for years on TV and seen how the value of vehicles has changed. I really beleive that mid to late 60's trucks are going to become way more popular and significantly increase in value. The "right" trucks are going to become a good investment and collector item. In my opinion, it is just a matter of time.

I would appreciate any opinions on the comparitive value of resto-mods and stock restored vehicles. Specifically, will my desired changes impact the overall value or am I better off to leave the truck in total stock condition?

It would be a shame to do something that could potentially decrease the value of the truck, even if my plan is still only to keep the truck and drive it. You never know; I may someday want to sell it and go onto another F100. A 4x4 would be nice.

I am sure there are lots of opinions on this one.........

 

I am no specialist on the value of trucks, but I know what you are going thru.

I recently got my grandpas 1962 F-100 and my nephew and I are trying to decide whether to go totally stock or upgrade stuff.
It is not done for resale and we are going with power steering, power brakes
and most likely upgrade to a 352 and change to a automatic transmission.

You want to enjoy the drive and look forward to driving it.

 

Also have a 65 F100 and drove it for some 35 plus yrs. before deciding to make few upgrades. Wow, wish I had done so much earlier. IMHO, the P/S should be at the top of the list, with the front disc brakes a close second. May also want to consider elect. ign., I went with the Duraspark ll, but there are a number of different type systems to choose from. Swapped from 2 to 4 V, and wish I had'nt, but imagine depends what intend using the truck for. Went with the headers, but requires slight fabrication. Mine is my daily driver and used for hauling construction, and yard maint. material. IMHO, some upgrades enhance the value of the truck, seem to notice this with few friends who are into vintage, or muscle car restoration. There are a number of members who are in various stages of retro, refab, or restoring thier rides, check out their galleries when you get a chance. There a quite a few members whose rides could be on the cover of any Truck Magazine.

Have another 65, purchase as a donor truck but could not to do it so rather than using for parts put the money into getting it on the road, now 1 butt and two 65's. Considering taking the 65 F100 lwb and placing it onto a later model Ford 4X4 chassis. Just another project on my to do list. Keep us updated on progress.

 

I believe the upgrades you mention will seperate a OEM mint truck from say a restored truck with ps & brake upgrades. But if the truck isn't mint I think the upgrades will bring just about the same value as having not. those comfort features will enhance to some buyers and then theres the diehard stock nuts.
I personnelly feel those mods don't determine a decrease in value but add to its value.
Its the cut out the door panel (speaker) & radio dash mod's that cause me headaches.
Just my opinion....

Mitch

 

I like creature comforts, when I was younger armstrong steering was ok and on these trucks still not too bad, but I am spoiled and gotten used to it. I also like to be able to stop when its wet and not worry about changing lanes on accident, so I like disc brakes.

 

First and foremost, it's your truck...do what you want to with it. Worrying about it's potential value one way or the other from now is wasteful and pretty much trying to predict the future. My opinion has always been this: whatever alterations you make from stock, just keep them reversible. Most of the items you would like to do can be put back to stock with only some time swapping parts around. That kind of thing isn't permanent and therefore unlikely to really 'kill' the value should bone-stock restorations suddenly become the thing to have.

It's when you get into all this shaving, chopping and dropping that you begin to really risk your investment. Hot Rodding is a fickle thing. Times and tastes change with the passage of the calendar. What's hot this year may be outdated and dull the next.

I'm a pretty bone stock kind of guy for the most part, but my truck has the disc brake swap, mag wheels, dual exhaust and will have a plusher, non-standard interior when money permits. All reversible, should I later want to.

 

My observation with barret Jackson is...., a correctly done resto-mod holds its own based upon the entire package. Modern amenities are a plus under the right circumstances. I look at it this way, a bone stock perfect truck will not be driven as much as a resto mod, and the drivers market for slicks is just gonna get stronger, so upgrade for the street, not the museum.

 

Like what's been said already...it's your truck, do what you want, and what you have plannedie not that far from stock anyway. I'm a BIG believer in the Booster/Disc coversion for safety reasons alone...yours, your passengers and anybody else on the road, if you cant stop..your really not in control of your vehicle. We all just live in a faster world anymore, and that idiot that whip's in front of coming to a stoplite,doesn't know your brakes are not as good as his/hers.IMHO this is your 1st best decision/choice.
Sway bars make very good sense, they'll allow your truck to handle those panic stops and lane changes better and make your truck much more fun to drive...fun is good!
Adding Pwr steering also adds to the enjoyment...more fun!
Good Luck! and keep it Fun!

 

I have a 65 3/4 ton ...and I quite frankly miss driving it...mainly cause of the armstrong steering...you get a workout plus you have a better feel for what the front end is doing/handling and such IMO...If its not going to be driven alot except to shows and things along that line I would stay stock...cheaper for one and you already have all the parts for cores where needed...I had a 76 3/4 ton with p/s...good front end and all on it too...was like night and day...very light feel at the wheel compared to my 65.
But ultimately it is indeed your truck. As for collectability and all that...i personally dont see these becoming high dollar collector vehicles like a GTO or something along those lines. For me, whatever is spent on it is simply a labor of love especially since these 61-6 trucks are becoming more and more scarce.


- cs65

 

I entirely agree with reasons for and constraints to observe in upgrading. The only other thought to bear in mind is that your stock '65 F100 turns into a F100 with upgrades which you'll need to remember, keep records of and have resources to for repairs on those upgrades. With an innate knowledge of your truck, you'd remember what to order FOR at the parts counter for those brakes. Could get confusing though with multiple upgrades. The day you either sell it or pass it down, if I were the recipient of that classic old pickup, I'd very much appreciate knowing what was done to it and what year parts I'd need to get.