Hi everyone! My husband and I bought a 1966 Ford F250 Camper Special to restore. This will be our first.

I'd like to know if anyone has suggestions on suppliers for parts? These are the ones I've got so far but I don't know about their quality of parts/service:

LMC Truck parts
Carolina Classics
Dennis Carpenter
Sacramento Vintage?

Also when looking at the VIN (this is the partial VIN F25YR861xxx) and comparing it to the information in the LMC catalog shows it being a 1967. I put some pics in my album. I haven't checked the inside of the driver's door yet.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=11

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Tricia

 

Some of the first things that need to be fixed are the brakes and the power steering gear. I've seen on some posts about adjusting it (the steering gear) or using a later model steering parts to improve performance. Any suggestions on what parts would be good to use?

We're looking to do gradual repairs, not necessary to be show quality, just good, safe, dependable and (eventually) nice to look at.
Our mechanic is going to look at the brakes tomorrow to see where we're at on those, the front brakes had already been done before we bought the truck (he's going to check those too).

One more question: I'm looking at some used aluminum rims to replace the steel rims. Currently there are 9.25 R16.5 tires on the truck but they are of various stages of dry rot, would we be able to change to 16.5 x 9 rims with new tires?

Thanks

 

Tricia, Welcome to FTE. Looks like a 66 F250 Custom Cab with a 352 built in California, didn't see anything to indicate Camper Special. Does it have twin batteries? That would be an easy indicator.

My first advise would be to drive the truck while improving it's road worthiness. Start looking for a 73-76 F250 donor for power steering and power disc brakes, both are bolt up swaps, and by next summer you will have a much better idea of what you want to do to the truck.

Carolina Classics and Dennis Carpenter are great for parts. LMC has been accused of having less quality parts than the two others. Rick Allen owner of Carolina Classics is a neighbor and friend of mind that I would turn to for parts advise above all others.

16" tires are easier to come by over 16.5. You might look at mid 70s to 96 8 lug 16" wheels for replacements.

Don't rush it, let it come to you.



John

 

Beware of LMC, some of there stuff is good, but stay away from thier moldings. I will say there cusomer service will take care of you. They had no problem refunding the money. I will second Johns recomendation on Carolina Classics and Dennis Carpenter. Also I have had good luck with Sacramento Vintage ford in the past when buying parts for a 55 ford that I was restoring.

 

My mistake about it being a Camper Special... it has an outlet/hookup in the bed, 7 pin hookup for trailer and bumper hitch. No twin batteries.

For the tires what size should we use?

we want to keep the same/similar hauling (?) capacity as the current tires. or will going down in rim & tire size change it at all?

this is an awesome forum!! Between here and our mechanic we're learning a lot.
thanks always for the help!!!

 

Thank you very much!!!
We've found the power steering this morning About the brakes, the truck currently has manual brakes, so how would we change them to power? How much mechanical knowledge/skill is needed? About what is the price range for the parts?

 

Thanks.
When I spoke to one of LMC's ordering people she was nice but didn't know any additional info other than what is printed in the catalog.

 

Tricia, I am running 76 I-beams, with power disc brakes and power steering from the same truck in my 66. Also the auto tranny.

Swapping to newer 16" wheels shouldn't affect the hauling capacity at all. Either should run D or E range tires.

Sounds like someone has used a camper in truck, therefore the extra cables in the back.




John

 

Just to be clear (I'm still learning about all things mechanical and I'm a little neurotic about making sure we do things right )

Do you take all the parts from the donor vehicle you need to convert to power brakes and install them (after removing the old brake system, of course)?

There's a 1975 F250 that is being sold as a parts truck for about $300 near me. What else off this truck would be able to be used on ours? I'm thinking we'd use the brake system (like John said), keep the steering gear for extra parts just in case and not sure what else would transfer.

Again Thanks for the help.

 

The 75 depending on how it was ordered, could have everything needed for a Front axle swap. You get power steering, power disc brakes, and other options depending on the donor.

If this 75 has a 360, the engine is compatible, it would have all the correct brackets for the ps pump, the brake booster and lines.

My 66 came with a 352 & 3spd manual, it now has a rebuilt 352, a C6 auto, power disc brakes, power steering, 2 spd wiper, delay wiper, the 76 steering column (required).

Pretty much everything from the rear cab mounts forward is bolt hole exchange from 65-79, F100, 250, & 4 wheel 350.

I bought my donor, sold parts that I didn't use for more money than I paid for the truck originally, so my upgrades are -0- in cost.

Got more questions? Fire at will.



John

 

The parts truck has a 390 cui motor that's complete but sitting for 3 years.

 

You would want to check to make sure it is a real 390. Alot of 360 turn into 390s over night. There is no way to tell if its a 360 or 390 unless you measure the stroke. Either way it is still going to fit your 66. just if its a 360 not a 390 you could use that as a bargaining chip and get it a bit cheaper.

 

For $300.00 bucks, I'd own it today, if I was looking. More than likely it's a 360.

Not to say a 390 was not swapped in, or the 360 was rebuilt as a 390, just most likely it's not a 390.




John

 

Welcome to FTE

F25 = F250 2WD

Y = 352 2V

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant

861XXX = 1966 assembled May 1966.

1967 6 digit serial numbers begin with the letter A

There is no way to determine from the VIN or the codes on the Warranty plate whether it's a Camper Special...or not.

1965/66 F100 and F250 Camper Specials have unique red plastic inserts in the front fender emblems denoting a Camper Special.

Otherwise...there is no way to tell one truck from another if both are equipped the same.

No Camper Special came with dual (twin) batteries. Ford didn't even offer dual batteries until 1973, and then...it was an option on all F100/350's.

The 1965/66 F100/250 Camper Special package included: the 300 I-6, or optional 352 2V, oil and amp gauges, dual "High Mount' Western Mirrors, 70 amp battery, an extended tailpipe, heavy duty shocks and springs, 55 amp alternator, heavy duty "rapid cooling'" radiator, unique fender badging, 7 pin pigtailed wiring harness w/plug to be used for the camper.

The trailer hitch was owner installed...as Ford didn't offer one.

The outside mirrors your truck has now are "gypos" (1980's style aftermarket autoparts store replacements).

Western Mirrors were available painted white or in stainless steel (optional) and have two arms and a 6" x 10" mirror head.

One arm mounted on the door frame above the vent window, one arm mounted on the door below the vent window.

 

Ok, well i hate to just jump in like this but...........How easy would it be for those colored inserts to come out?

Because i am not sure now after reading your post wither or not my truck is a camper special. I have about 3/4 of what you listed.

What do the gauges look like because i believe that is going to be the deal breaker. The rest of the stuff might (probably) has been installed later in its life. When i got it, it had had a camper on it for about the last 15 years at least.

I just figured while we were on the subject id see if i could figure it out. Thanks and sorry about any hijacking.