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Hey, whats up guys. Ive been checking out your forum and I'm very impressed by all the great 60's truck owners on here. Like my name says, I'm the proud owner of a 66 f-100 which has been handed down 4 generations. I love the look of the truck, but I would like to bring it a little up to date. I see a couple of guys going for the disc brakes and power steering. Is that the common first mod to do to these trucks? Its all original 6 cylinder with the 3 on the tree. I would appreciate any input you guys may have. Here's to a long relation ship between me and my handed down 66!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
Welcome!!!
I just bought my 66 a few months ago. Same basic setup. 6 & 3. I am leaving mine stock, but the cool thing about old trucks is there is room for all of us. You will find good info her most of the time. Good luck on your project, and post some picts in your profile. We would all love to see your truck.
I just bought my 66 a few months ago. Same basic setup. 6 & 3. I am leaving mine stock, but the cool thing about old trucks is there is room for all of us. You will find good info her most of the time. Good luck on your project, and post some picts in your profile. We would all love to see your truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
First and foremost welcome to the Family of Ford Truck Enthusiast, Welcome to FTE!!!. 
Great looking truck, what a treasure, with history included can't get any better. Couple schools of thought when it comes to 'upgrades', if have space then donor truck would probably be the better way to go, save few trips to salvage yard and sell off what you don't need. Otherwise, do some research, compile a salvage parts list and go shopping. Posting couple links discussing the upgrade, 1 by FTE member ddavidv, and another from FTE articles.
Quik rundown on couple of P/S options: Bendix box, tends to be problematic, but the box is the same lenth so no need to deal with either shortening, or swapping out steering colum. On the otherhand, there's the Ford box, readily available but does require dealing with the column. Anyhow,
again, welcome and post pic's when you can, and don't hesitate asking questions, or sharing.
Power Steering & Disk Brakes 2wd 65-72 .: Articles
f100discs
Great looking truck, what a treasure, with history included can't get any better. Couple schools of thought when it comes to 'upgrades', if have space then donor truck would probably be the better way to go, save few trips to salvage yard and sell off what you don't need. Otherwise, do some research, compile a salvage parts list and go shopping. Posting couple links discussing the upgrade, 1 by FTE member ddavidv, and another from FTE articles. Quik rundown on couple of P/S options: Bendix box, tends to be problematic, but the box is the same lenth so no need to deal with either shortening, or swapping out steering colum. On the otherhand, there's the Ford box, readily available but does require dealing with the column. Anyhow,
again, welcome and post pic's when you can, and don't hesitate asking questions, or sharing. Power Steering & Disk Brakes 2wd 65-72 .: Articles
f100discs
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
OPINION: Power steering is important when you become a high miler like me, and disc brakes have a much greater safety factor. As long as you keep the hood down and don't run slotted wheels, no one else has to know.
Being an ol schooler I luv them exhaust notes from the FE and damn a full grown Ford truck that can't shift it's own gears, so no wimpy 6 and strt. drive for me.
close opinion.
John
Being an ol schooler I luv them exhaust notes from the FE and damn a full grown Ford truck that can't shift it's own gears, so no wimpy 6 and strt. drive for me.
close opinion.
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown, PA
(begin "pick on my pal John")
Real men shift their own gears. Using a column shifter is a lost art. I enjoy the stares of awe as I cycle that lever through it's clunky pattern to make my truck go. Automatics are for grumpy old white haired men.
(end pick on JW)
(some day, I hope JW and I cross paths. I think it would be a fun time.)
As for the steering, I don't find it's that much of a problem provided you keep the monster steering wheel. It has plenty of leverage for all but really low speed parking maneuvers. What it will never have regardless of wheel size or steering assist is a quick ratio. You'll be sawing that wheel for all she's worth no matter what you do without going to a R&P setup.
If I wanted a new truck I'd buy one. I like my old boat and all it's quirks.
Real men shift their own gears. Using a column shifter is a lost art. I enjoy the stares of awe as I cycle that lever through it's clunky pattern to make my truck go. Automatics are for grumpy old white haired men.
(end pick on JW)
(some day, I hope JW and I cross paths. I think it would be a fun time.)
As for the steering, I don't find it's that much of a problem provided you keep the monster steering wheel. It has plenty of leverage for all but really low speed parking maneuvers. What it will never have regardless of wheel size or steering assist is a quick ratio. You'll be sawing that wheel for all she's worth no matter what you do without going to a R&P setup.
If I wanted a new truck I'd buy one. I like my old boat and all it's quirks.
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Thanks for that article. That is the most in depth write out I have read in a while. Plus, you got to love the pics to go along with the description!
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Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
(begin "pick on my pal John")
Real men shift their own gears. Using a column shifter is a lost art. I enjoy the stares of awe as I cycle that lever through it's clunky pattern to make my truck go. Automatics are for grumpy old white haired men.
(end pick on JW)
(some day, I hope JW and I cross paths. I think it would be a fun time.)
Real men shift their own gears. Using a column shifter is a lost art. I enjoy the stares of awe as I cycle that lever through it's clunky pattern to make my truck go. Automatics are for grumpy old white haired men.
(end pick on JW)
(some day, I hope JW and I cross paths. I think it would be a fun time.)
Hey bring it on bro, you bring the beer or Bourbon, and I'll cook the chicken. I can feed ya hard, just ask John da picker.
John
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Waterdown, Ont.
4thgen66,
First, let me say that is one beautiful truck! It is remarkable, seeing as your in PA, that it doesn't have rust. Someone took very good care of that one.
Everyone has their own idea of what upgrades should be done, so here's mine: I'd put some disc brakes up front, and call it done. No need for power steering. The "3 on the tree" shifter is a piece of history - and I would keep it.
Actually, if it's not going to be a daily driver, I'd leave it as is - drum brakes and all. It's only original once.
Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a very long time.
Best of luck,
John
BTW, the straight six is a work horse and my favorite engine - is it a 240 or 300?
First, let me say that is one beautiful truck! It is remarkable, seeing as your in PA, that it doesn't have rust. Someone took very good care of that one.
Everyone has their own idea of what upgrades should be done, so here's mine: I'd put some disc brakes up front, and call it done. No need for power steering. The "3 on the tree" shifter is a piece of history - and I would keep it.
Actually, if it's not going to be a daily driver, I'd leave it as is - drum brakes and all. It's only original once.
Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a very long time.
Best of luck,
John
BTW, the straight six is a work horse and my favorite engine - is it a 240 or 300?
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Thanks for all the great replies.
Zenmaster, how can I tell what 6 cylinder I have?? I don't know.
Its deff. not my daily driver, but Ive seen the past two generations not drive it because it is kind of a pain. So all I really want to do is make it really fun to drive on sundays.
Zenmaster, how can I tell what 6 cylinder I have?? I don't know.
Its deff. not my daily driver, but Ive seen the past two generations not drive it because it is kind of a pain. So all I really want to do is make it really fun to drive on sundays.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Waterdown, Ont.
4thgen66,
Like jowilker says, the only way to know is to measure the stroke. The 240 and 300 look identical from the outside.
Stroke on the 240 is: 3.18"
Stroke on the 300 is: 3.98"
Remove the coil wire, or disconnect the battery so the engine won't start accidentally. You don't need to do this if you remove all the spark plugs.
Take the spark plug out of #1 cylinder, insert a wooden dowel down the spark plug hole, turn engine to BDC and mark the dowel. Turn engine to TDC and mark the dowel again. Remove the dowel and measure the distance between the two marks. If it's closer to 3", it's a 240 - closer to 4", it's a 300.
The engine is easier to turn over with all the spark plugs out.
Good luck, and let us know what you find
John
Like jowilker says, the only way to know is to measure the stroke. The 240 and 300 look identical from the outside.
Stroke on the 240 is: 3.18"
Stroke on the 300 is: 3.98"
Remove the coil wire, or disconnect the battery so the engine won't start accidentally. You don't need to do this if you remove all the spark plugs.
Take the spark plug out of #1 cylinder, insert a wooden dowel down the spark plug hole, turn engine to BDC and mark the dowel. Turn engine to TDC and mark the dowel again. Remove the dowel and measure the distance between the two marks. If it's closer to 3", it's a 240 - closer to 4", it's a 300.
The engine is easier to turn over with all the spark plugs out.
Good luck, and let us know what you find
John