i recently bought a 65 f100 and am in need of advice. right now it has a 390 or possibly 400 not too sure but definately a big block. the tranny is a four speed manual that shifts like an old tractor. what im wondering is what would be a good suit as far as the drivetrain goes. what kind of vehicles are compatible with my truck. this will be my first project truck im fairly handy but dont have much mechanical background but do have friends and family that are willing to help. any and all info will be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

First off, Welcome to FTE all of us are willing to help, I am a beginner to this as well.
It depends on what you want to do with the truck, these trucks look good in the normal stance, raised, & lowered. They are really not built for the drag strip, but they can move if you wish. The VIN and the body style (located on the driver side door) will tell us more.
I think what you have is a 352, rather than the 390/400 motor. Again, you came to the right place ..... these people are just awesome!

 

the only number i grabed was 6991028L-239105A not too sure if this is the vin number its what is on the drivers side door nothing in glove box and now im out of town for work and wont be able to dig through it for a month

 

The VIN would start with the letter F and is on the title as well. I should have stated that sorry bout that .... again welcome

 

It's probably more a matter of what you want the truck for. These trucks will accept most any motor/trans combination, some without any extra fabrication. These trucks came with most motor/trans combinations over the years, so locating towers and mounts may be all that's needed. So if your looking to put a Ford back in it, it's just a matter of choosing one then locating the mounts and towers. As mentioned, there are lots of us out here that either have tried or are using none stock motor/trans combinations. Same goes with the rear, chances are it has a nine inch, which is nearly bullet broof in most situations, and there are loads of aftermarket parts and gears available for it. Like Back says, the vin is the place to start. Welcome aboard!!!

 

this might sound stupid but what is a dana 60?

 

WELCOME to FTE!
Your VIN is actually a Canadian VIN, rather than a US VIN, so it wil need to be deciphered by someone else - but that it why it doesn't have an "F-" in front of the number. Is your truck by any chance a Mercury badged truck, instead of the Ford name?
By the way, Ford engines do not use the term "big block" or "small block." The term "engine family" is used instead. Common families and engines are:
FE "Ford Edsel" Family - 330, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427 and 428
Windsor Family - 289, 302, 351W "Windsor"
335 Family - 351C "Cleveland", 351M "Modified" and 400
385 Family - 429, 460
If your engine is original, it will be an FE, 352 CID, not a 390. 390s were not offered in trucks until '68.
To check if it is an FE, look where the valve cover, head and intake manifold meet. If the valve cover covers both the intake and the head, it is an FE. Search this site for more information on how to measure the stroke to determine the engine CID.
If you would like to put in a more modern or different engine, look around for a '73 - '79 F-150 with the engine and transmission combination you want. Be sure to get one with A/C, power steering and power brakes too. You can harvest all that and easily install it in your truck, and keep it all Ford.
Lots of info on how to do all that here at FTE.
Again, Welcome to FTE!

 

A Dana 60 is a type of rear end Ford used on some of the trucks. The most common is the Ford 9-inch. Here is how to tell the difference:
The Ford 9 inch will have 13 1/2-inch nuts in the front of the axle housing that hold in the gear assembly. This assembly commonly called the third member or hogshead or chunk.
A Dana series axle, usually a Dana 60, will have a stamped steel plate on the rear of the axle, held on by bolts.

 

excellent all good stuff. no its not a mercury, i do know that it was built at the oakville ontario plant. the engine i dont believe is original (has power steering) and also has disc brakes already (huge ones). like i said didnt get much time to look at basically picked it up and then had to leave town for work. thanks again

 

Whatever V8 your truck has...now, is not the original engine, because the first digit of your 15 digit Canadian only VIN is a 6.

6 decodes to an I-6. If your truck came with the 352 originally, the first digit of the VIN would be a 4.

Ford offered three different rear axles for 1961/66 F100's:

1) Ford 9 inch (does not have an inspection cover) without Limited Slip.

2) Dana 44 (has an inspection cover) with Limited Slip.

3) Dana 60.2 (has an inspection cover) with or without Limited Slip.

The Dana 60.2 is not the same as the Dana 60 which was only used in F250's thru 1967.

What V8 engine does your truck have...now? The following info will give you some idea.

Valve cover bolt holes per side:

FE: (332/352/360/390/406/410/427/428) 5 / 221/260/289/302/351W: 6 / 429/460: 7 / 351C/351M/400: 8

FYI fellow members: I decoded the OP's VIN in another thread. Here's the info again: 6991028L-239105A

6 = I-6 engine // 99 = Styleside Pickup // 28 = 128.8" (commonly refered to as a 129") Wheelbase // L = Left Hand Drive // 239105 = 1965 // A = 3800 thru 5600 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating range.

 

another question. while looking through pics of other f100s i noticed that they have kickplates as you step in to the truck, mine does not is this normal or has the prvious owner really cut this thing apart?

 

If you are referring to a recessed step, then no, your '65 is normal.
That "kickplate" recess is found on some '64 and earlier F-100s, and on F-350s up to '66.
You will need to note the years in dealing with our Slicks - Ford made major changes in '65. Although the earlier trucks look similar on the outside, almost everything changed drastically under the skin. Nothing interchanges after '64.

 

oh okay so your saying nothing,except exterior from a 64 will fit the 65?

 

Right.
Fenders, hood, doors (depends), some interior parts and the rear axle can fit. Beds might fit. That's not an exhaustive list, but most of it.
Things that are radically different include all steering parts (including the column), all suspension parts, cab, engines, frame, and more.

 

banjopicker, where did you get your disc brakes and power steering from?