So I picked up a 66 f-100 flare side short bed this month. Originally came from WA state (I am in MA), and was originally owned by a county government out there. Non-custom cab, 352, 4-speed, etc. Body is in pretty good shape - needs one cab corner and the front side of the rear fenders on both sides. PO put a new intake manifold and 4-bbl Holly carb, headers (with a messed up exhaust), said he did the drums all over and a dual MC. He bought a bunch of parts (including the sheet metal needed) and included them in boxes - along with a new shop manual (the 4 volume one).

So far just been enjoying driving around - picking up the front end off a 79 F150 for the PS/discs this weekend and will likely start tearing it down once I get the 79 components cleaned up/rebuilt. Planning to take it down to the frame - not sure if I will remove the cab or not (depending on condition once I get into it). Might put AC in, re-do the interior with some modern touches and a lot of the other typical improvements (rebuild window 'guts', gaskets, sound deadening/insulation, new carpet and seat). Might move the gas tank, mainly for some weight on the rear and some additional storage in the cab. Bed has a steel plate over remnants of the wood floor - that is on the list to be restored. Probably re-do the wiring as it is a little chopped up under the hood (haven't looked under the dash yet. PO hooked up a tach on the left circle on the dash, and a oil/temp/volt gauge under the dash - not sure if I will keep those or not. One issue I need to research further is the speedometer - it is off 10-15 mph and jumps around a lot. PO said he thought there was a different rear end (stock 3.50) causing the issue - I haven't looked at enough to understand if this could be the problem or not.

Not sure if I am going to go through the engine or not - I would prefer to do everything needed at one time. Odometer shows 98k but no idea if it has gone around 1 or more times.

Anyhow, I have learned a lot from this site and all the experience everyone posts - many thanks for your experience! I'm sure I will have questions along the way (probably soon as I get into the front end work!).

Photo of warranty tag (I decoded it already) and brief video getting it off the trailer when I brought it home (obviously need to learn to shift into a non-sync 1st!). (whoops - I have a mp4 file but it won't load and I don't know how to convert to mp3...

 

Nice looking truck, I bought mine from Montana. It's pretty cool how rust free trucks are that come out of the West. Looking forward to see what you do with it.

Pat

 

Hmmmm, interesting how the warranty plate is held on. Certainly not factory rivets. Things that make you go hmmmm.

 

Welcome to FTE. Nice looking truck. Sounds as if you have put a lot of thought into it. be ready for deep pockets. It depends on how you approach it. Speedo problem could be bad cable, or might need graphite and or the gear and of course the speedo itself. And we did not even have to ask for pics. The correct rivets can be purchased. Good luck

 

Good luck with your project, there is a wealth of information on this sight from some great people. Have fun along the way and enjoy yourself.

 

First and foremost Welcome to FTE. Mitty fine lookin truck, can not tell from photo whether the truck has the side mount spare tire rack, would be nice. I also purchased my 65 F100 Flare side from county auction, nice about that one can paint any flavor they desire. Again welcome, looking forward to your input and post photos when you can; oh please do not use an online photo storage website, I found it best to use a digital camera that way I do not have to rely on the website.

 

I have the bracket for the spare to be mounted outside the bed where the cut-out is shown in the photo- it was taken off the truck by the PO.

 

Hi Danno5, My 65 F-100's speedo used to bounce too. I took it out of the dash, (along with the speedo cable) to Scott & son Speedometer Service Corp.
196-198 W.Walton Blvd.
Pontiac, Michigan
48340-1165
Tel # 248-338-4148
www.scottspeedometer.com
They made a new speedo cable and replaced the parts that were making it bounce. They even made the red needle darker. Worth the $ Did a great job. Hope this helps, Pete.

 

Nice looking truck and based on the photos in really good condition.

 

thank you!

 

Picked up the front end from a 79 F150 for the brakes and steering box. Got the major gunk off with the pressure washer and started tearing it down. Will try to get it all apart tomorrow and pull together a parts list to order - then start cleaning and painting the radius arms, I-beams, spindles and all the parts that I will reuse.

Sort of interesting - had one new radius arm bushing and one old one. Brake pads looked pretty new but the rotors are in tough shape (planned to replace all anyhow). Tons of grease built up on the back side of the spindles and everywhere there is a fitting - that is positive!

 

So the tear down, cleaning and painting is almost complete. A couple of questions:

1. There was a large washer between the top of the LH radius arm and the first nut (before the spring washers). There was not a washer on the RH side. Is this correct? The donor front end is from a 79 F150. The 66 Shop Manual shows a shim, but the diagram isn't side specific... this is the LH side




2. I mentioned before that the LH radius arm bushing was new - looks like the PO should have replaced the RH instead. Any thoughts about reusing this or should I try to find a different one. The old bushing was gone on the bottom side.




thanks for the advice!

 

Nice clean looking truck Danno!! Looking forward to this thread!