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Unless replaced by someone there should not be any metric anything on these trucks. Nothing from the factory would have used metric. Ford did not begin experimenting with metric fasteners until the late 1970s. 1966 was 100% SAE.
Chris, @Effies 56 , @Pickupmanx2 , and @skidoorulz , thank you for sharing. Sadly, I think that most of us know someone, or have a family member living with Alzheimers, or Dementia these days. Maybe in the past, it was just something you didn't talk about, but as Chris said, talking...or in this case writing about it, can be both therapeutic and in all likelihood help someone else not feel so alone.
Guys,
Thanks for putting up with a old man and his toys!
On the steering wheel fine threads. I need to check and find bolts to fit. I did use the bolts supplied in the JEGS kit to get the old steering wheel off. Yikes could have messed something up.
I got the Comet (lil red) started finally, seems to be carb and or gas, Maybe old gas? Drove it down to local upholstery shop and brought owner back to look at the 66 seat and options for improvements. Dave of Daves upholstery noted that the seat was very soft and not providing support and height. He felt an improvement in the seat base foam may help me feel more comfortable. So John came up and we took the seat assembly out and dropped it off at the upholstery shop.
I did get the Ford center plastic piece moved over the the repro wheel horn ring.
Steering pictures: The horn switch is broken. The wire is broken.
Also started the last tractor Allis WD
Last edited by Effies 56; Apr 10, 2026 at 04:42 PM.
Matt,
I am thinking of spending another hundred and getting adhesive promotor, correct primer and spray can with hardener in a color match for the wheel. At least that's the plan today.
Found out the steering shifter housing was not the correct one. So I just rebuilt the old one. Strange bolts that grip the turn signal portion the the cone. Like blind headed square bolts??
Any way back together up to that point. I have to pull the wires for the turn signal. Which they are mostly different color wires going to different places. Have to look at that some more too.
So I repaired the shifter with a new rubber bushing then drilled out the column cone to accept the spring pin. It went together ok added some fresh grease to the upper bearing.
Next to review the wire colors and positions. Maybe the positions don't matter but my guess is that they could turn the wrong signal on??
Chris, your shift arm is for a 3 on the tree manual column not an automatic column - same with that housing. The lever interacts with the detent which keeps the transmission in Park. Your setup isn't designed to be used with the detent and no way it would stay in Park that I can see. The stair step on the lower end of the arm goes into the slots in the detent. That's part of what holds it in Park and the various positions.
Chad,
Thanks! This seemed to be rigged up a lot on the column and shift items. Thanks for the warning! Wonder if I could ever find an automatic column for a 66??
I appreciate the input. Have not changed one of these haven't had a steering column out for 50 years. That was on a 55 Ford Crown Vic we had for 30 years.
Is there a recommended aftermarket column that would be a good choice as a replacement? Maybe tilt and use the new wheel too. Yea that's asking a lot.
I looked at a lot of columns on line. None seemed just to be the one? More research needed on this.
Last edited by Effies 56; Apr 12, 2026 at 08:19 PM.
I might be confused, (happens often and usually I embrace it), but...it looks like the new collar you bought is for an automatic, but maybe it doesn't work with your steering column, and then maybe you don't have the correct shift arm either.
All that said, I know I have seen a lot of good folks change out the whole column for a retro style that also tilts. I have seen it done nicely when the column and wheel match the original color, so maybe that might be an option worth looking into before you paint the steering wheel and then later need to paint the column too. If I am following what Chad wrote, that too would solve the problems of not having a proper "lock into park" automatic column.
For me, the bigger question is what kind of power steering do you have. That might be the first place to look as that may be relevant in picking the correct path for correcting a problem with the column if need be.
I agree the new collar is for an automatic. Smaller detail but it's from a newer 70's truck design and not the original 'shark-fin' socket - but instead uses the removeable pointer.
2MonkeyBoys has a reproduction of the original style - probably a non-issue for Chris but if anyone is doing a close to original project maybe it matters.
The flange on the automatic trucks is also different. Not the best picture as this is looking at the turn signal lever area but up on top there are 2 holes for the selector dial legs to fit into. One of those holes is visible on the top edge.
This is the correct green dot dial. Chris's is an example of a newer style also. I suspect it is glued to the outside of the flange collar.
Looks like 2MonkeyBoys also has the correct flanges in a reproduction. In their pictures you can see the two holes for the selector dial and looking closely I can see the other 2 smaller holes for the 2 screws that go into the dial legs to hold it in place. Nice to see more of these parts becoming available. I can't speak to their quality, but it looks good from here.
Guys,
Driniking for a fire hose here. But yes I believe the cone is for an automatic which I may not use.
Sorting things as far as the column. Seems no one has ever made or ordered a replacement column that actually matches up with all the Ford features. Does that surprise me. No not really! If it doesn't have a bow tie on the front or under the hood it gets kicked to the curb quickly. I spoke with Ididit today and they have the specs for what I want but don't make orders direct from customers. They referred me to LMC who will not custom order to Ididit spec since it would be a special order. If they could order it would be 10 to 18 week as a lead time! So I am looking at other options for our very non stock 66. Like maybe go with a floor shift and new shift cone that doesn't have any features?
Thanks guys as I continue to learn about this truck.
Trying to figure out what transmission is in this truck, PO was of no help. Have some pictures. Not sure that would help??
Last edited by Effies 56; Apr 13, 2026 at 09:03 PM.
Depending on what it is the trans pan shape and number of bolts holding it on can give some good direction for the quest of Id. If it's not Ford this may not help.
Guys,
Your information and pictures in the links and me doing some time under the truck. I have come to the conclusion by the shape of the pan and also it had Ford Logo and Automatic Overdrive and METRIC stamped in the pan. This transmission appears to be a post 1980's Ford AOD four speed transmission. So today's plan is to change over to a floor shift to improve safety in Park and positive gear locations. On the column I plan to replace the three on the tree shift collar with a floor shift plain collar. Then rebuild the turn signal switch and add the new smaller retro steering wheel.
The casting numbers on the drivers side of the case that I can find are DP-7006-AA. Now most things I see show other numbers in front of this DP. They are either very faint or were not there or have been removed??
Matt, folks,
I did order a floor shift assembly today. So we will see how that works. I think it will be an improvement and safer too. Not any work on the 66 today as we try to prepare for mowing the yard. I asked John to help me get the floor shift installed. That will be a next week project. I did get the smooth shift cone ordered for the column also. We continue to fall forward. And for some strange reason the truck continues to grow on me??
But yes I believe the cone is for an automatic which I may not use.