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Chris @Effies 56 , that comet interior looks great. I was thinking of the Falcon reproduction lid with the single stripe down the middle, but then again, I was making an assumption that the base unit from both the Comet and Falcon, were the same, and that the only real differences might have been color, and the lid.
Chad @TA455HO , as you have both a Ranger and an early XL, can you by chance confirm if the base of these two consoles is the same?
Which brings me to the classic question, of which came first, the chicken or the egg? Let us assume simply from the names of these iconic cars that a comet which is usually roundish more closely resembles an egg, and simply due to the shared class Aves, let us assume for the purposes of our scientific enquiry that the Falcon more closely resembles the Chicken. With that in mind, which car was first offed with a center console? The Comet or the Falcon? From my perspective I think it is safe to say that the XL preceded the Ranger, and if the XL shared DNA with the Comet in way of its center console, even if it was only the race track style lid, I think we can conclude it was the egg that came first. However, if in fact it was the Falcon that first went into production with the single drag strip console lid, we might have to conclude that it was in fact the chicken that came first.
I await more information from my two esteemed correspondents to verify my analyses, and please cite your work for future reference.
Making a list of the "upgrades" that I would like to do, and while I am in the States next month, I thought I would try to track down some of the more elusive parts visiting boneyards in and around Virginia and Maryland. I know that some of those parts are on other model Ford cars and trucks from different years, what I don't know, is how to narrow down my search.
- I would really like to find an original oil bath filter setup. While I am not a purest, and really can't afford to be one since the original motor and transmission are already gone, I do want things to look somewhat original at first glance. That and the oil bath filter rebuild that @AZSCAWPION did a few years ago, was pretty slick, so...
- I would like to find a different rear bumper, I personally like the wrap around style, but I would like to find one that extends to the rear edge of the wheel arch, and is a full with step bumper below the tailgate.
- Original Ford jack and mounting hardware would be practical...
- If I found a left side tool box, I wouldn't be amiss, but that is only a thought and very low on the priority list.
That's quite an ambitious list. Good luck! Don't know what's out your way, but since you're in no rush, I'd focus more on internet searching. Obviously a bumper wouldn't be practical but as far as most of your other items go you'd prolly have a dozen or so to choose from. Kinda takes the fun out of parts hunting tho. Either way, glad to see you're not giving up on this long distance love affair. That's my .02
Left side tool boxes weren't offered back then. Will have to modify a right side to fit.
Wouldn't dismiss the jack either. It's what I keep in my truck. While it does have it's shortcomings, 1 thing is for sure- It'll do what it's supposed to do every single time. I've made an attachment for my drill to make running it up quicker. For me, the simpler, the better. Wife and I often camp miles from civilization. There's no room for failure. Even simpler, throw a patch kit and a 12v inflater in the back of the truck and learn how to patch a tire on the fly.
Thanks @AZSCAWPION , yes, it is an ambitious list, and I am not sure what I will actually find, but sometimes one can get lucky. I did hit a few boneyards back in 2024, and found some parts based on what I was envisioning then, but truthfully, I didn't know what I was looking for, so probably missed out on some of what I want. I will likely hit those yards again, in hopes that those trucks are still there and hopefully hit a few more.
Anyone in the Virgina/ Maryland area know of any good boneyards that have some of the old stuff? I would be grateful for the lead. Or if anyone is selling parts at 1960 prices...ok, make that 1990 prices...oh crap, you know what I mean. Everything has just gone crazy, but I don't begrudge anyone trying to make a buck.
Last edited by The Dassler; Apr 20, 2026 at 09:04 AM.
Matt,
A lot of the items are out there. The HUNT! Some of the new stuff is not as good as old reconditioned items. Chad probably knows the Falcon vs Comet console thing better than me? Or go to the Comet Forum to learn more. Good guys there also. Oh way I have lots of Comet pictures there too. (Sugarmaker)
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the professor could even quote from memory statistics. He seems to have some crazy super powers when it comes to things like that. Or maybe, Chad is really Santa Clause, and he has a plethora of elves working behind the scenes... No, just kidding, and Respect, it is well earned.
What excites me, is that the odds just halved..or doubled..or whatever. Anyway, suspecting that the Comet and the Falcon might have what I am looking for, at least betters my odds in finding a replacement console. So thank you for your impute too.
I was just telling Matt I haven't been around the Mercury Comets with bucket seats so didn't know what their lids looked like. I knew from eBay ads and other pictures that there was both a racetrack lid and a dragstrip lid, but I hadn't made the connection there before. Did the cars use any brackets to hold the console down? The XL and Ranger trucks used the same general base with the floor line cut differently for the XL trucks with the different trans cover humps requiring different cuts for them - and likewise the Rangers with the different trans cover humps and the cut along the floor line to match. At least four variations that I know of in the truck line. The XLs and Rangers used the same front and rear floor brackets to secure the console. Kinda funny what they did in front where the tunnel is on the cars - the consoles all had the front arch for the tunnel as part of the mold I suspect and on the trucks it leaves quite the open gap where the bracket is behind giving support and they just drilled two holes to fasten it to the front bracket.
Matt, Chad, Folks
Matt, a very nice picture of you and Lucy! Awesome truck you have. Looks very straight and no rust! we will need pictures when you get back to it!
I don't have a lot of stored pictures of the Comet console, but since the Comet is in the shop I can get any pictures you might need. Here are a few when we were updating the interior.
One thing I did was make custom seat rails to move the seats back 3 inches. These pictures might help Matt determine what he needs? My guess is the lid designs are interchangeable? But don't rely on me. Chad there are brackets that hold the console down But I have slept since I looked at them.
You can see how far back the Comet seats are. As an example in the 66 truck my gas pedal foot is bent up a lot. Not really comfortable.
As I was going through my Comet pictures I found this from one of our local car cruise in's too!
Matt,
I seen this on the Comet Forum Some one said they may have repro consoles???? Not sure ? http://www.melvinsclassicfordparts.c...ages_35-39.pdf
Their phone number is near the bottom. Might be worth a call?? Good luck
Last edited by Effies 56; Apr 20, 2026 at 09:30 PM.
The XLs and Rangers used the same front and rear floor brackets to secure the console. Kinda funny what they did in front where the tunnel is on the cars - the consoles all had the front arch for the tunnel as part of the mold I suspect and on the trucks it leaves quite the open gap where the bracket is behind giving support and they just drilled two holes to fasten it to the front bracket.
Seeing the arch, and assuming that the majority of the arch is, as you wrote, open, it makes me wonder if it would be possible to redesign the mounting bracket, and then make a small drawer that slides out the front, or maybe a slide out cup holder. Using some textured ABS plastic for the front, with a chrome pull, or maybe no pull, just use "tip on", to spring the unit out. I think it could be done to look factory, or at least not be seen, and add practicality.
Been trying to learn the MPC system so that I can do some of my own research. Honestly, it is slow going, folks like Chad @TA455HO make it look easy. I am however, having some fun, and came across page 1,645 from the 1965-72 illustrations catalog, and thought I would share. It details Interior trim 1965/66 F100/250 (with Console). While the gauge cluster is all wrong, it still appears to specify interior info for the Ranger optioned trucks. It also looks like the cover for the fuel tank is moulded, something I have read about in some older threads, but not seen. Page 1,645 '64-'72 Master parts illustration catalog
The 1964 XL trucks and the early 1965 Rangers used a vinyl cover. Not really molded just cut to shape and draped over with screws across the top and a couple down the sides. Not too long into it they changed it, so the Rangers got a carpeted gas tank cover. A bit more warm and plush feeling from the carpet.
My 64 XL with the (sagging) vinyl showing.
Red vinyl visible in this early brochure.
Early 1965 Ranger photo - probably preproduction but also has vinyl instead of carpet.
Ford reused the drawings and sometimes only modified what was needed. The speedo being round would be Standard Cab in F100/250 or 1964 and older Custom Cab. The vent on the far side by the driver's shin is the vertical cable-operated type whereas 1965/66 F100/250 2WD used the hand operated flap which was more triangle shaped. Also, if a drawing says 'Typical' in the description at the bottom of the page take those with a grain of salt. Or maybe a couple of tablespoons of salt. Old Chinese suicide method. Don't drink water or eat for a couple of days and then take 2 tablespoons of salt! Yikes!!!
@The Dassler Matt, I tried to reply to your second message from today, but when I went to send it said your message inbox is full. I'll try to save what I wrote and let me know when you've cleared some space and I'll send it. Nothing earth shattering.
