I have always respected Michelle's input in regard to our hobby, but I am surprised to see her loud purple shout. A well-armed sheep is still - let's be real - a timid creature unable and unwilling to pull the trigger. What is the real meaning of the rant?
Eric

Very impressive work. I just recently built my own - it's clear I should have waited for yours - and I've suffered two deficiencies: First, I traced my pattern off my old headliner and it was too trashed to translate accurately and the fit is not perfect. Obviously you have solved this. Second, I co...

I did the Bendix addition to a '66 because it is the correct box. The column (floor shift) fit no problem. I also helped a friend add a Bendix to his Cruiso-equipped '66. We almost ran out of adjustability with his original steering column. The 3-spd column shift might require surgery; don't know. I...

There are two sizes so be careful.
Eric

I got a cheap one from Rock Auto. There is not a single atom of copper in it. I'm not saying that's bad, but I will save it for later...
Eric

My '66 Merc 250 cs weighed 4180 on a commercial scale, without my fat self or much gas. No ps/pb/ac or spare and jack on that day. GVW of 7500 would allow a legal load of almost 3500 which is way more than modern trucks allow.
Eric

They are pushed into barrel clips which fit tight into the holes in the sheetmetal. Resist the temptation to use a screwdriver to pry the badges off. Squeeze a plastic bondo applicator or similar behind the badge and wiggle it out. Save the barrel clips. You can buy new ones but old Ford is better. ...

The 3.54 is not particularly rare but is hard to find. The best source is a 460 automatic camper special. I couldn't find one so I settled for a 3.73, which was a great improvement over the original 4.56.
Eric

But... if the painter sees two digits/letters (eg 8M) why would he need the "-2" to be told it's a two-tone? Maybe, just my guess, is that "-2" meant regular two-tone. Perhaps "cab-top only" in contrasting colour had a different "-#"
Eric

My '66 came with thermactor. I can manage to get the system back together, but I would like to add period-correct A/C. Does anyone have a schematic or drawing which might explain how the dealer made the addition of the A/C paraphernalia to the smog motor?
Eric.

Yup, the "M" is wimbledon white. Have a look at the firewall for a grease pencil AM-2. My '66 Merc was 8M on the plate and 8M-2 on the firewall. Why the painters had to be told "-2" when it was obvious remains a mystery to me.
Eric

A cheap, clever but not quite concours solution is to cut a steel door panel to leave only the inch or so around the perimeter.
Eric

If it's hot I drive naked. My '66 has no-drafts that cool me fine.
Eric

Beige. Same as a beige steering column.

There were "appearance" packages available that included some of the CC features which explains why you might see a '66 with aluminum grille and light doors but no CC script. So says the Ford of Canada salesman's manual.
Eric

Ford must have made them in Latin America in the 60s. If the lens would fit the North America speedo I'd love to have one.
Eric

Even less work than that if you use a Bendix box. Your steering column will be the correct length. The Bendix is hard to find, expensive to rebuild, (some say) failure-prone, but "correct" for a '66 built after Dec 1, 1965. No p/s in '65.
Eric

I used bumper bolts from a chrome shop. Chrome caps on the heads, if you like that sort of thing.
Eric

If that truck has absolutely no rust it is worth two bills anywhere.
Eric

I apologize; my mistake.
Eric