Looked at a 1966 F250 today
Posted: April 9, 2016, 3:21 pm
Wanting to buy my first Slick. I was supposed to look at a couple of them today, but one of them sold, it was a 66' F100 LWB 2WD. Anyway, I was able to look at the one I had more interest in, a 66' F250. I'm posting what I saw of the truck hoping for a little insight on what I am looking at. I have no experience with these trucks except for the reading I have done on this great forum and the other general Ford truck forum.
The truck is a 1966 F250 Custom Cab, originally (I think) a 352 with a 4 speed. It currently has what the owner believes to be a low mileage 73' 390 with the original to the truck 4 speed. It is said to be a Camper Special, I'm not sure how to ID a CS, it is missing the badges on the front fenders. The current owner bought it in running condition about a year ago. He said it had previously been sitting for an unknown amount of time. It was purchased as a project for him and his stepson. He cleaned the fuel system out, basic tune up, said it ran great. Brakes went out and the stepson is no longer in the picture so it is for sale. We could not get it to start this morning, no battery, we tried jumping it so I know the engine is free, but we could not get enough juice to spin it fast enough to start. I have no additional info on how (or if) it runs. It is clean under the hood for an old truck that has been sitting for awhile, everything appears to be there and intact. No power steering or power brakes. One potential issue, he has the title from when he purchased it, says he went to the DMV this past week to put it in his name. Long story short, now there are title issues. The guy he bought it from is a friend, he does not seem to have any concern getting the correct title for the truck but said it may take awhile if has to get a bonded title.
The body is excellent, very straight, no external rust except for a small place on the leading edge of the hood. The floors look great. The cab mounts closer to the bed have some rust, they are intact but should probably be replaced. No other rust I could find, but I forgot to check the radiator support. The trim is off of the bed, there is a bunch of trim in the bed and an anodized looking grill from (I think) a 65'. Also an extra driver side door in excellent condition and the front bumper in the bed. I think most of the trim is there and in driver condition but I cannot say for sure. The paint is half original and half primer, paint code WM which I believe is white over blue? The cab roof is blue too, looks to be original. Back inside the truck, the bench seat looks to be of mid 70's vintage or possibly reupholstered at some time, not in great shape but usable. The only thing missing in the cab I could figure out was the radio, looks like someone may have cut the dash for a larger radio though I am not sure what it should look like stock. The truck looks good underneath, no major leaks, nothing beat up. The tailgate is a little beat up on the top, I'm not sure if it salvageable.
I told him I would get back with him tomorrow with an offer or to let him know I was not interested. I am interested, I like the truck a lot. He is firm on his price at $1500, and he will have a good title at this price.
What would I do with the truck? This would be a slow, mostly stock restoration. I would make sure the engine runs good, then go after brakes, probably upgrading to power and front disc, if not disc all the way around. I would likely add power steering and go through the front suspension while doing the disc conversion. Then maybe drive it while I save up for more major restoration steps, paint, interior etc. I envision a nice Slick that I can take out and cruise on the weekends, teach my 8 year old twin boys how to wrench on and just have fun with! It would not be used for an hauling or towing, I have another Ford truck for that.
Any words of wisdom?
The truck is a 1966 F250 Custom Cab, originally (I think) a 352 with a 4 speed. It currently has what the owner believes to be a low mileage 73' 390 with the original to the truck 4 speed. It is said to be a Camper Special, I'm not sure how to ID a CS, it is missing the badges on the front fenders. The current owner bought it in running condition about a year ago. He said it had previously been sitting for an unknown amount of time. It was purchased as a project for him and his stepson. He cleaned the fuel system out, basic tune up, said it ran great. Brakes went out and the stepson is no longer in the picture so it is for sale. We could not get it to start this morning, no battery, we tried jumping it so I know the engine is free, but we could not get enough juice to spin it fast enough to start. I have no additional info on how (or if) it runs. It is clean under the hood for an old truck that has been sitting for awhile, everything appears to be there and intact. No power steering or power brakes. One potential issue, he has the title from when he purchased it, says he went to the DMV this past week to put it in his name. Long story short, now there are title issues. The guy he bought it from is a friend, he does not seem to have any concern getting the correct title for the truck but said it may take awhile if has to get a bonded title.
The body is excellent, very straight, no external rust except for a small place on the leading edge of the hood. The floors look great. The cab mounts closer to the bed have some rust, they are intact but should probably be replaced. No other rust I could find, but I forgot to check the radiator support. The trim is off of the bed, there is a bunch of trim in the bed and an anodized looking grill from (I think) a 65'. Also an extra driver side door in excellent condition and the front bumper in the bed. I think most of the trim is there and in driver condition but I cannot say for sure. The paint is half original and half primer, paint code WM which I believe is white over blue? The cab roof is blue too, looks to be original. Back inside the truck, the bench seat looks to be of mid 70's vintage or possibly reupholstered at some time, not in great shape but usable. The only thing missing in the cab I could figure out was the radio, looks like someone may have cut the dash for a larger radio though I am not sure what it should look like stock. The truck looks good underneath, no major leaks, nothing beat up. The tailgate is a little beat up on the top, I'm not sure if it salvageable.
I told him I would get back with him tomorrow with an offer or to let him know I was not interested. I am interested, I like the truck a lot. He is firm on his price at $1500, and he will have a good title at this price.
What would I do with the truck? This would be a slow, mostly stock restoration. I would make sure the engine runs good, then go after brakes, probably upgrading to power and front disc, if not disc all the way around. I would likely add power steering and go through the front suspension while doing the disc conversion. Then maybe drive it while I save up for more major restoration steps, paint, interior etc. I envision a nice Slick that I can take out and cruise on the weekends, teach my 8 year old twin boys how to wrench on and just have fun with! It would not be used for an hauling or towing, I have another Ford truck for that.
Any words of wisdom?