FE Powered 1965 F250 Present to myself

[120mm]

I've been looking for a 1961-1966 F series of Ford trucks, in the hope that I could find an F100 or 250 with a straight body so I could do a 390 FE engine swap.

I was inspired by a neighbor who had a really straight original truck with that combo. He'd cruise my street twice a day going to and from work and I was green with envy with the sight and sound of that beast.

I'm deployed to Afghanistan, but that didn't stop me from searching the internet, esp. in the Southwest, looking for a good deal on a straight body.

Last night, I was searching the web, where I found the exact truck for sale. Not a truck "just like" but the exact. same. truck. My neighbor has moved on to another project so the truck that inspired me, just might end up in my driveway, waiting for me when I get home on leave.

Today, a mechanic friend of mine is going to go look at it, and if it's in the condition I think it is, I will be soon joining the 1965 F250 FE powered Ford Truck family.

It's a recent engine swap, with the NP435 4 speed on the floor, so if anyone needs their house pulled off its foundations, just give me a call.


All the rubber and wear bits are new.

Some pic porn:










My plans are to find some more original looking steel wheels, add fuel, change the oil and basically drive the wheels straight off it.

Once I've driven the engine out of it, I'll stroke it to 445 ci and keep driving it. This is going to be the shop truck for my metalshaping business, so I will try to keep the finish as original as possible, as long as possible.

[jayb]

Beautiful!  65 and 66 are my favorite years.  I had a 66 1/2 ton that was one of those vehicles that I always regretted selling...

[ericwevans]

Looks beautiful!!!  I have a '65 I drive daily, great old trucks.

[machoneman]

Cool! Nice and straight and it looks to be rust-free. Hard to do in Iowa.

[turbohunter]

Looks like a peach. Love slicks, I drive a '61 everyday.
My dad had a '65.
Hope it works out for you.

[cjshaker]

Very nice! My guess is that that truck is NOT originally from Iowa. Looks to be super solid and all original paint, and that is like finding gold. Take care of the little things, keep up on maintenance, and that thing will last you a lifetime. I hope you get it.

And thanks for your service. My Son has been to the sandbox twice. Keep your head down and trust nobody.

[120mm]

Thanks, guys.

Unfortunately, I'm 8 hours off so it will pry be another 24 until I know if I get it.

If I do, I'm going to aggressively clean up the undercarriage, and coat that sucker with fluid film http://www.fluid-film.com/ once I'm home.

It IS quite the gem, body and paint-wise. I didn't expect to find something like this around here.

[chris401]

Thanks, guys.

Unfortunately, I'm 8 hours off so it will pry be another 24 until I know if I get it.

If I do, I'm going to aggressively clean up the undercarriage, and coat that sucker with fluid film http://www.fluid-film.com/ once I'm home.

It IS quite the gem, body and paint-wise. I didn't expect to find something like this around here.

That is a clean truck. If the headliner is down look at the roof seam. Southern sold trucks were not painted there. There was also a northern wheel well coating that I have never been able to see but if that is in original condition you should be able to tell. I found that if you have front drums find some wheels that do not have rivits at the joints that contact the drum just as you run it down. Most Ford rims do. I found that rims with the Firestone logo have weld beads and don't touch the drums. Probably hundreds on the road with there drums in a bind with no problems other than a pulsating pedal. I could not easily find five rims so I bought four new trailer rims. The larger Dodge center cut out does not slow down the truck.

[TimeWarpF100]

Cool truck. Love the 65-66 Trucks.

Have a few myself . . Couple others were in garage at time of this pic.

[GJCAT427]

Been looking at one myself, A 66 F250 with the big 6 and a 3speed tranny. Needs a bunch of work but its all there. GJCAT 427

[chris401]

Cool truck. Love the 65-66 Trucks.

Have a few myself . . Couple others were in garage at time of this pic.

You never did say if you have an air dam on that truck or not.

[Hemi Joel]

Nice score, congrats! It needs some nice shiney chrome wheels to dress it up.

I've got a 66 F100 352 4 speed that I've had for 28 years. I put chrome rangers on it and a chrome front bumper and it really improved the looks .

[ericwevans]

Nice score, congrats! It needs some nice shiney chrome wheels to dress it up.

I've got a 66 F100 352 4 speed that I've had for 28 years. I put chrome rangers on it and a chrome front bumper and it really improved the looks .

Agreed, I have polished US Indy's on mine, love how it looks, even with the rough paint.

[120mm]

Update: My mechanic friend finally got back to me. Sadly to say, all four cab supports are gone. If it were cheaper, I'd pry still get it, but based on its condition, price and the fact I won't need it for 9 months, I am going to pass on it.

I've linked the Craigslist ad, just in case someone else wants to take a shot at it. Other than the cab supports, it really is in fantastic condition for a rust belt truck and deserves to have a good home.

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/6122019150.html

[TimeWarpF100]

Cool truck. Love the 65-66 Trucks.

Have a few myself . . Couple others were in garage at time of this pic.

You never did say if you have an air dam on that truck or not.

In this photo yes. But not typically. I was experimenting with MPH & MPG