I'm gonna have some 'splainin' to do...random(ish) vehicle purchasing

So as you all may or may not have heard I sold the Honeybadger (78 Mercury Colony Park) I loved that car and had many great adventures with it, but lately she had been relegated to Home Depot hauler duties which was not a suitable fate. So another GRM member has taken on her care and promises to give her new adventures.

But the plan all along was to replace her with a proper truck so I could do what I was using her for. I don't need/want a full time truck with a 140 mile a day commute. But insurance in NJ makes having a part time truck a bit of an expense so I wanted something vintage for the cheap collectors insurance.

I set a suitably cheap ass budget and found that there's not much in the vintage truck market when shopping cheap that isnt a huge project and ugly as hell. I don't need more big projects (tinkering is always a given with an old vehicle) and the wife would really like something that isnt a huge eyesore.

Cut to the chase. I was surfing ebay and ran across a 66 F250 for cheaper than it should have been. Wife looked over my shoulder and said "ooh, pretty" sounded like permission to me.

Auction ended today and no one had bid, finally someone hit the minimum (still really cheap) at 10 minutes remaining. I couldn't take it. I really wanted to see the truck first and had hoped the auction would end without bids so I could do that but it was not to be. So I sniped that thing for an extra $50...I may regret it but hopefully not.

High res photos say the paint is a 10 footer at best and it needs some electrical work (but really the wiring is so simple in these) I'll hopefully have it home by the weekend for a full review and plan.

first mod, period correct shift knob, heck even an 8-ball

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: first mod, period correct shift knob, heck even an 8-ball

Yes, removing all the pep boys clearance aisle accessories is first on the priority list.

How about a beer tap? Is that permissible for a shifter? (I'll probably just go stock but I have had a tap handle sitting forever waiting for the right car)

That looks like a great pick up.

Nice! I really like that body style. What's powering it?

"Ooh, pretty" indeed.

bravenrace wrote: Nice! I really like that body style. What's powering it?

Good ol' reliable as a brick Ford straight 6.

The pretty is actually what has me concerned. I know I paid no where near what its worth if its even close to as nice as it looks so I'm waiting for the hidden gotcha. Seller may just not have much of a clue but I doubt that's it. He did mention some rust but I had him send more photos and the rust spots were in the floor and easy patch jobs so if that's it no biggie.

JThw8 wrote:

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: first mod, period correct shift knob, heck even an 8-ball

Yes, removing all the pep boys clearance aisle accessories is first on the priority list. How about a beer tap? Is that permissible for a shifter? (I'll probably just go stock but I have had a tap handle sitting forever waiting for the right car)

Sure! Beer taps work!

Looks like a nice score. Those pictures require no explanation for why you bought it.

If you'd bought something boring, that would take some explaining.

Rupert wrote:

JThw8 wrote:

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: first mod, period correct shift knob, heck even an 8-ball

Yes, removing all the pep boys clearance aisle accessories is first on the priority list. How about a beer tap? Is that permissible for a shifter? (I'll probably just go stock but I have had a tap handle sitting forever waiting for the right car)

Sure! Beer taps work!

While "permissible" it may lead to you doing a lot of roadside field sobriety tests. How's your "one leg stand" these days?

Rupert wrote:

JThw8 wrote:

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: first mod, period correct shift knob, heck even an 8-ball

Yes, removing all the pep boys clearance aisle accessories is first on the priority list. How about a beer tap? Is that permissible for a shifter? (I'll probably just go stock but I have had a tap handle sitting forever waiting for the right car)

Sure! Beer taps work!

Tractor Supply has Ford Tractor shifter knobs. What's more Ford tractor like than a '60s Ford Truck?!?!

If you delete the toolbox and lay down a wood bed (which is actually a pretty easy job) I'll be insanely jealous.

I've said for a few years that a pick-up is the last cheap way to get into classics

Edit to the engine info, when I was looking on my phone app last night I'm positive it said 6 cylinder. But looking at it online the ad clearly says 352 V8 in the details. So the not quite as reliable as a brick FE motor not the straight 6.

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: If you delete the toolbox and lay down a wood bed (which is actually a pretty easy job) I'll be insanely jealous. I've said for a few years that a pick-up is the last cheap way to get into classics

Toolbox is a definite goner but I believe the steel bed is correct for this model. If it were originally a wood bed truck I would return it to such as I do agree I love the look. But if the steel is original I'll leave it because its more suitable to the abuse I will give it.

JThw8 wrote: How about a beer tap? Is that permissible for a shifter? (I'll probably just go stock but I have had a tap handle sitting forever waiting for the right car)

always

RossD wrote: Tractor Supply has Ford Tractor shifter knobs. What's more Ford tractor like than a '60s Ford Truck?!?!

... probably a ford tractor?

So Jim - You told us before you told your wife?

Who ended up with the wagon?

Terrific price for that! Looks like a great work truck that will be fun to tinker with.

VERY nice truck. I think if it were mine I'd go for body colored wheels and nice dog dishes.

I'm weird.

http://www.mooneyesusa.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=shift+knob&Submit=SEARCH

jstein77 wrote: So Jim - You told us before you told your wife?

She wasn't responding to her email when I gave her 15 minutes to talk me out of it

Cotton wrote: Who ended up with the wagon?

Etifosi, after the LaForza disappointment we came to an understanding for him to have a new (and cooler) kayak hauler.

914Driver wrote: VERY nice truck. I think if it were mine I'd go for body colored wheels and nice dog dishes. I'm weird.

I must be weird too because I was already looking for some stock steelies. Fully agree this truck would stand out on body colored wheels and dog dishes (I have a nice set of baby moons that would work too)

I am jealous.. something like that would be nice for hauling my 1963 Sailboat around..

mad_machine wrote: I am jealous.. something like that would be nice for hauling my 1963 Sailboat around..

Yeah, that would look pretty cool. Id love to get an old airstream to toss behind it but I know it would never get used so that won't be happening. But it might tow the Lot Lizard around a bit.

Neat truck. I have a '66 F-100 myself, and am a fan of stock steel wheels and caps. Looks like they left off the aluminum trim on yours, that was standard on the Custom Cab trucks. The dash has been cut for a modern radio but just about all of them have had that done it seems. The seat is out of a newer truck. Ford used steel for the bed, unlike Chevy or GMC who used wood.

I don't know why they put that insulation around the shift lever. The standard knob looks like this, you can get repros from any of the classic parts suppliers like Dennis Carpenter or Mac's.

What rear end ratio is in it? Mine also has the heavy duty four speed (with 'granny' low) but it has 3.25 gears in the rear end, so highway speeds are no problem. Prior to this truck I had a '65 F-250, and I think it had 4.56 gears...that thing sounded like it was going to explode at 55mph.

Very nice. Max speed of 50, gas mileage of a small cargo ship, and the road manners of a tractor. I love those.

I agree about the shift knob, but I'd go for the tractor knob in a heartbeat. If the three speed in it is anything like my '69 F100 was...well, you'll probably break off anything tall and decorative like a beer tap.

and just what the hell is going on with the world's longest shift boot there? I mean, that's a hell of a c*ck sock that thing's wearing...

Definitely white steelies, dog dish caps and tallish sidewall tires that aren't too thick. For heaven's sake, stay away from the overwrought red-steelies-and-wide-whites.

My F100 had a 390 and a 3 speed. I once mistakenly climbed a hill from a dead stop in third gear with 1200+ lbs of vinyl siding in the back. It seemed a little sluggish. FEs are good motors.