1965 Ford pickup questions

I just picked up a 1965 Ford pickup LB with the 352 4 speed. I dont know much about these older Fords so I have a few questions. First here is a couple of pics.... I picked her up for $500.00.





Now I'm not to worried about the mechanics at this point because she runs great. My question is suspension related. From what I have read on the board it appears that lowering one of these is a pain due to the I beam front suspension. Now I have seen that DJM makes a 3" set of beams but im looking for a little more. I dont have the money right now to clip the front or the skills for that matter so my questions.

1. If I were to run 3" beams with a bag setup ( I can get bags at a good price )... I know dropped down it would have bad camber but shouldnt it be good lifted?

2. The rear seems to be a flip.... how much drop can you get in the rear before it requires a C notch?

These may be dumb questions but this is my first I beam setup and would be my first bag setup too if I were to go that route. My main concern is safety.... I dont want to chop the coils or heat them.... I need this truck safe for me and others around. If it costs more to do it right I can accept that I just need to be pointed in the right direction

 

Go the website called "slick 60's". (Do a google search) These guys know it all about the mid 60's Ford trucks. I go there to learn, because I just got my Dad's old 66!

 

damn good buy!!

 

500 bucks for that? You got some super Hypno-whammy stare or sumptin? Damn good deal!

 

Thanks for the link Ill have to check them out.

I was happy to hear about the truck, it was my bosses dads truck. He cant really drive to well anymore so he offered it to me for a good price because he knows I take care of my vehicles and that way he would be able to see the progress on it too.

 

Nice score. Is it a 3/4 ton? Sits about the same as my long-gone '64 F250.

 

She is actually a 1/2 ton

 

There are numerous ways to lower and improve the suspension on these trucks. If a frame clip is out of the question, you still have a few options that each have advantages and limitations. The following methods mostly involve installation of crossmembers to the existing frame, except for the first:

Dropped I-beams, with or without dropped coils/bags

Volare

Mustang II

Aerostar

Jaguar sedan

Late (2003+) Crown Victoria

Dodge Dakota

The HAMB's own Elpolako is our resident expert on these things, and recommends the Dakota setup (which he sells and installs). All the others have their proponents and detractors; research in detail and make a decision. As mentioned above, there are online communities for these trucks where they have covered all the options in detail.

 

I would be interested in that rear step bumper for my 66 if you plan on taking it off but shipping it to Ohio might be expensive.

 

Nice truck, and at a great price! It is an excellant example, I would leave it (cleaned up), un-molested (tow rig, period camper, etc). Look for a short bed, to do your modifications to. I'm not a purist/restorer, just think eventually, after all of your hard work, you will end up wishing you had done it to a short box.

 

i would say slam the truck a good 2 tone paint job should work what motor is in the truck

 

Here is another Site. Ford Truck Enthusiasts. It has some good info on it as well as some knowledgeable folks. Just go to the 1961 - 1966 F-100 And Larger F-Series Trucks section. Hope it helps

 

fordtruk.com (spelling is correct for the site) is another site as well. Some on there have slammed the HAMB pretty hard but I just look over it. Lots of info and parts sources there as well. I have a 66 SWB that is all original except for the 65 grille (which I prefer). Its a Custom Cab with 352 and 3 on the tree. I plan on leaving mine stock height. I got mine for 800.00 and did little more than plugs wires MC and belts and hoses. Tough old trucks that are available still at decent prices. Mine loves the hell out of passenger side exhaust maniifolds though...lol.

48 Poncho

 

I still have a bunch of N.O.S. parts for a 1965 Ford truck, and related years. PM me with wants please.

 

Again... thanks for all the help on this guys

 

Well... 46stude was correct. Upon bringing the truck home she is a 3/4 ton. Now this is not the ideal truck for what I want but im going to have to make it work. So... now I have a new bag of question.

I want to run stock steelies with WWW. I know I can find steelies in 8 lug if need be but do they have to be 16" to clear?

Also, will the DJM beams work or do I need to piece together a disc brake swap from the junkyard so I can have 5 lug along with a 9"? Question being I guess are the spindles different for 1/2 ton and 3/4? Or at least kingpin size?

 

Any 65 to 72 1/2 9 inch will bolt in and you can use the disc beams from a 73 to 79 1/2 ton and same with the p/s boxes from 70 to 79,65 to 69? had a bendix p/s box which were troublesome so the 70 to 79 Ford boxes are the best. The 9 inch from a 73 to 79 wont bolt in due to the frames being wider in the rear then the 65 to 72s but all that needs to be done is the perches relocated if its the same width.

 

I agree- Those old trucks, cleaned up with a vintage color get just as much attention as lowered ones. With a 352, that thing is still a very functional piece of vintage art- unmolested and still very capable. But it's your truck.

 

They drop & bag late model duallys all the time- seems like it would be possible to do it to that 3/4 ton. Its just a matter of the right combo of parts.

fordification.com deals with the bumpsides ('67-'72), but I believe alot of thier tech swaps over to the '65-'66 models as far as suspension goes. You might look into thier forums & see if they can help answer some Qs.

46stude- the Ford truck oracle.......