What do you guys think of this restoration?

Ford : F-250 | eBay

I think that it is well done-but can't get over the 9 inch Ford in a F250 .

 

No F250 came with a 9" rear axle, regardless of what year it was. No F250 came with 5 lug wheels, either.

So, all these related parts are incorrect for this so called "restored to factory specs" F250 4WD.

This 1960 F250's VIN begins with the Series code of F25, which is correct for 1959/60 F250 2WD & 4WD. The 3 digit Model code defines whether it's a 2WD or 4WD.

Beginning in 1961, Series code F25 defines a 2WD, while F26 defines a 4WD / This same jazz applies to 1959/60 F100 2WD & 4WD. The Series code of F10 refers to both.

Dana 60 rear axle: 1954/85 F250, replaced by the Sterling 10.25" in 1986.

1983/89 F250 so called Light Duty's came with the Ford 8.8." The wheels were the same as other F250's, as were the rear brakes.

8 lug wheels on a 6.50" bolt circle: 1948/52 F2, 1953/98 F250 / 1948/52 F3 / 1967/98 F350 / 1969/74 E300 / 1975/2012 E250/350.

 

It sure is pretty. They should have just said, "Here is one pretty truck for sale!". Wouldn't a custom cab have a white steering wheel? While the seat looks nice I seems like it is not "factory specs"! However, it sure is pretty if you can get past those huge mud hooks for tires! That shined up cluster background dosen't look right either but it is "pretty"!

 

First off, isn't it cool that a 1960 long bed received this much attention. The truck is beautiful and the more of these that get done will cause more and more aftermarket support for our years.

I noticed some of the same things that have been mentioned: the 5 lug wheels, the non-period seat cover, the gauge bezel should not be chrome, wrong steering wheel for a custom cab, etc.

I don't think this truck was a Custom Cab and they tried to make it one. If it were a Custom Cab, it would have a white steering wheel with a chrome ring horn. The arm rests are from a 61-65 as the correct one's are not reman'd (I did the same thing).

The engine looks great, but I don't think the colors are correct, but in their defense, it is not well documented. I really like the period correct washer fluid bag and I assume it has a hand or foot pump in the cab.

I think the truck needs a rear bumper. Maybe someone will start making one. It was the single hardest part to find when we did our 60. Most farmers took the original bumpers off and installed aftermarket step bumpers with a trailer hitch, so the original one's were lost.

Overall I am impressed with the restoration and frankly I would like to drive it!

 

You guys are sure sharp about these 1960s. All I can say is it was late at night-but I missed the black steering wheel and small horn button
on the Custom Cab and the five lug nut wheels. And the later model armrest! I do notice the Magicaire and the rare factory windshield washers though! And the cleanly painted factory colored firewall,without the typical brake fluid leakage from the brake and clutch mastercylinder, made my head spin!


I don't think that the "Ford lettering" in contrasting color on the valve covers is factory correct . I did realize that the chrome gauge cover wasnt factory. I am trying to learn everything about these trucks-but you guys have me beat!


I just love the condition of that Ebay 60----and the rarity of a 60 4x4----correct or not! I just wish for a more affordable price!

And "ND" needs to write a book!

 

Both black and white steering wheels were available for Custom Cabs, no 4WD came with a horn ring until the 1966 F100 Custom Cab was introduced.

It took muscle to steer these beasts, a horn ring would get in the way, so only a horn button was available. P/S was not available for 4WD's until 1973.

The armrests are the same: 1959/60 Ford full sized Passenger Cars-front/rear, 1961/64 "price leader" full sized Ford Passenger Cars-front rear, 1960/62 Falcon/Comet-front rear, 1961/66 F100/1100 and prolly other cars as well.

1966 F100 4WD's have coil spring front suspension, use the same cab as 1965/66 F100/250 2WD's, same Styleside bed as 1964/66 F100/250 2WD (no 1957/60 "wrong bed" that other 1961/66 F100/250 4WD's used), and...

If a Custom Cab, use the same horn ring as: 1961/66 F100/250 2WD, 1967/70 F100/250 2WD/4WD, 1969/70 F350...and 1960/63 Falcon/Comet (Comets used a different replaceable plastic center emblem).

These same trucks also use the 1960/62 Falcon/Comet black & white steering wheels, additional colors were added in 1963 and 1967. 1966/73 Bronco's also used these wheels, but not the horn ring.

 

Thanks for keeping me straight Bill.

 

Ditto! Ditto!

 

[QUOTE=NumberDummy;10980337]Both black and white steering wheels were available for Custom Cabs, no 4WD came with a horn ring until the 1966 F100 Custom Cab was introduced.]

Bill: I have never seen a Custom Cab of that vintage that didn't have a factory white steering wheel. But I know better than to suggest that you may be wrong about that. You have proven me wrong in the past about things that are vintage Ford.


Have did the customer specify what color steering wheel would be on a Custom Cab? Did Ford just randomly select what color steering wheel would be installed on a given Custom Cab truck?

How does one tell a factory 4x4 if the first three characters of the VIN aren't unique to a 1960 F250 4x4 or 4x2? It is my understanding that the factory 4x4s of this vintage have a factory brace between the back door opening and the floor. If this is correct-is there any other way to tell if the truck is an actual factory 4x4 that is pre 1961 MY?

 

The MODEL code stamped on the Rating Plate, when decoded...defines 2WD from 4WD (See the 3rd line in post #2).
I've never seen a purple cow, I hope I never see one. But...if I see a purple cow, I'd rather see than be one! -Frank Noris

Just because you haven't seen something (including a purple cow), doesn't mean that it didn't exist.

How many Custom Cabs have you seen of this vintage, 10, 20, 100? How many were assembled? 10's of 1000's.

 

For the record, my 58 F-100 (4x2) Custom Cab came with a black steering wheel. I was with my dad when he bought it new and it's been in my posession or very close by ever since. It came out of the Mahwah, NJ assembly plant.

Lou Manglass

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by phoneman91
Quote:
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
Both black and white steering wheels were available for Custom Cabs, no 4WD came with a horn ring until the 1966 F100 Custom Cab was introduced.
How did the customer specify what color steering wheel would be on a Custom Cab? Did Ford just randomly select what color steering wheel would be installed on a given Custom Cab truck?
Customers could order either one, dealers would order at random,

How does one tell a factory 4x4 if the first three characters of the VIN aren't unique to a 1960 F100/250 4x4 or 4x2?
The MODEL code stamped on the Rating Plate, when decoded...defines 2WD from 4WD.
[IMG][/IMG]
Here is my glove box tag as an example of VIN# vs Model code. 1959 F250 4x4
Off topic
Bill; could you tell me what information the DSO # 8130 holds?
__________________

 

Does your black CC steering wheel come with the CC chrome horn button with ring? Do you have picture of your interior-I have never seen a factory black steering wheel with the Custom Cab option in that vintage!

 

F25 = F250.

C = 292 2V.

9 = 1959.

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant.

38460 = 1959 Numerical Sequence of Assembly (the trucks specific serial number).

118" Wheelbase.

C = Wedgewood Blue.

F280 = F250 4WD Cab & Chassis, 7,500 lbs. GVWR

01F = Assembled June 1, 1959.

A = Ford Light Duty 3 Speed Manual Transmission.

04B: 04 = Spicer (Dana) 60 Rear Axle / 4.56-1 / non Limited Slip / 5,200 lb. Rear Axle Capacity // B = Dana 44 Front Driving Axle / 4.55-1 / 3,000 lb. Front Axle Capacity.

7,500 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

158 net HP @ 4,000 RPM

8130 = Domestic Special Order number. The truck was ordered special by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."

When a vehicle is a Domestic Special Order, something that is not an RPO (Regular Production Order) was either installed by FoMoCo, or after it left the assembly line, FoMoCo sent it out to have the special equipment installed.

This number was necessary (the same system is still used today) because if the special equipment needed something (damaged/failed etc), dealers contacted FoMoCo, passing along the DSO number.

FoMoCo looked up the order, then told the dealer where the parts (or whatever) could be obtained.

Since your truck was assembled as a Cab & Chassis, the DSO number could refer to special "back of cab" equipment like a Utility Body, Flat or Stake Bed that was installed by an aftermarket body maker.

Since the records no longer exist, it's impossible to know what FoMoCo installed, or had installed...unless you have the original info from the selling dealer.

 

Sorry but I don't have a picture of that handy but it is the black wheel without a trim ring (manual steering) and the white "lightning bolt and gear" horm button. The horn button is not original, it originally came with a red "lightning bolt and gear" button.

Lou Manglass