In part one, I had just bought my longtime buddy's parents' 1962 Ford F-100 longbed. They purchased it new, and it had been in the Newton family ever since. No longer driven every day, it moved into an Old Trucks Retirement Home a few years back, and I was hoping to catch it before it went completely to seed. After a long and protracted negotiation ("Hey, Dan, how much?" "Oh, I don't know. Couple hundred bucks?" "Yeah, sure."), we loaded it on the back of a Jerre-Dan-equipped Dodge Ram 5500 Heavy Duty and dumped it on my mechanic's driveway.
| LMC sells all the fan geek stuff you need for your truck: reproduction shop manuals, owner's manuals, books, license-plate frames, sales brochures, even T-shirts. This is a re-pop of the original 1962 F-100 sales folder.
Now what?
While I agonized over what approach to take (bone stock redo, patina wagon, period rod-truck, Pebble Beach restoration-okay, scratch the last one), I pored over numerous catalogs and decided to go with LMC Truck as primary parts supplier. That company carried most of what I needed, its phone order people seemed to know their stuff, and their prices are competitive.
Do-it-all mechanic George Beall drew the task of initial recommissioning. A new gas tank, battery, master cylinder, front-wheel cylinders and brake lines, a fluids change, a carburetor rebuild, plus a little welding on one rear shock mount, and the Effie was back on the road. It wasn't pretty, but it was running, functional, and safe.
| 1962 Ford F100 Side View Static 2
Fortunately, there wasn't much heavy mechanical work required. The original 160-horse, 292-cubic-inch Y-block V-8 has a valve or cam lobe going soft, which yields a somewhat lumpy idle, but the engine was rebuilt about 60,000 miles ago and otherwise runs fine. The clutch and granny-low four-speed manual trans are up to snuff, as are the shocks and suspension. It takes three grown gorillas to turn the steering wheel, but that's basically the way these trucks have always been, and the tires were old and hard, which didn't help. While parts were in transit, I fiddled and fettled, but mostly I scrubbed. I must have spent $40-one quarter at a time-at the pay-and-spray car wash.
| I dumped the old white spoke mags and rock-hard tires in favor of retro steelies and caps from Wheel Vintiques and new staggered-size Firestone Indy 500s from Tire Rack; that changed the entire look of the truck.
The next thing I had to look into was all the cab rubber or, more correctly, the distinct lack thereof. The windows rattled in the doors, and the doors shook in the door openings. The windshield and rear window seals leaked, which had to be addressed prior to any interior work (or rain). LMC sells an affordable windshield/door aperture/rear window rubber kit that takes care of all that, and the guys at Bistagne Brothers Auto Body popped it all into place. They also addressed broken door locks and balky window cranks and shaped out a few dents (courtesy of an errant snowplow) in the driver-side door and front fender. With the cab now tight and dry, I decided to proceed with revitalizing the way-beyond-tired interior.
(Related articles)
Part 1: Old Friend, New Flame - 1962 Ford F-100 & 2008 Dodge Ram 5500
Some Things Are Worth the Wait... more
One headliner kit, one seat kit, a carpet set, new rubber pedal pads and shifter boot, plus a period-looking chrome-and-foam steering wheel from LMC gave the cabin a makeover Bob Vila would envy. Oscar's Upholstery in Glendale, California, did the job and put a layer of foil-lined Dynamat, supplied by Year One, between the roof and the headliner to quell heat and noise. A layer of thinner, peel-and-stick Dynaliner sound insulation went on the floor prior to the new rugs. No more metal floor, furniture-blanket "upholstery," and brittle, water-damaged headliner to contend with.
| Wheel Vintiques also supplied trim rings, which really set off the late-1940s Ford-style hubcaps. The truck runs without the rings for the moment, as I like the industrial look for the steel wheels, but I'll probably pop them on at some point.
Nothing improves the character of any vehicle like fresh tires and just the right wheels. What's funny is I'd previously owned the white spoke mags that came with the truck. They were on a 1954 Ford F-100 I had about 15 years ago. I'd bought new wheels for it, and gave these to Dan to replace the old narrow stockers he had on the '62. Now they were mine. Again. And it was my privilege to recycle them. Again.
All the best choices appeared in Wheel Vintiques' online catalog. After much handwringing, I selected a set of stock-appearing (though wider) Gennie steel wheels, sticking with 15-inchers in order to maintain a nice ride and a '60s look. I ordered them in red to match the interior accent color and chose polished 1947-48 Ford passenger-car patterned hubcaps. The glossy yet sturdy powdercoat finish on these wheels is beautiful, far and away the best paint surface on the entire truck. The Tire Rack supplied 225/70R15 Firestone Indy 500 tires for the front, with 255/70R15s out back to add a slight rake. Not only does the F-100 look cooler by a factor of many, but the ride has improved and the steering is lighter.
| Everything the thoroughly revitalized cabin came from LMC Truck: seat kit, headliner, carpet set, pedal pads, and shifter boot-even the visors. The only thing you can't see is the Dynamat and Dynaliner that reside underneath the rugs and headliner. Everything was affordable, and the install was straightforward. Can't say I miss the sagging, mildewed headliner and the furniture-blanket "upholstery."
What's next? The stock single muffler is about the size of a Civil War cannon and needs to go in exchange for a throaty-sounding exhaust system. A spray-on bedliner will seal up the dents and surface rust in the worn but solid bed. Then there will be foglights, some spray can detailing, and myriad small stuff. Stay tuned for the wrap-up.
SOURCES
Bistagne Brothers Auto Body
818/242-6876
George Beall Automotive
818/249-7855
LMC Truck
800/LMC-TRUCK
www.lmctruck.com
Oscar Upholstery
818/248-3830
The Tire Rack
888/541-1777
www.tirerack.com
Wheel Vintiques
559/251-6957
www.wheelvintiques.com
Year One, Inc.
800/932-7663
www.yearone.com
(Related articles)
Part 1: Old Friend, New Flame - 1962 Ford F-100 & 2008 Dodge Ram 5500
Some Things Are Worth the Wait... more
