63 I bought in Kansas question

[64 f100]

As we all know, the wide beds matching the cabs came out in 64 as standard. I have been led to believe some of these beds were installed as special order in 63. The owner, of the 63 I bought, had some kind of refference he had found on the internet, authenticating the beds had been special order in 63. The 63 I have has the later bed on it. I was looking at another 63 shortbed on Ebay a few years ago, that also had the later style bed. I talked to the owner of the truck at that time, and he seemed to think it was original to the truck. Any thoughts on the matter?

Rich

[Slick Fan]

I suppose it's possible they could have been available as a special order deal, I'm not up on my 63's enough to tell you for sure, though. I would think that if they were available for special order, it would have been toward the end of the model year production run, as they were ramping up for the '64 model.

Could you post some pics of your truck, along with the door tag...errr...glove box tag?

[Johnny Canuck]

Rich it might be another of the mythical Slick Unicorns like the 4x4 '61 unibody, or the 64's with the optional Twin I beams, or the late 66's with the 67 tailgates.. It is possible these things existed, but no proof can be found.

There are early and late '64 style beds... something to do with the indentations in the floor or wheelwells,, sorry CRS and don't recall the specifics, but a bed early enough to be on the previous year would certainly be the early style.

[Garbz]

Bull shit pure and simple.

Production for 64 started in August of 63..New beds were tooled and inventoried for this start.

The 63 frame mounting holes do not match the 64s mounting holes.

Hence some 64s will be titled as 63s depending on the current state laws in effect at the time of purchase. (some states issued title on when purchased).

Garbz

Addendum..... This could happen: The truck was ordered and damaged in shipment, then it would have recieved a new bed and redrilled holes at the recieving dealer. Thats about the only way.....

[Garbz]

61 62 glove box VIN number
63 to 66 Drivers Door warranty tag.........



Garbz

[64 f100]

Interesting reply Garbz. Like you , I didn't think there were any. I will try and scope out the holes in the frame, and see what I find. Also, I remmember when the cars and trucks were kept hidden untill show day. I know Ford did some weird things though, but special order was common in those days. The problem is where does one look to prove or disprove for certain. I haven't checked my handy dandy Ford parts catalog, to see if the later bed was listed for both 63 and 64, and if it does, that still isn't proof. However, it's possible the bed was replaced from damage at one time, and the owner opted for the later style, or that may have been all that was available. Anyone know when the bed holes location was changed for the 66 style bed?
Interesting thing about this truck. When I bought it I was told the engine had a knock. Actually it had several, and I chased down the cause. Someone installed the valve cover upside down, and the rockers were hitting the indented area of the cover. Lots of metal, and now has bad bottom end. Someone was a real dumbass.

Rich

[kstones63]

I put a 64 SWB on my unfinished 63. The front and rear bolt holes all lined up perfectly. I'm pretty sure that the middle holes will line up too but the truck is in the trailer at someone else's house while construction is going on at my house so I can't check that. I know that 65 &66 twin I-Beam frames were different.
Kevin

[64 litl un]

Could be a 1964 with a 63 grille. Could have been changed from dealership to very recently.

[Garbz]

Rich

The vin will tell the tale.

It will be within a certain block and determine the Manufacture month.

Pre production demos should have the Home Office Reserve DSO and typically not sold.

Garbz

[Hoss123]

I've got what they call an "Early" '64 250 custom cab and I am the second owner (first owner had it for forty years). This truck is bone stock, nothing has been modified. I'm doing a frameoff and it is a remarkable specimen with very little rust. The only Custom Cab markings are the integrated door handle letterings. It was manufactured in San Jose in August of '63 and is Vin'd as a '64. It has a 292 with the Cruise-o-matic Auto. It actually has a '63 bed/grille with the long letter FORD style side tailgate. It also has additional Gaurdex reflectors on top of the taillights that are from the factory which are unusual. Most of the other parts are '64 so ordering parts is done with care to make sure. I've never seen one like it but it leads me to believe that things were a bit more ala carte that we may be led to believe by Ford purists, especially during a transition year. [/img]