Thread: 1964 Ford F100

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Hey Cowboy, welcome to CHR! That's quite a project you have there. I have a '66 F100 shortbed styleside. While they look about the same on the outside, there were some big changes in cab floor, steering, etc between '64 and '65 when Ford came out with the twin-i-beam suspension.

'64 was the last year of the straight front axle, which is why most people want to upgrade the front suspension to something that is more driver friendly. There are many options out there like the Lincoln/Galaxie frame graft, Camaro frame graft, Jaguar K member (bolts or welds to F100 frame rails), Crown Vic K member ('03-'11 aluminum K member bolts to F100 frame rails), Dodge Dakota custom crossmember kit developed by Industrial Chassis in AZ using stock Dakota components, and various beefed up Mustang II style weld-in suspensions. Some guys even mount the shortbed truck body on to a complete Crown Vic chassis because the wheelbase of the car is compatible with the truck. Each have their positive and negative attributes.

You, obviously, have that choice made for you already. If installed safely and correctly, that suspension should work well for you. Hopefully, the installers had the foresight to move the centerline of the front wheels forward at least 1-1.5" to better center the front tire in the wheel wells since the factory OEM did not.

My '66 has the twin-i-beam from suspension. For the sake of time & money, I lowered it by using DJM dream beams, an aftermarket lower kit. It was bolt on. At some point after I win the lottery or have some other type of windfall profit, I may consider some other type of exciting performance suspension but this will do for now.

As for the obnoxious (sorry, couldn't help it...lol) sunroof someone cut in your cab, the easiest repair would be find another rust free cab for your truck, especially if you also have rust in the floors and elsewhere.

These guys here are great and extremely helpful! There are also a couple of Ford truck forums and Facebook groups you may find helpful, too.

Anyway, I've babbled long enough for now. Here's a pic of my '66. It's a continual work in progress/daily driver. I'm running a fuel injected 5.0/AOD from a '92 Mustang GT and it's great. I'd love to have the new 5.0 Coyote engine but, so far, it's cost prohibitive!