Hey everyone just wanted to introduce myself. I am Jordan from Minnesota. I am the proud new owner of the beauty you see below. I have been looking for an Econoline for quite some time and finally found this old girl about 4 hours from me. I believe I got a good deal. The truck is a runner and as you can see does have some cancer. Pretty hard to find a good solid truck in these parts. My real passion is bikes and I am technically and mechanically capable of most things. I have never done bodywork so this might be my first go at it. Any direction you guys can point me in feel free to let me know. Otherwise I look forward to maybe meeting some of you other weirdos some day!

Welcome to the site!!! For a northern early it's really in pretty good shape

Welcome!! Cool ride!

Thanks guys...I thought it was pretty solid for being from these parts. Can someone confirm that the tailgate on the truck is actually a factory option, the dock loader tailgate?

Welcome, nice little truck, I'm no expert buy I have seen afew of those tailgates and I believe it is a factory option..... Wierdo huh?.... I resemble that remark!

Welcome to the addiction man. That's a good start coming out of your neck of the woods.

Oh I know it will be an addiction, thats my only speed!

Can someone confirm, was the 144CI the only motor available in 1961 or was the 170 available?

My first project is brake work...any pointers???

Do it all. You will thank yourself later.

170 also avail too
what color is the valve cover?? blue or red??

I don't know if it's worth more, but that tailgate is stock. Don't see many of them , but have seen a few over the years

Great lookin Ford you have there. Welcome aboard, you have come to the right place. All the voices in my head are in agreement...lol.

Thanks for the welcome guys. The valve cover is blue....

I have not seen very many of them in my reasearch either....good to know it is a factory piece. It will need a little love as you can see in the pic.

I am finding that the replacement parts for these is not as bad as I thought they may be. Nice to know there is still sources for them. I had a 52 Dodge Pilot House before this and parts were not that readily available for it.

its should be a 144 if blue V/C and origional

That was kind of my thought...was hoping it was at least the 170 as I wont have the funds to be swapping the motor anytime soon. Are there any other signs that show the difference other than color of valve cover?

Welcome BOI!
Looks like a good start,
I also had a good grasp of mechanics but had not tackled bodywork before.
I'm in my second semester of the local college's body and paint class after finding out how much time and money it takes for a good body man to do all the restoration needed to get one of these straight.
Research a bunch, grab a manual, ask questions and plan a course of action from where it is to what you want.