61-67 E-100 Pickup Factory Options/Info

Hey guys, I am looking into finding out more about the 1961-67 line of Econoline pickup trucks in hopes of finding one for restoration. But first I want to educate myself on the history of the truck, see if there are any distinct differences between the years, find out what the stock options and what extra options were available from the factory and go from there. My goal is to find one that can be restored to stock/everyday driver so I'm not really interested in info on mods. I have checked the internet pretty thoroughly and this seems to be the most active forum/website on the subject. I haven't found any websites that really give the info I am looking for so if there are any books out there that you guys know of that'll give me the overview of the truck line, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks.

61-64 are basically the same. They used cantilever arms to mount the engine and a donut style hanging transmission mount. They all used generators. They also used a floor mounted heater. The heavy duty option was offered starting in 1963 which included a 9" rear axle, heavier leaf springs, 1 ton rating, and a reinforced frame. The only engines avaiable were the 144 and the 170. 61-62 used a non synchro transmission with a solid driveshaft. 63-64 used a full synchro transmission with a slip yoke in the driveshaft. Only the 64 offered an automatic transmission.
65-67 were basically the same. The heavy duty option was still offered but a 240 engine was also added., the 144 was dropped. The engine mount was switched to a single tubular crossmember. The transmission mount still was a hanging type but the mount was changed to a two bolt removable. The engine box was made taller. Automatic transmissions were offered for both the 240 and 170 engine. All of them used an alternator. The heater was moved to the front panel mounted next to the right headlight. The front bumpers were made shorter and wider, the rear remained unchanged. In 65 a " Spring Special" was offered with wide chrome side trim, front directional trim, perforated headliner board, woven vinyl seat inserts, white steering wheel with a deluxe horn ring, white instrument cluster face plate, chrome mirrors , chrome bumpers and Falcon spinner wheel covers.
Some options that were avaiable on most years were:
1) windsheild washers, foot operated from 61-65, electric pump 66-67
2) dash pad 61-66, standard on 67
3) glove box door
4) West Coast Jr mirrors.
5) two tone paint
6) short tailgate
7) radio
fold foward seats
9) swing away removable passenger seat
10) chrome bumpers, chrome mirrors, front directional trim
11) automatic transmission, 64-67 only
12) cigar lighter
13) emergency flashers 61-66, standard on 1967
14) full passenger seat
15) passenger sunvisor
16) passenger armrest
17) rear bumper
18) oil pressure gauge and ammeter, 65-67
19) passenger side air vent, 61-64
20) seat belts
There are a lot of other subtle differences from year to year but those are the major ones.
Fred

Fred you are amazing. This was exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time. It is sincerely appreciated.

trippinblly wrote:Fred you are amazing. This was exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time. It is sincerely appreciated.

Your welcome.
Fred

what year did they go away from the round tail lights

66 or 67?

Other than the tailgate the list is the same for vans. Round tail lights were used on all Econo pickups and 61-67 vans,except the extended body Supervans which were from 65-67 only.

I didn't include all the differences but there are a few more especially on the vans.
1) 1961 only for both vans and pickups the inside of the front doors is stamped differently around the window handle.
2)In 1965-67 the vans used a different rear bumper which is the same as the 65-67 front bumper except for some of the holes. This bumper fit closer to the body and the license plate holder and light were moved to the left rear door.
3) 1961 only there where additional horizontal braces between the body support ribs and an additional sheetmetal angle bracket attached to the cargo door inner frame and the door skin.
4) 1961 the front headliner of the vans and the pickup headliners were different than the other years. A sheetmetal brace attached with screws ran front to back to hold the center of the headliner up, later years a stronger brace was welded in from side to side. The headliner panel also attached across the front with screws and sat a little lower. It also had a slot on either side to allow it to bend with a rubber filler placed in the slot to finish it. Later headliners did not have the slot and were attached across the front with clips that held it flush with the roof skin.
5)Around 1964 they changed the vent window handles to a locking type.
6) 4 speed column shift transmission was available in 1964 only.
7) The motor box lids on the 61's were held up by a prop rod , later years used a folding support arm. The motor box lid from 61-63 had two latches the 64-67 had only 1.
8)Dual reservior master cylinder was used in 1967 only and used a mechanical brake light switch and and had a brake warning light in the dash. Earlier models used a pressure type brake light switch.
Options that were available on the vans only were:
1) Auxiliary rear heater
2) Full interior trim avaiable in two levels on the window vans (Falcon included). These changed from year to year
a) Fiberglass upper window trim panels with a filler on the side cargo doors only, spare tire cover, upholstered lower cargo door, front door and side panels, padded motor box sides, colored keyed floor mat, lower dash trim, deluxe style pleated front and rear seat upholstery, colored keyed washer bottle, color keyed heater, color keyed air vent, color keyed battery box, color keyed motor box, full hardboard headliner with chrome strips
b) Fiberglass upper window trim panels, painted lower cargo door and side panels, color keyed floor mats, plain front and rear seat upholstery, full hardboard headliner with white plastic strips
c) vans with rear seats had a slide out side step, not sure if it was standard with the rear seats or a seperate option.
3) pop open cargo door windows
There are even more differences but nothing major. If a truck hasn't been modified you can tell what year it is by the subtle differences they made in them
Fred

nice!!
thanks for posting this

WOW! I'm impressed Fred.

Fred, I was wondering if all 61-67 pick ups had the metal v.i.n. plate in the left door jamb. I can't seem to get a definite answer. Thanks, Don

mr. duece wrote:Fred, I was wondering if all 61-67 pick ups had the metal v.i.n. plate in the left door jamb. I can't seem to get a definite answer. Thanks, Don

Don,
The VIN tag or data tag was on the left front door jamb in 61 and 62 only, from 63-67 it was on the rear of the left front door.
Fred

Thank You Sir!

bump to the top, maybe a sticky?

Hey fmc56....you got me...whats with the #8 fold forward seats.. ...mine came with one of those things...

I know that those seats are rare

Fred is probably referring to the ultra rare folding drivers seat which is totally different from the much more common flip/fold passenger seat. I had one at Bakers last year for show and tell. Theres a pic of it in one of the posts here on site from Bakers last year recap. I ll have one at Carlisle this year that Fred will be recovering for someone I sold it to.

Magic Bus wrote:Hey fmc56....you got me...whats with the #8 fold forward seats.. ...mine came with one of those things...

65-67 seat with fold foward backrest. Stock vinyl and cloth but I added the pleats

Passenger side removable swing away seat. Custom covers

Stock 65 Deluxe Club Wagon passenger seat.

Fred