You mention Cat back exhaust replaced, that year probably did not have a catalytic converter. Not required until 1975, I believe. I believe the bed looks longer because of the stretched out wheelbase, for a slide in camper. My Uncle had a Chevy Camper Special, I don't recall his having that long of a wheelbase. I don't know about the security system being factory, I had a similar setup on my 1980 Chevy Customized Van. Mine had the outside key to energize the system, with a small toggle switch inside, under the dash. The toggle switch set the alarm, the key outside was to turn it off when you wanted to get in. I think mine had a separate alarm, not using the horn to alert. That truck brings back some good memories, I had a 1970 F100 with a 351 Cleveland, 3 on the tree posi rear, I could punch it and catch rubber while rolling along at about 25 mph. I like those wheels, I know others dislike them, but they're not too modern to look gawdy.
Beautiful truck. Just a FYI: The “Camper Special” emblem that sits directly below the “SUPER” emblem is an “after market” emblem. Is slightly different from the original which has a ribbed background. The bed is 8’ but looks longer because of the fact that the rear axle is set back 7”. Gives the illusion of a longer bed. The overall frame rail structure of the truck is actually “narrower” than the other Ford pickups because it’s based on the Ford class c frame which did accommodate dual wheels. Again, I’m talking about the Ford frame for class c rv chassis which was stronger and did have dual wheels. I’m a fan of all original so I’d keep the original mirrors. The lock on the fender was a dealer added security system. My F350 which was ordered directly from the factory has it. There was a separate horn in the engine bay.
This was my first truck back in 1984. It was also a 1973 with a 390ci V8 and a manual transmission. It was a bullet proof truck for sure . I would give anything to have it back today . Now they are selling for big bucks . Hold onto her for sure .
Those West Coast stainless mirrors (3 mounting points) are hard to find. Most out there are the Junior West Coast mirrors (2 mounting points). Live those mirrors!!
1973 has 4 screw taillamps. One year only...I have a 73' and 79' scs. A 360 has 1@7/8 freeze plug, 390 has an inch@half. The frame is 34" chassis cab, industry standard width. Harbor freight offers a nice amber, teardrop replacement cab light. I like the west coast mirrors!
When it comes to these antique vehicles I’m a purist, keep them as original as possible. I realize that this truck is going to be a daily driver and lighting is key to night time driving safety. I have an idea for you. Keep the lights original but install one of those super bright light bars on the front bumper. Them things are blinding.
It appears that there's a second battery tray under the hood probably for the slide in camper. So my guess for the barrel key switch would be a quick battery disconnect for said camper battery.
A friends neighbor had a truck like this they had a slide in camper thatwent 3 ish feet behind the tailgate area. Axel set back and spare in same location... It had aftermarket rear bumper extensions quite a truck. I believe it had steel white rims. With centercaps.oem. The aftermarket round barrel lock was the on and off switch for alarms. Very popular back then. Headlights look at a company f.w.speaker. heated brilliant modern lights. Oem on peterbuilt. They have round as well and super durable. A bit spendy. But they burn off snow and ice in the winter. Thay last. A friend has a set on on a freightliner and his back up western star they are amazing.
That lock is a Barrel Lock like you see on Coke Machines. There is no telling how that Security System worked, could have been several ways. Leave the Tow Mirrors! My dad bought a 1971 F-100 Camper special brand new. it had the 360 with the 3 on the tree. That thing was a BEAST!!!!!! Our Jack Crank was under the seat, check out my other comment.
I’ve only seen one of those trucks in the wild so to speak. It was back in the mid 80s for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why it looked so different. The existing tires look proportional for the truck, a more period correct wheel would look much better. Like you trailer towing type mirrors are better for sure. I like my trucks to look like a truck not too far from original! Looking forward to the upgrades especially the headlights as I would like to do the same to my 77 F100
I had one these trucks 1975 my was cab in half back seat turn in to signal bed ,8 lugs on each tire 400 engine in it it was a beast. They were set up more for slid in camper
Holley has a LED headlight that would be a direct bolt in with no outer ring light, it would look stock.The stock wheels for that truck would be 16.5, not a popular size anymore. I would go with a 16in white spoke, it would be correct for the era, and look good with the white roof. The double wall bed like yours, I believe , is only on the Super Camper Special. All other Ford Trucks of this time have a different style double wall construction.
Maybe the tubes (and atypical bumper guards) might have been a grill guard kit? Period stuff would probably look like a police car push bar, but maybe a JC whitney type outfit sold something more refined?
I bought new a '72. 8' bed was standard. 8.5' was not an option. Yours is a little fancier model (Ranger). Mine (XLT) did not had the front bumper guard . You are correct about the spare tire placement & the wheel base. A F250 had a shorter wheel base and on some models the spare was under the bed in the back. I can't really 100% remember but the crank handle to the jack was just along side the jack or had a bracket behind the front seat, as I recollect. The jack was a joke & the first thing I did was to get a 6T hydraulic bottle jack I kept behind the seat. Compared to my '21 F350; I believe my '72 weighed more (heavier gauged metal ) and it had a higher load cap. I had a 10' slide in camper + a 18' I/O boat + a small Honda 90 on the front bumper. Little to no squat. Wheels were 16" split rims, 750/16 's tires. Same tow mirrors. I'm not aware of a factory alarm system. 390's were a great engine, but rare; Ford was pushing the 360" in most P/U. Most of the models like this one had the 460 cu.in. from '73 on. Yes, the C-6 tranny was a 3 spd. 4spd auto was not an option. I never saw any that color, Not saying it didn't exist though. Looks great ! .
I believe that the crank arm should have been on top of the radiator support just in front of the radiator. It looks like the hole at the center of the support with the extra halfmoon like bit of metal is where the wingnut bolt would screw in to hold the handle in place.
I would say the bumper guard may of had some kind of a tube rack. Just a swag though. I like the wheels and I would leave the mirrors. Small mirrors on a truck is just wrong 😊
JD I don't think that an F350 would have had a catalytic converter. The Alcoa Mod wheel is made for this truck, and looks original. Keep the mirrors, if you find a slide in Ford camper you'll need them.
I will buy your Dad the new mirrors he wants and he can give me those mirrors. The Western style tow mirrors are the ones I want but I will also need to fill the lower style mirror holes in the doors.
Bumper guards were an option I have seen in ford forums others asking about the pipe in the bumper guard but never seen a definitive answer but others have them also
The holes on top of the bumper guards are for an optional dealer installed grill guard....I had a friend with one of these trucks and it had the grill guard....was a 460 engine and 4 speed manual Trans
@crewyou07 yep special order...it was a great monster of a truck, ha had a 2' wide catwalk front bumper made so he could climb up high to survey the terrain, he was a land man back in the oil boom in the late 70s and early 80s.....
I'm with the others, ,save the tow mirrors, the wheels and tires look great. The stock steer wheel would be less ergonomic imo. I'd leave the aftermarket, if anything find one that might better suit it? tho this one imo has some character. The original has no character.
The holes in the bumper guard were for parking aids. Please leave the mirrors alone! My vote is stock steel wheels with original hubcaps. My “72” came with 16” split rims.
I like the rims only thing maybe a bigger diameter tire and more aggressive for towing/camper use otherwise it looks in very good shape for a 73. As for the headlights, yes change those out to LED
These F350 SCS’ have a 10,000 lb GVW. As far as a fifth wheel? My 74 F350 SCS has an ATWOOD mobile products fifth wheel that was a pro install and not a backyard fab job.
Is it.360 390 Ford 360 in trucks and 390 in cars. 360 has more tork 390 has more hp. My truck has 360 had 390 with rv cam didn't like it put 360 back in it
