Grill Identification?

[Chris M]

I'm in the process of buying a 1968 Ford F350 4x4 & my question is the grill. I have found some 1968 F350's with different grills (such as the F100 & F250 grill). Why is this? This picture is of the 1968 F350 4x4 that I'm buying, Why are the grills different? I did found 2 1968 F350 Tow Trucks on Craigslist that have the same grill as mine. Did Ford not stick with one grill style? Was this an option for the F350's (maybe on Tow Trucks?) I have no idea yet if mine was a Tow Truck, Im thinking not.I know they made several drive shafts, they couldn't stick with one.

[forrestbump]

first of all Glad you joined.

Can't quite tell, but the grill in your Bump is either a '71 or '72? Looks like you got a Napco Conversion as Ford didn't offer 4WD in F350's during the bump era.

The grill issue is easily explained as it's possible to change them throughout the '67 through '72 years. In other words, you can install a '67 grill in a '72 truck or vice versa. It's something that many have done as a personal preference or using what's available.

[fordman]

that looks like a 70 grille to me. but all the 67-72 grilles are interchangable. besides the aluminum gille on that truck. in 67-69 ford also used steel grilles. here is more on grilles. http://www.fordification.com/tech/67-72ID_01.htm

[MrMajestyk]

Chris M

This might help

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=55

[Chris M]

Thanks guys! I guess the only way for me to find out is to bring the VIN to Motor Vehicles. Now the NAPCO trucks...this has manual lock out hubs, did NAPCO offer this?

[Chris M]

MANUAL LOCK OUT HUBS, NOTE THE GROOVES IN THE CHROME RING. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS AN OLD SET UP DUE TO THE 1977 4X4 TRUCKS THAT CHROME RING WAS COMPLETELY ROUND W/NO GROOVES. THE WHEELS ARE 16" ALSO. BUT IS IT A NAPCO CONVERSION OR DID SOMEONE PUT IT ON A LATER FRAME LIKE MAYBE A 1974ish??? http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 8095_n.jpg

[forrestbump]

Picture of the Front Axle housing will identify which one you've got. Napco conversions are Passenger drop, Dana 44 and Dana 60's in Fords are Driver drop.

[Chris M]

Ok thanks!! Im going to get it today, I have not seen the truck yet only from the pictures you saw here that the owner emailed me. So if the pumkin is on the passenger side its a NAPCO truck. Im writting this down, I didn't know they had manual hubs back then?

[forrestbump]

I'm guessing that Warn, Selectro and other locking hubs were available. There's also the possibility that Ford (Dana) locking hubs were added/adapted. But FIRST, you'll need to verify which front axle you have before you can move forward.

[Chris M]

Awesome, thank you very much for the info.! Ill post after I get back with the truck!

[Chris M]

Well I have the truck now! I Drove it from Vermont to upstate N.Y. & it road better then I thought it would (maybe because of the 6 brand new tires?) With the 390 backed by the 4 speed I wished it had one more gear. 60mph was the most I did, it has quite an exhaust leak (header gasket)on the passenger side & it was quite a loud ride home. The truck is a tank! I found out it was a conversion from Marmon Herrington which Ford had them convert the 2 wheel drive dually's to 4 wheel drive & they sold them to the Municipalities-not to the public. This truck was a ENCON truck & the owner still had the spotlight that came on it! It was a pretty impressive ride-I will admit I was thinking the worst when I jumped in it to start the trip home (why did I buy this?)I posted some pictures in my album on here. Im being told by a lot of people that this truck is quite rare. So rare that when you do a search on them on the internet-nothing shows up on them, not even any pictures, ugh!
PS...It is a 1968 with a 1971 or 72 grill.

[fordman]

those are 72 grill inserts.

[forrestbump]

Marmon Harrington has been converting Fords (Trucks and Passenger Cars) to 4WD for many years. Glad that mystery was solved. If you Google Marmon Harrington and Napco, you'll see all kinds of 4WD conversions those two companies have done.

Love your truck, Congratulations!

[STROKER69]

Man that is cool, I really like the rear facing back seat, kind of reminds you of a rumble seat

[Chris M]

That's awesome, I will definitely check it out! Thanks!!! Do you have any pictures on here of your truck? I would love to see them!