Newbie in Phoenix with 1968 F250 360 auto 2wd

[59ona64]

I'm super-stoked to have joined the ranks! I went on vacation the other day, called about a truck I had seen on Craigslist a few months ago (the ad had been taken down) that was nearby, and the next day I bought it!

1968 F250 Custom Cab Camper Special 2WD, 360 V8 (was replaced at 14,000 miles, now at 125,000 miles) with automatic transmission, all drum brakes (bummer), and no power steering (also a bummer, but not a huge bummer).

I have decoded the vin tag, and the only thing I didn't see was my MP paint code. I found the P to mean Boxwood Green on one of the paint charts generously provided by someone. Here's my tag:

1968 F250 Vin tag.jpg

F25 = F250 2WD
Y = 360 V8 (215 HP @ 4400 RPM, 327 lbs-ft torque @ 2600 RPM, Bore x Stroke 4.05 x 3.50, Compression Ratio is 8.4:1, 2-bbl Carb)
R = San Jose, CA assembly plant
D57606 = early December 1967 build date

131" long wheelbase truck
M = color: Wimbledon White (mine says "MP"--P is "Boxwood Green 43716" according to http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/chipdisplay ... o=&page=16
F254 = GVW 6900
Interior C = Custom Cab Bench Seat, Medium beige crush vinyl and medium beige leeds pattern woven plastic
Body 81 = Conventional Cab
G = Automatic Trans
24 = 4.10 Dana 60 rear axle
06900 Max G.V.W. lbs
179 Certified HP at 4000 RPM
734237 D.S.O. = District Code 73 = Salt Lake City
4237 = Order Number

What does the D.S.O. District Code and Order Number mean?

Here's a shot from the passenger side, showing the scuffed headlight trim ring, which still looks great:

1968 F250 Pass Side.jpg

Also, a shot of the interior:

1968 F250 Int.jpg

Does anyone know where to buy a stock seat cover (color and style above in data tag info)? I'm only seeing that folks have theirs custom made. Where do I get the material? I want to stay close to stock, unless someone knows a good reason to depart from the stock woven plastic.

I'll shoot the headliner board (thanks for the info, guys) with a flat white-ish paint. Anyone know the Krylon (or other spray paint) color that matches most closely?

I need to get new arm rests and a dash pad, but at $300-400, I think I'll just take it off and go smooth like some of you have done.

Thanks in advance for help I'll be getting, and thanks for the help already--I ordered new fuel filler collar rubber and that big short length of hose already, and they should be at my house by the time I get home at the end of the week.

Gratefully,
Dave

[fireguywtc]

from Texas!

[1970FordTK]

Welcome from North Carolina.

[jimmy828]

Welcome from Asheville NC. Looks like boxwood green and corinthian white. Same as mine.

[jimmy828]

Welcome from Asheville NC. Looks like boxwood green and corinthian white. Same as mine.

[Kurt Combs]

from northern California.

[robroy]

Good evening Dave,

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I just wanted to thank you for the photos. I like your detailed approach to understanding what you've got.

Have you driven a Bumpside with factory power steering before? It might be worth the effort to seek one out before replacing your manual steering. I actually prefer my manual steering, though if I had to do a lot of parallel parking, I might change my mind.

Robroy

[59ona64]

Thanks for all the nice welcomes. I'm looking forward to learning a ton from everyone.

Jimmy828, the paint code says Wimbledon White. Is that the same as Corinthian White? I saw there were two Wimbledon Whites, but some of the paint companies list only one color code for both colors.

Robroy, I have not driven a bump before at all. I drove one without power steering, and you really had to wrench on that steering wheel, whereas this one seems to turn just fine. I don't think I care much about the power steering after all.

The power brake booster, or disc brakes, would be very welcome upgrades. Thanks all!

Dave

[1972hiboy]

welcome dave from Santa Cruz! Ive found if the manual steering system is working and lubricated they way it is sapposed to be its really not that bad. lmc and dennis carpenter make decent seat covers.

[Mancar1]

Welcome aboard Dave. I also have a 1968 CS. Thanks for posting the pics, and have fun with the truck.

[popeyes71]

from California Dave, nice truck! There are a lot of knowledgable folks here on this site that will be able to help you out with any questions that you may have. Have fun with your new toy.

[59ona64]

Thanks gents. It's nice to be welcomed so warmly, plus I've already had my truck not start and you all got me going again--perfect.

I checked Dennis Carpenter's website and didn't find any seat covers at all. I should have a catalog at my house when I get home tomorrow, so I'll start in earnest then. In the mean time, I'm going to go read though other people's questions and answers and see if I can get up to speed sooner than later.