Hi all, New to the wagon scene, but I've long hankered after one, and will soon be taking ownership of a 67 Ford Ranch wagon. It's a reliable runner with a strong 390, but in need of considerable cosmetic work ... (you know the type, "looks good from afar, but is far from good looking"). Not having owned a classic wagon before, I reckon I'm in for a steep learning curve over the coming months, but figured this looked like the right place to start asking questions! So, for starters . . . does anyone recognise this box, bolted under the steering column? Haven't seen it on any other wagons. And as I don't yet have the car, I can't go and give the lever a pull to see what happens. Thanks all, Redwood
That's what I am thinking too, Mark, the manual lever to engage the trailer brakes. By the way, Redwood, welcome to the forums. We're glad you're here.
Thank you both, and thanks for the welcome to the forum! Good call on the trailer brake. I hadn't thought of that. Went hunting around a few Ford Truck forums, and came up with this . . . bingo, exact same unit. This one's in a '74 F1oo Ranger XLT: a hot wire to the + side of the solenoid and a hydraulic hard line running through the firewall into the engine bay. Looks like my wagon's done some heavy lifting in the past. Cheers, Redwood
Back then, intermediate and full-sized cars had the capability to tow (and stop!) up to 5000 pounds of trailer. There were all manner of aftermarket accessories, such as hitches, braking equipment, mirrors, etc. Nowadays, there are way too many cars on the road (that are driven by idiots) to attempt towing much with these cars without major brake upgrades. Especially if it has 4-wheel drums!
Got a suggestion for you. We've got at least a couple members here who have restored / resurrected '67 Ford wagons. Go to the 'Station Wagon Projects' subsection of the 'Cosmetics & Restoration' section of this forum. Of special interest to you might be these three (there could be others): http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/threads/my-1967-ford-country-sedan.20140/ http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/threads/1967-ford-squire-wagon-restoration.1380/ http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/threads/my-67-ranch-wagon.17186/ Marshall
Welcome aboard Redwood. I'd love to see more of your car. Sounds like a real neat one. I can confirm that the box under the steering column is a brake controller. My wagon had one from about 1965 until this past spring.
Brake controller. But, investigate further. My car had (still has) one that is very old-school 1968 technology and it doesn't control electric trailer brakes - it functions as a F/R brake fluid bias valve. In mine’s case I have to find a new master cylinder because a hole was drilled in the current (original ) for the flow lne to the underdash box.
He may not have to do that, IF, the M/C is a dual pot and is only plumbed into one output, BUT, it's an obsolescent design anyway, and if he is serious about towing a trailer, upgrades to the brakes, as well as the controller, should be performed.
His choice of controller will depend on whether his trailer has hydraulic or electric brakes. Most smaller trailers today have electric brakes.
True, but still, something to drive the consideration. The smart money would be on electric, and there are tons of trailers for sale across the country.
