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Rare With 4WD: 1961 Ford F250 4×4

Consider me shocked to learn that the seller’s claims of rarity regarding this 1961 Ford F250 4×4 are actually quite accurate. While they made a ton of F250s, 4x4s were chosen far less frequently by shoppers when new. This example is a little rough around the edges but the seller claims it’s a driver. Find it here on craigslist for $12,500 and go here if the ad is archived.

According to Hemmings, of the 21,000 F250s made in 1961, just 2,200 were built with 4WD. Factor in rust, accidents, off-roading and any other fate that could affect a truck at the bottom of its value curve and it’s not hard to imagine that very few are left today. Rarer still are the examples with the flareside box, of which this example is not. The seller claims it has its original steel wheels, but I only see two of those up front.

The interior definitely needs help, as the bench seat is effectively destroyed. However, that’s an easy fix and a cheap one, too, if you simply look for a good replacement bench in the junkyard. I think I spy some surface rust inside the door jamb but I’m not positive; the seller doesn’t mention any rust issues in the listing, but these trucks rarely led sheltered lives. More info on the health of the chassis and major structural points is needed.

You couldn’t get an automatic with the early 4x4s; either a 3-speed column shift or a 4-speed floor shift were options. This one has the latter, which you could argue is more desirable. While any number of engine swaps are possible, the seller says this has a V8, which – if original – should be a 160 b.h.p. 292 Y-block. The seller confirms that the 4WD Hi/Low works and a new water pump, fuel pump and battery have all been installed. Thanks to Barn Finds reader David F. for the find.

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    Let me be the 1st,, no,,,way,,,Rare? Maybe, except, there’s more of these out west here than you might think. Before I bought my ’77 GMC, I looked at one of these, only 2 wheel drive, paint was shot, but not rusty, the guy couldn’t get $1,000 bucks for it. 4 wheel drive adds some, but not $11,000 dollars worth. Low mileage? Perhaps, these are no fun to drive, and probably spent most of it’s miles in low range. 4×4’s have come a long ways, this isn’t one of them.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Jeff Lavery Staff

      Howard, according to this Hemmings article, production numbers were quite low for 4WD-equipped examples in 1961:

      https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2012/08/Four-Score—1961-Ford-F-250/3715031.html

      Not denying what you’re seeing, but it’s hard to argue with the production figures (in my opinion).

      Like 9
      • HoA Howard A Member

        Not denying it’s low production, and for good reason. In 1961, people didn’t go off roading like today. 4 wheel drives were more machines and only municipal, forestry depts. or construction crews used these. They are made to go 20 mph down back woods trails not 4 lane interstates. Heck, even 55 on 2 lanes is a challenge. I’ve driven many of these and I just don’t see $12,000 dollars worth of vehicle here.

        Like 10
      • Avatar xrotaryguy

        Then again, ALL trucks back then were built like utility vehicles. Or, you know, like trucks. Even my 62 Corvair truck, even being largely car based, drives like a utility vehicle.

        The good news is that these old 4WD trucks have REAL 4WD, not that AWD, selective braking stuff that quits half way up the hill.

        Like 3
    • Avatar Tim

      That is not actually the correct bed and rare, yes only 143 Ford F250 factory 4×4 with 292Y block style side were even made, its real easy to look up.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Todd Zuercher

        Tim – where do you find production stats like that?

        Like 0
      • Avatar Tim Grabowski

        I have 2… 61 f250s one for parts and I’m restoring the other both have the 292y block v-8….split ring rims and the step side box…the one I’m restoring has the Dana 60 stump puller axle in the rear a 3 inch factory body lift…and 11 leaf springs in the rear…in real good shape considering they are both Tug Hill N.Y. trucks…the one I’m restoring spent its hay day plowing woods roads for a logging company….love the truck very cool ….cant wait to drive it down the road…. but I need a windshield if anyone knows where there is one on the east coast ….yotim1969@gmail.com is my email .. ty

        Like 1
    • Avatar Tim

      So if this is a 1961 it has the incorrect bed on it. The 1961 F250 style side actually had the 1960 bed, they call it the wrong bed year. Also there were only 147 of the 1961 F250 292Y Block Factory 4X4 made. Would need to verify the information from the VIN #. More than likely this is a 1961 stepside that someone tried to make into a style side.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    That’s the wrong bed for this year – made all the more obvious by how poorly the rear wheels fit in the wheel wells. This year would still have the previous generation (57-60) bed on it.

    Like 11
    • Avatar mlm

      Looks more like a ( 64-66) bed on it.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Lance

        mlm, maybe later than that. I see side marker lights and if origional that makes it 1967 or beyond.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Todd Zuercher

        67-newer had a different bed than this one (aka bumpside). I’m with mlm on the years. That marker light or reflector is just something that someone tacked on. Not factory.

        Like 2
    • Avatar Boatman Member

      How right you are, Todd. And here’s an interesting article explaining these boxes.

      http://www.fordification.info/tech/wrongbed.htm

      Like 2
  3. Avatar FiremanDan

    This is one of my 1964s…w the correct bed love these old trucks….my dad had a 1963 same color red

    Like 7
    • Avatar Miguel

      Did only the 4X4 have the old bed?

      My neighbor many years ago had a 1963 model and it had the newer bed on it.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Todd Zuercher

        Correct – the 2WDs were the unibodies this year.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    A friend of mine owned one in the late
    ’80’s. His was a former Air Force truck
    with a stepside box on it. It also had
    what looked to be cowl lights just
    behind the rear edge of the hood. It
    also had a Warne 10-ton winch in the front and a brush guard behind that.
    The original engine (390 V-8) was still
    in the truck and ran great. It was mated
    to a 4-speed with a 2-speed transfer case. I recall that it looked very impressive perched on a set of 44-inch
    Monster Mudder tires and those white
    spoke rims that the ’80’s were famous for.
    There was also a PTO that worked the
    winch and raised and lowered the bed as
    well. Oh sure, my friend had a rare and
    impressive looking truck but he didn’t
    keep it very long. He told me that it was
    hard to steer, rode like a lumber wagon,
    and literally jarred the fillings out of his
    teeth! He did get 5K out of it though
    and used some of that cash to get
    new fillings for his teeth too.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Miguel

    Is the seller trying to pass this off as a factory 4X4 truck?

    I don’t think so.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Todd Zuercher

      Other than the later model bed, why would it not be?

      Like 1
      • Avatar Miguel

        The write up didn’t say anything about the wrong box. It looks like this body was put on a different chassis.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Todd Zuercher

        Correct – I was the one that mentioned the wrong box initially in the comments above.

        Like 1
    • Avatar FiremanDan

      It’s a factory 3/4 ton 4×4

      Like 0
    • Avatar Midway

      Irregardless of authenticity, this truck will empty your wallet $8,000 for parts and $15,000 for labor, I am 90% done with my ’68 F26Y. After 3 years, these restoration projects will get your goat if you let them.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Warren

    I have had several of these, very cool to look at and semi rare, but the reality is that these are pretty brutal, yet fun to drive, and if you are over 6 foot tall the in cab tank makes for some tight legroom. Love the styling though.

    This red one is pretty optimistic on the asking price considering the cobbled bed and interior condition. More like $3500 at very best in my opinion. Comparatively rare, but still a lot around.

    Sold my blue one about 5 years ago. Lives on a ranch now.

    Like 4
  7. Avatar chrlsful

    “…engine (390 V-8) was still
    in the truck and ran great. It was mated
    to a 4-speed with a 2-speed transfer case…”
    Weren’t they ‘divorced’ (3 drive shafts) @ that point?

    Wonder what yr(s) the “big 3” took over the 4WD production frm the ‘contractors’ to in-house?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Todd Zuercher

      Yes – it has a divorced T-case. Dana 24 if I’m not mistaken. Can’t recall when GM and Dodge brought it in-house but I think it was ’59 for Ford.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Comet

    Looks like an attempt at an altered wheelbase funnytruck.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Martin

    I have a friend with a 61 4×4. He drove it in high school and then put it away. Hasn’t turned a wheel since and that would have been late 70’s. It is very nice.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Jonah

    Not sure what they’re worth.. but I’ve had a few people banging my door down wondering if I’ll sell my 61 4×4 It has something like 35xxx kms…? Spent most of it’s time on a military base. Now lives in my garage.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Glenn Hilpert

    Re-selling my 61 Ford F250 4X4 former fire /rescue vehicle after Sunday, June 30th 2019.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Steve S. Smith

    I love that he is selling it for 12K. That just makes my 61 F250 4×4 4 speed with the right bed worth more if it sells. Just got off the phone with LMC; getting small odds and ends and a rear window gasket. Looking for a 292 rebuildable short block so I can go back original.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Chris

      I just purchased a 61 with cab and bed mounted on a 78 Bronco chassis, it drives amazingly well. It has the high pinion Dana 44 front and a 9 inch rear LS diff. It also sports a 400, C6 and a 205 transfer case. Love it!!!

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Ed flicker

    I have a 68 F250 highboy project, my daily drive is a 2011 gmc sierra, when i want to be reminded of how much simpler yester year was I take the ford out for a ride.

    Like 0

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