1962 Ford F-100 Specs

1962 Ford F-100 Specs

Last Updated May 2, 2024 | Meghan Drummond
Contents

The 1962 F-100 only has a few differences to distinguish it from the ‘61. While most of these changes are minor, like a few new colors, there were some significant changes. In particular, ‘62 is noteworthy for being the first year of the “wrongbed” F-100s.

Top pic shows a Flareside from 1962 and the bottom shows a unibody from the same year

1962 Ford F-100 Specs
Performance
Engine HP Torque
223 CID 6-Cylinder 135 hp 200 lb-ft
292 CID V8 160 hp 270 lb-ft
Wheelbase
Model Wheelbase
Shortbed F-100 114"
Longbed F-100 122"
Longbed "Wrongbed" F-100 120"
Weight Capacity
Spec 1962 F-100
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 5,000 lb
Standard Front Axle Capacity 2,600 lb
Standard Rear Axle Capacity 3,300 lb
Standard Front Spring Capacity 1,145 lb
Standard Rear Spring Capacity 1,180 lb
Axle Codes
Code Gear Ratio Differential/Axle Type
11 3.70 Ford 9"
12 3.89 Ford 9"
13 4.11 Ford 9"
A1 3.73 Dana/Spicer 44.1 and Locking Differential
A2 3.92 Dana/Spicer 44.1 and Locking Differential
A5 4.10 Dana/Spicer 44.1 and Locking Differential
F-100 Prices
Model Price at Time of Sale Adjusted for Inflation
Shortbed Flareside $1,921 $53,665
Longbed Flareside $1,956 $54,648
Shortbed Styleside $1,936 $54,081
Longbed Styleside $1,971 $55,066
Color Codes
Color Code
Raven Black A
Caribbean Turquoise B
Baffin Blue F
Rangoon Red J
Holly Green L
Corinthian White M
Sandshell Beige T
Academy Blue V
Goldenrod Yellow X

Ford’s Wrongbed Pickups

One of Ford’s major changes for 1961 was introducing a styleside bed with an integrated cab and box. Dubbed unibody pickups, they were built to be equally at home in the city or on the farm.

Unfortunately, the engineering wasn’t sound, and as a result, unibodies can’t handle hauling very much weight.

But, the F-250 and F-350 (the heavy-duty models) used a pickup box from the third generation already. Adapting that box for the F-100 was relatively easy. After a few tweaks, Ford’s ‘57-’60 pickup box was used on the new F-100 cab.

It worked…sort of. There’s something about the truck that immediately looks “wrong.”

A closeup of the Wrongbed F-100 shows how the body lines don’t quite match-up

Part of that is how things don’t quite match. The body lines are clearly different. They also have some features, like round taillights, that seem out of place.

Even though they look unusual, wrongbeds have become a major collector car in recent years. That’s partly because of how unique they are.

Wrongbeds and unibodies were sold side-by-side until midway through 1963, when the unibody’s short production life came to a close.

F-100 Unibody vs Wrongbed Dimensions
DimensionShortbed UnibodyShortbed WrongbedLongbed UnibodyLongbed Wrongbed
Box Length 6.5’ 6.5’ 8’ 8’
Inside Length 78.2” 76.4” 98.2” 94.4”
Inside Width 76.6” 73” 76.6” 73”
Tailgate Opening 64.5” 51.6” 64.5” 51.6”
Capacity 65.1 Cubic Feet 56.1 Cubic Feet 79.7 Cubic Feet 70.6 Cubic Feet

New Transmission

The automatic transmission for 1961 was a Ford-O-Matic, but in ‘62 that was replaced with the Heavy-Duty Cruise-O-Matic. There were many “Cruise-O-Matic” transmissions over the years since it was basically Ford’s brand name for its automatics. The specific model for the ‘62 F-100 is the FX, also referred to as “the small Cruise-O-Matic.” It got its nickname because it was literally smaller than the MX transmission, which was also a Cruise-O-Matic.

The FX transmission is durable, with a cast-iron case and 14-bolt oil pan. Unfortunately, it had a relatively short lifespan (1958-1970), and an even shorter run in F-100 trucks. That makes finding parts to replace it difficult. Many owners opt to make the transition to a C4 transmission.

The manual transmissions remained unchanged from the ‘61 model.

Minor Exterior Adjustments

Top picture shows 1961 F-100 and Bottom picture shows 1962 F-100

In addition to the standard color swaps, Ford made a few minor exterior tweaks.

Grille Lettering

In 1961 the Ford lettering was in the grille, but for ‘62 it was moved right below the air intakes. This allowed for some grille ornamentation. A simple horizontal bar and vertical divider kept the front simple but stylish.

Wheels

The lettering on the F-100 hubcaps was changed from red to silver.

Interior Options

The same two interior options were completely carried over from 1961.

Standard Cab

If you opted for the standard package, you’d get these features:

  • Brown basket weave pattern vinyl seat upholstery with dark brown vinyl bolster and seat facing
  • Deep-dish collapsible steering wheel (referred to as a “lifeguard” model)
  • Safety double-grip door latches
  • Dome light
  • Driver’s side sun visor
  • Ash tray
  • Dispatch box
  • Electric windshield wipers
  • Theft-retardant ignition switch
  • Sound deadener on floor and rear panel

Custom Cab

The “Custom Cab" package came with all the standard cab features plus:

  • Twill stripe woven plastic seat upholstery with brown woven-in bolster
  • Perforated insulated headlining
  • Chrome-trimmed instrument cluster
  • White steering wheel with chrome horn ring
  • Coat hook
  • Door locks on both doors
  • Foam rubber in seat cushion and back

The Custom Cab also came with these exterior features:

  • Bright metal grille and headlight assembly
  • Bright metal windshield molding
  • Custom Cab emblem

1962 F-100 Mods and Restoration Projects

The ‘62 F-100s have become every bit as popular as the 1961 models. The unibodies are collector favorites and look incredible as finished restomod projects.

The limited nature of unibodies and wrongbeds makes them both great candidates for restorations. Most of the components, like the transmission and engine, are considered easy to work on.

If you’re looking for a truck that looks unique but that can still be used for heavy work, wrongbeds are a great choice. Flaresides were also offered this year and didn’t have any of the hauling and body integrity issues the unibodies did.

A 1962 F-100 that’s lowered to the floor

1962 Ford Trucks

Though it was mostly a carryover year, there were some interesting changes that would lead to major shifts for the F-100 in 1963. If you’re looking for a classic Ford truck with an automatic transmission, ‘62 has a slight edge, but otherwise, the years are interchangeable.

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Sources: Transmission Identification, Automatic Choice | Ford-O-Matic Transmission, Hemmings | Ford F-100/F-150 Pickup 1953-1996: America’s Best-Selling Truck, Robert C. Ackerson | Decode Your ‘61-’62 Ford Truck VIN Tag, Fordification

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