“Classic Truck Information”: Did you know a 1972 Ford Pick-Up Truck had an Optional Onan Generator jammed under the hood called a “Contractor’s Special”.
Could this article start with a club member’s recent purchase of a Ford F-100 unibody pickup or a “social media article?”
This Classic Ford F-150 article starts with a confession: In most part, I resent spending so much valuable time on social media sites. However, on occasion, I’ll come across an article worth researching and writing about.
This Classic 1972 Ford Pick-Up truck with a rare optional 110-Volt Onan Generator under the hood happens to be one.
The optional ‘Onan Generator’ is the part I found interesting.
We all know when buying that new ‘pride and joy’ vehicle at the dealership, there have always been unique and oddball features they try and pawn off on the average buyer before signing your name on the dotted line.
Take, for example, a built-in espresso machine on the Fiat 500L or a self-levelling cup holder so you don’t spill your ‘morning commute’ hot coffee. How about a mystically built-in the dash record player from a 1950s Chrysler. All these fun items can be added to your friendly payment plan.
And just when you think they have no more contraptions to offer the concumer, another hair brain option comes to mind. This next story happens to be another.
*** When a construction contractor comes into a dealership looking for a new pickup truck with all the makens of a heavy-duty work environment options, some creative salespeople who’s up on the latest add-on will mention to the buyer; “This helpful Optional Onan Generator is just right thing for you.”
*** After reading my own story, and as a once construction worker, that Onan Generator would be a handy add on.
So this story in part, did not surprise me none, however, what did surprise me is that this heavy Onan 110-volt Generator was jammed under the hood beside the engine. That’s the part that surprised me the most! Someone had to be a little creative in the body work department to accommodate this unique feature. And in the end, it wasn’t that popular to the concumer, however, what little information I did find, it worked.
When doing my do-dillagent research, I found this comment from an old advertisment that went like this; “My dad had one in his 1969 Farm and Ranch Special with the generator, and when the lights went out, he powered up the house.”
Well folks, this add on did have its purpose, unlike the built in espresso machine on the Fiat.
When diggen deeper into the 1972 Ford Pick-Up Trucks with an Optional Onan Generator, some claim the generator worked off the engine by way of a belt and pulley system, some information that came down the pipe claims it has a gas engine to operate the generator, and the fuel supply was tapped into the stock fuel tank.
- However, that makes no sense, but if that was the case, why would they put this generator under the hood?
How rare are these 1972 Ford Pick-Up Trucks with an Optional Onan Generator?
How rare are these 1972 Ford Pick-Up Trucks with an Optional Onan Generator?
In my experiance, to find a good to excellent 1972 Ford Pick-Up truck is rare in its own right, however, finding one with an original Onan generator under the hood would be an impossible undertaking. And maybe only seen in a Ford Musium.
*** Again, folks, since I picked this theme, I’ve never seen a ‘Contractor’s Special’ at any car show or a swap meets, and never heard of one until writing this story. And I also must add, I’ve worked on those generators back in the day, and they were heavy, big and ugly-looking beasts.
Today, it’s also worth noting that an Onan generator under the hood, in my estimation would be equivalent to a small AC/DC power converter you plug into your cigarette lighter, ‘if you can find a cigarette lighter option.’
As we loop back to the 1969-1972 Ford special addition called “Contractor’s Special”.
The Onan Generator could be installed on an ordinary Ford pickup truck because some claim it was an aftermarket add-on. However, as research shows, it was standard equipment on the “Contractors Special” edition.
But to accommodate that extra add-on, the manufacturer would have to incorporate heavier tires and ‘beef up the suspension a bit to accommodate this heavy extra piece of useful at the time, equipment.
And nowhere did I find any brochures, pictures or literature on this Contractors Special” edition. Except, it was mentioning on ford-trucks.com/forums site which commented;
*** Original dealer literature archives from that era do show various specialized brochures, including those for “Recreation Vehicles,” “Contractor’s Special,” and an “Accessories booklet”, which are more probable places for details on such a niche, heavy-duty option.
Finding a specific image of the Onan generator mentioned in any original sales literature is a challenge today, as these items are extremely rare and the option itself was sparsely ordered.
However, we know that given the right ambitious car salesperson who kept up with all the latest doo-dad can order for you vehicle are far and few between. After saying this; I only knew of one salesmen that went the extra mile who stayed on top of all the extras the dealership had to offer the buyer.
He took every avalable course to stay up-to-date with all the aftermarket add-ons. He could smell money to be made by hustling the market.
* More information @ owa80 trucking museum.
By going the extra mile approach to sales, he was considered top salesman of the year many times over, why… because he would have known about this Contractor’s Special, Camper Trailer Package or even this was advertised at the same time, ‘Farm Ranch Edition.’ Built-in campers, add-on tents.
The market is full of add-ons, and for this very reason that I was surprised the engineers could even jam that generator under the hood. But the idea must have been handy for the person building houses or the general contractors.
Archived Information From a Ford Dealer
From 1969-1972, Ford offered an underhood 2500-watt electrical generator mainly as an option on the Contractor’s Special, though it could be special-ordered on any F250-F350. Trucks would come with heavy-duty front springs and required a special inner fenderwell for mounting, and shared the truck’s fuel supply.
Yes, an under-the-hood Onan generator was a rare factory option for a 1971 Ford F-250. This was part of a “Contractor’s Special” package offered between 1969 and 1972, but it could be special-ordered for other F-250 and F-350 trucks as well.
Comments Online
- I visited the Trucking museum and saw something I’d only seen in brochures. ‘67 – ‘72 Ford offered the “Contractor Special” that was available with an under-the-hood generator. Notice the incorrect air cleaner on the V8 engine, not sure why they would allow that. at “Iowa 80 Trucking Museum.”
- Never seen one in a truck in person, but have one of them onans in the garage that we use to run the house of during power outages!
- Seen a couple of camper special ones. My 66 camper special doesn’t. It does have the outlet to plug a camper into it run things off battery.
- My dad has one. 1969 Farm and Ranch Special with the generator.
- It is a rare find. They are out there, but you don’t see them too often. Having the onan still in it is a cool bonus. This particular truck has been for sale for a while now. Surprised it still ain’t gone. Price could be better, though.
- Where would the “Contractor Special” emblem be located? Cowl? The contractor’s special emblem should be on the cowl. I was trying to see it in the photos, but didn’t see it or any sign of holes on the cowl where the badge used to be.
- Ya it was technically an aftermarket, but Ford made it if it was special-order.
Thanks for reading
“Written by Dave Wettlaufer, a heavy equipment, truck and coach and everything in-between mechanic. Now turned, opinionated Blogger. Watch for more.
If you found my article interesting, please consider buying me a coffee through a secure site call … PayPaL
