Spotters Guide: what makes a USDM 1969 Patrol unique

[zed]

Front Turn Signal
Rear Tail lights
Steering wheel
Front Seat frames and upholstery
Jump Seat frames and upholstery

Please feel free to add your comments
Keith

[plateaucal]

Well there is the "early" 69 Patrol. Assuming you are considering the late 69 Patrol. But, really nothing else in 69 matches. Differences in gauges, body panels, kingpin bearings, mirrors, hood prop, hood bumpers and windshield hold downs, vent door operators, fender vent boxes, rear bumperettes, frame, reverse light, alternator, fuse box, wheels, rear view mirror, hazard light switch, door hinges, side markers, hmmm and probably more.

Now, how many of those things were slowly introduced in the previous editions, IDK. That early 69 bastard child may have had some of this stuff.

[Flaggoni]

I’ve got a late 69 and a “Beautiful Child”early 69.
“BC” still has the non-ugly steering wheel. Gauges are nearly identical. Door latches and hardware are the same. Hood prop is same. Not really sure on seats, as my late 69 came without, but think they are same. Seems like the biggest differences are in all the exterior lights (except headlamps) “BC” is much more like a 67 in that regard. (No side reflectors, no backup light, no self-canceling turn signals, no hazard light switch. “BC” also retains the cool-to-watch individual wipers...none of that fancy synchronized stuff!
Both came with windshield squirter and 15 inch split-rim wheels. Also, for unknown reasons, the transmission cover sheet metal is not interchangeable.
Mild Bill

[plateaucal]

Somewhere along the line they changed to push on connectors and molded plastic ends for most electrical connections.

[RiverPatrol]

Front Turn Signal
Rear Tail lights
Steering wheel
Front Seat frames and upholstery
Jump Seat frames and upholstery

Please feel free to add your comments
Keith

The front and rear seats were introduced in '68.

Features unique to the 'true' US '69:
Front turn signals
Rear brake lights
Reverse light added
Rear bumperettes notched out for reverse light

Features introduced in '69 and continued in later models:
Steering wheel
Turn signal switch
Horn wiring changes for new horn button and contacts
Hazard lights added
Center dash panel becomes solid, no longer removable
Single wiper motor to operate both wipers
Two speed wipers
Windshield washers integrated into wiper switch
Visors flush mount to windshield frame
Map light mounted on inside of glove box door
Transmission cover redesign
Speedometer moves to the right of the steering column

There was something to do with the transfer case operation that changed, like not being able to shift into 2wd low or something like that. Esteban might remember.

[Esteban]

There was something to do with the transfer case operation that changed, like not being able to shift into 2wd low or something like that. Esteban might remember.

I don't think there was ever a change in they way the levers operate. I did a minor change in mine that allows me to shift into low gear in 2wd, something not feasible otherwise.

The redesign of the transmission cover I guess was due to fitting the slave clutch cylinder. Due to the redesign, the foot well I think is also narrower in the 69 and up.

[RiverPatrol]

Thanks for the clarification Esteban.

That transmission cover changed for '68, likely due to the slave cylinder. Then it changed again in '69. The '68/'69 actually has some one-off design features also.

[moore_rb]

Front Turn Signal
...
Steering wheel
...

Please feel free to add your comments
Keith

MUST ...

RESIST ...

URGE ...

TO ...

MAKE ...

SMART-ALEC ...

COMMENT.

[plateaucal]

Don't feel bad Robert. Just don't do anything to hurt yourself, ok.