I read a little more into the thread and found it. Should read before getting impatient.

 

Truck really does look nice Doc. The custom work really doesnt jump out at you like its too much. That console you built really blends into the interior and looks like it belongs there. Nice Work man!

 

The tailgate area has been a thorn in my creative side for months now......Just bland and lifeless.......I just changed the tails and it brightened it up quite a bit.........and the chrome was BRIGHT, but not too outrageous..............looked as if it could be "framed", if you know what I mean........I work on a lot of old Mopars, and one thing I know from experience is that no matter what model, whether a Cuda, Duster, Roadrunner or whatever, a rear panel treatment with a proper "framing" makes a world of difference.

Those tails seemed to just hang there all alone, and just one factory trim piece across the top of the gate..........SOooooooo, I tried a little simple chrome treatment to finish and balance it a bit better.......

I like it, BUT the tailgate still needs something......Can't put my finger on it yet....(in addition to a repair panel on the bottom!)......(before and after shots below........)

 

That does frame it nicely. Do you carry the lower trim further forward, or how do you handle that?

 

That transition I haven't really figured out yet......I brought it around the edge of the existing aluminum trim, but they don't line up.....SOooo, I'll have to toy with a custom "tip" of some sort to make it look like it's supposed to be there..........

 

The Ford script is nice. But if that was in the dark ford blue script it would then stand out. WIth a silver vanishing point behind it making like it was jumping out of the skin of the endgate.

I'm the sore thumb on yur taillights. I'm sorry I don't like them. But if your happy with them. I think ford could of made a second set that had chrome trim that went aorund them and across between each square box of the lens would off nicely set off their taillights. I prefer more red for my taillights I guess.

 

I understand what you're saying about the tails......They're different to be sure, and not a true "classic" look.......and you're right about all of the Ford "red" in the old plastic......so I guess it'll be a love'em hate'em thing.....

.........and I like your idea on the script................

 

The light lettering on the light color of the endgate make it look empty. Dark letterin g of dk blue will make the endgate stand out more for sure.

 

I posted a full thread on these "Oak Bed Rails" if anyone wants to see how they were fabricated and fit. I was toying around in my head for ages on this idea and just had to try it. SOooooooooo, here they be !

 

They look good and bad at the same time.
I mean they look sharp. and on the other hand look like they need some advertising logo on them.
That is just the feeling I get. I think they look great, but seem to be missing something. Maybe a rail going across by the window? Or maybe the full length of the box.

The next guy will see something totaly differnt than I do. I think they will draw both good and negative remarks.

 

Here's an update........I thought they were missing something too, so I added a sign that I had in mind when I designed the rails.......Wanted an older flair, reminiscent of the 50's/60's........It's a PVC Oval sign blank, in Ford Blue, with Royal Blue letters.......Stainless screws hold it firm to the rails. I think it looks much better than "blank".

 

Yes that diffinitely makes it look a lot better. Yes it was pretty blank. That does the job. Good answer to the blank look it gave.

 

Very nice truck, I did not know that there were F100's in 1983, I thought that they were all considered F150's by then. You have done a great job, I also built a custom center console for my truck, you can see a picture of it in "my garage" pictures if you're interested. Thanks for sharing your pictures!

 

That's a good point, I think you're right! In fact, there is nothing in the parts book for a 1983 F100.

Hey, Tom, what's this thing's VIN? Could you post a picture of the certification label on the door jamb?

 

Yes I think you guys are correct. 1983 was the first yr the little Ranger debuted and the F100 was History.