1981 F150 Stepside 4x4 351 - resto project
#61
03-11-2013, 11:00 PM
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Nice stepside and a perfect color combo. I recently found some correct '80-'81 NOS mirrors on ebay which I bought for my future 4x4 stepside. If this is on your list, I'm passing this along as I've had a hard time finding the correct ones myself - the seller's name is "neatcollectibles". As your project progresses, I'd love to some more photos.
Hello all,
I've been watching here for a while as I was looking for the perfect truck and I finally found it in colorado. I had to have a stepside 4x4, preferred the biggest motor and really wanted a 4sp but you can't have it all, right? I've already got an '84 F350 single cab dually, 460/C6 truck and really wanted a matching stepside 4x4 to do a restoration on.
A little background on me, I've got about a dozen 85-6 5.0 mustangs (highway patrol cars, GTs, and some more rare stuff) but have been really digging the Bullnose stepside trucks. I came across this one, and am trying to learn as much about them as I can before I dig in. Here's my Dually:
I typically go all-original with my stuff and this one will be no different, so the correct wheels will need to be sourced, I'll order interior fabric from SMS, and I'll be starting paint probably early next year back in the factory colors.
The truck is extremely original, but trying to figure out a few things. I think it might be a "Free wheeling package" truck as it appears to have the darker grill and a few other things. It also has dual shocks up front, what would this option have been? It also has the under hood storage box which is neat.
Finally, I need to source a period-correct chrome bull bar. Chrome, not a full brush guard. Going to mount a couple period correct Marchal fog lights with covers on it and try and source a factory fog-lamp switch for it. If anyone has either of those items please PM me, I'm ready to buy.
Any help finding those parts and decoding anything on the truck would be great! Thanks for having me here, and I'll make this the restoration thread when I get started.
I've been watching here for a while as I was looking for the perfect truck and I finally found it in colorado. I had to have a stepside 4x4, preferred the biggest motor and really wanted a 4sp but you can't have it all, right? I've already got an '84 F350 single cab dually, 460/C6 truck and really wanted a matching stepside 4x4 to do a restoration on.
A little background on me, I've got about a dozen 85-6 5.0 mustangs (highway patrol cars, GTs, and some more rare stuff) but have been really digging the Bullnose stepside trucks. I came across this one, and am trying to learn as much about them as I can before I dig in. Here's my Dually:
I typically go all-original with my stuff and this one will be no different, so the correct wheels will need to be sourced, I'll order interior fabric from SMS, and I'll be starting paint probably early next year back in the factory colors.
The truck is extremely original, but trying to figure out a few things. I think it might be a "Free wheeling package" truck as it appears to have the darker grill and a few other things. It also has dual shocks up front, what would this option have been? It also has the under hood storage box which is neat.
Finally, I need to source a period-correct chrome bull bar. Chrome, not a full brush guard. Going to mount a couple period correct Marchal fog lights with covers on it and try and source a factory fog-lamp switch for it. If anyone has either of those items please PM me, I'm ready to buy.
Any help finding those parts and decoding anything on the truck would be great! Thanks for having me here, and I'll make this the restoration thread when I get started.
#62
05-10-2013, 10:17 PM
#64
05-10-2013, 11:12 PM
#65
05-10-2013, 11:29 PM
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#66
05-27-2013, 07:03 PM
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#67
05-27-2013, 07:31 PM
You will have to put a set of skinny tires on it too if you are going factory correct.
#68
06-16-2013, 09:47 PM
I'd love to find a set of the original style skinny 'tractor' looking off road tires... that might be a challenge though. Wonder how long it will be before Coker tire starts making those.
I bought yet another Stepside, this one was kind of a unicorn for me. I consider the later EFI trucks more desirable and have searched for an EFI stepside 4x4 for a while. I found this 3-owner '86 Stepside 4x4 EFI 5.0 4 speed truck on craigslist a few weeks back and bought it immediately. Great condition red interior in it, and drives like a dream. Apparently an original 'smoke gray' truck, I might be having this one painted on short order to drive while I do a more thorough resto on the '81 stepside.
And the door sticker for it:
I love these trucks!
I bought yet another Stepside, this one was kind of a unicorn for me. I consider the later EFI trucks more desirable and have searched for an EFI stepside 4x4 for a while. I found this 3-owner '86 Stepside 4x4 EFI 5.0 4 speed truck on craigslist a few weeks back and bought it immediately. Great condition red interior in it, and drives like a dream. Apparently an original 'smoke gray' truck, I might be having this one painted on short order to drive while I do a more thorough resto on the '81 stepside.
And the door sticker for it:
I love these trucks!
#70
07-22-2013, 08:57 AM
#71
07-22-2013, 09:18 AM
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Sounds about like my '82 2wd with a 300-6, it got 10-11 around town no matter what. It did get 15-16 on the highway though. I'm in the process of swapping the body to a '90 4x4 frame with a 302 EFI though, we'll see what that does to the mileage.
My '82 is a Canada truck also. Spent most of its life in New Mexico though, oddly enough.
Where in Texas are you located? I lived in Leander from 2007-2012.
My '82 is a Canada truck also. Spent most of its life in New Mexico though, oddly enough.
Where in Texas are you located? I lived in Leander from 2007-2012.
#72
07-22-2013, 09:46 AM
#73
12-10-2013, 08:42 AM
Just finished getting the seat done on the '81 with NOS material from SMS Fabrics. Turned out spectacular and really makes the truck look period and nice inside.
before:
After:
Redying the rest of the interior soon, have a fairly nice dashpad for it.
On a less exciting note, I was able to pull the buildsheet for the truck, and it is not a free wheeling package truck. It is a loaded Ranger XLT, but not a free wheeler. So the search will continue for a factory 81 Free Wheeling stepside (and a bronco)!
before:
After:
Redying the rest of the interior soon, have a fairly nice dashpad for it.
On a less exciting note, I was able to pull the buildsheet for the truck, and it is not a free wheeling package truck. It is a loaded Ranger XLT, but not a free wheeler. So the search will continue for a factory 81 Free Wheeling stepside (and a bronco)!
#74
12-10-2013, 05:07 PM
Posting Legend
