Anyone done it?

I've done a OBS (92-97) on a Bricknose (87-91) but never Bullnose (81-86) on a Bricknose. I wouldn't expect any issues but thought I'd ask before assuming. I would need to use the 87-91 core support but I'm 99% sure they are the same?

 

As with the 92-97, you will need the entire front cap, core support etc. The main difference you will find is that the body lines over the tires are entirely different. the 87-97 have the same body lines. The 80-86 are different.

 

I know about the fender body line, that's what I like. That and the generally angular look without out being totally flat like the bricknose. The real question is the core support, I'm pretty sure the bricknose one will work. I just bought a bullnose gas truck and the bricknose I'd put it on is diesel and the diesel core support is specific so have to use it or find a bullnose diesel core support, not easy.

 

YOu need the whole nose. The brick nose rad support will not work.

Also, you will need to figure out a bracket to bolt the bottom of the fender to the cab. The bolt is vertical on the bull nose and horizontal on the brick and ons

 

X2 with the above!!

 

I just converted my 91 to the bullnose! Like said above everything is needed. Fun project! Now to sell the old panels..

Oh and BTW I was able to swap the core supports without removing the radiator and condenser. unbolt the radiator and lift up and back ( with fan shroud pushed back) Then jiggle the core support forward while sliding condenser out.

 

Well that sucks, dealing with the fender bolts would be easy, but finding a good deal on a solid bullnose core support will suck. Anyone know how they differ?

 

I don't see any reason to do this, unless you swap beds as well and convert the whole truck. The body lines especially around the wheel wells aren't the same.

 

Lots of reasons, do you need a list?

 

Reason 1: looks a whole lot better
Reason 2: looks much better
Reason 3: not that hard to do

 

I'm in the process of putting a bull nose on my 90 right now. I was just going to butcher up both core supports and meld them together since I have a diesel and those core supports are extremely hard to find here. As luck would have it, last time I was at the junkyard there was a bullnose diesel with a nice core support so I need to go back for that.

 

Would a f150 bullnose swap well onto a 1989 f250? My brick was in an accident and there is an 81 nearby that I’m looking to swap. Would this work? Also swapping bed and everything if possible

 

Model does not matter. Bronco, F150/250/350 all use the same sheet metal. Diesel core supports are different than gas.

 

On all IDI applications that I am aware of, only the trucks with A/C or a turbocharger have a diesel-specific rad support. The regular ones use the same rad support as 4.9, 5.0, 5.8, and 7.5. So if your truck has regular HVAC, the existing radiator will fit in the gas rad support from the bull-nose clip. Worst comes to worst, you could always keep the gas rad support and throw a 460/7.5 rad in it. They work great with the IDI engines and the hoses are on the correct sides too. The 7.5 was bigger and more powerful that the IDI by a wide margin, it actually cools quite a bit better than the stock IDI radiator

 

Swapping a Bullnose front clip on to a 1987-1996 pickup is pretty common these days. It's pretty straight forward on the 1987-1991 trucks but with the 1992-1996 pickups, you have to modify the ends of frame and also swap over a 1980-1991 cowl panel to match the lines of the hood.

I put a complete 1980 F150 Flareside body on a 1995 4x4 chassis a few years ago. I went with an '86 carbed 300 and the rest of the drivetrain was all 1995 (5spd and transfer case, etc). This truck had already had 1987-1991 doors installed on it back in the early 1990's, so it was a real hodge podge of parts.