This is the first time I have ever heard the 1980 to 86 F series trucks being refered to as bullnose other than on here.

Where did this term come from and further more what does it really mean.

 

I was curious about this as well, and came up with this.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-bullnose.html

 

"Bullnose" refers specifically to the 1980 - 1986 Ford F-Series trucks and broncos.

The nickname comes from the shape of the front of the truck.

Look at a bull's face and head. Notice how a bull's eyes slant back from its face toward its head, and the nose is pushed forward:



Now go and look at the front of a 1980 - 1986 F-Series truck or Bronco.

Notice how the headlights (or "eyes") slant back from the front of the truck (or "face") toward the cab (or "head"), and the grille (or "nose") is pushed forward from the headlights:



The members of this forum decided to come up with a nickname to separate the 1980 - 1986 years with the similar 1987 - 1991 and the 1992 - 1996 body styles, which basically share the same side profile.

Capiche?

 

Thanks for the replies. I understand now. I was just wondering about it.

 

Any one want to chime in, why the pre bull nose generation is called the dentside's

 

Dentside: Scallop line along the body sides is concave (indented). Upper side mouldings are located within the 'dent' on Rangers, Ranger XLT's and Lariats.

Bullnose was originally a term for a flatish curved front hood moulding favored by customizers. It replaced the original hood ornament and hood front emblem when they were 'shaved off.'

Commonly seen on 'lead sleds' like 1949/51 Merc's. Look thru some 1950's JC Whitney catalogs, old issues of Hot Rod, Rod & Custom and etc to see what it looked like.

Here's a pic of a 1978/79 Bronco that shows the dent. 1978/79 Bronco's use the same front sheet metal and doors as 1973/79 F100/350's.

 

There is a depression that runs along the entire side of the truck, where higher trim level trucks had a moulding inserted. Therefore, dentside.
The 67-72 trucks had a ridge down the side, and higher trim levels also recieved a moulding there, hence, bumpsides.

Bullnose was chosen by a majority vote, but is not liked by many, myself included. I do not use the term. I also don't use the "dentside" or "bumpside" terms either......

 

I had a hard time at first remembering which was the bullnose and which was the bricknose. I finally figured out that the 80-86 are squared off like a brick, so they are the bullnoses, while the 87-91 are a little more rounded off, more like a live animal than something manually formed, so they are the bricknoses. In other words, it still makes absolutely no sense to me, but at least I usually remember it now.

 

Here is my only beef with the bullnose term. The next years were referred to as bricknoses. Around 85-86 the trucks started taking this different look with marker lights on the side instead of being stacked under the headlights. So why are the 85-86's bullnoses and not bricknoses??

 

For some reason, so many people have made and continue to make this topic difficult and confusing. I REALLY don't get the confusion here at all. It is, in fact so simple it's STUPID.

Did you read my post above AT ALL? What is so hard to understand here?

The name "Bullnose" came from the way the FRONT of the 1980 - 1986 trucks were designed. The headlights are angled back from the front of the grille, like a bull's face. The 1987 - 1991 has a completely different front or "nose" than the 1980 - 1986 style. The front end is completely FLAT, like a brick wall, hence the name.

HUH?

The 1985 - 1986 trucks share the exact same sheet metal and front as the 1980 - 1984 trucks. The 1980 - 1986 trucks ALL had marker lights on the side AND under the headlights.

 

1980/86 parking lamps located below headlamps, marker lamps located on sides of fenders.

1987/91: Parking lamps wrap around from the front to the side, marker lamps made as part of parking lamps.

Left: 1980/86 / Right: 1987/91.

 

While I could understand why some people have an issue with the term bullnose. Could be considered a put down/insult.

I dont really see it as one, its just like how some people call a stepside a stepside and others call it a flareside. Ford offically called it a flareside but quite a few people call it a stepside.

I how ever plan on having fun with the term bullnose and might go ahead and get those truck nutz for my 82.

 

And maybe a set of horns for the hood?

 

edit: deleted my response after thinking better of it

 

Maybe if I went with a Cowl hood.

Otherwise nope. I am trying not to drill holes in the truck if possible. Big reason why I am being forced to create a headliner topic cause I cant find exactly what I am looking for to meet my requirements.

I did how ever plan on getting the grill in chrome vs the argent silver painted grill insert. Never was too fond of that look.