Why do so many people seem to give these trucks such a bad name? Besides the "Swiss Cheese" frames on the 1980-'81 trucks and Broncos, theres not much wrong with theses trucks. I like the way they look, and many ranchers around here have abused them for decades and they still running. But, the "Bullnose" trucks just don't get very much love, even from so-called Ford fans. Also, many people tell me how bad the TTB front axles are, but they'll never tell me why the TTB axles are bad, they just tell me that a strait axle is so much better.

 

Don't know where you're hearing the hate. I've heard mostly good things about their looks (especially compared to newer trucks, it's not uncommon for people to like even older even better). A lot of people don't like the TTB, especially with leaf springs, but F-250s were still saddled with them until the Super Duties came out in '99 (although at least the F-350s got a good front suspension before that). A lot of us like EFI, so a little newer can be better that way, but there are a lot who go for the simplicity of a carb too.

I've gotta say the '80 - '86 Ford trucks seem like one of the most loved generations there is (although I do admit I hate the "bullnose" name).

 

I've never really heard anyone bag on the '80-'86 trucks. Many I know, love them. They're as tough as anything out there, have style, work well. What's to hate?
The TTB gets a bad rap because it has some handling quirks, compared to a SLA independent suspension. Most of the people who really bag on the TTB, are dealing with ones that weren't well maintained. Keep good bushings and ball joints in them and they handle fine. The solid axle people are mostly internet "me too" people or people who think of nothing but rock crawling. The "me toos" simply buy into anything they read on the net, without ever questioning any of it. The rock crawlers can't grasp the concept of a multipurpose vehicle.

 

Where are you hearing all this hate?

 

I have never heard Hate, but there does not seem to be a big following.

The 87-91 there is Hate and I fully agree with it

 

I'm on my third bullnose Ford. These just fit me best.

 

I'm also on my third, had a 1980 F250 Supercab, an 86 F250 standard cab, and this 1984 F 150 standard cab. Loved 'em all....

 

Boooo, there's nothing wrong with the 87-91. Many things are better then the 80-86 and many aspects are more durable then the 92-96.

 

My brothers and some of my friends have been telling me for years how the "Bullnose" trucks are junk and cheap built. One friends told me yesterday that I should take my '82 F-350 to the junkyard because those trucks aren't worth fixing. I just seems like no one around my part of the country anyways, doesn't like them, and you never see one on the roads up here. I do admit that I like the 1973-'79 Ford trucks the best, I just wonder why the "Bullnose" trucks are said to be such a POS by so many. BTW, I've never heard the term "Bullnose" before I joined FTE. What does "Bullnose" even mean anyways?

 

Where's that? Wyoming or somewhere else?

 

There were many changes in the 80s era that make them seem like junk. In reality they are still pretty good.

I was always in old trucks growing up. I love being in a truck that is all steel. I like lifting a hood that has some heft to it. The late 70s era to me, was the beginning of the decline of the all steel trucks.

The 80s era has a light weight hood that opens like a car. The dash and door panels are all plastic like a car.

It took years for me to get used to, but i would not say they are bad trucks.

If i were given a choice, i would choose the oldest truck i could get. I like the lines and style of the old stuff. The 80s seem to have lacked that for me.

Compared to todays "trucks", they have much more style and would be my preference to a new one.

 

I had a 85 F-150 with the 351W HO..........loved it,........ while not the equal of my 93 F-250 460, it was head and shoulders better than anything GM or Dodge was producing at the time.

80-86 sure beats the hell out of the looks of 87-91!

 

Let me guess. These morons are driving something other than Ford.

There is nothing wrong with a little brand driven rivalry, but you may be correct in that the Ford brand attracts more than its share of hate. Consider it a cheap shot from jealous brand X owners who perhaps are overcompensating for their own issues.

If you own a bullnose, you own one of the finest trucks ever made.

 

I think to be honest, the dentside grille looks better since it's not just rectangles inside a big rectangle. The 80-86 trucks are a very close 2nd cause I still love the body lines and it looks like a man's truck. the interior is also very nice, even without power features of any kind. The only reason I could see for hatred is all the annoying emissions stuff, but still no fuel injection advantage

 

I always think about it as the '80 - '86 have the most squared-off front, like a brick. So we call it a bull nose. Meanwhile the '87 - '91 are still pretty blocky, but more rounded off, looking kind of like a big tough animal. So we call them brick noses. And to keep it all making sense, the OBS (Old Body Style) is the newest body style of the bunch.

Seriously, I guess someone on this board thought the '80 - '86 trucks should have a nickname and there was an informal contest and "bull nose" was selected. Personally I think it's a stupid name and won't use it.