I have never seen one before, but I was wondering if Ford ever put a factory "air dam" or "chin spoiler" under the front bumper like the later model trucks has?

 

I've never seen one either.
I kinda doubt they offered one from the factory, since this was when most people still bought trucks for work, and work trucks don't have plastic hanging from under the bumper that's just gonna get ripped off when they are driven off the asphalt/concrete......

 

The only thing the factory had was a optional vinyl piece aproximately 1" wide that went along and was rivited to the bottom of the bumper. What the tiny holes in the bottom of the bumper are for. More for cosmetic than air though I'd imagine.

 

You know, I just looked though my 1985 dealer brochure again, and I think I see what you mean, 81-F-150-Explorer. That piece is is so small, you really can't even see it unless you look real close and you know what to look for. 1"? Is that even going to do anything? And I wonder why is was RIVETED on? I wish I could find one that is about as wide as the 1992 - 1996 models.

 

The Older Hayne's Manual at the library has a picture of the front bumper removal,and it shows the front trim piece on the bottom of the bumper.I don't remember exactly,but the one they showed seemed to be bigger than 1".

 

I now recall seeing 1 or 2 of these way back in the day (worked at a ford truck dealer in 83-86).
As for why it was held on by rivets, I guess so the buyer couldn't just unbolt it BEFORE knocking it off.......

 

Like this?

 

Hmmmmm.....that's not bad, but not quite what I had in mind. Is that a custom piece?

That spoiler looks good on a customized or lowered "sport" truck like yours. I wouldn't want mine to hang down quite that far. I am going for more of a "factory" truck look, and looking for more of an understated, functional appearance, like the way the later 1992 - 1996 "spoilers" look like.

 

You might want to try looking at vans in the boneyard. My buddy pulled an air dam off of a Econoline to cover up the front leaf spring hangers on his '72 highboy. Just a thought.

 

nice right hand drive truck.

 

Only thing I would be a bit worried about, is the huge bomb under the drivers side........
Of course, if the air dam clears an object, the LP tank should as well.....
Dad always had LP tanks in the bed, under the cross-bed toolbox (with the help of 2" spacers).

I wonder if those older "manifold" tanks are still available, and if they can be used for CNG? I would SO rock a CNG powered F150.

 

If you look in the Low 80-86 thread,he dropped the truck down to the ground,so I doubt it's there anymore.lol.

 

Yeah both tanks (I had one on each side) are gone, replaced by a larger tank in the tub.

 

Just have the PO hook on a stump. Instant air dam

 

The same thing happened to mine.And every single other 7th gen i've ever seen.That sucker seems thin,but it does not like to bend.Is it some kind of structural support for the truck?