Hi Everyone,

I’m a newbie to the forum and Ford pickups. I recently inherited two Ford pickups, this one and a 91 F350 Crew Cab 4x2. I was thinking about just selling this one but I started driving it and finding out things about it and now I’m thinking about keeping it around. I've known this pickup since about 1983-4.

It has not been driven much in the last few years but it is registered with out of state plates (Idaho, pretty rust free) and I’ve been driving it for about the last month on a daily basis.

This is what I’ve found out about it so far and would like some help clearing up the questions I have.

1981 Ford F150 Custom 4x2 Pickup:
GVWR: 5450 pounds
Wheel Base: 133’
Type-GW: F151 - What does this mean?
Body: MT4 - What does this mean?

Manufactured 3/81 Twin Cities Assembly Plant, still has sticker in window<O
VIN: 1FTDF15E6BPA64029

1 = USA
F = Ford Motor Company:
T = Truck (Complete Vehicle)
D = 5,001-6,000 lbs
F = F-series
15 = F150
E = 4.9L I6 Gasoline
6 = Check digit (ignore)
B = 1981 model year
P = Twin Cities assembly plant
A64029 = Consecutive build number

Current Mileage: 117,334 (Just getting broke in ;-)

Motor: 300 cubic in (4.9 liter ) inline 6

Transmission: Code F: 4 Speed Manual Transmission with no overdrive

Rear Axle: Code 13: Ford 9" 2.75 ratio

Color: On the door jamb it has 8A (This Appears to be a 1980 Color (Dark Chamois Met) There is no 8A Paint code listed for the 1981 model year. I’d always thought it was painted 5G - Dark Caramel Met

Explorer Package A:
1: Explorer Tri Color Tape Stripe (Bodyside and tailgate) in three Color Choices
2: Explorer Bedside nameplate
3: Explorer Hood Ornament
4: Sport Wheel Covers
5: Bright Rear Window Molding
6: Wheel lip Molding
7: Chrome Grille
8: Chrome Tailgate Release Handle
9: Custom Trim Series Avaliable in choice of:
9A: Unique Plaid Cloth and Vinyl – Nutmeg

Other Options: Original to vehicle
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Aux. Fuel Tank
Under hood Accessory light – not able to retract the cord
Sliding rear Window
Map Lights – not currently working
Under dash lights
AM Radio – not working
Cargo Light

Other Options: Added Later
Saddle Blanket seat cover – (needs to be replaced, seat looks like new)
Shell – Added shortly after pickup was bought new – needs to be gone, maybe replaced
Tachometer – Original Equipment from 1985 Bronco – brought off ebay but not installed yet
Electric Brakes

Work Done On Pickup
2008 - New Clutch
2008 - New Tires
2008 - New Muffer / Exhaust
2008 - New Starter
2010 - Dome Light, Underdash Lights, Turn Signal Lights

Needs / Repairs:
Replace Dome light lens cover
Brake work (right rear not working right)
Tune up (High CO levels on emissions test)
Dash Pad (imagine that)
Install Tachometer
Replace Saddle Blanket Seat Cover
Repair Map Lights – not working
Repair / Replace Under Hood Light – Cord will not retract
Oil Change - Oil looks OK but know the last time it was done
repair Screw holes from CB radio in ceiling and dash

Wants:
Air Conditioning
OEM Bed Rails (On Christmas List, can anyone help Santa out?)
Music
Tonneau cover, maybe
Bed Side, maybe
Remove Front Grill Guard
Remove Running Boards
Remove Rear Mud Flips

Goals:
Going - Daily Driver;
Pass Safety inspection and emissions test for Utah
Title and registration in Utah
Decent Gas Mileage

Towing - Maybe;
This pickup has towed a 1969 31’ foot Airstream. I have a 1959 24’ Airstream, 3350 pounds.

Showing - Maybe;
All depends on how it is restored.

Thanks in Advance, Rod
Photos: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...p?albumid=9865

 

Welcome to the site!

That color sounds alot like the one on my truck.

Sounds like you know her from top to bottom.

For the map light,check the wiring.The previous owner of my truck was nice enough to cut my wires for me.This might not be your problem,but it's easy to check.As for that tach,make sure you have the tach printed circuit from a 1981-1986 Truck or Bronco.

 

Thanks for the reply,

The tach is from an '85 Bronco. Should be OK, I hope. On the map light I changed the light bulbs than checked the voltage, yep probably check wires next. I think the map lights are on the same circuit as the dome light?

Rod

 

Hmm, come to think about it... there was also a broken CB radio that was screwed to the ceiling and wired from around the dome light, I wonder...

 

You'd be surprised what previous owners will do to a truck.

It's been awhile since I did that fix and looked at the diagram,but I think they were on different circuits.

 

So true about previous owners. The previous owner on this truck was my mom and I know there are going to be a few surprises for me.

I'll thinking about changing the oil soon. Any thoughts on what oil and filter to use?

Thanks, Rod

 

I completely missed this.

10w40 should do you good.That's what most people seem to run,and that's what i've got in mine.As far as oil Brands,it's a matter of preference,but Shell Rotella seems to get a good rep.As for filters,your best bet is Wix or Motorcraft.I haven't heard anything bad about them.Stay away from Fram,they're one of the worst filters out there.

 

Hmm, Synthetic or one of the other favors? Tell me more. I hadn't really thought about going that route. I used synthetic in my diesel VW but hadn't really consider for this pickup because if age and mileage.

Rod

 

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - RodSUT's Album: Garage - The Beauty

 

Nice truck

For oils I stay with dino oils like Valvoline and Quaker state. I haven't seen any ill effects from shell either, but it usually more costly by me. I agree on the 10w40 and wix filters. I've also used K&N, though costly seem to work just as good as the wix.

 

Wow you do have alot of information about your truck. Where did you find it all?
I thought my under hood light was added later but maybe it was factory, same with the bed rails. I think my tires are even original, I found a pamphlet with the paperwork for general tires and that's what tires are on it.

 

Usually,If your truck has under dash lights,dome/map lights,and a cargo light,or just an under hood toolbox,than the under hood light is original.I just looked at your pics again,and you don't have either of those,so i'm not sure about your truck and its under hood light.The bed rails look to be the factory ones.Ford had alot of cool options for these trucks in the 70's and early 80's.Unfortunately,some were ordered alot more than others.

 

I don't think there is an under hood tool box and if it is original they did a poor job of wiring it.

 

I just edited my post.If it looks like it's been wired in poorly,than it was probably added after the fact.Sadly,it's a plug and play option,but I guess the Previous owner didn't know that.

 

Very nice truck!! Welcome to the forums. I hoppe u find all the help u need here. A great bunch of guys here.