1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

What have you done to your truck today?

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  #4471  
Old 03-10-2012 | 02:53 PM
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Gary Lewis
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Originally Posted by Fordzilla80
No, because in the State of Florida, they require you to get a new generic vin number made, and you'd have to have both the cab title, and the frame title on file with the DMV. It would just be too much work for no gain, and I'd also lose my original vin number.

Now, if my truck didn't have any sentimental value, and if the swiss cheese frames really were a major problem, then yes I would.
But, if you were going through that VIN thing already? The body I'm going to put on Dad's truck is from the same truck the frame is from. So, I'll be going through the process anyway, so I'm thinking I might include the frame.
 
  #4472  
Old 03-10-2012 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Fordzilla80
Are you sure about the vin? I'm still rocking the old style 11 digit vin, which may or may not have had the GVWR info. I know the 17 digit vins do, but when you decode the 11 digit vins, none of the letters have anything to do with the GVWR, only the model, engine size, assembly plant, and sequence of assembly.

As far as Tare weight goes, if I'm updating my front suspension, rear suspension, as well as the bearings to match the highest GVWR offered in 1980, and to support the added weight of the T-Case and then new engine, then the tare will remain below the GVWR. Right now the truck weighs about 3600 according to the title, and the GVWR is 5150 according to Ford. Say the weight of the T-Case, transmission, extra springs, and new engine brings the weight to 4,300. If I upgrade the suspension, and the new GVWR is around 6400, then I haven't touched the Tare weight ratio, and if those numbers were correct, I'd actually increase the tare weight ratio from where it originally was.

As far as the brakes, since I have the 5150 GVWR, I already have the 11" brakes from factory, so that's not a problem.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the great upgrades you are doing to your truck, but just because you say it is safe doesn't mean it is legal...

My truck is 6500+ right now, with nothing but the toolbox in it.
I went over the scale this morning.

My truck has the factory towing package.
Included in that is a rear sway bar and 3" shoes on 12" drums.
Bigger calipers and rotors in the front.
Larger bore master cylinder.
etc...

What I meant to say is that your tare weight is closer to your registered GVWR.
Around here DOT has spotcheck weigh stations with portable scales all the time.
Roll through there and try and explain to the trooper that the sticker on your door is no longer applicable because you made improvements on your truck.

What's the tire rating on that F-150???

I'm sorry to say, Doing whatever you want to do to your truck does not change what it is legally able to weigh when driving on a public road.
(unless you have it retitled as another vehicle)




-In other news, I crawled around under my truck today and did NOT resolve my starter situation.
But I did notice my radiator support is rotting on the PS.
 
  #4473  
Old 03-10-2012 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by WD4B
Well I'm glad those are a different size than the zerks aka "grease nipples" haha. I sure would have been pumping some grease in there if my gun would have snap on.
There very well could be some service points on the U joints. You might want to look into that. Not greasing them is a surefire way for them to go bad early.
 
  #4474  
Old 03-10-2012 | 04:17 PM
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Originally Posted by Gary Lewis
(Ignoring Galendor's post)

This isn't my truck, obviously, but I thought you guys would like to see this ad in the Tulsa classifieds: 1985 F150 - $25,000 '85 RARE Ford 150 4 wheel drive short bed. show truck. completely restored. $45,000 invested. asking $25,000 805-714-3763

Here's a pic from the advert, but there are more so just follow the link, above. But, while it is advertised here in Tulsa, the phone # is a Santa Maria, CA #. Maybe cell and he's moved here? Is it one of y'all? Will it show up at the GTG one week from today? I think I'll call him and invite him!

I saw this one as well Gary We might consider moving it to the Craigslist thread. I bet some more members here would like to see the ad also.

"Jim said:"In other news, I crawled around under my truck today and did NOT resolve my starter situation.
But I did notice my radiator support is rotting on the PS.
Thats where they all tor out. The battery gets them all corrodey. Mine on the Bronco wasnt that bad. So I cleaned it up really well and put some new heavy duty paint on it.
 
  #4475  
Old 03-10-2012 | 05:20 PM
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I think mine is beyond "paint". Lol.

But I may just repair it rather than unbolting the whole front of the truck.
It appears that by removing the grille, radiator, battery tray and perhaps the valance, I would have plenty of access. (remember, I have the '87 body style)
 
  #4476  
Old 03-10-2012 | 06:32 PM
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I installed my spare steering gear flushed the power steering pump, installed a ATF filter in the return line of the P.S. pump, and filled it up. No leaks so far.

I've had a startup belt squeal since I converted to the 3G. bought a longer belt and ran it on the water pump, P.S. pump, crank pulleys, and alternator. Fixed.

It won't work for everyone, but might be worth a try if you're having trouble.
 
  #4477  
Old 03-10-2012 | 06:50 PM
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I went to piece together the last parts of my truck today before it goes to the exhaust shop. I got the drivers side manifold on then started bolting down the passenger side when I ran into problems. The passenger side 351M manifold will fit and bolt onto a 351 cleveland but it dumps right into the starter bulge on the bellhousing. Apparently I need a 351M on the drivers side and a 351C on the passenger. It's annoying because I just bought these things and just got them out of the ceramic coating shop. $150 bucks down the drain. Anyone want to buy a fresh set of black ceramic coated 351M manifolds? I'll sell them for $125 plus shipping from Knoxville TN. Anyways, I got the headers that came with the truck and took a ball peen hammer to them to fix the spot where the DS header rubs on the bellhousing. I got those installed then noticed that the high capacity tranny pan I just put on is rubbing on the collector. Now there is no way to hook up the exhaust so, off with the new pan and back on with the old. Anyone want to buy a new deep sump pan for a C6? $25 plus shipping. Finished that up and got the fluid back in and it's fine now. I put new collectors on and it's ready for the shop now. Bad news is I only seem to be pulling 10Hg's of vacuum. That's with the in dash vacuum gauge. I'm going to double check it with the MityVac tomorrow. I know I have a leaky brake booster but it wasn't that bad last time I checked. Looks like it's time for the Hydro Boost upgrade.
 
  #4478  
Old 03-10-2012 | 07:22 PM
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I cussed at my truck as I tried to remove the d side front fender. I got it off after about 6 million screws, bolts, etc. it is nice that the heads are sized with no apparent rhyme or reason. Makes taking it off an exercise in swapping sockets. I also sold my dually spacers to a guy doing a dually 77. Took off my gooseneck hardware (a
whopping 157lbs). Wire wheeled my frame. Cleaned my alcoas to get them ready for a buyer, mounted my tires on old steelies, that is about it
 

Last edited by Cavstoy; 03-10-2012 at 07:33 PM. Reason: I hate misspelling things
  #4479  
Old 03-10-2012 | 08:39 PM
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replaced a very much dead original motorcraft starter. kinda sad to see it go. i love all the original stuff this 30 year old truck still has as it touches 90,000 miles.

lubed the shift linkages

rigged up a fix for a broken wiper linkage

replaced 2 clearance lights

a very productive day overall!
 
  #4480  
Old 03-10-2012 | 09:57 PM
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Junior, is that dog dressed up like a lobster?
 
  #4481  
Old 03-10-2012 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bruno2
I saw this one as well Gary We might consider moving it to the Craigslist thread. I bet some more members here would like to see the ad also.



Thats where they all tor out. The battery gets them all corrodey. Mine on the Bronco wasnt that bad. So I cleaned it up really well and put some new heavy duty paint on it.
There's one like that on the local craigslist just like it, completely restored, for 6500.

Looks like it could be its twin!

1985 F-150 Ford 4 WD

^^^ I'd rather have that one. ^^^
 
  #4482  
Old 03-10-2012 | 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the great upgrades you are doing to your truck, but just because you say it is safe doesn't mean it is legal...

My truck is 6500+ right now, with nothing but the toolbox in it.
I went over the scale this morning.

My truck has the factory towing package.
Included in that is a rear sway bar and 3" shoes on 12" drums.
Bigger calipers and rotors in the front.
Larger bore master cylinder.
etc...

What I meant to say is that your tare weight is closer to your registered GVWR.
Around here DOT has spotcheck weigh stations with portable scales all the time.
Roll through there and try and explain to the trooper that the sticker on your door is no longer applicable because you made improvements on your truck.

What's the tire rating on that F-150???

I'm sorry to say, Doing whatever you want to do to your truck does not change what it is legally able to weigh when driving on a public road.
(unless you have it retitled as another vehicle)




-In other news, I crawled around under my truck today and did NOT resolve my starter situation.
But I did notice my radiator support is rotting on the PS.
I do get what you're saying about FHP going by the original Safety Compliance sticker.

But, if the Florida DMV and/or Highway Patrol inspects the truck, and decides that it meets safety compliance, depending on their specific procedure, they could add their own decal to the door jamb stating the new GVWR. Unfrotunately it could mean losing my original vin, but then again, the vin wouldn't match the truck's options anyway, so I guess I'd have to sacrifice it for the intended upgrades.

As for the brake system and tires, all of that will be taken into account when I do the swap. Keep in mind my F150 is my project truck, and will not touch a public road until I know it is a safe truck. In reality, it's really gonna be a completely new truck when it rolls back onto public streets. I'm not really into putting others' lives in danger, nor my own.
 
  #4483  
Old 03-11-2012 | 05:37 AM
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Shaun,

I'm sorry if I came off wrong.
I never meant to suggest that you would put anyone's life in danger, much less your own.

I just wanted to make it clear that you will have problems with the law .
I would hate for you to have your very nice truck impounded and be paying a hefty fine.
Get points on your license, etc...

I don't know how things go with DMV in Florida.
I'm pretty sure it is a federal DOT thing.
The door post sticker surely is federally mandated.

Please let us know what you find out.
 
  #4484  
Old 03-11-2012 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk
Shaun,

I'm sorry if I came off wrong.
I never meant to suggest that you would put anyone's life in danger, much less your own.

I just wanted to make it clear that you will have problems with the law .
I would hate for you to have your very nice truck impounded and be paying a hefty fine.
Get points on your license, etc...

I don't know how things go with DMV in Florida.
I'm pretty sure it is a federal DOT thing.
The door post sticker surely is federally mandated.

Please let us know what you find out.
Oh no, you're fine man.

I just wanted to clarify for anybody else who may want to chime in on the safety factor since so many people improperly perform suspension modifications these days.

From what I've seen so far, I'll more than likely lose my original vin number. If the DMV deems the truck "Assembled from Parts", then I'll have to add a small sticker to the door jamb or windshield that displays that fact, and the DMV will add a stamp to the title stating it as well. It's not very clear what the qualifications are for a vehicle assembled from parts, but I'm pretty sure my truck will fit them.

I can't say I like that idea very much since it makes my truck look like a rebuilt piece of scrap to potential buyers, but I don't really plan on getting rid of the truck, so it won't matter too much anyway.
 
  #4485  
Old 03-11-2012 | 11:13 AM
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ArdWrknTrk
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You keep photos and other good documentation of your build, no one is going to doubt it.

In Connecticut you would have to have it flatbedded to the central DMV office in Wethersfield and pass a top to bottom safety inspection.
Then you would be issued a composite or salvage title.
 


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