Cluster/Radio Bezel question
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
Cluster/Radio Bezel question
This may sound kinda odd, but was there any year/trim option that used a brushed aluminum look on the cluster and radio bezel? I have a couple woodgrain cluster bezels, and the woodgrain is pealing on both. I also have the factory Ranger radio bezel for the 2 **** style, and a later woodgrain DIN type, but the woodgrain pattern is different.
I'm not that fond of fake wood, nor the woodgrain pattern used on the later model trucks that had a DIN style radio. I was thinking of repainting the cluster and radio bezel silver/gray, to look kinda like a brushed aluminum surface. But, if this is something that was factory available, I might just go on a hunt/quest.
I'm not that fond of fake wood, nor the woodgrain pattern used on the later model trucks that had a DIN style radio. I was thinking of repainting the cluster and radio bezel silver/gray, to look kinda like a brushed aluminum surface. But, if this is something that was factory available, I might just go on a hunt/quest.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
There was an XLS option that used aluminum. Pretty rare, but you can fund pictures of them on here. I'd try the "show 'em" or "interiors thread". I find the base level gray bezels actually have a more up-to-date look now then they had then, and with a little silver paint on the graining on those bezels would probably give you pretty close to the look you're after. I have a full set of the burlwood bezels, but I like the gray trim in my truck much more....
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
Ok, so the factory aluminum panels are probably a bit brighter than I want. Plus, it doesn't look like they were offered with the DIN style radio. So, I'll either find some later base model panels, or just find some gray I like. Kinda thinking about the "Cast blast" or "Steel wheels" color.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
"Grey" mesh weave wasn't used untill 1984.
Black Mesh weave was used 1980-1983, and the 1980-1981 Bezels had CUSTOM written on them.
Try to find a radio bezel for a 1985-1991 F-600/F-900 with the deluxe interior option. (Very rare) These will have brush aluminum panels simular to the XLS. The instrument cluster bezel will not work, but the radio bezel will, and you could get the XLS instrument cluster bezel and mix and match them.
Black Mesh weave was used 1980-1983, and the 1980-1981 Bezels had CUSTOM written on them.
Try to find a radio bezel for a 1985-1991 F-600/F-900 with the deluxe interior option. (Very rare) These will have brush aluminum panels simular to the XLS. The instrument cluster bezel will not work, but the radio bezel will, and you could get the XLS instrument cluster bezel and mix and match them.
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
Speaking of the "Custom" "Ranger" "XL" "XLT" ect, does that come off? I'd love to put the "Ranger" nameplate on a later DIN style bezel, whether it's the real aluminum or gray painted.
I spose I oughtta go dig those out of the toolbox on the truck, and see about cleaning them up. Haven't had a radio, or radio bezel, in the truck for ~6 years.....
I took out the CD player I had installed to put in the RX7 I bought in 2/05. Hard to believe I've owned the car that long. Even harder to believe I haven't had a radio in the truck for just as long.........
I spose I oughtta go dig those out of the toolbox on the truck, and see about cleaning them up. Haven't had a radio, or radio bezel, in the truck for ~6 years.....
I took out the CD player I had installed to put in the RX7 I bought in 2/05. Hard to believe I've owned the car that long. Even harder to believe I haven't had a radio in the truck for just as long.........
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Prairieville, La
Here are my xls bezels installed in the truck. I like them better than the woodgrain.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/love_ford_trucks/5443377944/" title="polished 072 by ford collection, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5443377944_2d0b778a89.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="polished 072" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/love_ford_trucks/5442782667/" title="polished 071 by ford collection, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5442782667_1abd76d6a1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="polished 071" /></a>
The steering wheel was woodgrained. I painted that with cast coat aluminum.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/love_ford_trucks/5443377944/" title="polished 072 by ford collection, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5443377944_2d0b778a89.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="polished 072" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/love_ford_trucks/5442782667/" title="polished 071 by ford collection, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5442782667_1abd76d6a1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="polished 071" /></a>
The steering wheel was woodgrained. I painted that with cast coat aluminum.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
I also already answered my own question about the trim logo. Looks like they can be removed, if due caution is used, then swapped to another bezel.
I also have a woodgrain cruise wheel center, but my truck doesn't have cruise. I mainly wanted the better horn button design, just gotta figure out how to make the horn button/bar work with the non-cruise column.
I think these style bezel's will compliment my red interior, and go well with the red/white stripe that currently is on the outside, and will eventually be redone. Not sure on the exact stripe design, but I'm contemplating something like the mid-70's Explorer "Hockey stick" style stripe, seeing as I have the Explorer horn ornament and tailgate badge......
You know what I mean by "Hockey stick", the one that goes across the hood just in front of the windshield, and then down the sides of the truck. Thinking it will look good, run just under the upper bodyline between the front side marker and tail light.
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
I guess I could include a pic of what the truck looks like.....
And the car the radio went into, just for good measure.....
And the car the radio went into, just for good measure.....
Last edited by Rogue_Wulff; Feb 13, 2011 at 05:37 PM. Reason: Spullimg, D'OH!
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
The horn is wired a bit different, from what I understand. I know the cruise horn bar has a wire that goes into one of the bolt holes in the wheel, to ground the horn. While the non-cruise horn uses 2 seperate wires. I just need to figure out which wire is for the horn, and hook them up. The horn bar broke in my old wheel center, so I unhooked the horn......
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Turns out, I answered another of my own questions. To use a cruise steering wheel center, in a non-cruise column, hook the yellow wire to one terminal, and the black to the other. Leave the blue wire unhooked.
Hurray! I now have a horn that works when I want it to, not whenever it decides to sound off on it's own.......
Hurray! I now have a horn that works when I want it to, not whenever it decides to sound off on it's own.......
