two questions
New User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Ogdensburg, US
two questions
i have two questions.
1.) i have decided to "freshen up" my 86 ford f-150. first and foremost i'm doing the body, then on to exhaust. where can i find body parts for my truck. i'm a college student, so they need to be cheap. i don't want used or junkyard parts. i want the best for the best. please let me know i think i need rear panels for the box, a tailgate, front fenders and lower door skins. also i need floorpans.
2.) my second question is about the octane i should run in my truck. should i run a higher octane because of the age of the truck? like should i run 87 or should i run like 93? please let me know
Thanks and Have a Nice X-mas/New Years!!!!!:-X12
1.) i have decided to "freshen up" my 86 ford f-150. first and foremost i'm doing the body, then on to exhaust. where can i find body parts for my truck. i'm a college student, so they need to be cheap. i don't want used or junkyard parts. i want the best for the best. please let me know i think i need rear panels for the box, a tailgate, front fenders and lower door skins. also i need floorpans.
2.) my second question is about the octane i should run in my truck. should i run a higher octane because of the age of the truck? like should i run 87 or should i run like 93? please let me know
Thanks and Have a Nice X-mas/New Years!!!!!:-X12
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
two questions
Well, I know of a few places. http://www.jcwhitney.com sells repair panels. http://www.lmctruck.com sells everything you need to restore a truck. Both offer free catalogs, so check them out.
As for octane, I see no reason you need anything more than 87 unless your truck pings.
As for octane, I see no reason you need anything more than 87 unless your truck pings.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
two questions
You're not going to get the best cheap. If you want new OEM or new OE-quality parts, they're going to cost about 3x what good used ones do. But even slightly damaged used parts can be cheaper to repair & repaint than the top-of the line used and certainly less than new OEM.
With as much damage/rust as it sounds like you have, you'll probably be better off with a complete used bed and complete used doors. Any '80-96 parts will fit, but if the bed is '87-96, the body lines over the wheelwells won't match the '86 fenders. You could change the core support, bumper, hood, & fenders to '87-96 and give the truck the new look without much extra effort or cost. You can use any doors from '80-96, but the '92-96 door panels are the nicest.
I've done a lot of what I suggested on my truck, as you can see here:
http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos.asp?mi=3&smi=1&a=13217
With as much damage/rust as it sounds like you have, you'll probably be better off with a complete used bed and complete used doors. Any '80-96 parts will fit, but if the bed is '87-96, the body lines over the wheelwells won't match the '86 fenders. You could change the core support, bumper, hood, & fenders to '87-96 and give the truck the new look without much extra effort or cost. You can use any doors from '80-96, but the '92-96 door panels are the nicest.
I've done a lot of what I suggested on my truck, as you can see here:
http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos.asp?mi=3&smi=1&a=13217
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: S.E. PA
two questions
FYI sometimes after market parts such as doors hoods etc are not that great. They use inferior metal(rusts out faster) and also do not fit all that well. You are better off used, or even new from Ford. I know years ago when I was a Ford parts man fomoco dropped the prices on their body parts to be competative with the aftermarket. Bear in mind the year range that will fit your truck is huge. The bodies were basically the same from 1980-1996 So if you are on a tight budget and want the best bang for the buck go with the aftermarket new sheetmetal as your last option. Like my grandma said buy sh*& get sh#$
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: abbotsford canada
two questions
sounds like a perfect opportunity to find a cheap slightly dmaged parts truck wit hthe newere body style if you like
ive just bought an 86 f 150 flareside in need of every body panel known but it runs and drives just like my 95 flareside
so ive just picked up a 94 body to put on it for resale
bought the parts truck for 5oo and the 86 for 300
im hoping after all my sweat and hard work i should come out of all this with about a 4000 dollar 4x4
ive just bought an 86 f 150 flareside in need of every body panel known but it runs and drives just like my 95 flareside
so ive just picked up a 94 body to put on it for resale
bought the parts truck for 5oo and the 86 for 300
im hoping after all my sweat and hard work i should come out of all this with about a 4000 dollar 4x4
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
two questions
IMO stay away from aftermarket and go OEM like steve said. i worked a a body shop over the summer and they used the generic parts and they were absolute crap. when i was sanding them they felt so thin and i could dent them by pushin on it with my finger...if i ever need replacements im goin to the junkyard...
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