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

front clip removal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 15, 2012 | 01:56 PM
  #1  
jpeckham's Avatar
jpeckham
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Wyeville
front clip removal

how hard is it to take the front clip off and swap it for a new one? where are all the bolts located and what all needs to be done?

also, what years and models are bolt ons to replace my front clip with and what the bed?
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2012 | 09:01 PM
  #2  
JayzDaddy's Avatar
JayzDaddy
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Covington VA
You need to post your truck info
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2012 | 09:10 PM
  #3  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I have never done the complete front clip on one of these trucks, but most American vehicles are the same. There is a bolt down low near the lower front corner of the doors on both sides, a bolt up at the top on each side near the hood hinges, and there are two big body mount bolts up front. There may be a few smaller ones in the wheelwell area.

You need to take the hood off first. And unplug some wiring and hoses.

86-down will swap with no mods. 87-up will swap in, but the lower rear fender bolts are different and need a little bracket made for it to fit. And the 87-up front of the frame is a little different, so the 87-up front bumper will not bolt on correctly on a 86-dwn frame
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2012 | 03:12 AM
  #4  
rbalsinger's Avatar
rbalsinger
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Lewis Center OH
Originally Posted by jpeckham
originally i was going to take the front clip off and fix my 86 but the 85 is in better shape so i am thinking about taking the 302 and harness out of my 86 and put in the 85.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2012 | 11:37 AM
  #5  
jpeckham's Avatar
jpeckham
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Wyeville
sorry about that, i have an 86 f150 and found a clip from an 89 i think it is.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2012 | 08:38 PM
  #6  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
It will bolt on with the little mod to the lower rear fender bolts. You have to take the whole thing though, it all works together. And watch out for the radiator supports, some of them were different for different radiators.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2012 | 01:55 AM
  #7  
jpeckham's Avatar
jpeckham
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Wyeville
what about the boxes for the different body styles? the box on the 89 is in better shape than my 86.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2012 | 01:58 AM
  #8  
4x484150's Avatar
4x484150
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
The box will bolt on. IIRC, the 87+ beds have 6 bolts instead of 8. But they are in the same spots, so youre good to go. When switching, remember about gas fill hoses and wiring.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 18, 2012 | 06:27 AM
  #9  
80FlareSide's Avatar
80FlareSide
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
I took mine off for the work i did this summer. Aside from breaking a few rusted j-nuts it wasn't very difficult. I just wish that I had done a better job at sorting the small parts into labeled baggies.

The hard part is getting all the body-lines right when you put it all back together. Nearly every hole has either vertical or horizontal adjustment. No matter how many times I adjust, and re-adjust I can not get the hood, fenders and grill to line up as well as I want. Will ultimately probably end up going to a body shop and paying for a few hrs of time to have them do it right.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2012 | 08:34 AM
  #10  
rbalsinger's Avatar
rbalsinger
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Lewis Center OH
Lining up body panels

Are they the original panels or aftermarket?
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2012 | 12:02 PM
  #11  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
There is a learning curve with lining everything up. And it does take time to do it. And remember quality was not totally job 1 in the 80's, so it may never be perfect.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2012 | 10:46 AM
  #12  
jpeckham's Avatar
jpeckham
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Wyeville
they are original parts
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2012 | 12:23 PM
  #13  
rbalsinger's Avatar
rbalsinger
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Lewis Center OH
Originally Posted by Franklin2
There is a learning curve with lining everything up. And it does take time to do it. And remember quality was not totally job 1 in the 80's, so it may never be perfect.
Check out this video on YouTube:

sunday update and lining up the fenders - YouTube
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cowboy.2010
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 3, 2018 10:28 AM
twgilbreath
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Feb 1, 2013 07:54 PM
MikeS29
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Apr 24, 2011 01:21 AM
Josh88Ford
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Mar 15, 2010 09:39 PM
TimmyO52
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Mar 5, 2010 09:04 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:36 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE