1980 vs 1986
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1980 vs 1986
So I just saw a picture of a 1980 truck, and it has a diff grill, and ford in the hood. How hard would it be to put those on my hood and or swap hoods? Anything else different between the years
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Johns Creek GA
EDIT: To address the rest of your question, there are other cosmetic changes across the years; early trucks have white lenses for the front turn signals, later ones are amber. The style of the badging on the front fenders changes at some point as well, although I am not exactly sure when. More significantly, the tailgate support changes from hinged metal straps to cables somewhere around 1983 or so. There are people here who know all this in detail, I am sure they will chime in shortly. :-) But at a high level, you can swap body panels pretty much universally across those years.
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In the local jy, I'm lucky to be able to tell the difference between the bullnose and obs body they are so stripped.
Are the head lights or anything actually different besides the ford logo in the grill, and holes the hood?
Are the head lights or anything actually different besides the ford logo in the grill, and holes the hood?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
No. Nothing else is different other than the grille and hood - and the hood is identical save for the holes for the lettering. I'm going back on Dad's 81 with a NOS 81 grill and an 82 hood w/o the letters as I like the clean look that gives. And, if I miss the letters I can always add them later.
As for the turn signal lens, I believe it was the 80's and early 81's that had clear lenses. Both of my 81's, which are Oct & Nov builds, have amber lenses.
As for the turn signal lens, I believe it was the 80's and early 81's that had clear lenses. Both of my 81's, which are Oct & Nov builds, have amber lenses.
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Could you measure the holes if you get a chance? I'll put that in my file for later when I go to drill it. I personally love it. I have quite a few old cars in the family with huge hood ornaments and that's not something these new hunks of junk are worthy of.
I saw a truck with the same bumper setup and it looked good.
EDIT
I'm in mobile still I didn't see where you live, and no I'd pass on the hail damage.
I saw a truck with the same bumper setup and it looked good.
EDIT
I'm in mobile still I didn't see where you live, and no I'd pass on the hail damage.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Rural NC
dylansf23,
If you are in NC, you might also check with Dennis Carpenters, They are in Concord. Just up the road from Charlotte motor speedway. They have a lot of parts for Ford trucks.
If you are in NC, you might also check with Dennis Carpenters, They are in Concord. Just up the road from Charlotte motor speedway. They have a lot of parts for Ford trucks.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
I'll see if I can measure the holes, but I"m not sure that will be easy as the letters are still on the hood, filling the holes. But, there was a discussion about the dimensions a couple of years ago so you might be able to find them via a search of the forum.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
This says clear lenses were used "before 12/80", but I know that's not exact. Rusty was built in 10/80 and Dad's was built in 11/80 and both have amber lenses. So, there was a very narrow time slice that used them. You might be better getting them from LMC.
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I hear they have a sweet museum too
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Rural NC
Yep, they have a lot of nicely restored Ford cars, trucks, and even tractors. If your looking for a stock 80-81 grille without the blue oval in it, I have one I would part with.
I took the Ford letters off the hood of my 81 and welded the hole to smooth it out. I also have all the body moldings, windshield trim, tailgate panel and molding, if you need any of it just let me know.
I took the Ford letters off the hood of my 81 and welded the hole to smooth it out. I also have all the body moldings, windshield trim, tailgate panel and molding, if you need any of it just let me know.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yep, they have a lot of nicely restored Ford cars, trucks, and even tractors. If your looking for a stock 80-81 grille without the blue oval in it, I have one I would part with.
I took the Ford letters off the hood of my 81 and welded the hole to smooth it out. I also have all the body moldings, windshield trim, tailgate panel and molding, if you need any of it just let me know.
I took the Ford letters off the hood of my 81 and welded the hole to smooth it out. I also have all the body moldings, windshield trim, tailgate panel and molding, if you need any of it just let me know.