Hi all, does anyone here actually own an original '80-'81 Freewheel package pick up with the pin stripes that box in each body panel? I am seriously contemplating styling my truck like that when it comes time to paint it. It would have to be re-created by hand, and I need more photos and better photos showing these stripes. The highest resolution image I have found came from the Freewheel Bronco Facebook page, and it appears that the stripe was actually a pair of stripes.





Details on width of each stripe, distance apart, etc., would really help get the correct "look". Most of the old brochures and advertisement photos depict the stripes as bold and fairly thick.











Restored trucks seem to have the pin stripe re-painted much more slender, and in a less contrasting color.












I am also in need of better images of a styleside tailgate with Freewheel stripes, and detail areas like the cab corners and line endings by the headlights etc., I have not done an exhaustive search on the internet, but I have spent quite a while on google image search and still not found what I need. If someone here has one of these and would be willing to share some detailed pics that would be great. Obviously condition does not matter, just historical correctness. Thanks.

 

Upper/Lower pics: TYPE 4 Styleside

 

I never know that was a pkg. I just it was pinstriped that way

 

<p>IIRC the outer stripe is significantly wider than the inner one....</p>

 

Am I right in saying the original trucks were actually stuck on vinyl pin stripes and not painted? If I am right, what a waxing nightmare.

 

Yes, that is the way I remember it, but I have been wrong sometimes....

 

I am pretty sure that was how mine was

 

You aren't wrong, kiddo...all the stripes on Ford vehicles were stick on, none were painted.

Open your peepers and see post 2 for the pics and stripe kits I listed for the Free Wheel package.

First stripe kits: 1965 Mustang.

Stripes were composed of an inner stripe layer and outer adhesive layer.

Overtime, the outer adhesive layer tended to dry out, so when an attempt was made to peel it off, it took some/all of the inner stripe layer along with it.

A pal of mine bought a 1979 Ranchero GT stripe kit off ebay, paid a lot of money for it, I think it was 1500 bucks.

I warned him before he bought it, that it might be dried out, but he bought it anyway. When he went to peel the outer adhesive layer off, guess what happened? 1500 bucks down the drain.

 

Thanks NumberDummu and Ctubutis, that confirms what I can see in the first Bronco picture, that the graphic consists of one thick stripe above and one thin stripe below. Clearly the Bronco is restored and slightly modified (antenna delete, swing out mirror section removed), but most cosmetic details for the trim package seem correct. My truck had the "Victoria" style 2-tone paint scheme, and has/had some vinyl pin stripe designs as well. Unless I get better info. on the stripe dimensions on the '80-'81 Freewheel package, I will probably use the red stripes on my truck for a guideline.

 

Here's another picture for you. Its from the brochure, so it has the other options as well!

 

The Freewheel packages A and B were pretty heavily promoted in the brochures, but evidently they didn't sell very many. It was a "sport" package that was pretty much just the pin stripes, certain 2-tone paint schemes, or the rare chromatic color transition body panels, black grille and headlight doors, and either sport wheel covers, white steel wheels, 10 hole aluminum or 5 hole slotted aluminum wheels, and the high end Freewheel package B had the Marchal fog lights. It seems that the Freewheel packages were dropped after '81 and replaced by the XLS trim line.

 

What 4-sp OD was "Stock" in these???

 

RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive / 1978/83 F100 2WD 300/302 / 1978/83 F150 2WD/4WD 300/302 / 1980/83 Bronco 300/302

RTS TS-OD Top Shift 4 Speed Overdrive / 1984/89 F150 2WD/4WD & Bronco 300/302/351W

 

Hmmm, as durable as a ZF?
Thanks Number Dummy

 

Absolutely not! Both are "weak sisters!" The two piece shift lever on the TS-OD broke if you looked at it.

One speed shift with the SR-OD, you can kiss the little darlin' good bye. This trans was originally designed for mid sized cars with 200/250/302.

Ford began installing them in F100/150's after the first Arab Oil Embargo ended in an effort to improve MPG. Second Arab Oil Embargo occurred in 1979.