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I am looking at picking up a 1980 F350 but don't have a lot of information about the truck.
I have the VIN - is there somewhere to look for a decoder? I can find one for 1981+ but not 1980-
Thanks!
1980 is the last year of the 11 digit VIN. It has limited info. Do you have a warranty tag on the driver door? You should also have a white plastic certification label on the door jamb. Either of those will have more info, in addition to the VIN.
If you want you can post the VIN and a clear picture of the tag or label and I'll check it out for you.
Also note on that white sticker in the door jamb it should have the month /year it was built.
Anything Sept and later is the next year model most of the time.
I have a 11 / 80 F100 that makes it a 81 model year.
Dave ----
Sorry for the delay - I was bidding on the truck sight unseen with minimal info.
Well - I won the bid (a steal if you ask me) and now I have access to the vehicle and the info.
What does this sticker tell me?
Motor size?
What are all it's secrets?
That is what the radio looks to be CB / AM / FM, but I dont think I have seen a picture of one before.
There should be a mic somewhere - I hope!
Dave ----
I see it has the rare Fawn interior color (like my truck). You'll notice that your door cards have almost faded to white. You won't be able to find them in that color now. You'll have to have interior paint mixed to match (which can be done by a company called SEM). Also, the 1980-81 trucks have the sliding locks (as opposed to the locks that 'pop' up by the door glass. The lock actuators, in the door cards, are very difficult to find as well. If yours are working, you're in luck. If they aren't I know of someone that is reproducing them. Nice find!
Yes, there is a mic plug coming from below the ash-tray......and there is a mic attached!
The key cylinder is broken..just keeps spinning around. I have a new one and am working on getting it swapped out so I can at least turn on power and see what happens.
Getting a new key cylinider in is not fun. Trying to find the right place for the small gear wheel to go has been a challenge. Not a lot of videos on-line.
Also...once assembled - need to figure out how to hook it back up to the rod.
I feel like there should be some kind of lubrication in the cylinder and down in there where that little gear is. Is that correct? If so, what kind?
Maybe this is a new post....
Thanks for the info - will come in handy down the road.
I bought the truck sight unseen except a small exterior picture at an on-line auction. Fell in love with just the small pic and was not disappointed with the actual truck. All the info I had was it had a clean title, it was last registered in 2020, and it "ran nice" when it was parked.
So - based on that......what do you think I should have paid for the truck?
I'm not a mechanic or even handy at all but with the help from FuzzFace2, and a few others on the forum, You-Tube, and a lot of staring at parts and thinking (dreaming as well) about them....I was able to bring to life my 86 F250, fix up a bunch of things on it and its now my daily driver. Love that truck!
With that experience I am hoping I can get this one back on the road in under a year. It's already a bit more of a challenge than the 86 but at least I'm now pretty familiar with all the parts etc..
I cant help on the key / gear / rod as I never had one apart to know how it all fits together sorry.
This was a online auction thinking maybe 2,000 usd?
It is hard to judge what they could go for. I get flyers for farm equipment auctions so you can get anything and everything not only farm equipment.
I only went to 1 in person as it had a enclosed trailer / car hauler I would of liked. Well it went for over what it was new only because I think people did not know what it went for new and they could haul it away right then.
Like anything you need to know what stuff goes for and what you are willing to pay for it.
If you have access to the rod without the key you can move the rod up & down to move the IGN switch. If the battery is good and you move the rod you should get dash lights and get it to crank.
You can also jump the solenoid, battery to the small S stud and get it to crank.
Dave ----
I appreciate all the info - thanks!
Also - you were almost spot on with the auction price. I paid $1,900. To me, its priceless. I'm really looking forward to spending time with this truck.
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