F-100's last year? differences?
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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F-100's last year? differences?
I am just curious. What was the last year for the F-100? I have a '78 F-100 and I am pretty sure they went on to the '80's.
I also have a 79 F-150 and to be honest I can't see much of a difference. Did the F-100 just have weaker springs for a better ride, but less total payload?
What exactly are the differences between a F-100 and F-150 of the same year?
I also have a 79 F-150 and to be honest I can't see much of a difference. Did the F-100 just have weaker springs for a better ride, but less total payload?
What exactly are the differences between a F-100 and F-150 of the same year?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
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From: Travelers Rest SC
I bought a new F150 in 1977. At that time, the F150 was a slightly heavier payload to circumvent automotive safety and emissions rules starting to come into effect, without going all the way to an F250. Evidently there was a certain GVW cut-off point for a lot of that stuff. A friend of mine with a late '70's van had a lot of grief with emissions inspection because his van did not have a catalytic converter. He had to dig up proof that it came from the factory that way.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,240
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1983 was the last year for the F100. The only differences between a F100 and a F150 was that the F150 had some slightly heavier-duty suspension components. Also, up until 79, the F150s weren't required to have catalytic converters.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 530
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From: Harrisonburg, VA
my dad has a 83 F100 stepside 2wd w/ 300 3 speed on the column. Also his has 5x5.5" bolt pattern.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
The majority of the 80-83 F-100s were "emissions" trucks, with a different cam, ignition box, and carbureor, along with a four speed overdrive and 2.73 axle gears. They weren't very popular because the different cam reduced torque, and you have to be doing at least 70 to get into fourth. The EPA rated them in the mid 20's for fuel economy, but by 84, Ford's new computer control systems allowed them to drop the special emissions truck, and the F100 altogether.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 530
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From: Harrisonburg, VA
I know his has this ignition control module that is on the driver's side fenderwell above the tire. You'd be driving down the highway and it would just cut off. I remember the first time it done it to me I got back and told dad about it and he said yeah I'm sorry I forgot to mention that, gee thanks a lot dad! I couldn't really figure it out but I knew it had to be something electrical because it was intermittent. One day I had enough of it 
so I took it over to advance and asked a buddy of mine and another guy that worked there and the other guy knew exactly what it was and said it was a common problem for fords. Ever since I replaced that box it has been fine.
so I took it over to advance and asked a buddy of mine and another guy that worked there and the other guy knew exactly what it was and said it was a common problem for fords. Ever since I replaced that box it has been fine.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 127
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And did anyone ever see one w/the car bolt pattern wheels with a 3.8 v6?Now thats an oddball,my father in law bought one new.Blew lots of head gaskets.Ford finally gave him a new 300/6 truck.By the way,every car bolt pattern f100(early '80's)that I've seen with the 9" has 31 spline axles.Most of the old fords I've had(mostly '67-79)has had 28 splines.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 530
Likes: 1
From: Harrisonburg, VA
I need to get under his '83 seems to me it has a 9" under it. I'd just like to find out his ratio is. He told me one time that it was posi but now it doesn't work. A mechanic told me the clutch paks are probabally wore.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 926
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From: SE, Michigan
I have a 1982 F100. The F100's that got the 4.5 x 5 bolt pattern had power brakes. My 82 F100 has manual brakes and it has the 5.5 x 5 pattern. Im glad I have a F100 don't see many of them on the road anymore and when you tell people you have one they say oh a F150? Nope a F100.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
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From: Effingham,IL USA
my 83 f100 was one of the last made. it has a 302 bored .060- so now its a 310 cu in, aod, 9inch, 355 gears factory. standard 5 lug wheels (i have 94 steel wheels on it now), power brakes (its a pain to get front brake parts-they are different from the 150). 4600 pound gvwr- and it weighs 4000 pounds! so with me and 2 passengers in the cab with 2 full gas tanks im overloaded! what a joke.i think the gvwr bieng so low is because of the tires it came out with new 195's thats a joke for a full size truck! i have load range c 31 10.50's on it now. can easily haul 1500 lbs of rock around no sweat. i know 4wd wasnt an option in 83 for a 100 and the 100 was the only model you could get the dreaded v6 in. my 100 is way better than most 150's its age.