Interchange Q?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Interchange Q?
Found a 1984 (I believe) F150 4x4. I am pretty sure everything will bolt right to my 1980 F100, but want to be sure....
1) Radiator. I understand there are 2 different widths; the donor truck is a 302-2v with factory AC, as is mine.
2) Driver side door
3) Dash pad
4) trim panel around radio
5) Door locks. No keys with truck, and they would have to have keys cut. Would I be better off getting new locks from Blue Oval or somewhere like that? None of the parts stores have door locks.
1) Radiator. I understand there are 2 different widths; the donor truck is a 302-2v with factory AC, as is mine.
2) Driver side door
3) Dash pad
4) trim panel around radio
5) Door locks. No keys with truck, and they would have to have keys cut. Would I be better off getting new locks from Blue Oval or somewhere like that? None of the parts stores have door locks.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Well, Blue Oval has the right lock for the 1980 for @$20 or so for 2 of them WITH keys. That's how much a CHEAP locksmith charges around here. The hole on the door on the 1980 is shaped kind of like a plus sign, and the later ones apparently have a round hole for the lock. Quick bit of file work on the 1984 door and I'm in business.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
You can make it fit. I just did a swap in my 1980 F100 from a 300 to a 400. Found a new aluminum radiator in a wrecked F150 Ford that had a 351HO(3 core aluminum.YEAH). I pulled the radiator and cradle bushings then made the metal brackets in my truck for the bushings to set in(metal available at Home Depot or Lowes). Ordered a lower hose for mine for a 1980 F250 with a 400 and used the upper hose from the donor truck.(It was new) There were even small hole at the top on each side to run the top bolts into. Just had to drill them out slightly and used the bolts from the donor truck.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
That would depend what you mean by direct. The radiator physically fits in the space with no problems. The only two differences I found in the trucks was the size of the upper holes and the cradles that that the radiator and bushing sat in. Mine didn't have the cradles so I had to make them. All I had to do with the upper mount holes was drill them out slightly so I could use the mounting bolts from the F150. At the bottom, I took some angled steel and shaped it to an L shape then put the radiator mount bushings from the F150 in them. Even with the fabrication(and having a 6yr old try to help me<G>), I had the radiator bolted in place in under 2 hrs. On the right side of my truck, there was a bolt I could run out then bolt back in to help hold the right cradle. On the left, there was a slot so I could bolt that cradle in with a nut and bolt. The only other problem I ran into was the upper hose. The upper hose for an 80 F250 wouldn't fit, outlet on radiator was too large. The F150 351HO upper hose fit the application just fine.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
OK, went to look at the donor truck... The radiator bolts to the back of the bracket instead of the top like mine does. I'll have to look at mine when I get home and see if the holes are where they need to be when I get home tonight. If the rad is good for mine, I'm getting it, the trim piece for the radio, the trim around the instrument panel ( the donor truck is an F150XLT), and the passenger side door for $60. Not too bad, I didn't think.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Sounds good. I was extremely lucky to find the wrecked F150 when I did. Whoever owned it before had just put a new radiator, Flexalite Fan, spacer and upper hose. Those all now reside in my truck. The setup should easily help keep the 400 cool here in Florida. I was surprised how easy it was to do in my truck.