Differences between '80 and '81-'86?
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From: PA
Differences between '80 and '81-'86?
I'm looking at an '80 F150 to use as a parts truck for my '83 F150. Other than the swiss cheese frame are there any other differences that will keep me from using the parts from the '80 on my '83? I won't be using any of the drive train from the '80.
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From: Pittsburgh
The grill for a 1980 isn't "proper" but will fit. an 80 uses 5 bars and no ford oval, an 83 is 3 bars with the oval.
The tailgate also isn't "proper" but should work. 80-82 is slightly different from 83-86.
The hood isn't "proper" but will fit. it has holes drilled across the front face for the "F_O_R_D" lettering.
The hood release isn't proper, but will fit (i'm seeing a pattern here)
On an 80 the front beams are kingpin while by 83 the were starting to go balljoint (in 83 you could have either).
Otherwise everything else should work.
Justin
The tailgate also isn't "proper" but should work. 80-82 is slightly different from 83-86.
The hood isn't "proper" but will fit. it has holes drilled across the front face for the "F_O_R_D" lettering.
The hood release isn't proper, but will fit (i'm seeing a pattern here)
On an 80 the front beams are kingpin while by 83 the were starting to go balljoint (in 83 you could have either).
Otherwise everything else should work.
Justin
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by texyank
Thanx much. None of those things were on my list to swap out, so I should be in good shape.
Swiss Cheese frames were used on 1980/83 F100's ONLY. They were NOT used on F150's!
The 1980/83 F100's in addition to having holes drilled into the frame to lighten them up = hence the slang term, also have 5 x 4.50 wheels (F150's are 5 x 5.50), smaller brakes, light duty front & rear springs, and a lighter front suspension. Ford called the F100 in 1980/83 a Light Truck.
The 1980/82 F100/350 grilles are identical, the 1983 grille was the first by Ford to have a Blue Oval since the 1930's. When the 1983 Fords were introduced, Ford replaced the 1980/82 grilles with the 1983 type, so finding an original 80/82 grille might be difficult today.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Oct 30, 2007 at 03:43 AM.
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From: Greensburg,PA
I would hate to disagree with you numberdummy because I have read many of your posts and know that your knowledge on Fords vastly exceeds mine, but I have a 1980 F150 that has the frame with the holes, larger brakes, and the bigger bolt pattern wheels. I ran the vin so I am 100% sure that it is a F150, and it says it on the title. I don't know that it makes any difference but it is a Canadian manufactured truck with the 300 l6 manual tranny 4x4. Is this maybe a one off year, or are the vin decoder and title marked wrong? Every part I have purchased for this truck came from the parts store listed under F150 (and believe me I have replaced just about everything!) and have all been correct.
Last edited by 1980FORD; Oct 30, 2007 at 11:36 AM.
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From: Pittsburgh
I'm going to disagree on the "swiss cheese" frame as well. I had a 1980 F-150 4x4 longbed with a 300-6 and a T-18 with the holes in the frame.
Maybe ford only "officially" made the frame for the F-100's, but it's like the 9" being discontinued in 1983 or the NP435 going away in 1991. I've personally seen the 435 factory in a 1994 and a 9" factory under an '85.
Justin
Maybe ford only "officially" made the frame for the F-100's, but it's like the 9" being discontinued in 1983 or the NP435 going away in 1991. I've personally seen the 435 factory in a 1994 and a 9" factory under an '85.
Justin
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by 1980FORD
I would hate to disagree with you numberdummy because I have read many of your posts and know that your knowledge on Fords vastly exceeds mine, but I have a 1980 F150 that has the frame with the holes, larger brakes, and the bigger bolt pattern wheels. I ran the vin so I am 100% sure that it is a F150, and it says it on the title. I don't know that it makes any difference but it is a Canadian manufactured truck with the 300 l6 manual tranny 4x4. Is this maybe a one off year, or are the vin decoder and title marked wrong? Every part I have purchased for this truck came from the parts store listed under F150 (and believe me I have replaced just about everything!) and have all been correct.
Hoxiii: F150's with swiss cheese frames? Hmm, well that's not what the truck parts catalog sez. That's all I can go by since I haven't looked at a 1980/ F150 in 10 years.
The last 9 inch rear axles, according to the parts catalogs was 1979 for cars, 1986 for Bronco's and F Series trucks, 1987 for Econolines. But these trucks also came with 8.8's too.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Oct 30, 2007 at 12:16 PM.
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My first ford truck was a 80 f250, and it had the "swiss cheese frame" also. It was a light duty 4x4 with a 300 six.
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Glad to hear about the grills. I was at the junkyard today, and I found a flat black grill off of an 80 that does not take the oval Ford emblem.
Just what I was looking for. And a $15.00 price tag to boot.
Just what I was looking for. And a $15.00 price tag to boot.
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From: PA
Well, this thread has been somewhat enlightening. However, it's kind of a mote point now. I looked at the '80 and found that either the front end is off a newer truck or the truck is newer than the owner said. I couldn't read the vin through the smashed windshield. It turned out to be a real piece of garbage with a 3.8 v6 out of a cougar and his "gas tank" was a five gallon can bungeed down in the bed with a hose dropped down into it!
I ended up buying an '82 F250 4X4 for parts instead. I'm gonna take off the parts I need and then sell the chassis and drive train since my '83 is a 4X2 and will stay that way. Both differentials, transfer case and tranny are supposed to be in good working order. Motor is blown. He had to sell it today or his landlord was gonna tow it out tomorrow.
Thanks for all the input. I'll file it away for future use.
I ended up buying an '82 F250 4X4 for parts instead. I'm gonna take off the parts I need and then sell the chassis and drive train since my '83 is a 4X2 and will stay that way. Both differentials, transfer case and tranny are supposed to be in good working order. Motor is blown. He had to sell it today or his landlord was gonna tow it out tomorrow.
Thanks for all the input. I'll file it away for future use.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by texyank
I couldn't read the vin through the smashed windshield.
btw: 1980 F Series trucks have an 11 digit VIN; 1981 and newer trucks have a 17 digit VIN.
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Bill's (NumberDummy) heart is in the right place, and is always willing to help. But he needs to quit believing everything he reads in those Ford manuals. Here's my 1980, F150, 4X4, 302, c6, 8ft bed with the holey frame.
P.S. I still believe they didn't offer the 351w in the trucks in 1980, but I can't find any documentation(from Ford or a 3rd party) to prove it
P.S. I still believe they didn't offer the 351w in the trucks in 1980, but I can't find any documentation(from Ford or a 3rd party) to prove it
Last edited by Franklin2; Oct 30, 2007 at 04:49 PM.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Franklin2
Bill's (NumberDummy) heart is in the right place, and is always willing to help. But he needs to quit believing everything he reads in those Ford manuals. Here's my 1980, F150, 4X4, 302, c6, 8ft bed with the holey frame.
P.S. I still believe they didn't offer the 351w in the trucks in 1980, but I can't find any doucmentation(from Ford or a 3rd party) to prove it
P.S. I still believe they didn't offer the 351w in the trucks in 1980, but I can't find any doucmentation(from Ford or a 3rd party) to prove it
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Holy crap! I've heard people speak of this holey frame but never seen one up close.
By the way I own a 82 F100 and the frame looks nothing like that, in fact the frame is identical to the one in my 86 F150.
Aside from the stamped I beams on my F100, and smaller lug spacing, both trucks look as if they're built about the same.
By the way I own a 82 F100 and the frame looks nothing like that, in fact the frame is identical to the one in my 86 F150.
Aside from the stamped I beams on my F100, and smaller lug spacing, both trucks look as if they're built about the same.