keep original or customize it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
I removed my factory AM/FM radio with the push buttons and ***** for the factory (non-electronic) AM/FM cassette player with the push buttons and *****.
I tried a CD player once, but it just didn't look right along with the rest of the truck, IMO. Besides, most people didn't know there were factory tape players in the early 1980s and really dig the looks of the "old style" cassette player with mechanical push button station presets.
And besides, now I have a place to play all of my period-correct to my truck Judas Priest, Motley Crue, and Dio cassette tapes I never could bring myself to throw away!
I tried a CD player once, but it just didn't look right along with the rest of the truck, IMO. Besides, most people didn't know there were factory tape players in the early 1980s and really dig the looks of the "old style" cassette player with mechanical push button station presets.
And besides, now I have a place to play all of my period-correct to my truck Judas Priest, Motley Crue, and Dio cassette tapes I never could bring myself to throw away!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
I removed my factory AM/FM radio with the push buttons and ***** for the factory (non-electronic) AM/FM cassette player with the push buttons and *****.
I tried a CD player once, but it just didn't look right along with the rest of the truck, IMO. Besides, most people didn't know there were factory tape players in the early 1980s and really dig the looks of the "old style" cassette player with mechanical push button station presets.
And besides, now I have a place to play all of my period-correct to my truck Judas Priest, Motley Crue, and Dio cassette tapes I never could bring myself to throw away!
I tried a CD player once, but it just didn't look right along with the rest of the truck, IMO. Besides, most people didn't know there were factory tape players in the early 1980s and really dig the looks of the "old style" cassette player with mechanical push button station presets.
And besides, now I have a place to play all of my period-correct to my truck Judas Priest, Motley Crue, and Dio cassette tapes I never could bring myself to throw away!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
You could always get one of those CD changers and hook it into the ford radio. It uses a remote control and an FM Modulator to listen to the CD Changer.
Anyway you do it, I would get a donor bezel, and aftermarket radio mounting and wiring kit. Then keep the Ford Radio and Bezel and wiring intact.
This way it will be real simple to remove the aftermarket radio and reinstall the original radio. The plus side of doing it that way, is if you sell the truck, you can get more for the truck with a working radio, and you can keep the aftermarket radio for something else you drive later. Or if these trucks really do become highly sought after in the future, then you have the option to restore it to original.
Anyway you do it, I would get a donor bezel, and aftermarket radio mounting and wiring kit. Then keep the Ford Radio and Bezel and wiring intact.
This way it will be real simple to remove the aftermarket radio and reinstall the original radio. The plus side of doing it that way, is if you sell the truck, you can get more for the truck with a working radio, and you can keep the aftermarket radio for something else you drive later. Or if these trucks really do become highly sought after in the future, then you have the option to restore it to original.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
I feel the same way, I want to modify my truck but stay original. I like the 92+ mirrors on the 80-86 but I just can't see them on my truck. I really like my sport wheel covers and cheap steel wheels but I want some 95-96 alloys badly, I know my ford buddy will flame me if I get them as well for not staying original, but they didnt offer any alloy wheels in 85.. and the early model alloys are difficult to find and I don't really want. I aslo like the idea of cab clearance lights like the duallys have.. but I can't bear to drill holes in my cab for that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I've never liked the idea of adding holes to the top of a roof, either for the cab lights or a cargo light. Holes = water leaking, especially with plastic light housings. Water leaks = rusty floorboards.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Loganville, WI
I personally don't like doing anything to a vehicle that can't be undone easily. That being said, not sure there is really anything you can do to a car that can't be undone.
I saw somewhere stick on clearance lights, so worst case scenario you have to repaint your roof.
I saw somewhere stick on clearance lights, so worst case scenario you have to repaint your roof.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
you still have to drill for the wires,unless they are battery powered.
i still don't think these trucks will be worth much in the future.if you look at all the past series trucks you can still pick them up cheap and the 7th gen of the ford truck i have heard is the least popular series out of them all.so i say do what you want.like i said before these are not Shelby mustang's,it's a working mans truck.
i still don't think these trucks will be worth much in the future.if you look at all the past series trucks you can still pick them up cheap and the 7th gen of the ford truck i have heard is the least popular series out of them all.so i say do what you want.like i said before these are not Shelby mustang's,it's a working mans truck.
This space for rent...
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 8
From: In the garage
Once upon a time the 67-72 era trucks were the forgotten child. 10 years ago the junkyards were full of bumps that were crushed liked candy. They were work trucks that no one cared about. Today they are collectible.
My buddys grandpa could never understand why people liked the tri-five Chevys... to him they were pieces of junk, but a Model T? Man, that was cool to him.
You cannot predict what will be or will not be collected by people. Some people collect stuff because it reminds them of their youth or because they're now in a place where they can afford to fix one up. I get a lot of comments on my 80-86 trucks, kids always think they're neat and older folks like to tell me how they had one just like that. Collecting is all about the nostalgia and really, who can predict that?
My buddys grandpa could never understand why people liked the tri-five Chevys... to him they were pieces of junk, but a Model T? Man, that was cool to him.
You cannot predict what will be or will not be collected by people. Some people collect stuff because it reminds them of their youth or because they're now in a place where they can afford to fix one up. I get a lot of comments on my 80-86 trucks, kids always think they're neat and older folks like to tell me how they had one just like that. Collecting is all about the nostalgia and really, who can predict that?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
where i live you will pay the same for a 66 to an 86 relatively the same condition.they sit in the farm yards and fields here.i payed $600.oo for a 63 f100 4x4 292 4 speed,and it was in better shape than my 86.they may be colectable,but i highly doubt valuable.
This space for rent...
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 8
From: In the garage
The $600 truck is hard to come by where I live. A few years back we had tons of them, then scrap crested two summers back, and then Cash For Clunkers swooped in last year. I also live in the salt belt, which makes it hard to come by good body trucks or trucks that haven't been run into the ground plowing. It's getting to where you can't touch these trucks for less than a grand in my area. Here in Rockford, we're getting close to cresting the 20% unemployment rate. Vehicles are getting junked around here for money to pay rent and other bills. So in my neck of the woods, things are looking pretty bleak for old heavy weights. I have seen maybe ten 80-86 trucks on the road here. Keep in mind we are the second largest city in the state of IL behind Chicago. The US economy is really a downer right now...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
the farmers are still using them here.the economy here sucks bad to and alot of guys turned their newer trucks in and are driving the old ones again.no salt here so the bodies last forever,just the boxes rust over the wheel well.