I used to hang around here a few years ago. I had an 84 with barely over 100k on it. It was red and white with 18s/20s. My dad bought the truck new and I bought it from him. It got rear ended hard in 06, completely screwing up the frame and ever body panel. I have been driving a 97 silverado since that happened. it is a nice truck but I always wanted another f150. So last week I picked up an 81 f150 Ranger Lariat with a 302. It was a one owner truck that hasn't been on the road since the guy died in 1990. It has only 63111 miles on it and is all original in every way except for the tires. The belts and spark plug wires are still original! the paint is faded and it has a couple dents. The interior looks brand new except for 1 rip on the drivers side of the bench seat. I have to replace the fuel pump and power window motors but after paint and some maintenance this truck will look brand new. I'll post pics when I get home, I'm at work tonight. it's good to be back around here. You guys were super helpfull when I needed info on the previous truck.

Here is the end of the 84

 

good lord was they doing mach 9 when they rear ended you

 

haha no, it felt like it though. It was a newer f250 crew cab going about 60.

 

Man dude,that's pretty bad right there.Glad you were okay.Sorry about your loss.

But an 81 Ranger Lariat is still a good replacement,especially the way you describe it.Any plans for the drivetrain?Got any pics of the new truck?

 

thats a shame.... that was a great looking truck

:P glad ur ok tho

 

I do have some pics and will put them in here after I get off work in a few hours. The drive train..... I might put on a different intake and 4 barrell, maybe different valve covers but I am going to leave the truck mostly stock. I was reading in another thread that you wanted the placement of the lariat badge on the tailgate. I'm pretty sure mine is still on, if not the double sided tape is there. If you still need that I will take some measurements for you.

 

That'd be awesome man,i'd greatly appreciate it!

 

pics as promised

 

You lost a nice truck but you found a nice one too.. I bet you can have it in top shape in no time. Looks good

okiepc1

 

Nice looking truck.

 

GORGEOUS truck, peppermint! And thank you for the truck ****!

There a lot of members in here finding some really nice 1980 - 1981 F150s and Rangers lately. I think that's great, as I didn't think there were that nice ones left!

 

And they're all Running.

I remember when a bunch of Brown and Beige trucks came to the surface.Now it's Ranger trim trucks.Next it will be Black interior trucks.

lol.

That's a beautiful truck man!The interior looks really clean.I don't believe the grille is original,as usually Customs got the black grille.It could have been an option though.

 

I hate the early grille, probably because I had the 84 first. I am going to put a later grille in it. I am also going to remove the upper chrome trim. I like the trim above the body line on two tone trucks but since this is all black I think it will look best with just the bottom trim.

 

That's what I did with my truck.Swapped for an 83 grille.I hate how the early grille has so many bars in it.I always did hate my grille,and when I used to pass by my truck before I bought it,I always hated it because of the grille.About 8 screws took care of that though.lol.

I agree about that upper trim,it kinda looks aftermarket to me.My Two-Tone trim is above the top body crease.That trim you have on top looks like the 85-86 stuff.

 

The Grille on 1980-1981 customs were painted argent, (silver) if they were standard.

Optional grilles were Black, like the one pictured. (Standard on freewheeling packages)
and the chrome grille. You see I'm the exact opposite, and like the 1980-1981 grille better.

That chrome piece below the middle bodyside indentation is indeed aftermarket. Probably stuck on with adhesive tape. The actual factory chrome trim is above the "dent" and goes around the tailgate as well. Usually used on combination tu-tones.

The bottom chrome pieces around the wheel wells and bottom bodyline are standard on the Ranger Lariat.

Very weird optioned truck, Idiot lights, but yet power windows and door locks, soft grip steering wheel, no cruise, am-fm stereo... Hmmm... Special ordered would be my guess. Very nice truck.