In 1983 I was working for a truck leasing company as the road mechanic. My service truck was an F-250 with the 300 cubic inch six and four speed. I could actually pull start a Class 8 tractor with that little beast!
I'm an old GM square body guy but that damn 300 CI. Ford was a monster motor. Most reliable engine FoMoCo ever built and is a zombie apocalypse engine.
Not only is the 300 reliable, it was teenager proof. Both of my sons learned to drive on my f150 300 stick shift truck. I still hear stories of what they did with that truck !!!
Those drop in bedliners are really good at rubbing all the paint off the inside of the bed and rusting them out. I'd say you got the spray in vs drop in reversed, drop in came out first. The spray in is pretty much king now to the point it's dealer installed on most every new truck you see.
@@Uncle-Bull That's a common problem on trucks my 69 Ranger used to do it too. You have to drill two drain holes 1 in each of front two corners of the floor
I had a nicely optioned 1982 F150 with the Explorer package, cruise, tilt, air, and a 300 straight 6 and that was the best most reliable THING I've ever owned of any THING I've ever owned,,,, lol 7 years and a 185000 HARD miles and it still ran like new when I sold it. The thing just never broke everything under the hood was original except for the starter, and battery and the original starter went for a 165000 miles.. I wish I could buy another new one though even with the straight 6 it averaged 14 miles per gallon..
Yep you're right about 14 mpg. My 96' F250 with the straight 6 gets around 13 to 15 mpg. Even though it only has 45,340 original miles. It's still fun to drive .
Have an 86 F150 with EFI 302. Parked it for rust issues 7 years ago, but ran flawlessly. Summer of 2021 put some gas in it and took it on a 4 day road trip, only had to change a headlight and with the overdrive we got 21mpg. What a great truck that has been, bought it many years ago when I was 21 and it was in pristine shape. I gave it to my son and one day I'll help him restore it.
the spray in boxliners are still popular here in Western Canada. I have had it done to new and used trucks I have bought. Often bottom quarters and bumpers are done at the same time. The molded liners are known to trap moisture and promote rust between the liner and the bed.
I really appreciate those big glass headlights, I still have a truck with them. So simple, no problem to find a replacement if you need one, very inexpensive, no plastic lens to fog over and excellent optics, especially when compared to some of the designs that followed .
Hey Steve, my '76 F150 2wd long box (Ford Canada built) had the factory installed in cab fuel tank, 360 2V,and BW 4spd manual trans. It was used on a small island vacation home property exclusively for running errands and bi-wkly trips to refuse dump for around 20yrs...resulting in the box floor falling out. I acquired it shortly after,with only 28,000 miles,and restored complete. Enjoyed that truck for another 20yrs of hard charging, wood hauling, and Literally stump pulling! ( I had a small arborist/ firewood side biz back then when I was ambitious) Really enjoying your presentations...keep up the good work!
Had an 82 with a 302 overdrive automatic. On the highway it got 17 mpg in overdrive, with overdrive off it got 21 mpg. Overdrive just bogged that little engine down. Aerodynamic as a brick.
Thanks Steve! I love to see 8 foot bed pickups. So much room for hauling. Unfortunately, most of them really get beat, but I suppose they live their best lives in the meantime.
I was 17 when this generation first came out and remember the excitement of seeing the first of these in the back lot of a local Ford dealer. Compared to the previous version (my Dad had a 1975 F-150 Supercab Explorer), these looked lower than the previous upright version. I also believe this generation started the taller lower body and higher belt line that has eventually overcome all trucks now (you cannot see through them at a stop light if you are behind them like you could with the pre-1980's). Once again you offer a compelling look at older vehicles and you are simply brilliant with your information and viewpoint. I still can't get over how good you are taking what others would see as junk and making this a learning experience! Kudos to you!
All 1980 to 1985 Ford 4x4's had twin traction beam (TTB). F150's had the coil spring version, F250's had a leaf spring TTB with a Dana 44 differential center section and F350's had the same setup, but with a Dana 50 center section and larger hubs, bearings, and shafts.The Dana 60 solid axle had bowed out on Fords for the 1979 model year, but returned in 1986 on F350's. With that, the Dana 50 TTB was relegated to the higher GVW F250.Also,all post 1979 Ford pickups had their fuel tanks inside the frame rails, whether it was single or dual tanks.
I had a set of auto hubs lock once without being in 4wheel and shredded up. Those hubs where always a pain. Replaced with manual warns and had no trouble.
My brother had Chevy 1-ton crew-cab dually. He'd pull into the middle of gas station to use two pumps at the same time. He got a lot F-bombs but it was SO fun to watch. Towing his boat in Arizona I watched as he used 4 pumps. Two to fill the truck and two to fill the boat,.
"Bullnose" Ford, cool and sort of a motivator for me. I'm working on a next generation "Bricknose" 1988 F250 7.3 IDI diesel extended cab long bed pickup. I swapped the motor in my driveway with another one and I have a few other things to do and it'll be back on the road shortly. Thanks to you Steve, I just learned what that bracket on the passenger side of the engine compartment was for, a jack. Mine is missing its original jack but still has the bracket that holds it. That old truck would make a nice project to put back on the road. They're relatively simple and easy to work on. The only worries about that one is its up in Massachusetts so I'm betting its frame is so rusty if you sneeze hard, it'll break in half. If that's the case, its a parts donor truck.
These trucks are absolute workhorses, and very handsome! By the later years, they had fuel injected 302s that really helped performance. Still see a lot of these out on the road, in varying states of wear.
I owned a 1980 Ford ranger bronco , 302 with a new process standard transmission 4th gear overdrive. on a good day highway mileage was just under 20 mpg , taught my daughters to drive with it . I loved that thing , but rust loved it more
One of my best friends in high school had a Dad who bought a brand new 83 Ford F-150 with 4 wheel drive and a short bed, single cab configuration. It was two-green. The family still has the truck to this day. I also drove a 83 Ford F-350 crew cab over in the Middle East during Desert Shield/Storm. It was a US Air Force vehicle. Super basic, sand colored, thankfully it had A/C in it. We used it for a “Shop Truck”.
I think they are good but not hands down the best. I worked at the dealership level and they certainly had issues IE: transmissions, engines and front ends.
I bought my first new vehicle in 82, F150 300 6 overdrive dealer installed air conditioning same color as the middle of the door. No radio because after market radios were better and I installed one 6 months after I bought it. 25 to the gallon on the freeway. I was in North Dakota drilling oil so it got a lot of miles in 4 wheel drive. They were a great truck and I think the 6 was a better choice in the 1982. Pulled as well as the eight and had more low end torque than the 302 v8. Twin tanks were common in NoDak we would drive a 100 miles to Canada and buy a lot of gas and save about half the price. Given I would have to drive 100 miles to get a shower after being on the rig. Driving to Canada one time every few weeks was not a big deal for most guys. It was way colder in NoDak than Minnesota or Massachusetts so a good heater was everything. On the rigs we left trucks running when it got into the 30s below zero. I saw one night -40 with 40 mile per hour wind….. that was one cold wind chill. Often we blocked the radiator with a sheet of card board to try and get the heater to work better. The tires you freeze out of round and it would take several miles to warm them up and get them back to round.
Miss my '83. Wasn't 4WD sadly, but it did have the G code 351 Windsor backed by the NP 205 heavy duty 4spd. Was also a dual tank truck. The bed on that one looks to have come from an '87 to '96 model judging by the beauty line not continuing up over the wheel opening and the smooth taillights.
When I first started turning wrenches, it was helping a farmer with a pair of 1983 Ford F250 Heavy duty trucks. both diesels, think they had 6.2l engines, at least one of them had a manual transmission. Glow plugs, brakes, master cylinder, charging issues. I can remember the glow plugs were quite expensive at ten bucks each (I was making 4.25 an hour at the time).
Research falls short this time Steve. Ford trucks had a fuel tank behind the seat until 1976, not 1972. And the f250 4x4 from 1980-97 was also an I.F.S front end, the only way to get a solid axle was in the f350.
The spray in or brush in bed liners were good enough. However those plastic drop in liners did nothing other than hold dirt and moisture, accelerating rust and rot. I bought a truck with a drop in liner and first thing I did was take it out.
The f250 had twin I beam too. They were pron for eating tires . Also they didn't like the weight of Fisher plows and I bean front end would snap in half.
Thanks for teaching us more about Fords! Looking forward to videos on that Sunbeam Alpine and those Geo Metros. That Metro convertible is handy to tow behind a motor home.
Hello Ryan Foster, if you like the Sunbeam and the Metro twins, know that I featured both of these subjects in a pair of videos last spring. You can see them - and about 300 other Junkyard Crawl videos in the Channel Playlist. Binge away...and it's all FREE as a Byrd. Or is that Lynrd Skynred? Thanks for watching and writing, Steve Magnante
They were and still are good trucks my ex boss had an 81 with 302 and very reliable truck my neighbor bought a brand new f250 in 83 he kept for 16 years and towed a fifth wheel all over and no problems it had the 460.the only reason he sold was he decided to buy a diesel. The Ford had one of the best engines it was the 6.9 diesel. I currently have a 1996 f350 dually with 7.3 what surprised me is how much that truck is selling for right now. I am the forth owner Inherited from my dad. And it's a heck of a good truck.
My 1995 F150 is basically the same truck with a redesigned front end. I only have 90k on it . The 4.9 straight 6 it will last for ever. But the rust is is beginning taking over.
I love old ford trucks anything from about 1970 through 1986. My opinion the best looking truck ever built is the 1979 f150 or 250. A few months ago I just finished restoring a 1986 f-250 4x4 with the 6.9 diesel engine those 6.9 diesel trucks are SLOW but dependable as long as you got good batteries and glow plugs to get them started but once there started they'll get you where you need to go at a slow pace of course. I got a yard and part of a mountain full of ford trucks 7 1983 through 86 6.9 diesel pickups I grab them up anytime I see them cheap on Facebook market place. I love the 6.9 and 7.3 idi diesel engines but I gotta say the 300 6 cylinder is the best as for dependable and fairly easy on gas. I like to think I was smart enough to buy these old trucks up before they skyrocket in price. I remember 20 some years ago you could buy 1970s ford pickup trucks in good condition for 1000 to 1500 dollars nowadays those trucks in good shape are 3500 and up. 1980 through 86 body style has been going up for a while now
That's the "Duracrap" (Duraspark) ignition module and yes, it was replaced with an aftermarket unit. The original was a Motorcraft. Ford was not known for their ignition systems, carburetion/fuel contol and emission controls. These were a vacuum nightmare as evidenced by everything plugged to keep it running (somewhat) decent. This one has had a lot of hands in it over the 40+ years it's been around. The "TFI" (Thick Film Integrated) module that came later on the Ford distributors was another heap and caused many a vehicle to cut out in the worst situations. They were also a known problem and many tool companies (such as Snap On) developed a special socket to remove the 5.5mm bolts that held it in place. If not, many a "mechanic" filed down a Craftsman or other brand to "make it fit", but there was a proper socket for that set up. No, that's not correct on metal tags---they went further than 1970 on trucks. By the later 1970s/early 80s, yes, they were a computer printed label like this truck has. No, you can determine the year on a 1981 Ford truck by looking at the 10th digit of the VIN (It's a "B" in 1981). I just decoded one the other day on the "G Money Auto Crushing"' channel. That one was a 1981 F150 2WD in that case. No, fuel tanks in the cab existed past 1972 as others have stated. Yup, the VIN always gets the win: 2FT for Canadian made Ford truck, E for 6,001 to 7,000 # Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, F14 for F150 4WD pickup, F for 302 V8 with two barrel with "Motorcrap" carburetor, X is a check digit, D for the 1983 model year, C for Ontario Truck, Ontario Canada assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Ontario Truck assembly plant operated from 1965 to 2004. The Motorcraft series of carburetors were awful and many were thrown out in favor of aftermarket replacements. Fuel injection really improved these vehicles. We got the tag, we can brag: 3L for Dark Blue Metallic exterior paint and 32 for Light Blue exterior paint (the original paint was two-tone), 133 for the truck's wheelbase in inches (Ford still puts the wheelbase dimensions on the certification labels today), F142 for F150 4WD pickup with 6,250# GVWR, CB4 for Blue cloth and vinyl interior trim on a Styleside pickup, K for C6 three speed automatic transmission, 18 for 3.08:1 non-locking rear axle, and 11 for Boston, MA sales district. Correct, 1981 for the 17th digit VIN format with the 10th digit being the model year. This VIN system is still used today. Yes, "D" is 1983. Not really on spray on bed liners---many OEMs (GM for one) offer it as a factory option. Linex and Rhino Liner are two main companies in that arena. Looks like Katie the "junkyard dog" is running around looking for some treats in the woods.
@@googleusergp I spent all my time in the Alexandra Public Library reading Popular Mechanics and Consumer buyer reports. My Boss, a former Ford Master Tech on Australian and New Zealand vehicles, said it best." Ford does the Billion Dollar development. Ford fixes the Billion Dollar problems. Rather than pulling shit off, and cussing out the tech, how about Actually Reading the book, and charging the customer for fixing the actual problem." AMC used the Duraspark, Autolite, Motorcraft, Ford MCU and it's White Box Single Rail and T4/T5 supply gearboxes. Mr 2 ( FoMoCo) and Mr 4 (AMC) responded to the Fed Sniffer tests and CAFE with the same alacrity that dog did finding it's treats. That's why we had Duraspark III brown box 351Ms which were 38 HP down on an 83 4V HO Fox. The systems were 100% GubberMeanthal Mandatory Responses, And I'll take a 103 element 83 or 84 F code truck and make any of them an Emissions legal 347 cube 335 HP net ball tearer without removing one emissions part. TFi, Pre OBD, Duraspark 1, II, III, MCU, EEC 1, II, III, IV, Motorcraft carbs, freaken the best responses to the MPG and Sniffer Test legal mandates ever. Have a Nice Day. 🥝⚒️. The dog 🐕🐾Rocks..
The main tank is behind the seat the one out back had to be after market auxiliary. 1967 to 1977.5 Highboys only came with incab tanks from the factory do to narrower frame. Though It was common to add saddle tanks.
The 3.8 V6 was available beginning with the 1983 model, though I’ve never seen one. I’ve owned around a dozen 80’s to 90’s F150’s, all but one had the 300-6. The 300-6 was a great engine but the emissions junk added was a hassle. I had better luck with EFI 300-6 engines beginning with the 1987 model. Also some trucks came from the factory with 2.47 rear axle ratio and the overdrive 4 speed. At 60mph the 300-6 was around 1200 rpm. I had two of them, but they really sucked at towing or hauling much.
You know what that having a high output heater, I wonder if that was part of a northlander package? I think if I remember correctly, the Northlander package with only available in certain northern states. My dad had one in a 150 or a 250 I want to say it was a '76. Neat old rig though.
Had a late 70's short wheel base F100 4x4 I picked up cheap because the drive chain in the transfer case lunched itself. Rebuilt the 302 Cleveland and sorted the manual box and transfer and she was a tidy unit, great tow joe but not so great off road due to its width. Still have a soft spot for the F trucks :-)
My friends 84 GMC Sierra had the dual tanks. Handy because you could pull up to either side and get fuel. Not always needing both filled for local driving the convenience was a plus.
There were kits so you could fill one tank out of the other so it never mattered what side of the pump you pulled up on. But I'd drove both types and the load evened out on both sides handled better vs having all the fuel on one side.
@@user-neo71665 The fuel tanks on these Fords werent side saddle tanks like Steve said in the video. They are mounted on the inside of the frame rails basically in the middle of the truck so the weight is centered and not hanging over to one side. My 94 f250 has the same fuel tanks. The GM side saddle fuel tanks are the stupidest design of all time. They sit out in the open outside of the frame rails so if you get t boned they explode. Its like GM was trying to kill people lol.
I wonder if your 77 was a leftover from the 76 model year. I say that, because 76 was the last year for the in-cab tank (or so I was always lead to believe).
96 f150 straight 6 lifted on 35s and it will take a corner better than the wife's 2012 pathfinder ! I was never a ford guy until I drove this truck. They're tough
My all time favorite trucks are these ford trucks. from 1980 to 1997 this is actually all I have driven over the last 30 years ! Obviously not the same truck but the same body style in fact I’m driving a 96 F150 right now as a daily driver! I own lightings,Nite F250 4x4 F350 4x4 and even aF450 rollback. I do own a new f150 but these body style trucks are work horses
A couple of points your wrong on. The f250 had the twin beam suspension in both 4x4 and 2x4. But for a plow truck the 250 or bigger is best for plowing. The cab lights were a factory option with the trailer packages, not aftermarket install.
Ahhh - there was nothing more comforting then riding around with your old man in his 60’s or 70’s era pickup, feeling the nice warm air from the heater, and allowing the gentle sound of sloshing gasoline behind the seat lull you off to sleep, where you dreamed about being incinerated in a fiery hell……..😂
Thank you for covering this cool classic truck for us, Steve! I love this channel by the way. This one was special for me. The 80-86 "bullnose" F-series trucks are only second behind the 78-79 F-series in my opinion (my dad had a 78 F-150 Ranger XLT longbed 4x4 he'd bought new when I was born up until the early 2000's when he sold it, but it had been broken down and out of commission for about 10 years by that point, and I had a 78 Bronco back when you could pick one up cheap. I'd love to have another 78-79 F-series or Bronco). My love for the bullnose Fords stems from my grandfather having an 86 F-150 Lariat shortbed 2WD 302 EFI during my childhood. My mom (and I, technically) actually went with him while she was pregnant when he bought the truck new, presumably in late 85 or early 86 (I was born in April, 86). It was one of the vehicles I learned to drive in, and he and I both loved that truck. He kept the oil changed every 2,000 miles and the truck still looked brand new inside and out until he was T-boned December 2, 2002. That truck saved his life though. He was hit hard in the driver's door and while the door caved in and the frame bent, the truck was built tough enough that he walked away with just a broken arm (he was 86 at the time). That was the last vehicle he owned, as unfortunately we lost him to lung cancer the next year. He was very much a car guy, and I remember he and I going through my new Motor Trends at the time and him pointing out the 2003 "terminator" Mustang Cobra and saying he was going to go pick one of those up once he got better. Now I have a 1996 F-150 4x4, the last year of that 1980-1996/1997 chassis (in F-150 form). Of course that bodystyle continued one more year in F-250 and up form. I also have a 1999 F-350 4x4, which was the first year of the new "Superduty" chassis that replaced the F-250/350 from 1980-97 (not counting the one year only 98 models that were kind of an odd configuration compared to both the 97 model and 99 model).
Hate to be the one to tell you Steve but I had a '77 f-150 that had a fuel tank behind the seat and one at the back end of the box..... love all your videos buddy 😊
Thank you for covering an older Ford truck! Have you seen the whole 46-68 Mercury trucks Ford produced? I have a 1967 M100 4x4 all original with the 352 V8, 4 speed, no power steering or brakes. Good old Canadian Truck as Ford only sold them in Canada. This was due to a shortage in dealerships. Most towns had either a Ford or Mercury dealership, not both so to maximize sales Ford started badging trucks as Mercury. This ended on March 23 1968. If you find one, be sure to make a video!
Hi Steve, the manual locking four wheel drive front hubs are much heavier duty than the automatic locking hubs by the way. If you loos just one front hub, the entire front drive axle becomes 100% useless, because the failed hub will cause both front axels to "free wheel" in both directions, front drive axels are not limited slip. Ford was the first company to move the fuel tank out of the cab, because customers wanted storage room behind the seat. With all due respect, I think you have plastic drop in pickup truck bed liners Vs. spray in pickup truck bed liners mixed up. Spray in pickup truck bed liners are the most popular at this time. Please reply. Dave...
That dog is having a great time over there.
Searchin' for 'squatch!
At first I thought it was a wild animal 🤣
Was that a junk yard dog??
In 1983 I was working for a truck leasing company as the road mechanic. My service truck was an F-250 with the 300 cubic inch six and four speed. I could actually pull start a Class 8 tractor with that little beast!
Yea was always amazed with what that 300 could do
Greatest light duty gasoline truck engine ever built!
I'm an old GM square body guy but that damn 300 CI. Ford was a monster motor. Most reliable engine FoMoCo ever built and is a zombie apocalypse engine.
Not only is the 300 reliable, it was teenager proof. Both of my sons learned to drive on my f150 300 stick shift truck. I still hear stories of what they did with that truck !!!
Those drop in bedliners are really good at rubbing all the paint off the inside of the bed and rusting them out. I'd say you got the spray in vs drop in reversed, drop in came out first. The spray in is pretty much king now to the point it's dealer installed on most every new truck you see.
Agreed!
Concur
My friend died because of those plastic bedliners.
@@josephboley Sorry to hear. One blow out at speed?
@@Uncle-Bull That's a common problem on trucks my 69 Ranger used to do it too. You have to drill two drain holes 1 in each of front two corners of the floor
And,.. the elusive yet rarely seen junkyard dog makes an appearance!! Thanks Steve!! ✌️ from Iowa
Running around like frankers
@@pl5624 🤣
A little earlier a rabbit ran through and then the dog behind it
7:35
It’s the other way around. Spray-in bedliners replaced the drop-in plastic bedliners.
I was thinking the same thing
Exactly.
Agreed. Maybe it was something local to where Steve was, but I never saw a spray-in bed liner in the time before drop-ins.
Steve, your dog 🐕 is running around
Behind you.
When I watch these videos, I always get distracted by the interesting cars in the background.
I had a nicely optioned 1982 F150 with the Explorer package, cruise, tilt, air, and a 300 straight 6 and that was the best most reliable THING I've ever owned of any THING I've ever owned,,,, lol
7 years and a 185000 HARD miles and it still ran like new when I sold it.
The thing just never broke everything under the hood was original except for the starter, and battery and the original starter went for a 165000 miles..
I wish I could buy another new one though even with the straight 6 it averaged 14 miles per gallon..
Yep you're right about 14 mpg. My 96' F250 with the straight 6 gets around 13 to 15 mpg. Even though it only has 45,340 original miles. It's still fun to drive .
Have an 86 F150 with EFI 302. Parked it for rust issues 7 years ago, but ran flawlessly. Summer of 2021 put some gas in it and took it on a 4 day road trip, only had to change a headlight and with the overdrive we got 21mpg. What a great truck that has been, bought it many years ago when I was 21 and it was in pristine shape. I gave it to my son and one day I'll help him restore it.
Gotta 86 ranger 4x4 my dad and I built when I was in high-school. That's been almost 14years ago, still drive it all the time.
I still own and drive my 1984 F150. It's cheap to keep and easy to repair at home. No dealership required.
Most dealer techs these days probably wouldn't even know how to begin working on it if you were to take it in.
the spray in boxliners are still popular here in Western Canada. I have had it done to new and used trucks I have bought. Often bottom quarters and bumpers are done at the same time. The molded liners are known to trap moisture and promote rust between the liner and the bed.
I really appreciate those big glass headlights, I still have a truck with them. So simple, no problem to find a replacement if you need one, very inexpensive, no plastic lens to fog over and excellent optics, especially when compared to some of the designs that followed .
The various paint colors of sheet metal is an indicator that this one is an entire fleet of F-150's.
Hi Steve,discovered your channel a month ago,it is really unique, love the content and the enthusiasm of your presentation. From Brisbane, Australia
Hey Steve, my '76 F150 2wd long box (Ford Canada built) had the factory installed in cab fuel tank, 360 2V,and BW 4spd manual trans. It was used on a small island vacation home property exclusively for running errands and bi-wkly trips to refuse dump for around 20yrs...resulting in the box floor falling out. I acquired it shortly after,with only 28,000 miles,and restored complete.
Enjoyed that truck for another 20yrs of hard charging, wood hauling, and Literally stump pulling! ( I had a small arborist/ firewood side biz back then when I was ambitious) Really enjoying your presentations...keep up the good work!
Had an 82 with a 302 overdrive automatic. On the highway it got 17 mpg in overdrive, with overdrive off it got 21 mpg. Overdrive just bogged that little engine down. Aerodynamic as a brick.
Thanks Steve! I love to see 8 foot bed pickups. So much room for hauling. Unfortunately, most of them really get beat, but I suppose they live their best lives in the meantime.
I was 17 when this generation first came out and remember the excitement of seeing the first of these in the back lot of a local Ford dealer. Compared to the previous version (my Dad had a 1975 F-150 Supercab Explorer), these looked lower than the previous upright version. I also believe this generation started the taller lower body and higher belt line that has eventually overcome all trucks now (you cannot see through them at a stop light if you are behind them like you could with the pre-1980's).
Once again you offer a compelling look at older vehicles and you are simply brilliant with your information and viewpoint. I still can't get over how good you are taking what others would see as junk and making this a learning experience! Kudos to you!
My 77 F150 Custom is still going strong!
In Chicago, that thing would be creeping down the alleys looking for old washing machines and bed frames.
All 1980 to 1985 Ford 4x4's had twin traction beam (TTB). F150's had the coil spring version, F250's had a leaf spring TTB with a Dana 44 differential center section and F350's had the same setup, but with a Dana 50 center section and larger hubs, bearings, and shafts.The Dana 60 solid axle had bowed out on Fords for the 1979 model year, but returned in 1986 on F350's. With that, the Dana 50 TTB was relegated to the higher GVW F250.Also,all post 1979 Ford pickups had their fuel tanks inside the frame rails, whether it was single or dual tanks.
Those were good truck's like this era better than trucks of today.
Steve, I am always thrilled to see a pickup from the time when enough power to get the work done was enough power to get WORK done😉😉
Manual lockout hubs are the only way to go. They last longer and are more reliable than any auto hub I've ever driven.
I had a set of auto hubs lock once without being in 4wheel and shredded up. Those hubs where always a pain. Replaced with manual warns and had no trouble.
My brother had Chevy 1-ton crew-cab dually. He'd pull into the middle of gas station to use two pumps at the same time. He got a lot F-bombs but it was SO fun to watch. Towing his boat in Arizona I watched as he used 4 pumps. Two to fill the truck and two to fill the boat,.
"Bullnose" Ford, cool and sort of a motivator for me. I'm working on a next generation "Bricknose" 1988 F250 7.3 IDI diesel extended cab long bed pickup. I swapped the motor in my driveway with another one and I have a few other things to do and it'll be back on the road shortly. Thanks to you Steve, I just learned what that bracket on the passenger side of the engine compartment was for, a jack. Mine is missing its original jack but still has the bracket that holds it. That old truck would make a nice project to put back on the road. They're relatively simple and easy to work on. The only worries about that one is its up in Massachusetts so I'm betting its frame is so rusty if you sneeze hard, it'll break in half. If that's the case, its a parts donor truck.
Same here, I've got a '90 I6 truck, and always wondered what that rod under the hood was for.
These trucks are absolute workhorses, and very handsome! By the later years, they had fuel injected 302s that really helped performance. Still see a lot of these out on the road, in varying states of wear.
We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon
F250 were solid axle up untill 79. Then became ttb. Then became solid axles once again in 2001.
Actually went back to solid axle in 99 with the introduction of the super duty trucks
My grandfather had an 1981 sold it with 400 thousand miles. Roofer bought it and seen her on the road for another 10 years!!
What a beast!!
I owned a 1980 Ford ranger bronco , 302 with a new process standard transmission 4th gear overdrive. on a good day highway mileage was just under 20 mpg , taught my daughters to drive with it . I loved that thing , but rust loved it more
Cab lights were an option during these years and those look like factory cab lights. The box is from an 87-96 Ford.
Somebody pulled into your stop at the gas station, Ya Gotta Fight! L0L
JYD needs a interview. 🐶🐾
This is one of my favorite things on UA-cam
One of my best friends in high school had a Dad who bought a brand new 83 Ford F-150 with 4 wheel drive and a short bed, single cab configuration. It was two-green. The family still has the truck to this day. I also drove a 83 Ford F-350 crew cab over in the Middle East during Desert Shield/Storm. It was a US Air Force vehicle. Super basic, sand colored, thankfully it had A/C in it. We used it for a “Shop Truck”.
I have a 1983 F250 with a 4.9 (300 CI). Love it!!
Ford has built the best trucks hands down for the past 60 years
I think they are good but not hands down the best. I worked at the dealership level and they certainly had issues IE: transmissions, engines and front ends.
No better channel on UA-cam - thanks!
We are currently working on a 1986 f150. That seat is mint!
👍
Subbed👍
@@rheidtech thanks! Repaid the favor!
You have an impressive knowledge of cars and trucks!!
I bought my first new vehicle in 82, F150 300 6 overdrive dealer installed air conditioning same color as the middle of the door. No radio because after market radios were better and I installed one 6 months after I bought it. 25 to the gallon on the freeway. I was in North Dakota drilling oil so it got a lot of miles in 4 wheel drive. They were a great truck and I think the 6 was a better choice in the 1982. Pulled as well as the eight and had more low end torque than the 302 v8. Twin tanks were common in NoDak we would drive a 100 miles to Canada and buy a lot of gas and save about half the price. Given I would have to drive 100 miles to get a shower after being on the rig. Driving to Canada one time every few weeks was not a big deal for most guys. It was way colder in NoDak than Minnesota or Massachusetts so a good heater was everything. On the rigs we left trucks running when it got into the 30s below zero. I saw one night -40 with 40 mile per hour wind….. that was one cold wind chill. Often we blocked the radiator with a sheet of card board to try and get the heater to work better. The tires you freeze out of round and it would take several miles to warm them up and get them back to round.
Interesting story. 👍
Miss my '83. Wasn't 4WD sadly, but it did have the G code 351 Windsor backed by the NP 205 heavy duty 4spd. Was also a dual tank truck. The bed on that one looks to have come from an '87 to '96 model judging by the beauty line not continuing up over the wheel opening and the smooth taillights.
NP205 is a 2 speed transfer case for four wheel drive
@@mwilliamshs Yes the Trans was the NP 435. Been almost 20 years since I lost it. My goof.
When I first started turning wrenches, it was helping a farmer with a pair of 1983 Ford F250 Heavy duty trucks. both diesels, think they had 6.2l engines, at least one of them had a manual transmission. Glow plugs, brakes, master cylinder, charging issues. I can remember the glow plugs were quite expensive at ten bucks each (I was making 4.25 an hour at the time).
They had the 6.9l idi international Navistar engine 6.2 was the Detroit gm flavor
Research falls short this time Steve. Ford trucks had a fuel tank behind the seat until 1976, not 1972. And the f250 4x4 from 1980-97 was also an I.F.S front end, the only way to get a solid axle was in the f350.
Hey steve like your show! But f series trucks had roof marker lites from the factory well intomthe 90s and had in cab gas tanks till 77.
That visor looks highly aerodynamic 😂
DUDEZILLA!!! This is my 'go to' channel to learn EVERYTHING about the different 'corks' of a certain make and model!!!
Miss my 82 short bed with the straight 6. Always started and got me where I need to be. Worth a fortune now but sadly sold many years ago.....
The spray in or brush in bed liners were good enough. However those plastic drop in liners did nothing other than hold dirt and moisture, accelerating rust and rot. I bought a truck with a drop in liner and first thing I did was take it out.
GM still offers spray in bed liners as a factory option. I believe Linex supplies it and it's done on the line at GM.
They did protect the metal when you dropped heavy items in the bed.
The f250 had twin I beam too. They were pron for eating tires . Also they didn't like the weight of Fisher plows and I bean front end would snap in half.
73-early 77 F250 4x4s with the narrow frame still had in-cab tanks.
"Smokies in the back mirror, high and tight, bla bla bla" I almost spit my coffee out!
GREAT BACKSTORY ON THIS FORD
Thanks for teaching us more about Fords! Looking forward to videos on that Sunbeam Alpine and those Geo Metros. That Metro convertible is handy to tow behind a motor home.
Hello Ryan Foster, if you like the Sunbeam and the Metro twins, know that I featured both of these subjects in a pair of videos last spring. You can see them - and about 300 other Junkyard Crawl videos in the Channel Playlist. Binge away...and it's all FREE as a Byrd. Or is that Lynrd Skynred? Thanks for watching and writing, Steve Magnante
Thanks! Will do!
This F150 looks to be in decent shape. No huge rust holes. Maybe it's a runner.
These are running in places like Argentina and Puerto Rico, and carry livestock
Get well soon Steve!
They were and still are good trucks my ex boss had an 81 with 302 and very reliable truck my neighbor bought a brand new f250 in 83 he kept for 16 years and towed a fifth wheel all over and no problems it had the 460.the only reason he sold was he decided to buy a diesel. The Ford had one of the best engines it was the 6.9 diesel. I currently have a 1996 f350 dually
with 7.3 what surprised me is how much that truck is selling for right now. I am the forth owner Inherited from my dad. And it's a heck of a good truck.
Have a 83 250 6.9 4x4. Not the fastest, but does everything I need it to. Stupid simple to service, extremely dependable and no truck payment!
Not to mention the fuel economy isn't too bad either
My 1995 F150 is basically the same truck with a redesigned front end. I only have 90k on it . The 4.9 straight 6 it will last for ever. But the rust is is beginning taking over.
I love old ford trucks anything from about 1970 through 1986. My opinion the best looking truck ever built is the 1979 f150 or 250. A few months ago I just finished restoring a 1986 f-250 4x4 with the 6.9 diesel engine those 6.9 diesel trucks are SLOW but dependable as long as you got good batteries and glow plugs to get them started but once there started they'll get you where you need to go at a slow pace of course. I got a yard and part of a mountain full of ford trucks 7 1983 through 86 6.9 diesel pickups I grab them up anytime I see them cheap on Facebook market place. I love the 6.9 and 7.3 idi diesel engines but I gotta say the 300 6 cylinder is the best as for dependable and fairly easy on gas. I like to think I was smart enough to buy these old trucks up before they skyrocket in price. I remember 20 some years ago you could buy 1970s ford pickup trucks in good condition for 1000 to 1500 dollars nowadays those trucks in good shape are 3500 and up. 1980 through 86 body style has been going up for a while now
That's the "Duracrap" (Duraspark) ignition module and yes, it was replaced with an aftermarket unit. The original was a Motorcraft. Ford was not known for their ignition systems, carburetion/fuel contol and emission controls. These were a vacuum nightmare as evidenced by everything plugged to keep it running (somewhat) decent. This one has had a lot of hands in it over the 40+ years it's been around. The "TFI" (Thick Film Integrated) module that came later on the Ford distributors was another heap and caused many a vehicle to cut out in the worst situations. They were also a known problem and many tool companies (such as Snap On) developed a special socket to remove the 5.5mm bolts that held it in place. If not, many a "mechanic" filed down a Craftsman or other brand to "make it fit", but there was a proper socket for that set up.
No, that's not correct on metal tags---they went further than 1970 on trucks. By the later 1970s/early 80s, yes, they were a computer printed label like this truck has. No, you can determine the year on a 1981 Ford truck by looking at the 10th digit of the VIN (It's a "B" in 1981). I just decoded one the other day on the "G Money Auto Crushing"' channel. That one was a 1981 F150 2WD in that case. No, fuel tanks in the cab existed past 1972 as others have stated.
Yup, the VIN always gets the win: 2FT for Canadian made Ford truck, E for 6,001 to 7,000 # Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, F14 for F150 4WD pickup, F for 302 V8 with two barrel with "Motorcrap" carburetor, X is a check digit, D for the 1983 model year, C for Ontario Truck, Ontario Canada assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Ontario Truck assembly plant operated from 1965 to 2004. The Motorcraft series of carburetors were awful and many were thrown out in favor of aftermarket replacements. Fuel injection really improved these vehicles.
We got the tag, we can brag: 3L for Dark Blue Metallic exterior paint and 32 for Light Blue exterior paint (the original paint was two-tone), 133 for the truck's wheelbase in inches (Ford still puts the wheelbase dimensions on the certification labels today), F142 for F150 4WD pickup with 6,250# GVWR, CB4 for Blue cloth and vinyl interior trim on a Styleside pickup, K for C6 three speed automatic transmission, 18 for 3.08:1 non-locking rear axle, and 11 for Boston, MA sales district.
Correct, 1981 for the 17th digit VIN format with the 10th digit being the model year. This VIN system is still used today. Yes, "D" is 1983. Not really on spray on bed liners---many OEMs (GM for one) offer it as a factory option. Linex and Rhino Liner are two main companies in that arena. Looks like Katie the "junkyard dog" is running around looking for some treats in the woods.
On the tfi module, I have an extra and the tool to change in glove box of my 89 f 150. Changed a few on the road before.
@@suzi_mai Texas Instruments I believe made some of the chips involved in that fiasco.
Ontario Truck is on the grounds of the Oakville plant that still exists. Fun fact: ot was the plant where the Ford Lightning was assembled.
@@googleusergp I spent all my time in the Alexandra Public Library reading Popular Mechanics and Consumer buyer reports. My Boss, a former Ford Master Tech on Australian and New Zealand vehicles, said it best." Ford does the Billion Dollar development. Ford fixes the Billion Dollar problems. Rather than pulling shit off, and cussing out the tech, how about Actually Reading the book, and charging the customer for fixing the actual problem." AMC used the Duraspark, Autolite, Motorcraft, Ford MCU and it's White Box Single Rail and T4/T5 supply gearboxes. Mr 2 ( FoMoCo) and Mr 4 (AMC) responded to the Fed Sniffer tests and CAFE with the same alacrity that dog did finding it's treats. That's why we had Duraspark III brown box 351Ms which were 38 HP down on an 83 4V HO Fox. The systems were 100% GubberMeanthal Mandatory Responses, And I'll take a 103 element 83 or 84 F code truck and make any of them an Emissions legal 347 cube 335 HP net ball tearer without removing one emissions part. TFi, Pre OBD, Duraspark 1, II, III, MCU, EEC 1, II, III, IV, Motorcraft carbs, freaken the best responses to the MPG and Sniffer Test legal mandates ever. Have a Nice Day. 🥝⚒️. The dog 🐕🐾Rocks..
@@javierdenardo2607 That's correct, but the Ontario plant portion that assembled this truck is no longer in operation.
I had a 77 f250 high boy that had the factory tank behind the seat, which was my main tank as the back one rusted out. So it became my main tank.
The main tank is behind the seat the one out back had to be after market auxiliary. 1967 to 1977.5 Highboys only came with incab tanks from the factory do to narrower frame. Though It was common to add saddle tanks.
More info on the junk yard Dog! Zoomies in the background are cool.
Transverse jack handle clips along radiator,perfect for shredding forearm and stomach skin(used to drilled out and remove them on our "yard trucks")
Great video, suprised that truck is sitting in there, it doesnt look to bad
The 3.8 V6 was available beginning with the 1983 model, though I’ve never seen one. I’ve owned around a dozen 80’s to 90’s F150’s, all but one had the 300-6. The 300-6 was a great engine but the emissions junk added was a hassle. I had better luck with EFI 300-6 engines beginning with the 1987 model. Also some trucks came from the factory with 2.47 rear axle ratio and the overdrive 4 speed. At 60mph the 300-6 was around 1200 rpm. I had two of them, but they really sucked at towing or hauling much.
You know what that having a high output heater, I wonder if that was part of a northlander package? I think if I remember correctly, the Northlander package with only available in certain northern states. My dad had one in a 150 or a 250 I want to say it was a '76. Neat old rig though.
half expected Elmer Fud to come chasing after the dog . Hunting wabits!!😂😂😂😂😂😂
I owned many of those trucks F250 4X4 was my favorite
The bed is 87-96 with the different wheel moulding
Your automotive knowledge is encyclopedic!
We had a 1983 f150 4x4 when I was a kid...It had the 351W but it had the variable venturi carb which had nothing but problems
Was hoping to see the mighty 300 six in there , nice vid Steve.
Good ol trucks, before you had to break the bank to buy a new one!
10k got you a good truck. About 1500 more than 2 wheel drive
Had a late 70's short wheel base F100 4x4 I picked up cheap because the drive chain in the transfer case lunched itself.
Rebuilt the 302 Cleveland and sorted the manual box and transfer and she was a tidy unit, great tow joe but not so great off road due to its width.
Still have a soft spot for the F trucks :-)
My friends 84 GMC Sierra had the dual tanks. Handy because you could pull up to either side and get fuel. Not always needing both filled for local driving the convenience was a plus.
There were kits so you could fill one tank out of the other so it never mattered what side of the pump you pulled up on.
But I'd drove both types and the load evened out on both sides handled better vs having all the fuel on one side.
@@user-neo71665 That sounds like an extra failure point.
@@mexicanspec They were. Just like having a 2nd fuel pump, 2nd tank, and the dual tank switching valves all dual tank trucks had.
On a Ford it’s
Impossible to remove rear tanks without pulling the bed
@@user-neo71665 The fuel tanks on these Fords werent side saddle tanks like Steve said in the video. They are mounted on the inside of the frame rails basically in the middle of the truck so the weight is centered and not hanging over to one side. My 94 f250 has the same fuel tanks. The GM side saddle fuel tanks are the stupidest design of all time. They sit out in the open outside of the frame rails so if you get t boned they explode. Its like GM was trying to kill people lol.
I've seen many of those slip in bed liners on the side of the highway which apparently flew out of the pick up bed
My 77 ford still had a in cab tank, great video Steve
I wonder if your 77 was a leftover from the 76 model year.
I say that, because 76 was the last year for the in-cab tank (or so I was always lead to believe).
@@willhorting5317 it might have been or been swapped cabs years after it was made I owned it in 2006 and I think it had been rolled at some point
@@BIBSTERSrepairshop ah, I see.
96 f150 straight 6 lifted on 35s and it will take a corner better than the wife's 2012 pathfinder ! I was never a ford guy until I drove this truck. They're tough
My all time favorite trucks are these ford trucks. from 1980 to 1997 this is actually all I have driven over the last 30 years ! Obviously not the same truck but the same body style in fact I’m driving a 96 F150 right now as a daily driver! I own lightings,Nite F250 4x4 F350 4x4 and even aF450 rollback. I do own a new f150 but these body style trucks are work horses
Steve, have you ever presented the Sunbeam in the background? It is likely an Alpine (not Tiger, too valuable), mark 4 or 5 with small fins.
I was wondering the same thing.
Yes he did! 7 months ago. I checked too late
A couple of points your wrong on.
The f250 had the twin beam suspension in both 4x4 and 2x4. But for a plow truck the 250 or bigger is best for plowing.
The cab lights were a factory option with the trailer packages, not aftermarket install.
Ahhh - there was nothing more comforting then riding around with your old man in his 60’s or 70’s era pickup, feeling the nice warm air from the heater, and allowing the gentle sound of sloshing gasoline behind the seat lull you off to sleep, where you dreamed about being incinerated in a fiery hell……..😂
Thank you for covering this cool classic truck for us, Steve! I love this channel by the way.
This one was special for me. The 80-86 "bullnose" F-series trucks are only second behind the 78-79 F-series in my opinion (my dad had a 78 F-150 Ranger XLT longbed 4x4 he'd bought new when I was born up until the early 2000's when he sold it, but it had been broken down and out of commission for about 10 years by that point, and I had a 78 Bronco back when you could pick one up cheap. I'd love to have another 78-79 F-series or Bronco).
My love for the bullnose Fords stems from my grandfather having an 86 F-150 Lariat shortbed 2WD 302 EFI during my childhood. My mom (and I, technically) actually went with him while she was pregnant when he bought the truck new, presumably in late 85 or early 86 (I was born in April, 86). It was one of the vehicles I learned to drive in, and he and I both loved that truck. He kept the oil changed every 2,000 miles and the truck still looked brand new inside and out until he was T-boned December 2, 2002. That truck saved his life though. He was hit hard in the driver's door and while the door caved in and the frame bent, the truck was built tough enough that he walked away with just a broken arm (he was 86 at the time). That was the last vehicle he owned, as unfortunately we lost him to lung cancer the next year. He was very much a car guy, and I remember he and I going through my new Motor Trends at the time and him pointing out the 2003 "terminator" Mustang Cobra and saying he was going to go pick one of those up once he got better.
Now I have a 1996 F-150 4x4, the last year of that 1980-1996/1997 chassis (in F-150 form). Of course that bodystyle continued one more year in F-250 and up form. I also have a 1999 F-350 4x4, which was the first year of the new "Superduty" chassis that replaced the F-250/350 from 1980-97 (not counting the one year only 98 models that were kind of an odd configuration compared to both the 97 model and 99 model).
I love my 91 F150 with the 300 I6
Great video brother. My favorite ford pickup is 53-56
Hate to be the one to tell you Steve but I had a '77 f-150 that had a fuel tank behind the seat and one at the back end of the box..... love all your videos buddy 😊
Wow, the '76 brochure shows the aux tank in one picture. I had no idea.
Yes the in cab tank stayed until the end of the 79 model year. You had two options for the secondary tank a mid - ship tank or the aft tank
That thing is all there...good project....
Great truck, Steve!
Love that I found you on UA-cam I miss the jyg
Thank you for covering an older Ford truck! Have you seen the whole 46-68 Mercury trucks Ford produced? I have a 1967 M100 4x4 all original with the 352 V8, 4 speed, no power steering or brakes. Good old Canadian Truck as Ford only sold them in Canada. This was due to a shortage in dealerships. Most towns had either a Ford or Mercury dealership, not both so to maximize sales Ford started badging trucks as Mercury. This ended on March 23 1968. If you find one, be sure to make a video!
my buddy has a 67 merc truck
Hi Steve, the manual locking four wheel drive front hubs are much heavier duty than the automatic locking hubs by the way. If you loos just one front hub, the entire front drive axle becomes 100% useless, because the failed hub will cause both front axels to "free wheel" in both directions, front drive axels are not limited slip. Ford was the first company to move the fuel tank out of the cab, because customers wanted storage room behind the seat. With all due respect, I think you have plastic drop in pickup truck bed liners Vs. spray in pickup truck bed liners mixed up. Spray in pickup truck bed liners are the most popular at this time. Please reply. Dave...
Here is your reply dave
Love those 80-86 Bullnose Fords!
That truck looks like its still got some life left in it
My 83 is a two wheel drive with a 300 inline, has been in a pasture for about 20 years, hoping to get er goin before winter so I have a road truck
F250s also had the twin traction beam axle until 1999
My 2001 Ford Expedition as the exact same Jack. The handle is still under the hood but the Jack itself is in a compartment in the back.
Those split beam axle’s where also found on the smaller 80s broncos too!👌😎👍great video!
They were on full sized broncos from the 80s and 90s as well
@@benholler1389 the f250 also used it until 97, and a the 350 used it until 85. The 250/350 used a bigger version of it.
@@bigassfordsd I thought most of the 350s had solid axles. I know 250s used them I have a 90 f250 with one
@@benholler1389 they went solid axle in 85
@@bigassfordsd ahhh I missed that part in your original post thanks
See the old girl was made in Oakville Ontario. I got my license in an 84.